Coffee Origins, Growing, Roasting, Blending & Cupping

Africa and Arabia produce a wide range of coffee favor profiles. From Bugishu to Yirgacheffe, this guide covers the aromas and tastes of Africa and Arabia's many coffees.

What is shade-grown coffee and how is it safer for birds?

There's a science behind the aromas in a cup of coffee. Learn about the two mechanisms by which people smell coffee and the volatile compounds responsible for coffee's many aromas.

Which chemical compounds make coffee bitter? How can you reduce the bitterness in coffee?

Coffee cupping helps you develop your palate and select your ideal coffees. Here's how to do it like a pro.

According to the National Coffee Association, there are ten steps that transform coffee from seed to cuppa. These are those steps.

Learn about the Brazilian method for harvesting coffee.

Learn how coffee is harvested, and the difference between "wet processing" coffee and "dry processing" coffee.

Coffee roasts range from light (such as Cinnamon Roast) to Medium (such as Breakfast Roasts) to dark (such as French Roast). Know the differences with this guide from The National Coffee Association.

Learn about the botanical differences between Coffea Robusta and Coffea Arabica, as well as the growing conditions required for each species.

Coffee varietals each have a different appearance and flavor. Learn about coffee varietals, such as Bourbon, Typica, Catimor and Blue Mountain.

Learn about the certification, production, prices and popularity of Fair Trade coffee.

Imbibe Magazine explains the three processes by which coffee is decaffeinated: chemical processing, water processing and carbon dioxide processing.

Every espresso machine is different and there's quite a bit of controversy over the "best" way to pull a shot. However, there are some basics that can help you sharpen your espresso-pulling skills and pull great shots.

Learn to roast green coffee beans into your desired roast level with this guide to roasting coffee with a home coffee roasting machine.

In this article, Imbibe Magazine explains the nuances to tamping espresso grounds before extracting a shot. Notes include tips on how to hold your wrist when tamping and how to "polish" the grounds when tamping (and why you might consider skipping the step altogether).

Professional coffee cupping is both an art and a science. Once left to the pros, it has now spread to coffee shops across the country as a means of educating consumers about their beans. Wired Magazine explains how to cup coffee with the best of them.

Learn what differentiates organic coffee from conventional coffee.

Learn about the plant behind the drink, including its species, development and parts.

Harar is one of the world's most famous coffee-producing regions, and is noted for its distinctive style of coffee. Learn more about this fascinating coffee origin and the coffees it produces.

Learn more about the fascinating myths and history surrounding the origins of coffee both in Ethiopia and in Yemen.