Specialty Coffee Journal – Articles and Guides

French press with ground coffee and the plunger removed

How to Make Coffee with a French Press

What is it? A very easy method to make great coffee at home every morning is the French press, also known as the coffee plunger. In fact, the press was invented and patented for the first time in 1852 by two French inventors, Mayer and Delforge, but was later on perfected by Italian designers. Today it is made of a transparent glass or clear plastic cylinder, a lid and a plunger that fits tightly into it with a stainless steel or nylon mesh. The mesh will block all the coffee

80plus decaffeinated specialty coffee packaging surrounded by green leaves

Colombia Sugar Cane Decaf Coffee

Decaf coffee doesn’t always have the best reputation. Many coffee lovers have tried it and been disappointed by its taste. But what if you could enjoy a delicious cup of coffee without the caffeine? At 80plus, we believe decaf can be just as enjoyable as regular coffee. The secret lies in the quality of the beans and the decaffeination process. Why does decaf coffee sometimes taste different? The decaffeination process can influence the natural flavours and aromas of coffee. Depending on the method used, some of its original characteristics may

Hot water being poured into a copper-coloured Hario V60 dripper

How to Brew Coffee with a Hario V60

What is it It is a method of extraction of coffee by percolation, it uses the force of gravity so that the water runs through the coffee without any extra pressure used. Produced by the Japanese brand Hario 10 years ago, its name is due to the 60 degree angle that the cone forms. The peculiarities of this method are in its form, the rigs around the filter allow the passage of air and the expansion of the ground coffee at the moment it comes into contact with water. The

Moka pot and ceramic coffee cup on a windowsill

How to Make Coffee with a Moka Pot

Hello, coffee lovers! We are back with our home brewing coffee tips! Today we are going to tell you a bit more about the moka pot! It is a low-pressure brewing method invented by Alfonso Bialetti in 1933. Its enormous success is due to its affordable price and compact, durable design, two elements that have made the moka pot one of the most widely used methods for brewing coffee at home. Due to the way it works, the water in the boiler can reach high temperatures, sometimes exceeding 100°C under

Pouring freshly brewed coffee into a glass

Home Barista – Basics

Where coffee comes from and its quality are very important. These aspects can be vital in creating a more sustainable economy around coffee. But they are also a great way to enjoy better-tasting coffee! It is not enough to simply buy good coffee. You also need to prepare it properly to enjoy all its qualities. That’s why we will share some basic tips and concepts to help you make better coffee at home. What will I need? Basically, to prepare a cup of coffee, we need: Coffee The quality of

80plus specialty coffee aluminium cans designed to preserve coffee freshness

Coffee Cans and Coffee Freshness

What is coffee freshness? In specialty coffee, freshness refers to how closely the coffee retains the aromas and flavours it had shortly after roasting. There is no universal rule for defining coffee freshness, as it depends on several factors: roast level, roasting process, whether the coffee is whole bean or ground, storage conditions and packaging. That is why each roaster may establish a different best-before date for their coffee. Freshness can also be studied through chemical markers, such as the presence of CO2, which is produced during roasting and gradually

Coffee Kids Brazil coffee cans with origin, variety and processing information

How to Read a Coffee Label

Have you ever looked at a coffee label and thought, “Wow, this is confusing!”? We’re here to help you understand two important aspects that can make choosing your next coffee a little easier: origin and processing. Origin Coffee origin is a useful indicator of the aromatic profile you might expect. Different countries and regions have their own traditions, growing conditions and processing methods, all of which influence the final flavour. For example, natural processing is common in Brazil, while washed coffees are traditionally produced in many Central American countries. Here

Professional espresso machine with portafilters and coffee being extracted into a glass

Espresso Machine Cleaning and Maintenance

Our barista trainer Jazmin shares some useful advice on how to clean and maintain your espresso machine. Proper maintenance not only helps extend the life of your equipment but also improves the quality and flavour of your coffee. Keeping your machine clean is essential, whether you use it at home or in a professional coffee shop. Boiler Cleaning and Maintenance Before discussing boiler maintenance, it is important to understand that espresso machines can use different heating systems, including single-boiler, heat exchanger and multi-boiler configurations. Each system works differently and requires

Turquoise wooden window with pink bougainvillea flowers on a red wall

La Plata and Nazareth

Editor’s note: This article is part of our archive and features coffees that are no longer available. You can explore our current selection of specialty coffees in our online store. Hello, everyone! We are back with two new coffees! We are sad to say goodbye to Gran Galope and Bossa Nova, both fantastic coffees, but we are delighted to welcome Nazareth’s Formula II and La Plata! Nazareth’s Formula II – Brazil Those of you who have known us for some time will already be familiar with Nazareth Pereira and her

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