Guides
Steaming Milk for Microfoam: The Two Sounds That Matter
A practical guide to steaming silky microfoam at home, from the stretch to the whirlpool, with notes from my Breville Barista Pro.
Guides
Pre-Infusion: The Gentle Soak That Settles Your Espresso
What pre-infusion does, why a few seconds of low pressure tames channeling, and how to try it on a home machine.
Guides
Coffee Brewing Methods Compared: Which One Suits You
A plain guide to the main coffee brewing methods, from espresso to cold brew: how each one works, its pros and cons, and why the cup tastes the way it does.
Guides
Affogato: Hot Espresso Meets Cold Gelato in a Glass
An affogato is Italy's two-ingredient treat: a shot of hot espresso poured over cold gelato. Here's the ratio, why the contrast works, and how to get it right.
Guides
WDT Puck Prep: The Needle Tool That Fixed My Espresso
How the WDT puck-prep technique stops channeling, why needle thickness matters, and the simple routine that makes shots more consistent.
Guides
Dialing In the Breville Barista Pro: My Working Method
A repeatable way to dial in the Breville Barista Pro 878 that fits the Barista Express, Touch, and Impress too: grind, dose, yield, and shot time.
Guides
Sour or Bitter? Reading What Your Espresso Is Telling You
Sour espresso usually means under-extraction; bitter usually means over-extraction. Here's how to taste the difference and what to change.
Reviews
Baratza Encore ESP: The First Espresso Grinder I'd Actually Recommend
A close look at the Baratza Encore ESP, the under-$200 grinder that finally makes home espresso dialing approachable for beginners.