Page 4 - All About Coffee by Café du Jour, the Coffee Expert
- March 23, 2026
The difference between specialty coffee and supermarket coffee mainly lies in quality, flavour and origin. Specialty coffee is made from better coffee beans, is fresher and has more pronounced flavours. Supermarket coffee is often produced on a large scale and therefore tastes flatter and more consistent.
You really notice this difference when you taste both side by side. While specialty coffee has more depth and character, supermarket coffee often remains a bit bitter or one-dimensional.
By understanding where the difference comes from, you’ll experience coffee differently and can better choose what suits your taste.
What is specialty coffee?
Specialty coffee is high-quality coffee that scores 80 points or higher according to international standards. This coffee is carefully grown, selected and roasted, giving you more flavour and character in your cup.
In practice, this means you’re drinking coffee where everything is right: from the bean to the brewing. The origin of the coffee is
- March 23, 2026
Light roast coffee is light and fresh in flavour, medium roast is balanced and rounded, and dark roast is full and bitter. The difference mainly lies in how long the coffee beans have been roasted.
If you’re looking at coffee beans and see these terms, you’ll probably wonder which one suits you best.
The roasting has a big impact on what you taste. From fresh and light flavours to full and intense coffees: it all depends on how long the bean has been roasted.
But how do you know which roast suits you? Do you go for light and distinctive, or rather strong and full-bodied?
After reading this, you’ll know exactly what the differences are and which roast matches your taste and way of making coffee.
What is light roast coffee?
Light roast coffee beans are roasted for a shorter time than other roasts. This means many of the original flavours of the coffee bean are preserved.
This results in a fresh and lively flavour. You often taste fruity, floral or even slightly acidic notes. This type of
- March 19, 2026
If you’re a fan of authentic, full-bodied coffee, then a percolator is a brilliant way to brew your favourite cup. This classic coffee brewing method, often associated with the iconic Bialetti, delivers an intense and flavourful coffee experience. But which coffee works best in a percolator? And is percolator coffee actually unhealthy?
In this article, we take a closer look at the world of percolator coffee. We’ll share the best tips on choosing the right grind, the tastiest beans and practical maintenance advice to help you get the most out of your percolator. That way, you can enjoy a perfect cup of coffee every time!
What is a percolator?
A percolator is a classic coffee maker that has been used for decades to brew rich, strong coffee. The device consists of three parts: a water reservoir at the bottom, a filter basket for the ground coffee and a top chamber where the brewed coffee collects.
When you place the percolator on the hob, the water in the lower chamber heats up. The steam
- March 18, 2026
Coffee, the favourite drink of many, is loved for its rich flavour and energising effect. But what about the amount of caffeine in your cup? Is an espresso really stronger than filter coffee, or does the brewing method make more of a difference? In this article, we dive into the world of caffeine. We explain how many mg of caffeine are found in different types of coffee and what to look out for. That way, you can enjoy your daily cup with confidence!
What exactly is caffeine?
Caffeine is a natural substance found in coffee beans, tea leaves and even cocoa beans. It acts as a stimulant on your central nervous system, helping you feel more alert and energised. Once you drink a cup of coffee, caffeine is quickly absorbed into your bloodstream and reaches your brain within 15 to 30 minutes.
What does caffeine actually do? It blocks a substance in your brain called adenosine, which normally slows down brain activity and makes you feel sleepy. The result? You feel more awake, sharper and sometimes
- March 17, 2026
An espresso martini is the perfect blend of two worlds: the kick of coffee and the elegance of a cocktail. This ‘80s classic is still hugely popular and makes the perfect finish to a dinner or a stylish start to a night out. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a silky-smooth coffee cocktail in no time that’s sure to impress.
What ingredients do you need for an espresso martini?
For one espresso martini, you’ll need:
- 45 ml vodka: a smooth variety works best
- 30 ml coffee liqueur: for example Kahlúa for that deep coffee flavour
- 30 ml fresh espresso: let it cool slightly before using
- Ice cubes: to properly chill the cocktail while shaking
- 10 ml sugar syrup (optional): for a slightly sweeter touch
- 3 coffee beans: use espresso beans for garnish
Equipment
Making an espresso martini doesn’t require much, but the right tools make it that bit easier:
- Cocktail shaker
- Fine strainer
- Martini or coupe glass
- Espresso machine or percolator
How to make the perfect espresso martini
Step 1: Brew a
- February 06, 2026
Do you sometimes find espresso a bit too intense, but still want to enjoy a clear coffee flavour? Then you'll quickly come across lungo coffee. A lungo is made with more water than an espresso, giving you a larger cup with a milder, rounder flavour.
Here you'll find out exactly what lungo coffee is and why this coffee choice is so popular among lovers of a balanced cup.
What is Lungo coffee?
Lungo coffee is a coffee speciality made with the same amount of ground coffee as an espresso, but with more water. During brewing, you let the water run through for longer, resulting in a larger cup of coffee. On average, a lungo contains about 80 to 120 ml of coffee, while an espresso stays around 25 to 30 ml.
The name lungo comes from Italian and literally means 'long'. This refers not only to the amount of coffee in your cup but especially to the brewing method. Because the water stays in contact with the ground coffee for longer, different flavour compounds are extracted than with an espresso.
- February 04, 2026
Yes, but it's about coffee grounds, not leftover brewed coffee with milk or sugar. Coffee grounds can enrich your soil and contain nutrients that some plants love.
Still, it's not a miracle cure. Too much coffee grounds can actually cause problems, like compacted soil or mould growth. So how exactly does it work? And which plants really benefit? Below you'll read how to use coffee smartly in your garden or with your houseplants.
Read here about what else you can do with coffee grounds!
Is it coffee grounds or brewed coffee?
When people say coffee is good for plants, they almost always mean coffee grounds. These are the wet coffee leftovers in your filter, percolator or French press. Coffee grounds still contain some nutrients and organic material, which can give your soil or compost a boost.
Brewed coffee is something else. A splash of black coffee in the pot usually isn't a disaster, but it doesn't add much useful either. And once there's milk, sugar or syrup in it, you definitely shouldn't
- February 02, 2026
For healthy people, the short answer is: no, not if you drink in moderation. Several studies show that normal coffee consumption has no harmful effect on healthy kidneys.
Still, you often hear that coffee is diuretic or that it would "strain" your kidneys. That sounds worrying, especially if you drink several cups daily. So what's the real story? The answer depends on your health, the amount of coffee you drink, and whether caffeine plays a role in your situation.
Always seek medical advice from a doctor if you experience health issues after drinking coffee. This blog article is not medical advice.
What do your kidneys actually do?
Your kidneys act as a filtering system for your body. They remove waste products from your blood, regulate your fluid balance, and ensure important minerals like sodium and potassium stay balanced.
Every day, your kidneys filter tens of litres of blood. What you don't need leaves your body through your urine. That's why many people think everything you drink,
- January 30, 2026
The short answer: usually Kahlúa. This is the most widely used coffee liqueur worldwide in this cocktail. But it doesn't stop there. The choice of a particular liqueur determines how sweet, powerful or intense your Espresso Martini tastes.
Do you want a full, sweet cocktail with soft coffee notes? Or a sharper version where the espresso really takes centre stage? By choosing the right coffee liqueur, you give your cocktail exactly the balance you enjoy. Below you'll find your options and what to watch out for.
The classic choice: Kahlúa in your Espresso Martini
In almost every cocktail bar, Kahlúa is used as the coffee liqueur for an Espresso Martini. This liqueur originally comes from Mexico and is made from arabica coffee, rum and sugar. The result is a smooth, lightly sweet liqueur with notes of coffee, caramel and vanilla.
Why is Kahlúa chosen so often? Simple: it provides balance. The sweetness rounds off the bitterness of the espresso and ensures your cocktail remains accessible
- January 28, 2026
You want to make a Spanish coffee or order one at the bar, and the question quickly arises: which coffee liqueur actually goes in Spanish coffee? The answer is simpler than you think, but there are indeed differences that affect the flavour.
The classic Spanish coffee combines warm coffee with a sweet, aromatic liqueur that stays nicely balanced with the coffee flavour. By choosing the right liqueur, you give your Spanish coffee exactly the flavour experience you're looking for.
What is coffee cream?
Coffee cream is condensed milk specially intended to add to coffee. During production, some of the water is removed from milk, making coffee cream fuller and creamier than regular milk.
Because coffee cream is more concentrated, it mixes well with warm coffee and keeps your drink from cooling down too quickly. It softens the flavour of coffee without overpowering it, which makes it a nice choice for many people with their daily cup.
What exactly is Spanish coffee?
Spanish coffee is a warm coffee
Recent Posts
