I still remember the moment I blinked at the price tag on my favorite bag of beans. It wasn’t just a slight uptick—it had jumped significantly. At first, I thought it was a one-off, maybe a boutique roaster raising prices.…
It started during a casual conversation over—what else?—a cup of coffee. A friend of mine politely declined a pour, saying it was against their religion. That piqued my curiosity. I had always seen coffee as something nearly universal—something that transcended…
There was a morning—not too long ago—when I stood in my kitchen, holding a mug of coffee number five and wondering, “Wait… is this still normal?” I wasn’t jittery yet, but I felt a bit wired, slightly unfocused, and oddly…
I was rushing through my morning routine, reached for my trusty container of coffee grounds, and the aroma that greeted me was… nothing. Just a faint whisper of what should have been that rich, intoxicating smell. That was the day…
As a coffee professional who’s spent years exploring every possible way to extract flavor and energy from our beloved beans, I’ve often found myself wanting something more than just a regular cup of coffee. Don’t get me wrong – I…
During my recent travels through Southeast Asia, I found myself increasingly intrigued by the vibrant coffee culture in the Philippines. One brand, in particular, caught my attention: Pickup Coffee. As someone who’s spent decades exploring coffee cultures worldwide, I’m always…
During my years exploring coffee culture in Italy, I’ve always been captivated by the harmonious relationship between espresso and desserts. One particular memory stands out: sitting in a small café in Venice, alternating between sips of espresso and spoonfuls of…
I vividly remember the first time I truly experienced coffee jitters. It was during my early days of coffee exploration, cupping multiple samples back-to-back at a roastery. By the fourth cup, my hands were trembling so much I could barely…
As someone who’s spent years exploring the world of coffee, I’ve found that sometimes the most satisfying cup comes from the simplest method. When I first encountered the Delonghi Nespresso machine, I was admittedly skeptical. Could a capsule-based system really…
It was a crisp autumn morning, and I walked into a bustling cafe, completely overwhelmed by the seemingly endless menu board. Lattes, cappuccinos, cold brews, blonde roasts, dark roasts – the choices were mind-boggling. How could anyone possibly choose? That…