Tired of the latest fad coffees? Something new is hitting tea houses and coffeeshops across the country. It’s bubble tea. This somewhat bizarre drink also goes by the names boba, pearl tea, milk tea, or bubble drink. It’s part drink, part dessert snack, and all fun! There aren't too many drinks out there that you can chew as well as sip.

Why not make something a little more personal this year than your usual store-bought gift for mom? Here are some recipe suggestions for several different kinds of "gifts" you might want to serve up for your favorite mom this Mother's Day.

The i-Roast coffee bean roaster is a handy little kitchen gadget that can provide you with freshly roasted beans in just minutes. This was my first attempt at roasting my own beans and I found the i-Roast easy to use. Read more about my review.

Winter is almost over, but I'm still craving warm treats. My coffee alone isn't enough, so I've whipped up a batch of biscotti to dunk. So far, my favourite recipe has been this White Chocolate and Ginger Biscotti. I love the spicy taste of ginger, and the white chocolate makes this biscotti a little less sweet than ones made with regular dark chocolate. This recipe is a bit unique because you only bake the biscotti once. Most biscotti recipes call for the biscuits to be returned to the oven after sliced for a final toasting. Baking once is much simpler for this lazy baker.
• More biscotti recipes
• Coffee cake recipes

If you've decided to take the next step in getting fresh coffee each morning, you'll be in the market for a good grinder for your roasted coffee beans. Don't grab the first cheap grinder you find, and don't assume they are all the same. Learn about grinders before making your choice.

Ground and roasted chicory is often found blended with coffee, or even brewed all by itself for a caffeine-free alternative. The chicory root is used for coffee, but the leaves can be used in salads, just like dandelion.

• Roasted Chicory Review
• Other coffee substitutes

You might be surprised that you don't require an exotic climate or expensive equipment to grow a tea plant all your own. Now, that's fresh! Of course, growing the tea is only half the battle. You'll have to roast and prepare the leaves for brewing too. Read on for some growing advice, as well as some instructions on how to process your home-grown tea leaves.

Even if you're not a high-class coffee connoisseur, there is a good chance you've heard of a few of the best-known coffee regions in the world. Kona coffee comes from one small area of Hawaii, along the slopes of Mauna Loa and Mount Hualalai. Harvested by hand, on family-run farms, only a small amount of Kona is produced each year. And the price you pay will reflect that rarity. But not only is it scarce, the quality and taste is excellent and worth every penny.

After learning about caffeinated beer, I got curious about guarana. It's the latest thing in energy drinks, and is really just another source of caffeine. Though it's a common enough ingredient down in South America, many people in North American have no idea what it is.

Sure, making coffee is a simple process. But there are plenty of things that can ruin your brew. Here is a handy list of ways to make a bad cup of coffee. Or you might want to avoid these things if you're actually trying to make a good cup of coffee. Up to you.