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How to Appreciate Coffee Like a Connoisseur

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Coffee should be more than another morning routine we take for granted. A perfectly brewed cup is a work of art that engages all the senses, from the rich aroma to the velvety texture. In the same way painters choose their colors and brushstrokes, skilled baristas meticulously select the grind, water temperature, and brewing method to create a delicately balanced cup of coffee. As coffee lovers, it’s our job to learn to appreciate the craft, not just the drink.  If you’re wondering how to appreciate artisanal small-batch coffee with the skill of a connoisseur, here are some simple tips to help cultivate your practice. Purchase Top-Tier Coffee The third wave coffee movement and its artisanal coffee have influenced the coffee preferences of the masses. From selecting high-quality coffee to careful roasting and brewing methods, small-batch artisanal coffee combines artistry and skill to create an exquisite cup of coffee. Much like an art lover doesn’t skip the best museums, coffee ...

5 Ways to Upgrade Your Work-From-Home Coffee Experience

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Making the switch to working from home comes with an adjustment period. You must let go of previous habits, like grabbing a coffee from your favorite cafe on the way to work, and create a new daily routine. Fortunately, you can stay motivated and on track by enjoying a great cup of coffee from your home office.  If you’re wondering how to improve your work-from-home coffee experience, you’re in luck! Here are five simple tips for emerging from your home coffee sessions with caffeine confidence. Purchase Quality Coffee A positive work-from-home experience starts with better coffee. Consider switching to premium small-batch artisanal coffee from an independent third wave roaster. If you don’t live near a third wave roaster, you can order coffee delivery online to have it delivered to your home. Be sure to properly store your coffee, keeping your supply away from air, light, and moisture, which can ruin your coffee. Invest in the Proper Coffee Tools Since you’re saving money by n...

6 Ways to Improve Your Coffee Palate

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Coffee is more than a beverage; it’s an experience, offering a wide range of exciting tasting notes and aromas. A well-developed palate—your ability to identify and appreciate specific tasting notes—allows you to explore the depth, complexity, and uniqueness that each small-batch artisanal coffee provides. Much like a fine wine connoisseur doesn’t start as an expert but slowly defines and hones their skills with practice, you can improve your coffee-appreciating palate at home with these helpful tips.  Start with the Basics With so many coffee profiles available, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. It’s best to step back, take things slowly, and focus on the basic tastes—sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and savory. Take a sip of your coffee and determine which primary flavors you notice. Eventually, as you feel more confident with your tasting skills, you’ll find it much easier to identify what you’re tasting. For example, you can go from a coffee with sweetness to noticing a hint of chocol...

6 Tips for Brewing Better Coffee at Home

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If you were to ask several baristas how to make the perfect cup of coffee, you’d get several different responses. But the best cup of coffee is the one you enjoy, so take a deep breath, because brewing coffee at home doesn’t have to be complicated. With the proper techniques, your home-brewed coffee can rival what you’d find in a cafe. You’ll get a better cup of home-brewed coffee following these six simple tips. Buy Quality Coffee The better your ingredients, the better your meals. The same is true of coffee. You must start with quality coffee. Buying small-batch artisanal coffee from independent third wave online coffee roasters is a good start. Using fresh coffee and grinding it at home before you brew helps ensure you get the most from your morning cup. Invest in a Scale Many of us have heard the rule of using 2 tablespoons of coffee for every 6 ounces of water, and while that recipe can brew coffee, it lacks the precision to take your brewing to the next level. Different coff...

6 Ways to Add Coffee to Your Wedding Activities

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Are you getting married soon and want to incorporate your mutual love of coffee into the wedding activities? For many couples, coffee is more than an afterthought and is a focal point in their relationship. Perhaps you met at a coffee shop for a first date or frequently visited a local cafe. Or maybe you enjoy brewing coffee at home. If coffee culture is a significant part of your relationship, why not highlight it during this memorable time? Make It Official with a Coffee Subscription Solidify your love by signing up for a coffee box subscription together—no prenup required. Now is the perfect time for a coffee subscription, as getting married is a busy, hectic occasion with all the wedding planning involved. Driving around town searching for your favorite coffee is time-consuming, but with a subscription, you get small-batch artisanal coffee delivered right to your home. Host a Rehearsal Brunch Forget about a rehearsal dinner—host a rehearsal breakfast or brunch inst...

Why a Coffee Subscription Is the Best Gift for Dads and Grads

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Father’s Day is rapidly approaching, and your weekends are likely filling up fast with graduation ceremonies and other commitments. So what do you get your coffee-loving friends and family? A coffee subscription gift ! This year, skip the traditional neckties and grad gifts for something more meaningful. Sharing a cup of premium coffee with those you care about is the ultimate expression of love. Below are four reasons coffee subscriptions make the best gifts for dads and grads. Say ‘I Love You’ Each Morning You know your dad loves coffee, and many have depended on it to get to graduation, so treat them to the greatest coffee they’ve ever had. The best part about a coffee subscription is it isn’t a one-time gesture of kindness; your gift recipient will think of you with every decadent sip of exquisite coffee. It’s okay to be picky while searching for the perfect coffee subscription. Ordering from an independent third wave coffee roaster means your dad or grad gets the be...

How to Have a Latte Fun at Your Next Book Club Gathering

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A love of reading typically brings people together to form a book club. Like any group, each book club develops its own culture, personality, structure, and rules. This is especially true for those who meet in members’ living rooms versus libraries or stores. The most successful book clubs are those that know their purpose. There is no right or wrong way to run a book club, but there are some things you can do to ensure each gathering is a positive experience for all who attend. Coffee Makes Everything Better Happiness is a premium cup of coffee and a good book. There is also a reason why the phrase, “But first, coffee” exists, because any successful book club meeting starts with coffee—and lots of it. Add a coffee cart or station with small-batch artisanal coffee, sugars, stir sticks, and creamers. You can order coffee online from your favorite third wave coffee roaster to save yourself time and the hassle of additional errands to run. Consider Who to Invite Be somewhat s...

6 Common Causes and Solutions for Coffee Bitterness

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There’s nothing like taking that first sip of piping hot coffee in the morning to kick off your day… only to discover it’s so bitter you can’t determine the tasting notes. It’s unpleasant for your taste buds and instantly brings down the mood—a sad way to start the day. While some bitterness may be a part of the flavor profile of a cup of coffee, bitterness shouldn’t be a dominant taste.  If your favorite coffee suddenly tastes bitter when it didn’t before, here are some common culprits and how to remedy the situation, as life is too short for bitter coffee. Problem: Grinding Coffee Into Oblivion Did you know your grind’s size can impact your coffee’s tasting notes? Coffee brewing is a science, and one of the leading causes of bitter coffee is over-extraction, or grinding your coffee too fine. Many mistakenly assume that to experience the most tasting notes from their coffee, they must keep grinding away until it’s so fine the water barely passes through it. While thi...

Best Coffee Advice for Beginners

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Occasionally, you encounter someone who has never caught coffee fever. If you’re one of those who doesn’t drink coffee but are curious about all the fuss, there are a few ways to ease into the process and discover the delightful coffee joy. Many people aren’t necessarily turned off by the taste of coffee but rather by the bitter taste of coffee. The bitter taste of coffee brewed incorrectly is a major reason that deters some from drinking it. If you find yourself adding extra cream, sugar, and flavored syrups to your coffee, that’s not a bad thing, but if you add sweeteners, it should be because you enjoy them rather than fixing a lousy cup of coffee. Premium, small-batch artisanal coffee from an independent third wave roaster presents a different tasting note spectrum entirely, with little or no bitterness in the cup when brewed properly. You can unleash spectacular tasting notes ranging from fruits to nuts to chocolate. It won’t be long before you’re asking for a coffe...

6 Benefits of Creating a Consistent Morning Routine

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A morning routine can brighten your waking moments and set a positive tone for the day. Starting your day intentionally with things that make you happy, like a morning cup of coffee from your favorite third wave independent roaster, is powerful. Let’s face it: mornings can be tricky for many. You may not feel like jumping out of bed and tackling the day, or you may be up before the alarm beeps. Whether you rise and shine or caffeinate and hope for the best, below are some benefits you can expect from a consistent AM routine. Priority A morning routine helps you understand what matters and what doesn’t. Once you know what your priorities are, it then becomes much easier to craft a to-do list. Think about your daily goals and what you hope to accomplish, whether that’s making the bed before leaving the house, eating a healthy breakfast, or drinking more water throughout the day. Patience A consistent routine allows you to have patience as you know what’s coming next. You will learn t...

5 Coffee Truths to Uncover Because Coffee Doesn’t Lie

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Next to water and tea, coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide. Despite the popularity, it’s amazing how many myths surround this delightful drink. However, don’t let these tall tales ruin your morning coffee. Here are five common myths that are best left ignored as you sip your favorite brew from your favorite mug. Myth 1: Light Roast Has Less Caffeine Than Dark Roast The darker the coffee, the more caffeine it contains, right? Wrong! It is a myth that dark coffee has more caffeine and is “stronger” than light roast. Roasted coffee is toasted to different levels, much like your morning bagel. While lighter roasts don’t spend as much time in the roaster, they still have plenty of caffeine, depending on the type. Myth 2: Coffee Is a Bean The term “coffee bean” is perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding coffee, as it’s not a bean. Technically, it’s the pit or seed of a cherry from a coffee plant. This doesn’t mean you can plant your cof...

3 Signs It’s Time to Step Up Your Coffee Game

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Around the world, coffee is a daily ritual for millions. Some of us take it with cream and sugar, others prefer black, but one thing remains the same: coffee makes the world go round. That said, there are certainly levels to the coffee experience, and you deserve the best possible cup to get you going in the morning. Put a smile on your mug by elevating your coffee experience above the daily grind.  Changes as simple as setting up a coffee box subscription with a premium artisanal coffee roaster will surely improve your coffee routine. The first step, however, is learning to recognize the signs of a java routine needing an upgrade. You Feel Like You Settle for Coffee That’s Just “Good Enough” The most obvious sign that your coffee game could benefit from a boost? You view coffee as just a way to get going in the morning and don’t put too much thought into where your coffee comes from or the different tasting notes. Far too many people are content to compromise on the quality of ...

How to Enjoy Your Coffee Routine to the Fullest

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Whether you enjoy your morning coffee alone or with friends or colleagues, you can make it a special moment. It becomes your daily ritual when you approach brewing, serving, and sipping your coffee with intention and inspiration. It’s time to discover the joys of a premium coffee subscription with your handcrafted coffee routine.   Select Quality Coffee The first step to enjoying a coffee routine is saying goodbye to subpar coffee. Seek out an independent third wave roaster or look online if you don’t have one nearby. Why focus on the third wave? Third wave roasters are unique as they treat their coffee like an artisanal food product, like fine wine. They also source their coffee through direct trade relationships with smallholder farms that are paid a price that exceeds fair trade minimums. Third wave roasters focus on lighter roasts over dark to enhance the coffee’s superb tasting notes. Savor Your Sips Making your morning coffee can be a moment to savor. To create your ideal...

4 Benefits of Small-Batch Artisanal Coffee Delivery

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It’s worth remembering these days that there are many ways in which things are getting better. Take the coffee industry, for example. Coffee lovers can now begin every day with exceptional small-batch artisanal coffee in the comfort of their kitchen. That’s because a movement within the coffee industry, specifically the third wave coffee movement, is actively working to improve it. That effort benefits the smallholder farmers who grow the world’s best coffee, their communities, and the environment. It also provides an invaluable benefit for anyone who appreciates exceptional coffee—access to world-class artisanal coffee delivery .   Support a Better Coffee Industry Third wave coffee roasters are committed to improving every aspect of how coffee is grown, sourced, and enjoyed. Most coffee is grown in developing nations within the planet’s equatorial belt. As such, paying smallholder farmers in countries like Costa Rica, Ethiopia, and Guatemala premium prices for premium coffee is l...

3 Exciting Movements in the Coffee Industry

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It’s refreshing when industry trends result in some inspiring new directions being taken and truly positive changes taking place. That’s certainly the case with various encouraging trends that have emerged and been more firmly established in the coffee industry. Those changes largely seem to result from the third wave coffee movement’s tenets being more broadly embraced and people discovering that there are simply better ways to create coffee. Whether it’s the rise of the finest small-batch coffee delivery or a more ethical and sustainable coffee industry, keep an eye out for the following movements.   Fine Single Origin Coffee and Blends Coffee being treated as a fine artisanal food product is actually a relatively recent development. For decades, coffee was a commodity that was almost exclusively sold as blends. One of the chief aims of the third wave coffee movement was to recognize and highlight the distinctive, sublime tasting notes and characteristics native to single origi...

4 Steps for Upgrading Every Feature of Your Coffee Experience

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If you drink coffee on a regular basis, whether you consider yourself a coffee connoisseur or someone who just appreciates a good cup, you deserve to enjoy an elevated coffee experience. Making that happen can be a straightforward process. It’s often as easy as finding an exceptional third wave coffee roaster for an unforgettable coffee box subscription , getting the right equipment, and a few other simple steps. Waking up to a world-class cup of artisanal small-batch coffee is a beautiful way to start the day. Pick Up the Right Brewing Equipment Grinding and brewing your own coffee has a variety of benefits. That you get to fine-tune your cup is likely the most obvious one. You can precisely control your water-to-coffee ratio, your type of grind, and the strength of each cup. Brewing artisanal small-batch coffee at home is also likely to be more cost-effective than buying a daily cup of a likely less impressive brew at a franchise or drive-through. Then there’s the fact that your mug...

4 Reasons to Order Coffee Online

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Many people today choose to shop online, whether it’s for clothing, groceries, or coffee delivery . There are many reasons it makes sense to shop online; it’s convenient, easy, and you don’t even have to change out of your pajamas. If you aren’t entirely convinced yet, here are a few reasons why ordering your coffee online makes perfect sense. It Saves You Time, Money, and Sanity Signing up for a coffee subscription can save you money. Not only are you saving money on gas, but it saves you a costly trip to the grocery store. Think about it: What usually happens when you step into a store to buy one thing? You end up leaving with multiple bags full of expensive impulse purchases and often forget to buy the one thing you needed in the first place. Online coffee purchases streamline your shopping by keeping you on track, buying what you need when you need it. Online shopping also saves you valuable time because you don’t have to do the grocery store hop where you sit in a horrendous t...