Ethos
Nordic Roasting: A Lighter Approach to Coffee
In the world of specialty coffee, Nordic roasting refers to a style of roasting that emphasizes lighter roast levels to highlight the natural flavors of the coffee itself. Instead of developing heavy, roasted flavors, Nordic roasting focuses on clarity, brightness,...
Single Origin Coffee — A Small Window into the World
What Is Single Origin Coffee? Single-origin coffee refers to coffee that comes from one specific place. This could mean a single farm, a cooperative of farms, or a particular region within a country. Unlike coffee blends, which combine beans from...
Two Main Types of Coffee: Arabica & Robusta
Arabica vs Robusta Although coffee is grown in many countries around the world, most of the coffee we drink comes from just two main species of coffee plants: Arabica and Robusta. These two types of coffee differ in flavor, growing...
The Specialty Coffee Association
The Specialty Coffee Association: Setting Standards for Quality Coffee The world of specialty coffee is supported by organizations that help maintain quality, education, and standards across the industry. One of the most important of these organizations is the Specialty Coffee...
The Coffee Tasting Wheel: Understanding the Many Flavors of Coffee Many people grow up thinking coffee has only one basic flavor—strong, dark, and bitter. But once you begin exploring specialty coffee, you quickly discover that coffee can have an incredible...
Specialty Coffee vs Commodity Coffee
What is the Difference? Coffee is one of the most widely traded agricultural products in the world. Most coffee falls into two broad categories: commodity coffee and specialty coffee. While both come from the same plant, the way they are...
Billions of Cups a Day — Why the Coffee You Choose Matters
How Much Coffee Is Consumed Each Day? Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. Every morning, millions of people begin their day with a cup of coffee, whether at home, at work, or in a...
The Coffee Plant: From Seed to Cup
Coffee Plant Foundations Coffee begins as a small seed that grows into a fruit-bearing tree. While it may seem simple in the cup, growing coffee is a slow and careful process that takes years before the first harvest. Growing a...
A Guide to Common Coffee Beverages
Specialty Coffee Beverages Coffee shops often offer a wide variety of drinks, but most of them are built from the same two ingredients: espresso and milk. Each drink has its own balance of these elements, creating different textures, strengths, and...