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Coffee Life

A Valentine’s Gift Guide for Coffee Lovers

Wine isn’t the only beverage that can make an excellent Valentine’s Day gift; coffee can also be an excellent way to say “I love you” on February 14 — along with the equipment and accessories that enable baristas to brew or serve it at home with first-rate results. There are many items that baristas love receiving as presents, from espresso machines to milk frothers.

Here are ten barista favorites that make excellent Valentine’s Day gifts for coffee lovers.

The Secrets to Coffee Tasting Revealed

Coffee cupping is a process in which professional coffee tasters sample different brews and evaluate them for taste, flavor, body, acidity, consistency, sweetness, and aftertaste, among other things.

Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes

Honestly, the best hot chocolates are ones where you don't even have to leave your home to whip up and enjoy. Here are some delicious recipes for homemade hot chocolate.

What Is Arabica Coffee?

There are more than 100 different coffee species in existence today, however the most popular are Caffea Arabica (also known as Arabica) and Caffea Canephora (Robusta). Between these top two species, Arabica is still more frequently consumed and makes up 70 percent of all the world’s production.

Get to Know the Espresso Martini

The espresso martini cocktail is a delightful hybrid drink that offers the best of both worlds: the delightful vodka buzz of a traditional vodka martini, combined with the caffeinated richness of an espresso beverage. Like a regular martini, an espresso martini can be served in a regular V-shaped martini glass. But that isn’t mandatory: an espresso martini is sometimes served in a wide U-shaped cocktail glass — and instead of the olives and dry vermouth found in a vodka martini, an espresso martini combines vodka with coffee-minded ingredients. Like a traditional martini, an espresso martini is served cold.

How to Make Coffee Rub for Steaks

Like beer, wine, and tea, coffee is not only a popular, widely-consumed beverage — it is also great for cooking. And that includes steaks. There are many ways to season steak, whether it’s Mexican seasoning used on carne asada or the savory flavors of a Brazilian steakhouse. And steak is also quite compatible with the taste of coffee. In fact, savvy baristas know just how delicious the flavor of coffee can be when used for a rubbed steak/coffee-rubbed steak.


Instant Coffee: A Barista's Guide to the Pros and Cons

Instant coffee has become an increasingly popular beverage choice among coffee consumers. However, there are several reasons why instant coffee should be avoided. If you are a true coffee aficionado or are simply health-conscious, kick instant coffee to the curb and try making your own high-quality brew at home.

Best Places To Get Coffee in New York

Visitors and newcomers alike are nearly obsessed with the vibe of the city and ask themselves the ultimate question: How can I be a real New Yorker? By mimicking fashion, the accent, and the brisk pace, everyone hopes to embody the spirit of the city, but the devil is in the details and it’s really quite simple. If you step out of the vacation bubble and mimic the spirit of the city that isn’t on TV, you may have a chance. A day in the life of a “real” New Yorker is similar to anywhere else - including having a typical cup of New York coffee on your way into work.

The Complete Guide to Christmas Coffee Drinks

The holidays are nearly upon us, which means it’s time to get festive! You’ve likely got plans to cook up delicious dishes for friends and family when they visit, but what about drinks? As the temperatures fall and the days grow shorter, coffee lovers have a variety of delicious winter beverages to choose from. And it isn’t necessary to visit a local café or coffee bar to enjoy them. We’ve put together a complete guide to Christmas coffee drink recipes to impress your family and friends this holiday season.

3 Christmas Dessert Ideas and Recipes

Want to make a wonderful Christmas dessert that will have everyone craving for more? The following three recipes are great for satisfying the cravings of anyone with a sweet tooth and can be brought to Christmas parties, potlucks, and even family gatherings. Best of all, they are easy to make, bursting with flavor, and also work great as gifts for loved ones. If you know anyone who loves coffee and desserts, then you have no excuse not to get into the kitchen and try to create one of these stunning Christmas dessert ideas!

Reduce and Reuse: Your Carbon Footprint and Reusable Straws

When enjoying a cup of your favorite coffee, it’s often easy to forget that something as seemingly harmless as plastic straws can actually be incredibly damaging to the environment. Coffee is a treasured beverage enjoyed all over the world, so we should do our part to drink coffee responsibly and protect the planet that gives us this incredible, flavorful gift.  

A Beginner’s Guide on How to Become a Home Barista

Not only will you save lots of money compared to the expense of coffee house drinks but you’ll also take great pride in your caffeinated creations. Your cups of coffee will taste better to you, and it’ll become a skill that you’ll love to share with all of your family and friends — who will certainly be impressed with your coffee-making abilities.


The 10 Best Ways to Recycle Coffee Grounds

So you’re in the habit of making coffee every morning. Have you ever stopped to wonder — What can I do with my old coffee grounds?  There are so many fantastic ways to go about coffee grounds disposal that even some of the best ones fly under the radar. Having a great beverage that perks you up is just one side of coffee. Don’t miss out on all the additional benefits! Before you dump those used grounds; consider these options for reusing coffee grounds for everything from gardening to hair care.

8 Sugar Alternatives for Coffee You Didn’t Know Existed

Cutting back on sugar and need an alternative? Join the crowd. It’s easy (okay – maybe not THAT easy) to turn down a slice of cheesecake after dinner or skip the extra helping of candied yams. But when you’ve gotten the same order for years, how do you pick a healthy alternative to sugar in coffee that lets you get your fix without turning your coffee into a lifeless cup of sludge? There is hope! 

Father’s Day Gift Guide - Best Home Coffee Presents for Dad

What do you get a dad that has everything? You get him the ability to make delicious coffee anytime, anywhere! If your dad is a superhero with coffee being his kryptonite, then we’ve created a perfectly-curated Father’s Day gift guide that’ll make any dad feel even more super! Whether your dad is a home handyman, an outdoorsman, or an eco-warrior, the coffee-related ideas in this Father’s Day gift guide will be sure to warm his heart - and his cup - for a long time to come. 

Coffee Alternatives to make with your Home Coffee Equipment

So, you’ve got a repertoire of coffee tools at your disposal and you want to try to make something new without using any coffee. Perhaps, you have a friend coming over who doesn’t like coffee, or you are just trying to consume less caffeine. Well, no worries! Your coffee tools can still come in handy even if you decide to make delicious coffee alternatives!

How much money can you save by making coffee at home?

If you genuinely love getting coffee from your favorite coffee chain, but you’re on a tight budget, you could supplement your cravings by brewing your own coffee at home most days and supporting your local coffee shop once or twice a week. But just to put things into perspective, let’s take a look at what you’re paying at different coffee chains for an average cup of coffee.

Coffee Desserts to make this Mother’s Day

This Mother’s Day, show your love by crafting an amazing coffee beverage or dessert for your mom! Even if you don’t consider yourself to be an ace in the kitchen, there’s no better way to show your appreciation than by taking the time to make a Mother’s Day gift that mom will remember for the entire year! And who knows, maybe just like you have your favorite home-cooked meal, your mom might just develop a  similar craving for your home-brewed coffee or dessert!