Knowledge Base
Alan’s accumulation of wisdom
Plunger (French Press) Brewing
There’s a very good reason that plunger brewing has stood the test of time as a fantastic way to make yourself coffee at home. You can find plungers in most big box stores for less than you’d pay for a 6-pack of beer…
Sunbeam EM0480 Coffee Grinder Review
Well. A major Australian appliance company has finally done it; they've produced a "Category Killer" grinder. I don't know of any other grinder in this price range worldwide that produces as good a grind and is as well constructed.
Grinding Coffee
Why grind coffee at all? Couldn't you just boil the whole beans until you've extracted all the flavour from them? Well, the answer is you can…
Vacuum (Syphon) Brewing
The coffee from a syphon can best be described as "crystal clear", with great purity of flavour and aroma and no bitterness added by the brewing process…
Filter Coffee
The fundamental principle of filter coffee is simple: a basket, usually conical, lined with a porous filter…
Moka/Espresso Pots
These all work on the same basic principle, which can be stretched a bit to steamer type "espresso" machines as well…
Coffee History
In the beginning, coffee was a shrub or tree growing in the mountainous forests of Ethiopia…
Middle Eastern Coffee
"Middle Eastern" Coffee is the oldest of the established brewing processes, although these days the rest of the world tends to call it Turkish Coffee
Espresso Coffee
Originally "FAST" or "EXPRESSLY FOR YOU" coffee, brewed using hot water and steam forced through the grounds, and therefore somewhat scorched in taste. Half a century of modification and invention led to the first modern style espresso machine…