You see it all over Instagram and your local café: beautiful swans, intricate tulips, and perfect rosettas floating atop a velvety latte. It looks like magic, a skill reserved only for baristas with years of experience and mystical powers. I’m here to let you in on a secret: Latte art is not about talent. It’s about…
Walk into any supermarket, and you’ll see them: bags of coffee beans stained nearly black, labeled “Espresso Roast” or “Italian Roast.” The packaging promises a “bold,” “strong,” and “intense” flavor. It feels right. Espresso should be strong, shouldn’t it? I’m here to let you in on a secret the specialty coffee world has known for years: You’ve been…
I have a confession. For months, my espresso was… fine. It was drinkable. But it was always missing that certain something—that thick, hazelnut-colored crema and complex, sweet flavor you get from a perfect café shot. I assumed the problem was my mid-range machine. Or maybe my grinder wasn’t fancy enough. I was mentally preparing to…