Knowledge Base
Coffee & Tea Guides
Brew better and explore more — buying guides, how-tos, and explainers for every coffee and tea ritual.
How-To
How to Make a Latte at Home (With or Without a Machine)
A latte is strong coffee under a tall pour of frothy milk. Here is how to make one at home, with or without an espresso machine: the ratio, easy frothing methods, milk choices, and iced and flavoured variations.
How-To
Kahlua Coffee Cocktails: Drinks to Make With Coffee Liqueur
Kahlua is the rum-based coffee liqueur behind the White Russian, Black Russian and Espresso Martini. Here are the core kahlua drinks with measures, tips and a booze-free swap.
How-To
How to Make a Chai Latte at Home (Hot and Iced)
A chai latte is spiced black tea with steamed, frothy milk and a little sweetness. Here is how to make one at home, hot or iced, from a concentrate, tea bags, or whole spices.
How-To
How to Host a Tea Party: Menu, Etiquette, and Ideas
A tea party is simpler than it seems: a few good pots, a three-tier menu of sandwiches, scones and sweets, a nicely set table and light, myth-busted etiquette. Here is how to plan, brew and host one.
How-To
How to Froth and Steam Milk at Home (Tools and Technique)
Frothing and steaming milk means adding air and heat until it turns glossy and foamy. Here is the technique plus every tool that gets you there, from a steam wand to a jar and microwave.
How-To
How to Find a Work-Friendly Cafe (WiFi, Outlets, Quiet) Near You
Finding a work-friendly cafe comes down to a few map searches and knowing what to check first: WiFi, outlets, seating, noise, and whether laptops are welcome. Here is the method, plus the etiquette that keeps you a good guest.
How-To
How to Descale a Nespresso Machine
Limescale quietly slows and cools every pod machine. Here is how often to descale a Nespresso, what descaler to use (never vinegar), and a simple step-by-step method that works across OriginalLine and Vertuo models.
How-To
How to Clean an Espresso Machine (Backflushing and Cafiza)
Learn how to clean an espresso machine properly: daily wiping, weekly Cafiza soaks, and how to safely backflush the group head (only on machines built for it) without confusing it with descaling.
How-To
How to Brew Kombucha at Home, Step by Step
Kombucha is fermented sweet tea, and brewing it at home is a simple two-stage process. Here is the full method, a working ratio, the gear, and the safety basics.
How-To
How to Brew Coffee With a Vietnamese Phin Filter
A phin is the little Vietnamese metal drip filter that brews one strong, slow, full-bodied cup by gravity. Here is how to use a phin, step by step, hot or over ice, plus fixes for a brew that runs too fast or stalls.
How-To
How to Brew the Perfect Pot of Tea
A teapot is the easiest way to make several cups at once. Here is how to brew a pot of tea step by step, with a temperature and steep-time chart for every common tea.
How-To
Honey Citrus Mint Tea (the Medicine Ball) Recipe
Honey citrus mint tea is the cozy hot drink known as the Medicine Ball. Here is an easy copycat recipe with green tea, peach tea, warm lemonade and honey.
How-To
Homemade Coffee Creamer: Base Recipe and Flavors
Homemade coffee creamer takes about five minutes and one jar. Here is the base formula, a dairy and a dairy-free route, six easy flavors, the method step by step, and how long it keeps.
How-To
How to Set Up a Home Coffee Station
A practical, step-by-step guide to setting up a home coffee station: how to pick the location, gather the essentials, organize by zone, and style a coffee bar that fits any space.
How-To
Roasting Coffee at Home with an Electric Roaster
A practical, machine-first guide to roasting coffee at home with an electric roaster: how air and drum models work, and how to run a roast from charge to cool.
How-To
Home Coffee Roasting: A Beginner Guide to Roasting Your Own Beans
Home coffee roasting is simpler than it looks. Learn how to roast coffee beans at home with a popper, pan or oven, read first and second crack, and rest and store beans right.
How-To
Hojicha Latte Recipe: Toasty, Low-Caffeine and Easy
A hojicha latte is roasted Japanese green tea whisked into steamed milk -- toasty, naturally low in caffeine and easy. Here is the recipe two ways, hot or iced.
How-To
Hazelnut Latte Recipe: Cafe-Style at Home
A hazelnut latte is a latte flavored with hazelnut syrup: warm, nutty, and lightly sweet. Here is the simple cafe-style method, plus an iced version and easy variations you can make at home.
How-To
Golden Milk Recipe: Traditional Turmeric Milk (Haldi Doodh)
How to make golden milk (haldi doodh) the traditional way: gently simmer milk with turmeric, black pepper and warming spices, then sweeten off the heat for a cozy, caffeine-free bedtime cup.
How-To
Golden Latte Recipe: The Cafe-Style Turmeric Latte
How to make a golden latte at home: a quick turmeric base, frothed milk, an iced option and the barista tips that give this caffeine-free turmeric latte its silky cafe-style finish.
How-To
Ginger Turmeric Tea: Benefits and How to Make It
Ginger turmeric tea is a caffeine-free golden infusion of ginger and turmeric root. Here is what it is, its traditional benefits, and an easy step-by-step recipe.
How-To
Ginger, Lemon and Honey Tea: A Soothing Recipe
Ginger, lemon and honey tea is a warming, caffeine-free comfort drink. Here is the simple recipe, easy variations, what each ingredient adds, and the safety notes worth knowing.
How-To
French Vanilla Coffee: What It Is and How to Make It
A french vanilla coffee is a sweet, creamy vanilla drink, made famous by the Tim Hortons French Vanilla. Here is what it is, what french vanilla means, and three easy ways to make a french vanilla latte, cappuccino or iced version at home.
How-To
French Press Coffee-to-Water Ratio: Get It Right
A good french press coffee-to-water ratio is about 1:15 to 1:17 by weight — roughly 30 g of coffee to 500 ml of water for a balanced cup. Here are the numbers, a ratio table, and the grind, temperature, and steep that make them work.