A flat white has been the preferred choice for many coffee drinkers since 2015, when Starbucks adopted it onto its permanent menu. But just what is a flat white, what is its structure ? We all know it's delicious, but how do you make one at home ? Let's find out everything there is to know about flat whites. What is a flat white ? A flat white is a type of coffee drink that is of recent (ish) origin, somewhere in the 80s. It's one part espresso shot, and two parts microfoam milk. The name 'flat' comes from the complete lack of ...
How To Store Coffee Beans - Keeping Your Coffee Fresh
Storing coffee beans the right way will ensure you get as much out of your cups of coffee as possible. After all, there's no point in buying a 6 lb bag of coffee beans and having it go stale after a few weeks. So, how are you meant to store coffee beans ? And how to you know if they've gone stale ? Or even bad ? We'll discuss this in detail today, so let's get into it. First, let's see what damages or dampens the flavor of coffee beans, so we know what to avoid. What makes coffee beans stale ? Stale coffee is the worst. It's still got ...
Beginner's Guide To White Tea - Everything You Need To Know
If you're a tea lover then you're bound to come across white tea, at some point. If you've never heard of white tea, or would just like to know more about it and why it's such a delicate brew, this beginner's guide is going to help you out. Keep in mind that white tea is not very common in the West, and thus it's not exactly very well studied (as opposed to green and black tea). Most of the time when you'll buy white tea, you'll buy it with its Chinese name, sometimes translated into English. What is white tea ? White tea is a type of tea ...
Beginner's Guide To Green Tea (Brew, Taste, Benefits, Everything)
Green tea is one of the most famous teas, right up there with black tea. It's widely known and very much loved, so a guide for newcomers to this drink will be much appreciated. I would've loved to know just how to brew green tea in my first year, to avoid all the mistakes I made. And so I'd know just what to expect from this delicate tea, since I was very disappointed at first This beginner's guide is going to do just that. Show you how to brew green tea, and also explain its background, health benefits, flavor variations, and anything else ...
Beginner's Guide To Black Tea (Everything, Explained)
Black tea has got to be the most famous tea, possibly better known than green tea. But did anyone ever stop to explain, from start to finish just what black tea is ? I'm betting they didn't, and never did a comprehensive guide. So here I am, and I'm going to tell you everything I know about black tea. Make yourself a cup of tea, and let's sit down. We're brushing up on the basics today. The Who, When, Where of black tea Since black tea is so well known, there aren't many guides on it since it's kind of... something everyone just picks up ...
11 Things You Need To Know About Rooibos Tea
In the tea world you're going to find all kinds of tea, including Rooibos tea. You might also know it under the name of red tea, though there might be some confusion in the East regarding that. I'll touch on that as well. This post is meant to give you the basics on Rooibos tea, where it comes from, what it tastes like, how to brew it, and so on. If you can ask it, it's probably in this post. 1. What is Rooibos tea ? Rooibos tea is a herbal tea, and it's very different from any other tea out there. It comes from a South African bush called ...
6 Things You Need To Know About Green Coffee
Wondering what green coffee is, or how safe it is, and even how it tastes ? Well wonder no more, since I'm going to help you with the basics of green coffee. It's a fairly recent phenomenon, though these beans have been on the market every since coffee was discovered. But green coffee's potential hasn't really been studies until the past few years. So what is green coffee ? Green coffee, or green coffee beans, is just coffee that hasn't been roasted yet. When coffee is meant to be roasted, it reaches several levels of roasting. The ...
How To Clean Your French Press - 4 Simple Steps (Plus Extra Tips)
Your French press is your best friend, right ? Well, keeping your French press clean is a good way to make sure your friendship will continue over the coming years. After all, the whole concept of the French press makes it so the thing is break-proof. There's no way it will malfunction, except when you break it. So, let's see how you can clean your French press as best as possible. How to clean your French press Cleaning your press is not going to take terribly long, but it will require your to be careful with some parts, and to remember ...
Thorough Guide To Cleaning Coffee Makers (And Extra Tips)
Your coffee maker, like mine, needs a thorough cleaning every now and then. We're all guilty of forgetting to rinse it and then we have to really wash the thing. But how do you clean a coffee maker, top to bottom, inside and out ? Here's my guide on how to do that, and some tips I've learned through trial and error on how to keep the coffee maker clean in the long run. Daily coffee maker rinse A daily water rinse sounds like a ''well, duh'' thing but how many of us really stop to do this in the morning ? Exactly. I was guilty of this for ...
7 Things To Know About Pu'erh Tea (Beginner's Guide)
In your quest to know just everything there is to know about tea, you also need to know everything about Pu'erh tea. After all, Pu'erh is an ancient and well-respected Chinese tea, and it fetches a high price on the market. So let's start with the beginner's guide to Pu'erh tea, and know all there is to know about this beautiful tea. 1. What is Pu'erh tea ? Pu'erh tea is a traditional Chinese tea, dating back to the 7th century. It's a type of the that is produced by storing and fermenting the tea leaves, pressing them into a sort of cake ...
What Is Ground Coffee ? Beginner's Guide To Ground Coffee
New to coffee ? We all have to start somewhere, and ground coffee is probably the best place. After all, we've all seen brewed coffee, but ground coffee a bit less. Or, you might just find you you've always been looking at it, and didn't know it. So what is ground coffee ? Ground coffee is what brewed coffee is made of. It's made up of ground coffee beans, much like flour is made of wheat and maize is made of corn. You use ground coffee like you would use a tea bag: add hot water to it, let it steep for a few minutes, then strain and ...
7 Things You Need To Know About Oolong Tea (Essential Guide)
If you're an avid tea fan then you've definitely heard of oolong tea. For those of you who, like me a couple of years ago, have no idea what oolong is, this guide will help you out. I'll touch on the basic questions, and and a little extra. Starting with the first and most obvious question... What is oolong tea ? Oolong tea is a type of tea, like black tea or green tea. It's made form the same leaves as any other true tea - Camellia Sinensis plant. That is the ancient tea plant, and it's been used or tea making for thousands of ...
Arabica Coffee - What Is It, And Why Is It So Great ?
Whenever you're buying coffee you're bound to find a "100% Arabica" label somewhere. Or some new coffee shop will brag about only serving Arabica coffee. But what is Arabica coffee, and why is everyone so in love with it ? Don't worry, I never knew there were different types of coffee until my final years of college. All I knew was that I liked or disliked this or that coffee, without really knowing why. So what is Arabica coffee, and where does it come from ? Arabica coffee is the first coffee, ever. It's the coffee bean that sprouted ...
Turkish Coffee - What Is It, and How Do You Make It ?
Would you like to impress your guests with some hot, strong Turkish coffee ? Of course you would. But how do you even make Turkish coffee ? Let's see how we should go about actually serving this coffee, and in the process learn the basics about it. So what is Turkish coffee ? Turkish coffee is more of a brewing method than anything else. In theory any coffee will work for Turkish coffee, bu the best to use is very finely ground (think espresso) Arabica beans. It's coffee made with a small amount of water and a high amount of coffee, ...
4 Ways To Steam And Froth Milk At Home (Including Microfoam)
Steamed and frothed milk are always going to be favorites when dealing with coffee. And learning how to steam and froth milk at home will save you a lot of trouble, and you'll be able to make your own lattes and cappuccinos. There are several ways to do this at home, and I'm going to help you learn those. What's the difference between steaming and frothing milk ? Steamed and frothed milk are basically the same thing, as in they are most often found together. Both are hot milk, only steamed milk contains very, very small air bubbles ...
Espresso Con Panna - What It Is, And How To Make A Great One
Have you ever seen espresso con panna on a menu and wondered just what kind of espresso that is ? Well wonder no more, because I'll help you understand just what an espresso con panna is, and how to make one at home. So what is espresso con panna ? Espresso con panna is a shot of espresso with a generous dollop of whipped cream on top. It might be sweetened, or it might not. The espresso is the key here, and you need a very good coffee, one you really love. The panna (Italian for "cream") is only going to help your espresso whine ...
How to Make Espresso Affogato, the Perfect Coffee and Ice Cream Mix
Espresso affogato is one of my favorite summer coffees to drink, right after frappe and ... well, I really love frappes and that's almost all I get in the summer. Back to affogato, when I do drink one, it's usually home made, and I really love just how nice the ice cream and espresso blend together. If you're looking for a recipe on how to make it at home, look no further. But first, let's settle what an espresso affogato is. So what is espresso affogato ? Espresso affogato is a shot of espresso, usually standard size, poured over a scoop ...
How To Make French Press Coffee - The Best Way To Drink Coffee
So you want to make French press coffee, but you're not sure just how to go ahead ? No worries, I'll guide you through this process and help you get the best cup of French press possible. Making French press coffee isn't hard, but it does require some observational skills and takes about as much time as brewing tea. So let's get on with it. What you need for French press coffee You'll need a few things to get started making French press coffee. First, you'll need the French press itself. We'll cover that later in this article. Then, ...
Is Espresso Black Coffee? About The Little Coffee That Could
You've heard it before. Black coffee, black espresso, pure espresso, and so on. But is espresso black ? As in, black coffee ? And for that matter, what is black coffee anyway ? Let me explain. So is espresso black coffee ? Yes, espresso is a very strong black coffee. It's the strongest black coffee there is, as it's a concentrated form of coffee and there is no dairy or sugar added. When brewed, espresso comes out as the darkest coffee brew possible, and also has a nice light brown crema (foam) on top. But it's a black coffee, since it ...
Cappuccino VS Espresso - 3 Differences Separating Two Iconic Drinks
Coffee can sometimes be confusing, but the classics are a must-know. This is where the differences between cappuccino and espresso come in. Both drinks are a classic, and knowing them will help you out in figuring any drink menu out there. So let's get to basics, and see the differences. Cappuccino VS Espresso The main difference between cappuccino and espresso, is that cappuccino has milk while espresso does not. A cappuccino uses a shot of espresso and steamed milk, while espresso is just coffee, without anything else. An espresso ...
Earl Grey Tea - What It Is, How It's Made, And Variations
Has Earl Grey become your favorite tea lately ? Don't worry, it's one of my all-time favorites too, up there with Caramel Rooibos and Jasmine green tea. But we've never really had an in-depth talk about earl Grey, and why everyone seems to be so in love with this drink. Let's find out why that is, and how it's made. So what is Earl Grey tea ? Earl Grey is a flavored black tea. It has no specific, traditional black tea but it often has Assam black tea. The black ta leaves are flavored with bergamot oil - a type of orange, from the ...
How To Make Espresso - Beginner's Guide For Home Brewing
When making espresso, you're actually making a fairly complicated drink. In that, it requires skill, patience, and a keen eye. And lots of practice. No home barista was ever born with all the knowledge, so this is for everyone who'd like to learn how to make a nice espresso shot, from scratch. As such, some of this info will be basic, some will be very specific. But it'll all combine to help you pull a truly satisfying espresso shot. Grab something to take notes with, and sit down a bit, since this will be a longer read. What makes a good ...
How To Flavor Coffee - 19 Things To Try With Your Coffee Right Now
I've always wanted to compile this list of ways to flavor your coffee, since I'm a BIG flavored coffee lover. My own cup of morning coffee is blended with something different most mornings, and I love it that way. So, if you'd like to know how to flavor your cup of coffee, without breaking the bank, and with some of the items you probably have in your kitchen already, read on. Try adding sweet sauces or toppings to your coffee This is probably the most obvious way to change up your coffee, and the best. When you do make coffee, you ...
The Best Coffee Brewing Method For Each Need
Are you looking for the best brewing method ever ? You're in luck, since I'm going to compare to go through a whole list of coffee brewing methods, and pick out which is the best for each need. Are you a very busy mom in the morning ? Do you need your coffee to be extra flavorful ? Do you have a lot of time on your hands and are willing to wait a few hours ? Not all brewing methods are created equal. Where one shines another might fall flat on its face. Only to get up and shine again when another, different method comes along. So keep in ...
Is Oolong Tea Green Or Black ? Sorting Out This Beautiful Tea
Do you happen to have a nice oolong on your hands, and aren't sure if it's a black or green tea ? Well then, let me help you figure things out, since it's not an easy task. Oolongs are a completely different tea from any other, and they're one of the most wildly differing flavors you'll ever find. Grab yourself a cup of tea and let's get talking. So is oolong tea green or black ? Neither. Oolong tea is not black tea, nor is it green tea. It's a very different tea from both, mostly because of the way this tea is processed. The leaves of ...
What Leaves Are In Green Tea ? (What Your Fave Tea Is Made Of)
Wondering what kind of leaves are used in green tea ? That's a common question, given how people talk about tea like we all know what goes in it. Once you do find out, it's kind of simple and makes you go "Oh...", and lots of things will fall into place. So let's see what leaves are used for green tea, and how that matters. So what leaves are in green tea ? Green tea uses the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. That is the name of the ancient Asian (traditionally Chinese) tea plant that everyone's so in love with. The Camellia plant's ...
Blade VS Burr Grinders - 5 Differences That Change Your Coffee
When looking to grind your own coffee at home, you'll be faced with two options: burr and blade grinders. You might ask yourself why it matters which you use. Which begs the question: what's the difference between a burr and blade grinder ? As it happens there's a few differences, and those can influence your coffee. So let's get to it. What is a blade grinder ? First let's settle what each of these things is. A Blade grinder is one of the cheapest versions you can find, and it does the job fairly well. It's usually shaped as a cylinder, ...
Coffee Roast Levels (Explained, With Pictures And Pointers)
Roasting levels in coffee vary from brand to brand, and I'm pretty sure they're not very well explained on the back of coffee packs. This leads to people not knowing what they're buying, and lots of confusion as to what roast level is best, or even if there is such a thing. So let's sit down and talk about all the coffee roasting levels, and how you can figure out each of them. What does roast level mean in coffee ? First, let's deal with this. A roast level in coffee is the point at which the coffee roaster was stopped, leading the ...
French Press Coffee Grind Size (How And Why It Matters)
Looking to make a fresh cup of French press coffee, but you're not sure what size grind to use ? That's a common question, since grind size isn't something very much discussed between regular coffee drinkers. What does it matter what size grind you use for a French press ? As it happens, it does matter, and there's a very specific size you'll need. Let me help you out. So what is the French press coffee grind size ? The grind size you'll need for a French press is the coarsest setting on your grinder. The pieces are usually the size of ...
Coffee Roast And Caffeine - Does Roasting Change Caffeine Levels ?
Can't choose between light and dark roast, since both are said to have more caffeine ? What's the truth, which roast has more caffeine ? And how does roasting affect caffeine in the first place ? Well, let me help you out here. So which coffee roast has more caffeine ? None. All roast levels contain the same amount of caffeine. The only thing that influences that is what kind of coffee bean you use, Arabica or Robusta. The only difference, and it's a vague one, is that the coffee beans expand slightly during the roasting process. You ...
How To Make A Cup Of Loose Leaf Tea - Brewing A Great Cuppa
You're brewing loose leaf tea, and would like some guidance. No worries, I've got you covered. If you've only made tea form a teabag until now, I understand loose leaves can be a little intimidating. But we all learn, so today I'm guiding you through every tea type's requirements, so you can brew any tea you like. Enjoy ! So what do you need to make a cup of loose leaf tea ? To make a cup of loose leaf tea, you will need: Hot water, preferably heated with a kettle. The exact temperature will be discussed later Empty teacup or ...
How Grind Size Affects Coffee - From Finer To Coarser Grinds
Wondering why you've got to grind your coffee to a specific size each time ? Or maybe you wonder why some coffee packs claim they're best used for Moka coffee or espresso ? That's because of how the grind size of your coffee affect the taste of the final brew. So grab your grinder, and let's talk a bit. So how does grind size affect coffee ? In short, the surface area of the coffee bean dictates the extraction time. This means that a very finely ground coffee bean, like for espresso, will brew quickly, in under a minute. And a coarse ...
Light Roast VS Dark Roast Coffee - 6 Differences In Taste And Strength
Are you trying to figure out which roast type is better ? As you read this article you'll notice that both light roasts and dark roasts have their good and bad sides, and which you choose is up to you. There's also the fact that some bean types are better off light or dark. But let's see those differences between light and dark roasts, so you can choose which you'd like more when you next buy coffee. Crash-course for those who are unsure what roast levels are If you've never really heard of coffee roast levels, don't fret. No one except ...
Does Lemon Tea Have Caffeine ? Find Out If Your Tea Is Safe
Are you a big fan of lemon tea ? Is it something you love to drink every day ? Then you might be wondering about the caffeine level in your beloved lemon tea. Don't worry, I've got your covered and I'm going to discuss how much caffeine there is, and why. So go grab your favorite cuppa, and let's sit down. So does lemon tea have any caffeine ? It depends on what your lemon tea is based on. If you're drinking pure lemon tea, made of 100% pure lemon, and nothing else, then no it contains no caffeine. But if you're drinking black tea ...
What To Add To Black Tea - 5 Ways To Make Your Cup Taste Better
If you want a cup of black tea, but would like to dress it up a little, I've got you covered. I'll share with you the tips and tricks of how what to add to black tea to make it taste better, and I'm pretty sure you'll be happy with what you'll see here. Some of these flavorings can be combined, in order to reach an even tastier drink. And it all goes great if you decide to turn this into an iced tea ! 1. Black tea always goes great with milk Now, this is a classic, pretty much anyone knows this. But, it's the first on my list because it's ...
What Goes Best With Mint Tea ? 5 Ideas To Try With Your Next Cup
Mint tea is a long standing favorite of mine, and mixing it up with other herbs or flowers always makes it taste even better. But what goes best with mint tea ? There's many combinations you can make, but some work better than others, taste-wise. There are health benefits to these combinations, but I'm going to focus on the taste more. 1. Lemon goes great with mint tea This is a classic, and possibly not a surprise for you. Still, a reminder never hurt anyone. Adding a slice of fresh lemon will instantly lift your cup of mint tea, ...
Is Filter Coffee Stronger Than Espresso ? On Caffeine Levels And Taste
If you've ever had coffee, then you know there's 2 main ways of drinking it. Either it's a shot of espresso, or it's filter coffee. But is filter coffee stronger than espresso ? You might think it isn't, but science has figured out the real winner. Let's see which one it is. So is filter coffee stronger than espresso ? Yes, filter coffee is stronger than espresso. Filter coffee has an average of 150-210 mg of caffeine per 8 fl oz/236 ml of brew. A shot of espresso of 1 oz/33 ml contains about 63 mg of caffeine. The difference is ...
What Is Robusta Coffee Used For ? 5 Ways Robusta Is Useful
Have you ever wondered what Robusta coffee is used for ? You keep hearing about it, but no one really talks about it in detail. Why is it important, and why is it used, if people are so disappointed by its flavor ? As it turns out, Robusta has quite a few uses, and was the savior of the coffee industry over a century ago. Robusta beans are strong, caffeine-heavy Robusta beans are named Robusta for their strong, hardy nature. This is mostly by comparison to Arabica beans. You see, a long time ago, all the coffee grown all over the world ...
Is It Better To Drink Coffee Black ? Here's Your Answer, And Why
You've heard people preach about black coffee. But is it better to drink your coffee black, than with anything else ? Does it have to do with the health benefits ? Is it the taste ? Both ? In truth, the answer is a little more complicated, and it's not set in stone either. So is it better to drink coffee black ? Not necessarily. From a health point of view, black coffee helps much more than milk coffee. First by not containing milk and sugar, and then because the compounds in pure coffee work better without any add-ons. But from a ...
Why You Should Never Squeeze The TeaBag (Solving The Mystery)
Have you ever heard about the one with the squeezed teabag ? Apparently you're not supposed to squeeze it. You're also not supposed to let it sit in you teacup more than it needs to. But why shouldn't you squeeze the teabag after it's done brewing ? After some very interesting research, here's what I found. So why should you not squeeze the steeped teabag ? You should not squeeze tea bags or tea leaves, as you will release more tannins. This will make the tea become more bitter, and will darken the tea as well. The end result is much ...