This month we had our first ‘Themed Rating’ here at Roast Ratings. For this inaugural session we wanted to taste coffees from Africa, as they are fresh in season and a great representation of high quality coffees.
Whether wandering into the coffee aisle at the grocery store or popping into your local cafe, it seems that buying coffee can be an overwhelming task, especially when trying to find the perfect beans that suit your specific tastes. Companies have not been much help to the normal coffee drinker, especially when it comes to the […]
It is no secret that we recommend grinding your coffee fresh to get the best flavor experience. The investment in a quality burr grinder comes with a little learning and a few surprises along the way. One of the surprises that we are asked about often is “What are these light brown flakes when I […]
Whether wandering into the coffee aisle at the grocery store or popping into your local cafe, it seems that buying coffee can be an overwhelming task, especially when trying to find the perfect beans that suit your specific tastes. Companies have not been much help to the normal coffee drinker, especially when it comes to the […]
Kansas City is our hometown, and it is sometimes overlooked as both a destination as well as a place to get a great cup of coffee. Unbeknownst to many, the cafe scene is growing quickly with new cafes and roasters popping up all over. The SCAA USCC Qualifier competition is coming to KC in just […]
As Barack Obama and family recently spent a little vacation time around the island of Oahu last week, we figure it would be useful for you (or any presidents who might read this) to know the best places to get a cup of coffee around Honolulu. It can be tough to go on vacation and […]
Recently we encountered an interaction on social media about Batdorf and Bronson‘s Holiday Blend. This interaction was regarding a specific review performed by an acquaintance of ours named Drew, who also runs a reviewing website. Drew came to the conclusion that this particular coffee was over roasted and rather unpalatable. While Batdorf and Bronson commissioned his […]
OXO is a brand you may have seen in your local kitchen supply store over the past decade or two. Known for durable plastic and metal kitchen utensils, they have recently delved into the realm of electronic gadgetry with their new line called “OXO On“. In this line there are initially three products for coffee, […]
While stars help give a quick snap shot of overall quality, what does it really mean in the grand scheme of tastes? In this summary piece, we’ve boiled each rating level down to its essence for you.
Recently I visited Hawaii for the 45th annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, an event where farmers come together to share their coffees and, of course, spend time talking shop and making friends. For me it was an opportunity to taste some of the best coffees that Hawaii has to offer, as well as to catch […]
Cold brewed and iced coffee have been making some waves lately, reflected in our own articles here on Roast Ratings. With the beginning of fall, it may seem like we should be focusing on pumpkin lattes and graham cracker coffee milkshakes, but we still have a lot to discuss about cold coffee options. You may […]
A look at Ethiopia cold brew and El Salvador cascara tea offerings from Slingshot Coffee Co.
If you read my last look at bottled cold brew options you may have noticed that Stumptown’s Cold Brew was featured, but was not deemed incredibly “chug worthy”. The bottle that was tasted for review was purchased on a trip to Chicago, and while it was distinct in flavor this bottle was not particularly amazing. […]
Welcome to part two of our guide to buying coffee equipment on a budget. If you missed part one, make sure to check it out here, as these lower priced items will not be covered in this article. Making great coffee at home has become more and more of an undertaking in recent years. Coffee […]
Today we are taking a look at buying coffee brewing equipment with a specific budget of $50 in mind. This list covers many manual brewing methods, their price, and why you might want them.
The ready-to-drink coffee trend has been growing over the past few years, with more and more brands finding avenues to get their versions to the masses. Let’s take a peek at what we consider “Specialty” (indicating a higher quality standard) bottled iced coffee.
As you may have seen, we recommend a specific coffee brewer, the BonaVita 1900TS, if you are looking for an auto brewer at home. This is also the standard that we use here at Roast Ratings for all of our brew evaluations (to learn more about our full rating process look here). We are often asked […]
For the second part of our iced coffee feature we are looking at the ‘Ready to Drink’ category (If you missed Part I check it out here). In searching out options we immediately realized that there is a huge range, even within simply bottled coffee drinks at a store.
Coffee and water are the two ingredients (before you might add sugar or cream) that make brewed coffee or espresso. While we often focus on equipment or the beans themselves, it is important to recognize water as a crucial ingredient.
Despite all of the efforts to get my mother a better brew (my father doesn’t have coffee as often), she still sticks by her tried and true method of measuring the quality of what is in her cup.
I call it the “Chocolate Test”
If you are like me, you have probably at least heard the term “bulletproof coffee” in passing. I knew it was something mysterious that people were talking about, especially in paleo and low carb diet circles.
Traditional knowledge when buying coffee has been to make sure you are buying “100% Arabica beans”. We are told that Arabica is the good stuff and Robusta is the bad stuff. As usual things are not quite that simple, but this is a good rule to follow if you could ever find a coffee labeled as containing robusta.
On a bright and lovely Tuesday morning I decided to go get some tasty donuts for “breakfast” at the Licata house. A plan was made to visit the local shop in my neighborhood and get fabulous Fluffy Fresh Donuts before they sold out at about 8am.
Coffee is a beverage that is easily identified, though often misunderstood. You might think of it as “bitter”, “bright”, or “earthy”, but one thing that coffee drinkers can almost always agree upon is that they get pleasure from it in some way whether it be an aroma, flavor, a jolt of caffeine, or even simply nostalgia.
What are these light brown flakes when I grind my coffee?
Coffee Bag Labels Part 1- Know the basics
OXO On 9-Cup Coffee Brewer: An in depth review
5 Tips to Keep Coffee Hot Without Compromising Taste
Scoring Coffee- How does Roast Ratings differ?
A Summary of Star Ratings
Coffee Bag Labels Part 2 – Understanding the details
12 cafes worth visiting in Kansas City
How Water Affects Your Coffee
The best places to visit in Kona for coffee
