Brewing guides

Make better coffee, at home

Everything on ratios, methods, gear, and fixes, tested and written by Simon Ingram.

A conical burr coffee grinder beside an open bag of whole roasted beans on a kitchen counter.

grind

Burr vs Blade Grinder: Which Should You Buy?

Burr grinders crush beans to a uniform size for even extraction; blade grinders chop unevenly. Here's which grinder to buy and why.

Aug 21, 2026

A glass vanilla latte with layered milk and espresso sitting on a wooden kitchen counter.

milk drinks

How to Make a Vanilla Latte at Home (Hot and Iced)

To make a vanilla latte, pull a double espresso, add 1-2 tbsp vanilla syrup, then pour in steamed milk. Hot and iced recipes inside.

Aug 20, 2026

A Chemex brewer on a wooden counter with coffee dripping through a thick paper filter

methods

How to Use a Chemex: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

How to use a Chemex: rinse the filter, add grounds, bloom, then pour water in stages at a 1:15 to 1:17 ratio for a clean cup.

Aug 19, 2026

Two bowls of coffee beans side by side, one medium brown and dry, the other dark brown and glossy with oil.

beans

Medium Roast vs Dark Roast: A Home Barista's Guide

Medium roast is balanced with brighter acidity and origin flavor; dark roast is bolder and smokier. Here's how to choose between them.

Aug 18, 2026

A glass mug of frothy chai latte dusted with cinnamon beside loose whole spices on a wooden counter.

milk drinks

How to Make a Chai Latte: 3 Easy Methods at Home

How to make a chai latte: brew strong spiced black tea, then combine it with steamed, lightly sweetened milk. Three simple methods, plus an iced version.

Aug 17, 2026

An automatic drip coffee maker brewing into a glass carafe on a kitchen counter.

methods

How to Make Drip Coffee: A Simple Home Guide

How to make drip coffee: weigh your grounds, add filtered water, and let the machine brew a clean cup at a 1:16 ratio.

Aug 16, 2026

A glass cup of vanilla gelato with a hot espresso shot being poured over it on a wooden table.

espresso drinks

What Is an Affogato? A Home Barista's Simple Guide

An affogato is vanilla gelato drowned in a hot shot of espresso. Here's how to make one at home in under two minutes.

Aug 15, 2026

A Nespresso machine on a kitchen counter with a bottle of descaling solution and a large mug positioned under the coffee spout.

gear

How to Descale a Nespresso: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to descale a Nespresso: run descaling solution through the machine's descale mode, then rinse with clean water. Full steps inside.

Aug 14, 2026

Two small glasses side by side showing a short ristretto and a longer espresso shot

espresso drinks

Ristretto vs Espresso: What's Actually Different

Ristretto vs espresso: a ristretto is a restricted espresso pulled with less water for a smaller, sweeter, more concentrated shot. Here's the full breakdown.

Aug 13, 2026

A tall glass caramel macchiato with a golden caramel drizzle over foamed milk on a wooden cafe counter.

milk drinks

How to Make a Caramel Macchiato at Home

Learn how to make a caramel macchiato: layer vanilla syrup, steamed milk, and espresso, then finish with a caramel drizzle on top.

Aug 12, 2026

An AeroPress and a glass French press side by side on a wooden kitchen counter with fresh coffee grounds.

comparisons

AeroPress vs French Press: Which Brewer Wins?

AeroPress uses pressure and a paper filter for a clean single cup; French press uses full immersion for a fuller-bodied pot. Here's how to choose.

Aug 11, 2026

A tall glass of iced latte with espresso swirling into cold milk over a stack of ice cubes on a kitchen counter.

milk drinks

How to Make an Iced Latte at Home (Barista Method)

How to make an iced latte: pull a shot of espresso, pour it over cold milk and ice. Ratios, a no-machine version, and syrup tips.

Aug 10, 2026

A steaming mug of freshly brewed black coffee resting on a wooden kitchen counter in morning light.

caffeine

How Long Does Caffeine Last? A Brewer's Guide

How long does caffeine last? Effects peak around 30-60 minutes and fade over several hours, with a half-life of roughly 4-6 hours in most adults.

Aug 9, 2026

A metal phin filter dripping dark coffee into a glass of sweetened condensed milk on a wooden table.

methods

How to Make Vietnamese Coffee at Home

How to make Vietnamese coffee: drip strong dark-roast coffee through a phin over sweetened condensed milk, then serve hot or over ice.

Aug 8, 2026

A glass mug of dirty chai latte with cinnamon dusted milk foam beside a shot of espresso on a wooden counter.

milk drinks

What Is a Dirty Chai? The Spiced Espresso Latte Explained

A dirty chai is a chai latte with a shot of espresso added. Here is what it tastes like, how to make one at home, and how it differs from filthy chai.

Aug 7, 2026

Four small bowls of green and roasted coffee beans arranged on a wooden kitchen counter

beans

Types of Coffee Beans: A Home Brewer's Guide

There are four commercial types of coffee beans, Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa, with Arabica and Robusta dominating your cup.

Aug 6, 2026

A stainless steel pitcher of milk being steamed under an espresso machine wand, forming glossy microfoam.

milk drinks

How to Steam Milk: A Home Barista's Microfoam Guide

Learn how to steam milk at home: add air with the wand, then texture into silky microfoam at about 140°F for lattes and cappuccinos.

Aug 5, 2026

A stovetop moka pot pouring dark, concentrated coffee into a small white cup on a wooden kitchen counter.

espresso drinks

How to Make Espresso Without a Machine (4 Methods)

You can make espresso without a machine using a moka pot, AeroPress, or French press. Here's how each brews a strong, concentrated shot at home.

Aug 4, 2026

A glass mug of caffè breve with a thick layer of creamy microfoam on a wooden café counter.

milk drinks

What Is a Breve? The Rich Half-and-Half Espresso Drink

A breve is an espresso drink made with steamed half-and-half instead of milk, giving richer foam and a thicker, more decadent mouthfeel than a latte.

Aug 3, 2026

Two glasses side by side, one dark cold brew concentrate and one iced coffee over ice cubes, on a wooden kitchen counter.

comparisons

Cold Brew vs Iced Coffee: What's the Real Difference?

Cold brew is steeped in cold water for hours; iced coffee is hot-brewed then chilled. Here's how they compare on taste, caffeine, and cost.

Aug 2, 2026

A porcelain cappuccino cup with a thick dome of milk foam sitting on a wooden counter beside an espresso machine.

milk drinks

How to Make a Cappuccino at Home: A Simple Guide

How to make a cappuccino: pull a double espresso, then top it with equal parts steamed milk and thick foam in a 5-6 oz cup.

Aug 1, 2026

A freshly pulled espresso shot in a white cup topped with a thick layer of golden-brown crema.

espresso drinks

What Is Crema? The Golden Foam on Every Espresso Shot

Crema is the golden-brown foam on top of an espresso shot. Learn what crema is, what causes it, and how to get more at home.

Jul 31, 2026

A clear glass mug of dark red eye coffee with espresso crema swirling on top, sitting on a wooden kitchen counter.

espresso drinks

Red Eye Coffee: What It Is and How to Make One

A red eye coffee is drip coffee with a shot of espresso added. Learn how to make one and how it differs from black eye and dead eye drinks.

Jul 30, 2026

A glass pitcher of glossy frothed whole milk beside a hand whisk on a kitchen counter.

milk drinks

How to Froth Milk at Home (No Machine Needed)

Learn how to froth milk at home with a frother, French press, jar, or whisk. Get café-style foam without an espresso machine in minutes.

Jul 29, 2026

A copper cezve pouring foamy Turkish coffee into a small white demitasse cup on a wooden tray.

methods

How to Make Turkish Coffee: A Home Barista's Guide

How to make Turkish coffee: simmer extra-fine grounds in a cezve, pull it before boiling, and serve unfiltered. A simple step-by-step guide.

Jul 28, 2026

A small espresso macchiato in a clear glass with a single dollop of white milk foam on dark crema.

milk drinks

What Is a Macchiato? Espresso Stained With Milk

A macchiato is an espresso stained with a small dollop of milk. Learn the espresso, latte, and caramel versions and how to make each at home.

Jul 27, 2026

A tall glass of nitro cold brew coffee with a cascading tan foam settling into a dark body on a wooden counter.

cold brew

Nitro Cold Brew: What It Is and How to Make It

Nitro cold brew is cold brew infused with nitrogen for a creamy, cascading pour. Learn how it's made and how to brew it at home.

Jul 26, 2026

A glass latte on a wooden counter showing espresso, steamed milk, and a thin white foam layer with simple latte art.

milk drinks

How to Make a Latte at Home Like a Barista

How to make a latte: pull a double espresso, steam milk to 140-150°F, then pour 1 part espresso to about 4-5 parts milk with a thin foam cap.

Jul 25, 2026

A freshly poured 8-ounce cup of black drip coffee resting on a wooden kitchen counter beside a scale.

caffeine

How Much Caffeine in a Cup of Coffee? A Brewer's Guide

A cup of coffee has about 95 mg of caffeine per 8 oz, but it varies widely by bean, roast, and brew method. Here's what changes the number.

Jul 24, 2026

A flat white in a small ceramic cup with a glossy white microfoam surface and faint latte art.

milk drinks

What Is a Flat White? A Home Barista's Simple Guide

A flat white is espresso topped with steamed milk and a thin layer of silky microfoam, smaller and stronger than a latte. Here's how to make one.

Jul 23, 2026

A homemade mocha in a glass mug topped with milk foam and cocoa

espresso drinks

How to Make a Mocha at Home

How to make a mocha: combine a shot of espresso, chocolate, and steamed milk. The ratio, an easy no-espresso-machine version, and tips for a café-quality cup.

Jul 22, 2026

A tall glass of cold brew coffee over ice on a kitchen counter

caffeine

How Much Caffeine Is in Cold Brew?

Cold brew usually has more caffeine than hot coffee because of its high coffee-to-water ratio and long steep. How much, what drives it, and how to control the strength.

Jul 21, 2026

A stovetop percolator brewing coffee on a stove with a glass knob on top

methods

How to Use a Percolator (Stovetop and Electric)

How to use a percolator: add water and coarse grounds, heat until it perks, then perk gently 7-10 minutes. The right grind, ratio, and how to avoid bitter coffee.

Jul 20, 2026

Light roast and dark roast coffee beans side by side showing color and oil

beans

Light Roast vs Dark Roast: What's the Difference?

Light roast vs dark roast: light is brighter and more acidic with more origin flavor; dark is bolder and roastier. Caffeine is nearly equal by weight. Compared.

Jul 19, 2026

Arabica and robusta green coffee beans side by side

beans

Arabica vs Robusta: What's the Difference?

Arabica vs robusta: arabica tastes sweeter and more complex; robusta is stronger, more bitter, has about twice the caffeine, and costs less. Compared, with a chart.

Jul 18, 2026

Hot water being added to a shot of espresso to make an americano

espresso drinks

How to Make an Americano at Home

How to make an americano: pull a shot of espresso and add hot water, about 1 part espresso to 2-4 parts water. The ratio, steps, and how it differs from a long black.

Jul 17, 2026

An airtight canister of coffee beans in a dark pantry

storage

Does Coffee Go Bad? Shelf Life and Storage

Does coffee go bad? It mostly goes stale, not unsafe. Whole beans last weeks to months, ground about two weeks, brewed hours. How to tell, and how to store it.

Jul 16, 2026

A cortado in a small Gibraltar glass on a cafe counter

milk drinks

What Is a Cortado? (And How to Make One)

A cortado is a small espresso drink with a shot of espresso and just a little steamed milk in a 4 oz glass. How it compares to a latte, and how to make one.

Jul 15, 2026

Cold foam being spooned over a glass of iced coffee

milk drinks

How to Make Cold Foam at Home

How to make cold foam at home: froth cold skim or low-fat milk with a frother, blender, French press, or jar until it holds soft peaks. Plus sweet cream variations.

Jul 14, 2026

A cappuccino and a latte side by side on a cafe counter

comparisons

Cappuccino vs Latte: What's the Difference?

Cappuccino vs latte: a cappuccino is equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and thick foam; a latte is espresso with lots of milk and thin foam. Compared, with a chart.

Jul 13, 2026

A sealed jar of cold brew coffee stored on a refrigerator shelf

troubleshooting

How Long Does Cold Brew Last? (Fridge Storage Guide)

Cold brew concentrate lasts about 1-2 weeks in the fridge, diluted a few days, and with milk about 2 days. How to store it and spot when it has gone bad.

Jul 11, 2026

A person tasting a cup of coffee with a thoughtful expression in a kitchen

troubleshooting

Why Is My Coffee Bitter or Sour? Causes and Fixes

Bitter coffee is over-extracted; sour coffee is under-extracted. Learn to tell them apart and fix both with grind, water, time, and ratio tweaks.

Jul 9, 2026

White vinegar and a drip coffee maker being cleaned on a kitchen counter

gear

How to Clean a Coffee Maker With Vinegar (Step by Step)

How to clean a coffee maker with vinegar: run equal parts white vinegar and water, pause, then rinse 2-3 times. Full routine, the right ratio, and how often.

Jul 7, 2026

Descaling liquid being poured into a Keurig water reservoir on a kitchen counter

gear

How to Descale a Keurig (With or Without Solution)

How to descale a Keurig with descaling solution or plain white vinegar, how often to do it, and how to fix a descale light that stays on after cleaning.

Jul 5, 2026

A stovetop moka pot brewing coffee next to ground coffee and a scale

ratios

Moka Pot Ratio: How Much Coffee and Water to Use

The best moka pot ratio is about 1:10 by weight: fill the basket level and water below the valve. Get the chart by pot size, the grind, and the stove technique.

Jul 2, 2026

An AeroPress being pressed into a mug of coffee on a kitchen counter

methods

The Best AeroPress Recipe (Plus the Ratios That Work)

A reliable everyday AeroPress recipe: 16 g coffee to 240 g water (1:15), medium-fine grind, 175-185°F, steep 1-2 minutes, then press slowly.

Jun 30, 2026

A double espresso shot pouring onto a scale under a portafilter

ratios

Espresso Ratio: Dose, Yield, and Time Explained

The standard espresso ratio is about 1:2, dose to yield: 18 g in, 36 g out, in 25-30 seconds. Get the ristretto/normale/lungo chart and how to dial it in.

Jun 26, 2026

Very fine espresso grounds in a portafilter next to a grinder

grind

Espresso Grind Size: How to Dial It In

The best espresso grind is very fine, close to powdered sugar. Dial it in by shot time: 25-30 seconds for a 1:2 shot, finer if fast, coarser if slow.

Jun 23, 2026

Medium-fine coffee grounds beside a pour over dripper and gooseneck kettle

grind

The Right Grind Size for Pour Over Coffee

The best grind size for pour over is medium to medium-fine, like table salt. Use brew time to dial it in, adjust for your dripper, and fix a fast or bitter cup.

Jun 19, 2026

A French press and a drip coffee maker side by side on a kitchen counter

comparisons

French Press vs Drip Coffee: Which Should You Brew?

French press vs drip coffee: the press makes a fuller, oilier cup through a metal filter; drip is cleaner and lighter with less effort. How to choose.

Jun 16, 2026

A tall glass of iced coffee being poured over ice on a bright kitchen counter

methods

How to Make Iced Coffee at Home (Without Watering It Down)

How to make iced coffee at home fast: brew hot coffee stronger and flash chill it over ice. Get the ratio trick, coffee ice cubes, and iced coffee vs cold brew.

Jun 12, 2026

A large mason jar of cold brew coffee steeping with coarse grounds on a counter

methods

How to Make Cold Brew Coffee at Home (Step by Step)

How to make cold brew coffee at home: steep coarse grounds in cold water 12-18 hours at a 1:8 ratio, strain, then dilute. Full method, chart, and storage tips.

Jun 9, 2026

A jar of cold brew coffee concentrate steeping with coarse grounds

ratios

Cold Brew Coffee Ratio: The Simple Formula (With Chart)

The best cold brew coffee ratio is 1:8 for concentrate or 1:16 ready-to-drink. Get the chart, coarse grind, 12-18 hour steep, and how to dilute concentrate.

Jun 5, 2026

Water being poured over coffee grounds in a pour over dripper on a scale

ratios

Pour Over Coffee Ratio: The Chart for a Clean, Sweet Cup

The best pour over coffee ratio is 1:15 to 1:17 by weight, with 1:16 as the default. Get the chart by cup size, the grind and pour technique, and how to adjust.

Jun 2, 2026

A level tablespoon of ground coffee held over a mug beside coffee beans

ratios

How Many Tablespoons of Coffee Per Cup? (With Chart)

How many tablespoons of coffee per cup? About 2 level tablespoons per 6-oz maker cup, or 3 per full 8-oz mug. Chart by mug size, plus the cup-size trap.

May 29, 2026

A French press being pressed on a kitchen counter beside a mug of coffee

methods

How to Use a French Press: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to use a French press, step by step: the right ratio, grind, water temperature, and 4-minute steep, plus the common mistakes that make coffee bitter.

May 26, 2026

Coffee being weighed on a kitchen scale next to a pour over dripper

ratios

Coffee to Water Ratio: The Golden Ratio Chart for Every Brew

The golden coffee to water ratio is 1:15 to 1:18 by weight, with 1:16 as the all-purpose default. Get the chart, ratios by brew method, and how to measure.

May 22, 2026

A glass French press brewing coffee on a warm wooden kitchen counter

brewing

French Press Coffee Ratio: The Simple Golden Formula

The best French press coffee ratio is 1:15 to 1:17 by weight. Get the chart by cup size, the no-scale tablespoon rule, and how to fix a weak or bitter brew.

May 19, 2026