Specialty Coffee Blog

Having spent years in the coffee gear industry and attended numerous expos, I've tested many grinders. Through this, I've identified what makes a hand grinder exceptional. In this post, I'll discuss key factors for choosing a grinder, highlight the best hand grinders, and point out models to avoid. The 7...

What is a flat white? The flat white is an iconic specialty coffee; synonymous with the rise of third wave coffee in the late 20th century.  Its antipodean roots have given way to global appeal, making it the drink of choice for many discerning coffee lovers.  But what is a...

How To Make A Pour-Over To be able to get the a balanced pour-over, you need to have control control over various variables. This guide will explore methods and adjustments critical for achieving consistency and evenness in extraction, allowing you to fine-tune your brewing process to perfection. Pour-over Technique The objective of...

What is a cortado? The Cortado is a specialty coffee drink which is fast gaining in popularity.  Despite this, it is still sometimes misunderstood.  If you like your coffee short, punchy and balanced; this could be your new favourite recipe. First, though, you need to understand just what makes this...

Coffee enthusiasts know that the AeroPress is a remarkable brewing tool, versatile, and loved for its ability to produce a delicious cup of coffee that rivals even the most advanced machines. However, to improve your AeroPress even further, incorporating the right accessories can transform a great brewing experience into an...

Café Collectif: The Specialty Coffee Festival returns this Spring with Even More to Offer! Good news for specialty coffee lovers! The Café Collectif festival, which enjoyed great success at its first edition last year, is announcing its return to Montreal this spring. Coffee enthusiasts can already mark their calendars for...

For those aiming to upgrade their Mignon grinder, this article provides the essential mods to significantly improve your coffee brewing. Single Dose Hopper A single-dose hopper is designed for those who value precision grinding and fresh coffee with each brew. It allows for grinding just the right amount of beans,...

Should I Upgrade My Espresso Baskets? Espresso (also known as portafilter baskets) baskets’ vital role in coffee extraction is so often overlooked.  If you own a coffee machine, it’s likely you’ve been content to use the basket supplied with it.  If you have problems with your espresso extraction and flavor,...

The Mahlkönig EK43 is celebrated for its grind quality and versatility but isn't without its shortcomings, particularly when it comes to cleanliness and single-dose efficiency. Out of the box, the EK43 can be quite messy, with grind retention and spillage being common issues. Moreover, its design, originally intended for high-volume...

As coffee lovers we’re often told to choose coffee that is recently roasted, which is a great idea. However, it would be easy to follow that logic and conclude that that the fresher the coffee, the better it is but this is not necessarily true. Brewing coffee straight from the...

What is RDT? The Ross Droplet Technique (RDT), once a niche addition to espresso brewing methods, is becoming increasingly popular among home baristas. But what is it, and how will it benefit you when making your daily caffeine fix? Given it’s impressive-sounding title, the Ross Droplet Technique could not be...

If you have an espresso lover in your life, you may feel disoriented when it comes to selecting the perfect gift for them. Espresso lovers are known for their attention to detail and specific tastes—qualities that make the coffee itself so delicious but can make gift-giving a challenge. Fear not!...

If you're already a proud owner of the Fellow Ode, you'll know that it's an excellent brew grinder straight out of the box. However, coffee geeks understand that there's always room for improvement. Whether you want to improve retention or precision, here are four mods that can elevate your Fellow...

Coffee extraction, on the surface, is merely dissolving ground coffee in hot water. However, the journey to a great cup involves a delicate balance: water-to-coffee ratio, precision in the grind, roast quality, water temperature, and brewing time. Struggling to attain the perfect brew? This article delves into the core concepts of...

When you start getting into specialty coffee, the biggest step you can take to improve flavour is to invest in a decent set of barista scales and start weighing your coffee. A lot of people think this is overkill, but it makes such a difference! Once you start thinking about...

From a humble beginning as a suggestion in coffee forums, the WDT tool, or Weiss Distribution Technique, has now cemented its place in standard espresso brewing. Especially valuable for espresso newcomers or those finding it tough to achieve the perfect shot, a WDT tool could be your espresso savior. It's...

If you own a home espresso machine, it’s obvious that you’re pretty serious about coffee. But knowing how to use that equipment to make the perfect cup of coffee is sometimes trickier than we first think. There are lots of pitfalls and bad habits even professional baristas encounter which can...

Some of you have asked us on Instagram why we put a paper filter on the bottom of the portafilter. I'll tell you how paper filters affect the flavor of espresso in this article. Hopefully, you gain insights to optimize your brewing process and achieve exceptional results in your quest...

Preparing coffee involves both science and art. Brewing the perfect cup is not a matter of luck but a careful balance of precision, knowledge, and technique. In this article, we discuss important principles that lay the foundation for making great coffee. Uniformity is Key You may have heard grind uniformity...

In the pursuit of the perfect cup of coffee, one of the most critical aspects that influences the taste is the management of astringency. In this article, we will delve into the heart of this topic, shedding light on the most effective techniques to control and reduce astringency, and ultimately...

If you are starting to get interested in coffee extraction and grind size, you've probably heard the term fines. To understand what they are, you've come to the right place.  Fines in coffee extraction and flavor are often misunderstood. Let's break down fines' role, and their different impacts on espresso...

The pour over bloom, a critical step in coffee brewing, involves pouring hot water over coffee grounds to release trapped gases, enhancing flavor and aroma. But do you know when to bloom? This article provides comprehensive information about blooming coffee to help you optimize your coffee brewing experience. What is...

For espresso enthusiasts, there's nothing quite like watching syrupy coffee being pumped out of the machine. As we marvel at the transformation of our morning coffee into a cup of perfection, it's easy to forget what goes on behind the scenes. In reality, there's a lot that happens in those...

Do you love the taste of coffee from your favorite café but can't seem to replicate it at home? The culprit may be your tap water! Don't worry; there's a solution: make your own brewing water! It's a game-changer for anyone serious about brewing the perfect cup of coffee. Ready...

In this blog post, we introduce the top 5 coffee grinders of 2023 for filter coffee enthusiasts. Understanding that the right grinder is key to superior coffee, we provide detailed assessments of five market leaders to guide your selection process. The Importance of Quality Coffee Burrs In coffee grinders, burrs...

It is widely held among coffee aficionados that a high-quality coffee grinder is an essential tool in the pursuit of exceptional coffee. Choosing the right grinder, however, involves a decision between two main types of burrs: the flat burr and the conical burr. In this article, we will take a...

Achieving the perfect cup of coffee isn't as easy as it seems, as it requires not only a meticulous brewing process but also the usage of fresh beans. In order to keep the freshness and delightful taste of your cherished coffee, you to store it in an appropriate manner. In...

Thrilled about your new espresso machine but unsure of various coffee drinks? Coffee shops offer a wide variety of beverages, which can be confusing. We'll elucidate the distinctions among popular coffee drinks to enhance your brewing experience and enjoyment. Different types of espresso-based drinks explained Understanding specialty coffee intricacies requires...

After reading Dany Marquis' article yesterday on the Brulerie du Quai blog, I decided to take the time to analyze it and make a more constructive than emotional response. For an article that was intended to be informative, it made many people react. Including me! Being more of a filter...

In 1941, German chemist Dr. Peter Schlumbohm created the Chemex, a glass coffee maker unlike any other. Its hourglass shape and thick filter paper allow for a more precise extraction process, resulting in a clean and flavorful cup of coffee. The Chemex became popular in the United States in the...

If you’re looking for a caffeine fix during your travels to Quebec City, then you’ve come to the right place. Quebec City is a beautiful, vibrant city with a rich culture and history. And while it’s known for its history, there’s something else that Quebec City has to offer—a thriving...

There’s a point in everyone’s coffee journey where we want the maximum experience out of the coffee that we enjoy. Part of the experience is finding out how exactly brewing methods change the cup dynamics of their favorite coffees. French Press is one of the staple brewing methods that everyone...

What is an Espresso Martini? The signature Espresso Martini. This magical elixir has been jumpstarting nights, extending evenings, and reviving post-dinner spirits since the 1980s! Experience its delectable blend of energizing espresso, vodka, and coffee liqueur for a unique pick-me-up - cheers to being pleasantly jolted awake with every sip....

For coffee connoisseurs, the Lelit Bianca V3 is one of the hottest new espresso machines on the market. This machine has been hailed as a game-changer in the world of home espresso making, but does it deliver on its promises? Let's dive into what makes this brand so beloved by...

Are you ready to take your love of coffee to the next level? Well then, it's time to become a home barista! Before you invest in an espresso machine, though, there are a few things you should know about making this bold caffeinated beverage. Don't worry - even if you're...

So, you've decided to dive into espresso and you find yourself in a world of espresso machines and grinders. Well welcome, friend! Since the espresso world can be quite intimidating, let me just confirm right now that when it comes to espresso-making equipment, the grinder is just as important as...

Do you like coffee? If so, then you're probably familiar with the different waves of coffee. As one of the world's most popular beans, coffee has been through some note-worthy seasons. From the first coffee wave's commercialization, all the way to the third wave's sustainability and innovation, the mighty bean...

Coffee lovers are known to be hard to find a gift for. If you are new to the coffee scene or don't know a lot about it, it can be daunting. Luckily for you, we made a like of the best coffee gift ideas. Whether your giftee is into pour-overs,...

A lot goes into making good coffee, the beans, the grinder, and small things like coffee filters. Coffee filters might seem like a detail, but it makes a difference in the coffee you make. With metal, paper, and cloth filters available, how do you choose the right one? What's the...

When it comes to brewing a perfect cup of coffee, there's no denying that agitation is key. That's why so many baristas prefer the pour-over method - it allows for a thorough saturation of the coffee grounds, leading to a better extraction and ultimately a tastier cup of joe. But...

There's a new coffee grinder in town, meet the Fellow Ode Gen 2 - an update to one of the most hyped coffee grinders. Designed for the home barista and coffee experts alike. We'll go over its updates and features, how it compares to the first generation, and if it's...

If you're a coffee lover, chances are you've heard of the V60 dripper. The V60 is a conical coffee dripper that's popular for its flexibility and ability to produce a clean cup of coffee. The type of dripper you choose can completely change the flavor of your coffee. So if...

We all know that specialty coffee can be expensive. Have you ever wondered how much people are willing to pay for premium coffee? Recently, the record was set for the most expensive coffee sold. Hint, it's not the infamous Kopi Luwak. If you're interested in knowing what's the most expensive...

Let's face it, most of us are addicted to coffee. If you're new to buying coffee or want to buy better coffee, it can sometimes be overwhelming. There are so many choices! Light roast or dark? Strength? Tasting notes? Where should you even buy coffee?! There's an entire world of...

You know those times when you go to make espresso and water just starts shooting out of the portafilter instead of going through the coffee? Yeah, that’s called channeling and it’s the bane of every espresso lover's existence. Channeling makes for a less than satisfactory espresso. So, what is this...

Ever find yourself at a coffee shop, watching the barista steam milk and thinking, Wow, I wish I could do that! Well, you can! With a couple of simple steps and a little practice, you'll be making barista-quality milk. And who knows, maybe one day you'll be the one making lattes...

If you're a coffee lover, chances are you've heard of terms like natural processed, washed, or honey-processed coffees - but what do these terms actually mean? Different processing methods can result in coffee with different flavor profiles, so it's worth understanding the basics of coffee processing before you buy your...

For many of us, coffee is an indispensable part of the day, it's that cup or three that gets us going in the morning, and several more to keep our focus during long hours at work. Yet, the journey of coffee, from plantations across the globe to our cups, many...

Sherbrooke is home to some great coffee shops. Whether you're looking for a place to get some work done, a unique atmosphere, or just the best cup of coffee around, there's a spot for you. Whether you're a local looking for a new place to grab your morning coffee or...

Making espresso at home can be a mystery, but with our guide, you'll learn the art of grinding coffee beans and dialing in your espresso. The size of your grind affects the brewing method, flavor, and caffeine content, so let us help you perfect your at-home espresso game. How to...