Roasted coffee beans’ appearances can vary from shiny to dull. Some beans have a glistening sheen, while others show a fully matte finish. The difference is caused by oils. Here’s a look at what causes coffee beans to be oily or dry.

Coffee is both art and science, but science has become increasingly predominant in recent years. Thermometers measure brew water temperature, timers measure pours and brew times, and scales weigh grounds, water and brewed coffee/espresso. One of the newest gadgets are refractometers, which measure total dissolved solubles.

Blooming your coffee allows carbon dioxide to be released from the beans which will give you a better flavor and better extraction. It’s a step that should not be skipped in your brewing process! Brewing freshly roasted coffee grounds creates a frothy head much like a beer’s. Whereas the head is desirable in beer and ...

Espresso is perhaps the most vibrant way to enjoy coffee. The use of pressure during brewing brings out aromas and flavors that other brew methods can’t produce, and espresso’s strength makes it suitable for many different drinks. It can be a bit daunting to know how to get started – there’s a lot of equipment ...

Siphon coffee is enjoying a resurgence among cafes and home baristas that enjoy the performance of brewing. The brew method is hardly new, however. Where Does Siphon Coffee Come From? Siphon coffee was originally invented in the 1800s, as people were looking for an alternative to boiling coffee. Espresso (~1901), pour-over (~1908), French press (~1929) ...