Articles
Things we’ve seen, things we’ve tried, things we’ve found to be true. Keep up to date on best practices, coffee news, products and equipment.
The Archive
Introducing “How Coffee Works”—a Tori Dawson Series Brewing Soon
The humble coffee cup—ceramic, paper, or stainless steel—holds more than mere caffeine. It cradles possibility. In the pale light of morning, when the world exists in that liminal space between dreaming and duty, millions partake in what might be our last shared...
Brewing Independence – Canada’s Coffee Culture at a Crossroads
Bean Indigo is Canada-based, digital publication with a global projection. Normally a background consideration, world events have us peering up over the transom. Â In a world where morning rituals matter, few things unite us like coffee. The rich aroma filling kitchens...
Introducing Reena Gilborn, Coffee Culture’s New Voice
Reena Gelborn and I met gradually. Little did I know when she first came to my attention in one cafe (the first of several), this compelling, enigmatic character and I would forge a working relationship. The following interview took place in mid-April with the first...
The Essential Espresso Machine Maintenance Guide
We coffee lovers live in two worlds: the morning rush for caffeine and the weekend pursuit of the perfect cup. Yet between these moments lies a truth many ignore—your espresso machine is quietly suffering, begging for the care it needs to serve you faithfully. Let me...
Perfect the Art of Grinding, Tamping and Coffee Extraction
The journey to a perfect espresso shot at home is both science and art. Three key steps make or break your coffee experience: grinding, tamping, and extraction. Let's explore how these techniques work together and what the latest research tells us about making better...
Espresso-Specific Coffee Varietals and Their Characteristics
The ideal match: espresso-specific coffee varietals and their defining characteristics. Or as we like to say, Jacking your bean stock. In the world of coffee, few brewing methods demand more precision in bean selection as espresso. The intense pressure, brief...
A Barista’s View of Modern Extraction Theory
There was a time when I thought making a good cup of coffee was like finding love – mostly about luck and timing. Both have proven to be far more scientific endeavors than I'd initially bargained for. Though unlike my dating life, coffee has yielded consistent results...
The Interplay Between Coffee Processing and Extraction
In the wonderful world of specialty coffee, the story of coffee cherries transforming to the sublime beverage we all love is a narrative where processing methods whispered in the ears of attentive baristas yield magical results. Each processing technique—be it...
How Coffee Bean Selection Drives Extraction Control
In the pursuit of exceptional coffee at home, enthusiasts often focus on equipment upgrades and brewing techniques. Yet one crucial element impacting extraction quality often receives less attention: the strategic selection of coffee beans. While this may smack of a...
How Coffee Bean Density Affects Extraction To Your Cup
In the pursuit of coffee perfection, principles drive outcomes. This is true in life, and unquestionably true when extracting flavour from those precious beans you've invested in. Today, I want to explore a fundamental property that many home baristas overlook but...
The Perfect Affogato: 5 Barista Secrets You Need to Know Now
Move over, cold brew – the affogato is having its moment. If you haven't experienced the magic of hot espresso "drowning" perfectly churned gelato, you're missing out on what might be the most Instagram-worthy coffee creation of the season.  Why are coffee influencers...
Fair Trade Coffee Meets Modern Extraction: A Love Story
A story in which your coffee-obsessed friend discovers that doing good and tasting good are perfect brewing partners Let me tell you about the day I realized my coffee obsession had reached a new level of complexity. So, I'm standing in my kitchen at 6 AM, surrounded...
“I think coffee is one of the best things about being alive.”
Steven Wright, comedian