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Edinburgh Reporter
10-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Edinburgh Reporter
How to Choose the Best Coffee for Home Brewing
Making a good cup of coffee at home has become more popular than ever. With the rise of home espresso machines, French presses, and pour-over kits, it's no surprise people are keen to master their morning brew. But finding the best coffee for your kitchen can be tricky if you don't know where to start. Whether you're new to home brewing or looking to improve your daily cup, this guide will help you pick the right beans for your taste and method. Photo by Fahmi Fakhrudin on Unsplash Think About Your Brewing Method Different brewing tools need different types of coffee. For example, espresso machines work best with finely ground beans that are rich and full-bodied. French press coffee needs coarser grounds to avoid a muddy taste. If you're using a drip coffee maker, medium grind is your best bet. Matching your brewing method to the right grind size and roast level is the first step to a better brew. Some people prefer using Lavazza coffee for home brewing because it offers a wide range of blends suitable for many machines. Whether you like a bold espresso or a smooth filter coffee, brands like Lavazza give you plenty of choice without overcomplicating things. Understand the Roast Levels Coffee beans come in three main roast types: light, medium, and dark. Each has its own flavour and aroma. Light roasts keep more of the bean's natural taste. They often have fruity or floral notes, great for pour-over fans. Medium roasts strike a balance between acidity and depth. They're good for drip machines or AeroPress. Dark roasts are bold and rich, sometimes with a smoky aftertaste. They're ideal for espresso lovers or those who enjoy strong coffee with milk. Try a few roast levels to see what suits your taste buds. You might be surprised by what you like. Check the Bean Origin Where the coffee comes from makes a big difference. Beans grown in Africa, like Ethiopian or Kenyan, tend to have bright, fruity flavours. Latin American beans, such as those from Colombia or Brazil, often taste nutty and sweet. Asian varieties can be earthy or spicy. Single-origin coffee means the beans come from one place. It's good if you want a clear flavour profile. Blends mix beans from different regions to balance flavour, body, and acidity. Both are great choices—it just depends on your preference. Go for Fresh Beans Freshness matters more than you might think. Coffee tastes best within a month or two of roasting. After that, it starts to lose flavour. When buying beans, check the roast date, not just the best-before date. Many supermarkets don't show roast dates, so buying from a local roaster or trusted online shop can help. Also, buy whole beans if you can. Grinding them just before brewing keeps the flavour locked in. Invest in a small grinder if you're serious about making better coffee at home. Decide Between Arabica and Robusta There are two main types of coffee beans: Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans are smoother, often with complex flavours. They have less caffeine but are usually considered higher quality. Robusta beans are stronger and more bitter. They have more caffeine and are used in many espresso blends. If you want a gentle cup, go for 100% Arabica. If you like bold coffee with a kick, a blend that includes Robusta might suit you better. Choosing the best coffee for home brewing isn't about picking the most expensive bag or the fanciest name. It's about knowing what you like and matching it to the right beans and brew method. Don't be afraid to try new origins, roasts, or brands until you find your favourite. The world of coffee is wide and full of flavour—you just have to start exploring. Like this: Like Related
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Thiruvananthapuram brews up its first coffee rave
Stepping into Turf Cafe at Kazhakoottam a little after 11am on a Sunday, it is louder and dimmer than usual. On the left, a wooden rack lined with Van Gogh souvenirs and coffee table books separates the barista from the rest of the space. He is surrounded by flasks, coffee grounds and rising steam. Further inside, DJ Sanu mans a station tucked away from the entrance, playing trance music as strobing laser lights cut through clouds of white smoke. In the centre, the café floor is packed with people young and old, moving in tune with the beat. This was Thiruvananthapuram's first taste of a coffee rave, held on July 6, organised by Eat at Trivandrum (EAT), a city-based online food community, and its parent organisation SCRBL. The coffee rave, which first gained ground in Europe about a decade ago, began as an underground party concept that swapped alcohol for caffeine. The idea is simple: loud EDM, shots of coffee, and finger food, all before lunchtime. In recent years, cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad have seen their share of such raves. A few have also popped up in Kochi. 'There are a lot of people who want to enjoy a party with music and dancing, but without alcohol,' says Arvind Soju, co-founder of EAT and SCRBL. 'Some people want to go out with friends but can't stay out late. So we thought we'd do something for them too.' The party kicked off at 11am and wrapped up by 3pm. Another co-founder of EAT and SCRBL, Anjana Gopakumar says, 'For us, it is not about day or night, it is about having fun over the weekend, something to unwind from the weekly madness.' The dance floor saw young couples, teenagers, friends and even father-daughter duos busting moves together. Strangers sipping on cranberry cold brews formed dance circles that grew with every track. Around 60 participants attended the rave with most of them registering online. But, if, like me, you are not one for dancing in public, a quiet corner of the café was reserved for sampling a range of brews — AeroPress, Chemex, V60, French Press, Mokapot and Siphon, to name a few. Each method brings a different taste, texture and aroma. You could sample them all and figure out what suits your palate, like Aniina. 'I liked the V60 and Mokapot coffees. I'm going to buy the V60 brewing gear,' says Aniina, originally from Finland, who has lived in Thiruvananthapuram for the past ten years with her Malayali husband. 'I love that it's a sober event, and in the daytime,' she adds. Small bites like meatballs with garlic sauce and chicken nuggets with Togarashi mayo paired perfectly with the coffee. The party was a fresh experience for many. Arvind's father, Soju TG, 60, took a breather after dancing with his family. 'It's such a lively event with great energy. And the coffee gives a different kind of buzz. We need more of this in Thiruvananthapuram,' he says, before getting up to join his wife for another round on the dance floor. Arvind says, 'We don't want to stop with just one coffee rave. We hope to have more editions regularly in the future.'
WIRED
08-07-2025
- Business
- WIRED
It's Prime Time for Shopping— the WIRED Reviews Team is Liveblogging
The WIRED Reviews team is covering Amazon Prime Day live, bringing you up-to-the-minute news on lightning deals, trending products, and everything else interesting. Good morning and happy Prime Day! We are logged on, locking in, and about to spend four straight days bringing you bargains and/or trenchant observations on the liveblog. It will be fun; It always is. We'll be running from 5 am to 'close' daily—that will be no earlier than midnight Eastern, but could be nearer to midnight Pacific. Like most Americans and all journalists, we're hopeless caffeine addicts around here and will be consuming many, many milligrams throughout the day. For the moment, I have opted for canned Starbucks espresso and cream ordered off Amazon, since I like to get in the spirit of the season by supporting a local Seattle coffee shop during Amazon's big day. But I hope to soon have a couple of minutes to use my Aeropress. I made a little video about the AeroPress, which you can see on the WIRED Reviews team Instagram account (like, share, and subscribe!), and I'm happy to report it is indeed on sale for right around $30. While I have since upgraded to the all-glass AeroPress Premium, I used my Original for a decade, bringing the Cost Per Use to about .00002. You can make worse Prime Day purchases! (I probably will!)
Tom's Guide
07-07-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
My favorite coffee brew is reduced by 25% — don't miss the chance to snap it up this Prime Day
The team at Tom's Guide is passionate about coffee, and we can never wait to get our hands on the latest Prime Day deals. Whether it's one of the best coffee makers or a coffee accessory, you just can't hold us back. And right now, I'm excited to tell you about that the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer is just $29 at Amazon. What's more, it gained an incredible 4.5-star rating in my OXO Brew Rapid Brewer review. During my testing, I was so impressed with this device and felt it gave AeroPress a real run for its money. So, why do I rate this hot and cold brew coffee press so highly? This portable coffee maker makes hot and cold brew, making it a winner whatever the weather. It's small and compact and is easy to store at home or packed into a case when you travel. Plus, it's not only easy to pack, but it's super easy, and makes a delicious cup of coffee you'll want to savour. I simply loved using the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer, and I continue to use it every morning, whether I'm making a hot or cold brew. Everything about this coffee maker feels premium, and all the parts fit together seamlessly. It's just such a dream to use, and I love the sensation when I press down the pump. It almost feels as if it's gliding. It's intuitive to use: add the coffee grinds, press them down, top with hot or cold water, and let the liquid sit for a short while (depending on whether you're making a hot or cold brew), then press the pump. There's never any worry about pressing to hard, as it the case with a plunger design. Your fresh coffee is delivered straight into a beaker. One main advantage is that you don't need paper filters. The coffee brewer has its own fine filter within the coffee grounds basket. Plus, it's also super portable, and all the parts fit together to make it compact for storage. The only thing it doesn't do is heat your milk, but I can always recommend another gadget for that! For more our of top picks, take a look at our Prime Day live blog with our editor-curated savings.
Tom's Guide
17-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
AeroPress vs OXO's Brew Rapid Brewer: Which one makes the best coffee?
As soon as I get a new coffee brewer to test and review, my family can't wait to get in on the action. From reviewing the AeroPress Clear to making a fresh brew with the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer, I don't get much of a look-in. However, once I've satisfied their curiosity, and they simply can't take in another sip of caffeine, I get to work and put the coffee brewers through their paces. At Tom's Guide, we know that you all love hearing about the best coffee makers and latest coffee gadgets — as soon as a new coffee product is released, you're on it. And it's no different with manual coffee makers, with the likes of AeroPress being a hot topic among coffee nerds. But, although the AeroPress is a hit with consumers, other manual coffee presses deserve acclaim, which is why I'm pitting the AeroPress Clear against the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer to see which one comes out on top. Making a fresh brew is never cheap, but buying a manual coffee press will save you dollars compared to a fancy coffee or espresso machine. You can pick up the AeroPress Clear Colors coffee press for $49.95 at Amazon, and it's widely available elsewhere. However, you'll save $10 with the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer, which is currently $39.99 at Amazon, giving you spare change to spend on some beans. The AeroPress does seem pricey for what you get, as the OXO Rapid Brewer comes with more parts, and you don't need to buy any filters — it's already included in the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer The AeroPress Clear is pretty simple. Like all AeroPress models, it's based on extracting coffee fast through pressure and filtration. Coffee is placed in the chamber, hot water is added, and then a plunger is used to pass the water through the grinds. It comes with three main parts — a filter section (you'll need to buy the filter papers), a chamber and a plunger. You might be starting to think that paying out nearly $50 is a lot for three parts! However, it's super lightweight and easy to pack up and go, making it perfect for taking into the office or even on a camping trip. The OXO Brew Rapid Brewer comes with more parts, but they all stack up incredibly neatly. What's more, if you're tight on countertop space, there really isn't much difference between the two. With the OXO coffee press, you get a beaker to capture the brew, a coffee filter and pusher, and a chamber and plunger. And, boy, the plunger is smooth! The OXO Brew Rapid Brewer feels more like a premium product. It's classy, ultra smooth — just like a great-tasting cup of joe. Winner: OXO Brew Rapid Brewer I don't know if it's just me, but although both of the manual coffee presses are easy to use, I can get into a pickle with the AeroPress. Although getting used to how to use an AeroPress is not difficult, sometimes, I don't quite get the pushing action right when I press the plunger down into the chamber, and I have a coffee spill. It can also depend on the vessel you use to capture the coffee and whether you have something sturdy enough that won't crack under pressure. However, with the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer, you don't need to push a plunger to the same extent. You leave the water to work its way through the filter before pressing a pump — which does most of the hard work for you. It also comes with a cup that captures the liquid, so you don't need to scramble around for a suitable vessel. The other point, which I've already mentioned, is that you'll need to buy paper filters to use with the AeroPress. These aren't expensive, but it's another thing to consider. Winner: OXO Brew Rapid Brewer Since I do most of the cleaning in my household (well, it feels like it) I don't know why my family complains, but they find the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer harder to clean because it has more parts. What they mean is that with the AeroPress Clear, you can tap out the spent coffee grounds straight into a compost bin (you can also save coffee grinds to use on your lawn), and it uses the paper coffee filter that helps to eject the grinds in one go. Whereas, with the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer, I often need to use another implement to remove the grounds. It's not a major issue, but it does make the AeroPress easier to clean, plus it also has fewer parts to AeroPress The ultimate test is in the taste. Here, there is a clear winner, and the AeroPress gets the vote of every member of my family, including myself. Although OXO's coffee press delivers a perfectly acceptable beverage, the AeroPress provides a richer, deeper brew. Could this be due to greater pressure on extraction? Possibly. There is certainly more force in using the AeroPress than the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer. Winner: AeroPress I'm on the fence about recommending either the AeroPress Clear or OXO Brew Rapid Brewer as a winner. I love the design and ease of use that the OXO coffee press delivers, and it's the one coffee gadget I pick up time and time again. I'm in love with how satisfying the pump is to use and I never have to worry about an overspill. So, for me I'll keep choosing the OXO Rapid Brew for my morning coffee fix. However, coffee is all about the taste, right? So, although I derive pleasure from the brewing process, if the taste is your top priority and you're willing to overlook the brewing process, then I'd recommend the AeroPress Clear. That's everyone covered.
