Coffee Lessons

Hot Chocolate Affogato

A mug of hot cocoa with whipped cream, marshmallows, and chocolate shavings

Hot chocolate affogatos, a delightful variation of the traditional Italian dessert and beverage, have been delighting taste buds and spreading joy among people of all ages. While traditional coffee version affogatos are known for their marriage of espresso and ice cream, hot chocolate affogatos offer a warm, kid friendly non-coffee alternative that exudes comfort and …

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How To Make An Affogato

A dish with ice cream "drowned" in espresso with a shot of espresso next to it

Affogato is a simple traditional Italian dessert or beverage that combines the richness of hot coffee with the creaminess of gelato or ice cream, which is extremely easy to make. The word affogato in Italian loosely translates to drowned, and the dessert is named as such because it involves pouring a shot of hot, freshly …

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The Chemistry of Coffee

Coffee beans in test tubes on a wooden rack.

Every morning, millions of people around the world kickstart their day with a steaming cup of coffee. It’s a ritual that transcends borders and cultures, bringing comfort, alertness, and a moment of respite from the daily grind. Do you know what contributes to roasted coffee’s incredible taste and aroma? It’s an intricate tango between the …

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Coffee Tasting Notes

Professional baristas leaning over a row of freshly ground coffee, taking in the aroma, at a coffee tasting with different varieties of roasted coffee beans

Coffee tasting notes are what bring flavor and variation to different types of coffee beans and preparation styles. They can range from fruity and acidic to chocolatey and caramelly. While true coffee enthusiasts chase the perfect tasting notes and will want to try a variety of brands and styles of coffee, understanding the tasting notes …

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What is Coffee Crema?

Closeup of a cup of black coffee in a clear cup with a lot of crema.

Espresso crema is the creamy foam atop a well extracted shot of espresso, which is crucial for enhancing flavor. It forms when hot water is pressured through finely ground coffee, mixing coffee bean oils with released carbon dioxide to create bubbles. Crema’s quality and appearance depend on bean type, roast, extraction time, and machine pressure. A fine …

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