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Coffee guides

Coffee guides

Every number in these guides comes from a named source: studies, standards, consumer organisations or manufacturer manuals. Where sources disagree, we show the range instead of picking one. Nothing here comes from our own trials or tastings. These are translations of our German guides; prices are in euros from Amazon.de and may differ in your country.

AeroPress Guide: Standard and Inverted MethodAeroPress by the manufacturer's recipe: 85 °C, medium-fine, 30 to 60 seconds. Plus study ranges, upright vs inverted, filters and troubleshooting.AeroPress vs French Press: Which One Suits You?AeroPress vs French Press compared: brewing principle, filter, capacity, cleaning and cafestol, based on manufacturer data and studies, not gut feeling.Barista Accessories: What You Really Need for EspressoBarista accessories for portafilter machines in buying order: scale, WDT tool, tamper, basket size and comfort items, with catalogue prices and sources.Bean-to-Cup Machine Buying Guide 2026Buying a bean-to-cup machine: price, milk system, brew unit, grinder, running costs and lifespan, backed by manufacturer data and Stiftung Warentest.Bean-to-Cup Machine or Espresso Machine? An Honest ComparisonBean-to-cup or portafilter espresso machine: what each does for you, what each costs by catalogue prices, and which figures can be documented and which cannot.Bean-to-Cup Machine Problems: Finding and Fixing CausesFaults in bean-to-cup machines according to manufacturer instructions: grinder, brew unit, milk system, water and messages, plus repair rules.Bean-to-Cup Machine Settings: Grind, Dose, TemperatureGrind size, coffee dose, water volume and temperature on a bean-to-cup machine: what the manuals from Philips, Siemens, De'Longhi, Jura and Melitta say.Buying a Coffee Grinder: Burr Type, Price and Decision HelpStiftung Warentest found good and poor grinders under €50 in 2019. Our view for espresso: count how many steps the maker gives the espresso range.Buying a Drip Coffee Maker: What Really MattersBuying a drip coffee maker: what wattage, brew temperature, brew time and carafe really tell you, with figures from SCA, ECBC and Stiftung Warentest.Buying a Hand Grinder: Burrs, Adjustment, EspressoBuying a hand grinder by manufacturer data: burrs, axle bearings, micrometres per click, capacity, water rules and which brands intend espresso.Capsule or Pod Machine? Cost per Cup and Buying DecisionCapsule or pod machine: technology and pressure, tie-in to original portions, cost per cup from dated pack prices, waste, descaling and household types.Cleaning a Coffee Grinder: A Guide for Every Grinder TypeCleaning a coffee grinder by manufacturer instructions: intervals from every use to every three months, water at the burrs, tablets, oats and rice.Coffee Beans Explained: Arabica, Robusta and Roast LevelsArabica and Robusta, light to dark roasts, freshness and storage: what specialist sources say about coffee beans and where their figures disagree.Coffee Drinks Explained: Cappuccino, Latte and Flat WhiteCappuccino, latte macchiato, flat white, cortado: milk amounts according to manufacturers and associations, why layers form, caffeine and caffè crema.Coffee Gift Ideas by Budget and FitCoffee gifts chosen by fit, not price: which accessories are tied to a machine, what our catalogue items cost and which time limits apply to vouchers.Coffee Myths Fact-Checked: 8 Persistent MisconceptionsEight coffee assumptions on bar pressure, caffeine, the fridge, crema, water temperature, Robusta and grinders, checked against the BfR and studies.Coffee Origin and Flavour: Growing and ProcessingWhat growing country, altitude, processing and variety say about your coffee, what studies document, and which details on the bag are voluntary.Coffee Tastes Bitter or Sour: Causes and FixesCoffee tastes bitter or sour? What manufacturers and studies say about grind size, brew strength, water and keeping coffee warm, and how to fix it step by step.Cold Brew at Home: Recipe, Ratio and DilutionMake cold brew at home: 1:8 as a starting point, sources from 1:20 to 1:4.3, plus steeping time, grind, shelf life and hygiene, with studies and our view.Decaf Coffee: Processes and Taste ExplainedHow coffee is decaffeinated, what German law sets as the upper limit, and what studies measure on residual caffeine, aroma compounds and the taste of decaf.Espresso Basics: Ratio, Pressure and Dialling In ExplainedHow to dial in espresso on a portafilter machine: dose, ratio, shot time and brew pressure, with figures from the SCA, manufacturers and studies, plus faults.Espresso Machine Buying Guide 2026: Finding Your MachineBuying a portafilter espresso machine: heating system, basket type, grinder and portafilter size, with manufacturer data, studies and catalogue prices.Espresso Machine Troubleshooting: Fixing Faults YourselfEspresso machine faults sorted by manufacturer data: dripping, leaks at the rim, pump, steam, temperature, plus backflushing and descaling intervals.French Press Guide: Ratio, Time and Fixing ProblemsFrench press step by step: ratio, steep time, temperature and grind size as ranges with sources, plus fixes for common faults, pot sizes and cleaning.Grind Size Chart for Every Brewing MethodGrind size by brewing method according to manufacturers, how to adjust in small steps, and what studies show on particle size, flow and extraction yield.Home Coffee Roasting: Guide and Roast LevelsRoast coffee at home: weight loss, crack phases, roast levels, degassing and safety, with sources and open questions instead of invented numbers.How to Descale a Coffee Machine: Guide for Every TypeDescaling by machine type: hardness ranges, manufacturer intervals, vinegar and citric acid compared across sources, rinsing afterwards, cleaning coffee oils.How to Froth Milk: Microfoam Technique at HomeFroth milk with a steam wand, hand frother or induction jug: method, manufacturers' temperature range, fat content, plant drinks and common mistakes.How to make filter coffee: pour-over, machine and ratioHow to make filter coffee by pour-over or machine: steps, brew ratio, grind size and water temperature as ranges with sources, plus fixes for common faults.Iced Coffee at Home: Recipes and RatiosMake iced coffee at home: flash brew over ice based on AeroPress recipes, with ranges for ice share and water temperature, plus iced latte and espresso tonic.Learn Latte Art: Pouring a Heart, Tulip and RosettaLearn latte art pouring: the Sage method, the physics of pour height, milk temperature, jug and spout, heart, tulip and rosetta and common faults, with sources.Milk Frother Buying Guide: Types, Size, CleaningBuying a milk frother: types by capacity, minimum amounts, dishwasher use, coating and standby, with manufacturer data, Stiftung Warentest and catalogue prices.Moka Pot Guide: How to Use a Bialetti ProperlyHow to use a moka pot: steps, water by size, grind, when to take it off the heat, induction and care, based on manufacturer instructions and studies.Pour-Over Drippers Compared: V60, Chemex, Kalita, MelittaPour-over drippers compared: V60, Chemex, Kalita Wave, Melitta and reusable filters, with manufacturer data on grind, time, paper and disputed recipe figures.Turkish Coffee: Cezve, Grind Size and Foam ExplainedHow to make Turkish coffee: quantities, grind size, heat and foam, based on the 2026 TÜRKPATENT entry and studies, with ranges and our assessment.Water Hardness and Coffee: Effect on Taste and MachineWater hardness, carbonate hardness and bicarbonate: what studies say about coffee taste, how to find your value and what manufacturers say about descaling.