Coffee 101

In this episode, Kenneth talks about all things espresso, particularly home espresso with his good friend and coffee geek Stefan Tribble. They discuss the equipment they use and how they achieve that “God Shot” every time. They include which type of coffee to use, getting the grind right, ratios, tamping, timing, and much more. Look out for their off-the-wall and fun idea for getting the bar press...

For this episode, Kenneth sits down for an AeroPress masterclass with Jeremy Moore of Bonlife Coffee in Cleveland, TN. In 2014, Jeremy was the US AeroPress champion and competed in the world championships. Last year, Kenneth placed 4th in the US AeroPress Championship, so they both have lots of experience and a passion for this way of brewing. You’ll learn tons from them! They explain the benefits...

In this episode, Kenneth sits down with Will Etherington of Technivorm-Moccamaster to discuss how to work out what the best automatic coffee maker for your home is. They look at how the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) certified home brewers. Then take a look at some of the common flaws that many home brewers have. Will provides an insight into how Moccamasters have designed their brewers so tha...

In this episode Kenneth sits down with Chris Deferio, coffee consultant and host of the popular Keys To The Shop Podcast to reveal a few brewing secrets and share their go-to drinks.  This episode is packed with tips and tricks coffee geeks and beginners alike will love. They also explain how to enjoy the best coffee while traveling.   KEY TAKEAWAYS    Being able to make exactly the kind of coffee...

In the second episode of this two-part series, Kenneth and Daniel Teplitz of Klatch Coffee sit down together to deliver a pour-over masterclass. Daniel recently took 3rd place in the 2023 US Brewer’s Cup Championship and shares the exact details of how he achieves the perfect pour - it’s a pour technique you can easily use at home! For this episode they dive deeper into the subject of pour-over br...

In the first episode of this two-part series Kenneth sits down with Daniel Teplitz of Klatch Coffee, who was awarded 3rd place in the 2023 US Brewer’s Cup Championship, to provide you with a pour over masterclass. They discuss why the pour matters, what you are looking for, and how to avoid the mistakes most people make. They explain how to troubleshoot a range of taste and temperature issues. The...

In this episode, Kenneth sits down with Mark Inmann with Sustainable Harvest Coffee Importers to discuss both the pour-over or immersion approach to brewing coffee. They explain both techniques, in detail, before going through the pros and cons of each of them. Kenneth and Mark also talk about cold drip devices. KEY TAKEAWAYS Examples of immersion techniques include French Press and AeroPress. Pre...

Kenneth is in discussion with Ryan Bledsoe of Frothy Monkey - famed as an all-day cafe, wholesale bakery, and specialty coffee roaster – focusing this time on the importance of filters, the different kinds, and what they each brings to your cup of coffee. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Paper filters do a better job of filtering, keeping sediment/fines and almost all fats out. Less fines in your coffee means less...

In this episode, Kenneth once again sits down with Stefan Tribble, friend and coffee geek, to dip into the surprisingly complex subject of coffee kettles. They consider the pros and cons of the different shapes, operating modes, and materials for stovetop, electronic, and gooseneck kettles.  Stefan puts his kettle fetish to good use by sharing his experience of all of these, while also providing i...

In this episode, Kenneth sits down with Andrew McCaslin of Kaldis Coffee to talk about the benefits of using scales, how to buy a decent set without spending a fortune, and how to use them. Scientists don’t ‘eyeball’ it. Most chefs don’t ‘eyeball’ it. Any barista with street cred doesn’t ‘eyeball’ it. So, why should you? KEY TAKEAWAYS  Coffee scales improve accuracy, which leads to a more consiste...

In the second of two episodes about coffee grinders, Kenneth and Starved Rock Coffee Co's Matt McLaughlin go even deeper into this very important subject. Today, they dive into the blade vs grinder debate and share which one is best.  They talk through the pros and cons of burr grinders, explaining the difference between conical and flat, and covering the subject of grind speed. They also look at...

In the first of two episodes about coffee grinders, Kenneth once again sits down with Matt McLaughlin of Starved Rock Coffee Co. They explain why the right grinder plays such an important role in the quality of coffee you can make. There are several fantastic tips in this episode that you are not likely to have heard before. They also share details on the best grinder for home users. Kenneth and M...

In this episode, Kenneth sits down to discuss coffee extraction with Patrik Rolf, who is a World Barista Finalist, the author of From Nerd to Pro - A Coffee Journey, and the creator of the April Coffee Brewer.  Extraction is important! Without it, you don’t get any coffee! During the episode, they discuss grind size, extraction time, ratios, water temperature/quality, troubleshooting, and much mor...

For this episode, Kenneth is joined by Brian Hensley who is an accomplished roaster with Indie Coffee Roasters in West Lafayette and Carmel, Indiana which sources and sells unique coffees. They sit down to discuss whether we should be measuring coffee by volume or weight. It sounds like a strange question, but as you will see it has a big impact on how your coffee tastes. They also take a look at...

Welcome Alix Nathan, an expert roaster who owns and operates the Mark Spencer Hotel in Portland, Oregon. Kenneth and Alix discuss how temperature impacts the flavor and, therefore, your enjoyment of your coffee. This episode will enable you to identify and create the correct brewing and drinking temperatures for the style of coffee you like to drink. They cover the impact it has on the speed at wh...

In this episode, Kenneth sits down with Taylor Minor from Third Wave Water to discuss why using the right water is the key to creating a better-tasting cup of coffee. Taylor explains why choosing the right water profile has such a big impact on the finished result. They cover the impact of water hardness, the relationship between water quality and equipment efficiency, and why different brews can...

In this episode, Kenneth sits down with Matt Saperstone from Nilaa Coffee to talk about coffee to water brew ratios. They explain what brew ratios are, why they are so important, and how to get them right. During the episode, they share the best coffee to water ratios for drip, espresso, AeroPress, ristretto, lungo, and several other popular styles of coffee. Matt also explains what Nilaa Coffee i...

This is the last of 3 episodes that looks at what home coffee brewers need to know and do to be able to serve the perfect cup of coffee, every time. Once again, Kenneth and Katie sit down with Michael Matthews of Alinea Coffee Roasters. He explains how he got into roasting and serving specialty coffee and food in his two highly popular Bearcat restaurants in New Orleans.  For this episode, they ta...

In this episode, Kenneth and Katie sit down with Michael Matthews of Alinea Coffee Roasters, who also runs two Bearcat coffee shops in New Orleans. This is the 2nd of 3 episodes that cover what home coffee brewers need to do to be able to serve the perfect cup of coffee, every time.  This time, they explain what type of kettle gets the best results and how to get the water temperature right for ea...

In this episode, Kenneth and Katie sit down with Michael Matthews of Alinea Coffee Roasters, who also co-owns the highly popular Bearcat restaurants in New Orleans. This is the first of 3 episodes that looks at what home coffee brewers need to know so they can be able to serve the perfect cup of coffee, every time. This episode covers equipment, ingredients, techniques, and tips. They talk through...

In this episode, Kenneth sits down with Wendy Pavin of Baba Java Coffee to talk about providing the perfect coffee shop experience. The perfect experience leads to sustainable coffee shop growth.  If you own (or are thinking about starting) a coffee shop, this is the episode for you!  They discuss getting the setting right, keeping customers informed, selling, and creating a community.  They discu...

In the second of two episodes, covering common coffee shop drinks and lingo, Kenneth sits down with Morgan Eckroth of Onyx Coffee Lab. She is the 2022 World Barista Runner-Up and the reigning US Barista Champion. Morgan is the most popular coffee expert across all of the big social media platforms. She is the go-to source for all things coffee, so is the ideal person to provide an overview of mode...

In the first of two episodes, covering all common coffee shop drinks and lingo, Kenneth sits down with Morgan Eckroth of Onyx Coffee Lab. She is the 2022 World Barista Runner-Up and the reigning US Barista Champion. Morgan is the most popular coffee expert across all of the big social media platforms. She is the go-to source for all things coffee, so is the ideal person to provide an overview of m...

Katie’s scary yet funny story provides a compelling reason for you to subscribe to Season 2 of Coffee 101 - a season that gets into the nitty gritty of making and serving the best coffee. Whether you’re coffee curious or a coffee connoisseur, this is the season for you! KEY TAKEAWAYS  Coffee 101 will teach you everything you need to know to take your coffee game from zero to hero. Understand every...

In this episode, Kenneth once again sits down with Dylan Morse of Tinker Coffee in Indianapolis to look at more common coffee myths. Between them, they explain whether they are true or not, sharing the facts behind the myths including a couple of weird ones, for example, coffee ruins your teeth or stunts your growth. KEY TAKEAWAYS Is coffee addictive? If it is, how big of a problem is that? Does e...