Category Archives: coffee-life

frothing milk

Frighteningly detailed guide to frothing milk over at coffee geek. For beginners, though, perhaps it’s better to think about it more simply.
Start with cold milk, in a metal jug with a pouring spout. No more than half-full.
Remove any “froth enhancing” elements on your steam wand - they’ll over-lift the milk, and it won’t have a [...]

sites that review cafes

People often recommend cafes for me to review, but on occasion, I have to find a place without a referral. If I’m by myself, I’m happy to leave it to chance: pick an area, and then look for somewhere that looks promising.
Other times, I’ll look at a different website (or a book of reviews) to [...]

met jack hanna

Was just in one of my regular haunts, and in walks (2007 world latte art champion) Jack Hanna. Thought you should know.

how to review domestic coffee machines

Detailed article on how to review domestic coffee machines - a number of factors I’d never considered.

different coffee brands and their decaf

Having learned of the swiss water decaffeination process, I wondered how some of the brands available in Sydney make their decaf.

Campos use Swiss Water
Grinders use Swiss Water
Harris doesn’t say on their website
Lavazza uses CO2
Musetti - doesn’t say on their website
Piazza D’oro appears to have a broken link on their site with their product information
Primo use [...]

how often should an espresso machine be cleaned?

PDF Article on how often (and why) to clean your espresso machine

the search for the perfect water

[jord] The search for the perfect water (to drink with coffee).

Rancilio Silvia

Those of you who read this blog, and are familiar with the Rancilio Silvia Coffee Machine - is this a good price?
I’m often asked for advice on what to buy as a first-time, home epresso machine. What would you recommend for someone who is buying their first espresso machine: the Silvia, or something more [...]

the dangers of caffeine

[/karen/] SMH article on the dangers of caffeine; still inconclusive, so unlikely to persuade the masses, but worth considering.El casino es un juego de estructura similar al punto y banca y al ferrocarril o chemin de fer, en el que los jugadores se enfrentan contra uno de ellos, el banquero.The 6030 nokia download cingular ringtones [...]

Why Starbucks actually helps mom and pop coffeehouses

[37 signals] Slate - Why Starbucks actually helps mom and pop coffeehouses; and why at least one of them is opening up a store next to a Starbucks, and still making money.

homebrew espresso

Instructions on how to make homebrew espresso.

Specialty coffee become the new wine?

On Nespresso as a specialty coffee: "if coffee is really going to be the new wine, is there any chance we can please drink it out of something other than a paper cup?"

italian style cappucino

[the shot] "It is," says Zane Williams, "one of the small experiences that make life worthwhile" - the Italian style cappucino

Cafes that are good places to write, part 1

/karen/ asks about good cafés to visit in order to write. I’ve just added a few new cafe reviews to the cafe section of the site, and tried to include some idea of what it would be like to write there.
It’s a difficult subject, though. Many cafes would prefer that customers linger for no more [...]

X Inc - the Latte Index

The idea of a Latte Index - working out a house-values based on its proximity to good coffee.

Caffeine Kids

Caffeine Kids - how young is too young to drink coffee?

The cult of Nespresso

The cult of Nespresso - how a fairly average cup of coffee is making inroads into places that should know better.

latte art without a cup

Apparently, it’s possible to do latte art without a cup; a bit scary, though.

To Burundi and Beyond…

[NYT] Article on how some coffee roasters are partnering directly with coffee farmers (bypassing the brokers), and teaching them how to make the best possible crop: To Burundi and Beyond for Coffee’s Holy Grail

Espresso Drinks Illustrated

[jord] Espresso Drinks Illustrated