What’s the trendiest brewing tool nowadays, you wonder? Well, you won’t go wrong by saying it’s a moka pot. Recognised by coffee fans in mere seconds, this symbol of Italian coffee culture can be found in 9 out of 10 Italian kitchens, as well as in numerous homes all over the world. Iconic design, compact dimensions, impressive simplicity, affordable price and bold flavours—all of these have combined to conquer the hearts of thousands of coffee connoisseurs. 

Generally associated with strong, extra hot coffee, moka pots are experiencing a true renaissance these days. This versatile tool is now used to enhance the natural flavours of a certain coffee or even brew popular beverages served in fashionable cafés. 

Whether you’re thinking of purchasing a moka pot, have just bought one or have been using this tool for years, this post will help you find out more about this centuries-old coffee maker and disclose some secret tips that will make your moka brews even tastier!

If somebody asked you to choose a single ingredient to pair your coffee with, one of the first things you’d think about would most likely be chocolate. Isn’t that right? When combined, coffee and chocolate turn into pure joy! It’s no surprise then that during a coffee break, a piece of chocolate may find its way into your hand without you even noticing, or that the combo of coffee and chocolate is a favourite amongst some of the world’s finest confectioners. 

You’d be able to find loads of information on how to pair food with wine both in your local library and online. Expensive restaurants offering a separate service of finding the best wine to go along with your chosen meal are becoming quite commonplace now too. But do you know how to pair coffee with chocolate? Let’s go ahead and see!

Seeking to enjoy drinks of the highest quality, coffee connoisseurs are always keen to delve deeper into the subtleties of coffee brewing. More often than not, their passion ultimately results in them deciding to try and assume the role of a true barista by purchasing an espresso machine for their home. If you’re still reading, you’re probably one of these people. 

If we had to guess, we’d say you have more than likely read through a number of articles and watched numerous videos on how to brew delicious coffee. You’re being careful when choosing which coffee beans you’re going to purchase, you’re trying to tamp your coffee properly, you’re watching water temperature and dispensing time like a hawk and you’re only satisfied when your crema is adorned with some beautiful tiger stripes… 

What do delicious coffee and proper maintenance of a coffee machine have in common? Well, according to specialists engaged in barista training, cleanliness of a coffee machine is related directly to the flavour of the resulting brew: you can invest in coffee beans of the highest quality and be a true virtuoso of coffee brewing in general, but if there’s some old coffee residue milling around inside your machine, the quality and taste of your drinks are bound to  suffer. Not only will your coffee have an unpleasant, “unclean” aftertaste, but the impurities inside the appliance will prevent coffee from being extracted properly and will likely undermine all of your tireless brewing efforts.

So, as you can probably see already, a well-maintained, clean machine is one of the crucial conditions for a cup of delicious, masterfully brewed coffee. We can put you at ease though: cleaning  an espresso machine is actually very simple. All you have to do is remember to perform certain procedures regularly. What are those procedures, you wonder? Read on to find out!

Delicate latte topped with velvety milk froth or the classic, naturally sweet, perfectly creamy cappuccino — these are two pleasures that are impossible to resist. Most of us tend to enjoy milk-based coffee drinks in cafés and restaurants, leaving it up to professional baristas to study the numerous subtleties involved in their preparation. However, you may still catch yourself wondering from time to time, ‘Would it be possible for me to froth milk for a cup of latte or cappuccino by myself, in the comfort of my own home?’ 

In this post, we’ll reveal the story behind the friendship of milk froth and coffee, introduce you to the classic milk-based beverage recipes and tell you how to choose the right milk for your froth-topped drinks. Finally, we’ll present the most popular frothing methods used by people at home: from the simplest ones to those that require some skills and regular practice. We’ve even prepared a couple of lessons that might encourage you to try your hand at latte art! So read through this post, roll up your sleeves and get to work — sweet, silky, creamy milk froth is definitely worth it!