Coffee N’ Beans

Coffee Librarian 2005
A collection of the 2005 Coffee Librarian segments from our newsletter.

How to Use a Pour Over Brewer

Want to make the perfect cup of drip brewed coffee? You don’t need no fancy $150 digital wunderkind - a simple $4 manual drip pourover device will do the trick!
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Coffee! Or, my love affair with the java bean
When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I do is sniff the air, hoping to catch a whiff of the coffee that brewed itself for me ten minutes before I woke up.

Sans Caffeine
Life without caffeine.

Take-Two faces L.A. “Hot Coffee” lawsuit (Geek.com)
If you thought the Grand Theft Auto “Hot Coffee” issue (see previous coverage ) was going away anytime soon, then let me top off your mug.

History of the Coffee House
Today, the idea of a coffee house usually brings to mind a cozy place that serves gourmet coffee and espresso drinks, with couches to lounge in while you sip. So how did the coffee house get its start? How long…

Reaching Espresso Nirvana

Mark Prince revives a very old article of his with some new thoughts about the nirvana of espresso, which may not necessarily be the "god shot".
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Review of Kopi Luwak Gift Box
Kopi Luwak is the strangest and and rarest beverage in the world. The beans are collected from animal droppings, cleaned, roasted and ground. Odds are good that you won’t find this at your local Starbucks. AnimalCoffee.com has a gift box…

Two Hours of Joint Solitude

Solitude in a Cafe? Chris Pluger offers this short essay of an exploration of the reasons why we go to cafes - even if it is to "be alone".
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Brewing Turkish Coffee

CoffeeGeek serves up a primer on how to brew using one of the oldest continuing methods of making a fine cup of coffee - the Turkish (or Greek!) way.
Read more…

Rockstar Indicted In Los Angeles Over Hot Coffee (Gamasutra)
The controversy surrounding the Hot Coffee mod and related content in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas has taken a new turn today, with the news that the Los Angeles city attorney s office has sued Rockstar and parent companyTake-Two Interactive over the issue.

Blooming Display Tea
Adagio has done it again. These creative tea folks have created a novel tea product that blooms right in your cup. These hand-wrapped tea balls will slowly open as they steep to reveal a flower inside. Are these as interesting…

Re-examination of Fair Trade Coffee (The Daily Targum)
Fair Trade coffee has been enjoying staggering growth in popularity over the last few years, with annual retail sales in Canada increasing by 42 percent in 2004 to $28.2 million dollars. As a result of its increasing popularity and availability, its prominence in the popular imagination and discourse has grown considerably.

An Espresso Machine for Any Budget
If you’re thinking about buying someone an espresso machine for Christmas this year, there are models for any budget. You don’t have to spend a fortune for a machine. You can find espresso machines under $100 or up to $1000…

Tales from a World Coffee Judge

Instaurator talks about his visit to Papua, New Guinea, one of the last frontiers of quality coffee, where he discovered much more than just superstar coffees.
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Beginner’s Guide to Cupping

Geoff Watts of Intelligentsia Coffee gives you a primer on how to cup coffee at home! Using simple tools, and with a beginner’s vocabulary, you can evaluate coffee like the pros!
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Vibiemme Domobar Super

CoffeeGeek takes a first look at a heat exchanging, E61 equipped machine that stands out from the crowd on more than a few features.
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Briccoletta Lever E61 Machines, Mike McGinness

Bottom Line: Want excellent straight shots and or fast cappuccinos for one or a hundred and one people? This could be the machne for you!
Read review…

Two Hours of Joint Solitude

Solitude in a Cafe? Chris Pluger offers this short essay of an exploration of the reasons why we go to cafes - even if it is to "be alone".
Read more…

Saeco Via Veneto, Alexandre Enkerli

Bottom Line: Great learner tool if bought on the cheap.
Read review…

Stocking Stuffers
Small and slim gifts that you can drop in a coffee or tea lovers stocking this Christmas. These little presents are simple and inexpensive, which can be helpful if you can’t really afford to buy an espresso machine this year….

Health Benefits of Herbal Teas
With cold winter weather almost here, it’s a perfect time to experiment with some new herbal teas to help boost your health. Here is a list of many common herbs used in tea, with a breakdown of their basic health-related…

Brewing Turkish Coffee

CoffeeGeek serves up a primer on how to brew using one of the oldest continuing methods of making a fine cup of coffee - the Turkish (or Greek!) way.
Read more…

Blooming Display Tea
Adagio has done it again. These creative tea folks have created a novel tea product that blooms right in your cup. These hand-wrapped tea balls will slowly open as they steep to reveal a flower inside. Are these as interesting…