The Reading Room

That which we call Kona - by any other name - would smell as sweet. Shakespeare would probably agree that Kona is a unique coffee with a great aroma. It’s also the subject of some confusion as to what exactly...

I've owned a few home grinders, four to be exact, and I've used many more. I've owned the Capresso Infiniti (wasteful), Baratza Virtuoso (overrated), and Baratza Preciso (fantastic). The latest addition to the household is a Porlex Mini, which I...

You Pick the Pair: Coffee Marries Chocolate Chocolate and coffee – what’s the magic? There must be something special about the combo of these two beans. They aren’t closely related by genus or specie. Still they come paired in all...

Keyboarders deal with it by getting ergonomic keyboards. Call it carpal tunnel, or a repetitive strain injury (RSI), but the newest worker group to be hit with it is the barista. The repetitive motions of tamping seem to be putting...

In this blog I will try to describe the process and equipment needed for home roasting fresh coffee.  ROASTe does not sell green (raw coffee) beans yet but some of the vendors (Klatch, for example) do offer them.  Although I...

Answer: When it’s a Curface (pronounced surface) coffee table, the table is actually partially made out of coffee. Before you shake your head and say it can’t be so, just look at the accompanying image. That brown coffee-colored table top...

Those of you who are experiencing sweltering summer temperatures might understand the quandary facing the staff of the courthouse in Syracuse recently. The 90 to 100 plus temperatures were straining the electrical system, as one can imagine all the air...

The Clever Coffee Dripper is an extremely simple brewing device that combines the clean cup of filter pour over with the full extraction found in immersion brewing methods like the French press. It is easier to master than the traditional...

At one point recently during my self-imposed coffee home schooling I decided I could no longer put up with our “trusty” electric kettle, an old corded hunk of plastic made by Proctor Silex with exposed heating elements. I’d just started...

Some coffee lovers drink the brew for the caffeine and the energy or jolt it provides. Many of us like coffee primarily for the taste. Probably most enjoy coffee for both reasons, except for decaf drinkers who obviously like the...

Single-serve coffee may not be for everyone, but it’s increasingly popular and definitely has its place (car dealerships, office settings, busy homes with kids running around and/or coffee drinkers who can’t agree on what to brew, etc.). In fact, ROASTe...

Coffee plants grow in the mountains of the tropics all over the world. These places vary widely in soil chemistry, weather, land stewardship, and farm practices. With coffee being the second most traded commodity on the planet, Artisanal roasters search...

For many of us, it’s the height of summer heat now, and iced drinks bring refreshment like nothing else. Today ROASTe moves to the voting phase of our Summer Recipe contest. We urge you all to participate and enjoy some...

Yield: 6 servings Ingredients 1 1/2 cups whole milk 4 1/2 teaspoons unflavored powdered gelatin 4 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream 3 tablespoons instant espresso powder 3/4 cup brown sugar 1 can ready-made whipped cream 6 chocolate-covered espresso beans Directions...

If you’re an endurance athlete, such as a long distance runner or biker, you know the routine with daily caffeine. Many such athletes take part in the post training coffee get-togethers at bike shops which, not coincidentally, sell espresso. Scientific...

Ingredients Coffee (Darker roast) Half and half, optional Sugar and/or other flavorings, optional   Directions Brew a pot of coffee double strength Add half and half, sugar, flavorings, if desired. (half as much as you'd use for hot) Let cool...

Have a sweet tooth? Mix in white chocolate with espresso to produce a sweet, frozen drink. Ingredients 4 C mixture of Ghirardelli white chocolate cocoa powder and 2% hot milk Fresh brewed espresso, cooled   Directions Make cocoa and cool...

Sometimes, there's a need for blended drinks, especially if it involves vanilla ice cream and coffee. https://www.decoffeecompany.com/v/vspfiles/templates/109/images/coffee%20fun%201.jpg" style="float: left;" />   Ingredients 60 ml freshly brewed coffee 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream 3 ice cubes Chocolate flakes   Directions...

Is it fall yet? Because we're craving this drink that has the perfect mix of cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice.   Ingredients Dash cinnamon Dash cardamom Dash pumpkin pie spice 1 teaspoon honey 1 cup brewed coffee Coffee creamer, to...

Another cold drink treat for the hot summers: take coffee, chocolate, and sweetened condensed milk and you'll find one fantastic end to a dinner party.   Ingredients ½ cup warm water 2 teaspoons instant coffee granules 1 tray ice cubes...

This simple recipe converts one of my favorite affogato combinations into an iced drink, which I find easier to sip/enjoy on the go. “Dulce de leche” is a thick, caramel-like milk-based spread. The Häagen Dazs version of it is readily...