October 8, 2018

Dark, Milk, White… & Ruby? The Different Chocolates Explained

What’s the difference between dark, milk, and white chocolate? Is white chocolate even chocolate and does milk chocolate really contain milk? Is fine chocolate always...

July 20, 2018

How Have World AeroPress Champion Recipes Changed Over The Years?

It’s been ten glorious years since the first World AeroPress Championship: ten years of experimental, creative, boundary-pushing – and, above all, fun – performances. When...

July 16, 2018

Introducing The Different Fine Cacao Origins Around The World

A silky-smooth Ecuadorian. A rich Madagascan. An aromatic Papua New Guinean. What’s the difference between these three chocolate bars, really? There are so many factors...

April 25, 2018

Understanding The Ingredients List on Your Fine Chocolate Bar

Have you ever wondered what that other 15% is in your 85% fine chocolate bar? Sometimes, it’s obvious that certain ingredients have been added: pistachio,...

February 21, 2018

The Chocolate Fruit: Looking Inside a Cacao Pod

Want to know where your chocolate comes from? You’ll have to travel to hot, humid climates where rain falls frequently and your clothes stick to...

February 13, 2018

Chocolate Pairings: Tips From a Fine Cacao Expert

That moment we take our first bite of a fine chocolate bar, letting it melt onto our tongue, we are tasting happiness. But there’s no reason...

February 6, 2018

Cacao Harvesting & Processing: A Step By Step Explanation

How do those brightly coloured cacao pods get turned into your delicious chocolate bar? There are many stages along the way and there’s no doubt...

January 11, 2018

Sweet Treats: How Is Fine Chocolate Made?

Whether it’s a delicious 80% Ghanan dark chocolate, a vanilla-infused Peruvian chocolate bonbon, or even a specialty hot cocoa, your favorite sweet treat begins life...

January 2, 2018

What Does “Direct Trade” Really Mean?

Direct: without intervening factors or intermediaries. Trade: the act of buying and selling goods and services. But direct trade represents far more than just its...

December 4, 2017

The Perfect Daily Grind Christmas Gift Guide 2017

The decorations are up, the Christmas songs are playing in coffee shops, and some baristas are even pouring festive latte art. But if you’re struggling...

November 22, 2017

Making Coffee at Home: What’s The Best Beginner Brewing Method?

There’s no better feeling than sipping on an amazing specialty coffee in your favorite café – but what if you could enjoy that same cup...

October 10, 2017

Third Wave Water Hooks US $100,000 Deal on Shark Tank

Third Wave Water has already made a splash in the specialty coffee industry, and now it’s set to go mainstream with a US $100,000 investment...

September 18, 2017

Baristas Debate: What Is a Specialty Barista’s Role?

“Barista” is more than a word: it’s a profession. Working in a coffee shop can be a career filled with opportunities for progression, meaningful goals,...

August 30, 2017

AeroPress Coffee Guide: How to Brew Different Flavor Profiles

What does your morning coffee taste like? With the AeroPress, that depends on your mood. One of the greatest things about this iconic device is...

July 6, 2017

Hand-Picked vs Mechanized Coffee Harvesting

Delicious specialty coffee requires excellence at every stage of the supply chain. And that means that only harvesting coffee beans from the ripest of cherries...

June 15, 2017

Coffee Cherries Go Unpicked: What’s The Solution?

Running a business always has risks, and when it comes to coffee, producers take all the chances. Whether it’s market prices, climate change, or the...