extraction - Best Of Brewing

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

Can You Reuse Coffee in a French Press? Second Brew Insights

SUMMARY: Whether it is to save money or cleaning time, many people wonder if you can reuse coffee in a French Press for multiple brews. While you technically can use coffee grounds twice in a French Press, I do not recommend it. The solubility of coffee is not like some…

By Luke (Musician / Specialty Coffee Expert) Coffee Facts

Why Does My Pour Over Coffee Take So Long? 5 Reasons & Fixes

After buying pour over coffee equipment and fancy beans and investing the time to learn the proper brewing skills, why is your pour over coffee still taking too long? Even after doing everything correctly, why is it draining so slowly? The most common reason is too fine a grind. Another…

By Luke (Musician / Specialty Coffee Expert) Brewing

Pour Over vs Drip Coffee: Why Is Pour Over Better Than Drip?

You've probably seen the classic image of a coffee connoisseur slowly brewing on a manual pour over coffee maker. The gooseneck kettle, the scale, the fancy beans, and perhaps some hipster clothes are often involved. So in the pour over vs drip coffee maker debate, why do manual drippers always…

By Luke (Musician / Specialty Coffee Expert) Coffee Facts, Brewing

American vs Turkish Coffee: Why Is Turkish Coffee So Strong?

Turkish coffee has a reputation for being one of the most exceptional and intense brewing methods. But why is Turkish coffee so strong? When comparing American vs. Turkish coffee, the strength of the Turkish method mostly comes from the fine grind size, full immersion brewing, and unfiltered serving style. However,…

By Luke (Musician / Specialty Coffee Expert) Coffee Facts, Coffee Culture

Why Does Siphon Coffee Taste Better? Vacuum Coffee Explained

SUMMARY: There’s no doubt that siphon brewing (aka vacuum brewed coffee) has captivating visuals. I used to watch YouTube videos of it with my morning brew! But, besides the fascinating science of how it brews, is vacuum coffee really better? If so, why does siphon coffee taste better than more…

By Luke (Musician / Specialty Coffee Expert) Coffee Facts, Coffee Culture

Cheap vs Expensive Coffee Grinder: Are Expensive Grinders Worth It?

MY VERDICT: In the cheap vs expensive coffee grinder debate, there's no doubt that the more expensive models produce way better grinds. But, which models are solid, and how much should you spend on coffee grinding at home? Are the super-expensive coffee grinders worth it? As a coffee geek, I…

By Luke (Musician / Specialty Coffee Expert) Buying Guides

Immersion Coffee Brewing 101: Why It’s Unique & Best Methods

If you're a coffee enthusiast, you've probably heard about immersion brewing and how delicious it is. But what is immersion coffee brewing? In short, this method means that the coffee grounds are fully immersed in water, usually resulting in a more intense flavor. However, are methods of coffee immersion brewing…

By Luke (Musician / Specialty Coffee Expert) Coffee Facts, Brewing

How To Make Cold Brew Coffee At Home: Recipe, Tips, & Tricks

Ordering cold brew at a coffee shop can be a refreshing, smooth, and low-acid alternative to regular coffee. However, how easy is a homemade cold brew recipe? Can you use any coffee beans, and is there specific equipment? If you're wondering how to make cold brew coffee at home, this…

By Luke (Musician / Specialty Coffee Expert) Brewing