Monthly Archives: May 2025

Have you ever brewed a cup of coffee that was either way too sour, or so bitter you reached straight for a glass of water? Then you've probably noticed that brewing genuinely good coffee takes more than just fresh beans and a fancy machine. One subtle but decisive factor decides whether your cup is perfectly in balance — and it has nothing to do with your water or your filter.

If you want real control over flavour, aroma and mouthfeel, you'll need to get to grips with something baristas treat as sacred. And it all starts with one crucial variable… the grind size of your coffee.

What is grind size?

Grind size refers to how coarse or fine coffee beans are ground before you brew them. It determines how quickly water can flow through the coffee and how long it stays in contact with the ground particles. This matters a lot, because a coarse grind speeds up the flow and shortens extraction, while a fine grind slows things down and makes flavours more intense. 

Every brewing method calls for

For the advanced barista, the extraction time of an espresso is much more than just a number. It’s a direct gauge for extraction and therefore for flavour. An espresso that runs through too quickly or too slowly is rarely in balance, with a bitter, sour or watery coffee as the result. But what IS the ideal time? And how do you adjust your grind, tamping or dose accordingly?

What is extraction time?

The extraction time, also called brew time, is the time the water needs to flow through the ground coffee in the portafilter, from the moment you press the espresso button to the last drop falling into the cup.

This time is always measured in seconds, usually with a stopwatch or a built-in timer in the espresso machine.

Important: extraction time isn’t the same as warm-up time of the machine or pre-infusion.

What is the ideal extraction time for an espresso?

The guideline for a classic espresso is between 25 and 30 seconds.

But this depends on:

• The amount of coffee (standard: 18-20 grams)
• The

A good cappuccino isn’t just about fresh coffee, but also the right milk. The type of milk determines whether your foam will be sturdy and creamy, or thin and airy. Whether you go for whole milk or prefer a plant-based alternative like oat milk: the choice affects the flavour, the structure AND your coffee experience. Here you’ll learn which milk works best for your perfect cappuccino, whether you’re a barista or a home coffee lover.

What makes milk suitable for a cappuccino?

Not every milk is equally suitable for frothing. The secret of a good cappuccino lies in the balance between flavour and texture. And that’s largely determined by the fat and protein content of the milk.

Milk with enough fat gives a full, creamy flavour — exactly what you’re after in a cappuccino. Think of that soft mouthfeel that pairs perfectly with the strength of espresso. At the same time, milk proteins create the airy, stable foam layer. The more proteins, the easier it is to get firm foam that doesn’t collapse

For one cup of coffee, on average you use one coffee scoop of 7 grams of ground coffee to about 125 ml of water. Love stronger coffee? Use a bit more, and for a milder cup a bit less.

There’s some nuance to it: the ideal ratio also depends on your personal taste AND the way you brew. Here we explain exactly how many scoops you need for different brewing methods and share handy tips to make your coffee moment even better.

Find out below how many grams of ground coffee beans you need for multiple cups of coffee.

How many grams of ground coffee do you need?

Tip: Making a full pot? Start with 65 grams and adjust to taste.

What is a coffee scoop exactly?

A coffee scoop might seem like a simple tool, but it’s

We all drink coffee, but have you ever really tasted what’s in your cup? Behind every sip lies a world of flavours, aromas and sensations. Tasting coffee — also known as cupping — is THE way to discover that world. Whether you’re a curious beginner or have been enjoying your morning espresso for years, your palate can always be developed further. In this article we dive together into the art of tasting coffee. You’ll learn how to do it, what to look out for AND how to host your own tasting at home. Ready to wake up your taste buds?

What does tasting coffee mean (and why should you do it)?

Tasting coffee is so much more than taking a sip and thinking “nice” or “meh”. It’s about consciously experiencing what’s happening in your cup — with your nose, your tongue AND your memory. You pay attention to aromas, flavours, mouthfeel and even how long a flavour lingers. This process not only helps you choose better coffee, but also discover your personal preferences. Think of it like wine tasting,

Most coffee lovers have heard of Arabica and Robusta, but the difference between the two? That often stays a bit vague. Yet it’s really interesting and pretty handy to know which bean you’re drinking. The flavour, the amount of caffeine, the price AND even where the coffee comes from: it all depends on the type of bean.

Here’s an overview of all the differences in a table

Arabica and Robusta: the two main coffee species

When you talk about coffee, it almost

You’re looking forward to a tasty cup of coffee, but then... yuck! It tastes sour. Not fresh or fruity, but really unpleasantly sour. Sound familiar? Don’t worry, sour coffee is a common problem and luckily easy to fix.

The cause often lies in the grind, water temperature or the roast of your beans. We’ll explain exactly why your coffee tastes sour AND what you can do about it. That way you’ll soon be brewing a cup you can really enjoy again.

Why does my coffee taste sour?

Sour coffee can be a real disappointment, especially when you fancied a full, warm flavour. But what actually causes that sour taste? It all starts with balance: a good cup of coffee has a mix of bitter, sweet and sour. If that balance is disturbed? Then one sour note can take over.

Here are the most common causes:

• Grind too coarse
  If your coffee is ground too coarsely, the water flows through too quickly. As a result the acids are released first, but the sweet and bitter notes don’t get a chance.
  
  
• Water temperature too

A warm mug, a hint of Irish charm and that creamy dollop of whipped cream… Irish Coffee isn’t just a drink, it’s pure indulgence in a glass! Whether you’re drinking it after a slap-up dinner or on a chilly winter evening — with this recipe you’ll conjure up a café-worthy Irish coffee in no time. In this article you’ll learn step by step how to make one, get handy tips AND we share some surprising variations. Time to get your favourite whiskey ready and grind those coffee beans.

What is Irish coffee and where does it come from?

Irish coffee is a delicious warm coffee cocktail consisting of black coffee, Irish whiskey, a little sugar and a creamy dollop of whipped cream. But did you know that this lovely drink was an accidental invention?

The story goes back to the 1940s, when a cold evening and tired travellers at an airport in the Irish town of Foynes asked for something to warm them up. Chef Joe Sheridan decided to combine strong coffee with Irish whiskey and top it with whipped cream.