Specialty Coffee Articles - Best Of Brewing

Coffee Ratio Calculator: Input Desired Strength And Learn How Many Coffee Scoops Per Cup You Should Use

First and foremost, you should know that brewing the perfect cup of coffee can be as much an art as it is a science. While so much depends on careful data points and technique, much of specialty coffee brewing requires nuance and hard-to-define qualities. However, getting the right coffee ratio—the…

By Luke (Musician / Specialty Coffee Expert) Brewing

Flat vs Conical Burr Grinders: Learn The Pros, Cons, And Key Differences

SUMMARY: Grinding at home is critical for delicious coffee, and let's assume you already know that burrs beat blade grinders. However, the many grinder designs and prices make it difficult to choose the right one. If you're comparing flat and conical burr grinders, know that conical burrs tend to be…

By Luke (Musician / Specialty Coffee Expert) Buying Guides, Coffee Facts

Chemex Size Guide: Choosing the Best Model for Your Brew

SUMMARY: For most coffee lovers, I recommend the 6-cup or 8-cup as the best size Chemex because they offer the best brewing flexibility—small enough for 1-2 people and large enough for 3-4 people. However, there is also a 3-cup model that caters to individual brewing and larger 10 to 13-cup…

By Luke (Musician / Specialty Coffee Expert) Buying Guides

35 + Father’s Day Coffee Gifts For Dad

Father's Day and coffee gifts go together like Mother's Day and flowers. So, if you need help finding the perfect Father's Day coffee gift this year, I did a few hours of research to put together this list of my favorite options. Many of these gift ideas will also fit…

By Luke (Musician / Specialty Coffee Expert) Buying Guides

How To Make Turkish Coffee At Home: Easy Recipe & Instructions

Even though it is quite different from most specialty coffee recipes, I love drinking traditional Turkish coffee at home, especially in the afternoons. The method of a fine grind and boiled immersion produces a thick texture and intense flavor. Plus, there's the bonus of feeling connected to coffee's long history.…

By Luke (Musician / Specialty Coffee Expert) Brewing

Can You Drink Espresso By Itself? Yes, And Here’s How To Do It

SUMMARY: Despite its intensity and concentration, you can drink espresso by itself, and a well-made one can be incredibly balanced and delicious. While adding milk and other sweeteners is popular, drinking espresso straight pays homage to its Italian roots. However, be mindful of your espresso consumption, since its concentrated nature…

By Luke (Musician / Specialty Coffee Expert) Espresso

Pour Over vs AeroPress Coffee: Taste, Convenience, and Brewing Comparison

SUMMARY: The choice between pour over and AeroPress coffee depends on your taste preference. Generally, opt for the AeroPress if you're after a richer, espresso-like flavor and value brewing speed and travel convenience. However, choose a pour-over coffee maker if you want to savor more nuanced/delicate taste profiles and do…

By Luke (Musician / Specialty Coffee Expert) Buying Guides

Why Is My Pour Over Coffee Watery? Brewing Mistakes To Avoid

SUMMARY: If your pour over coffee is watery and weak tasting, the primary reason is most likely a wide brewing ratio, meaning you used either too much water or too little coffee. Other possible reaons include the grind being too coarse, a low water temperature, improper pouring technique, or inadequate…

By Luke (Musician / Specialty Coffee Expert) Brewing

Do Different Coffee Beans Have Different Caffeine Levels?

SUMMARY: While the exact amount of caffeine in any given coffee is hard to state, there are general trends. For example, Arabica beans, preferred for their taste, have less caffeine than robusta beans. So yes, different coffee beans have different caffeine levels. Plus, how you measure (volume vs. mass) and…

By Luke (Musician / Specialty Coffee Expert) Coffee Facts

The Best Turkish Coffee Brands In 2025: 3 Online Ordering Options

MY PICKS: Turkish coffee can be such a fun and rewarding brewing method, but you need the right beans, roast, and grind to properly make it. For my taste, the best Turkish coffee brands (in order) are Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi for its fresh, aromatic flavor; Elite Turkish Coffee for its…

By Luke (Musician / Specialty Coffee Expert) Buying Guides