Latte Art: The Psychology of Color in Milk and Espresso

Latte art is often seen as a skill-based craft, focused on precision, texture, and symmetry. But there’s another powerful aspect that’s often overlooked: color. The contrast between the dark espresso and the white microfoam doesn’t just make a design visible — it influences how we perceive flavor, quality, and emotional tone. In this article, we’ll … Read more

Specialty Coffee: Building a Flavor Vocabulary to Improve Your Skills

Great baristas don’t just make coffee — they talk about it with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re recommending a pour-over to a customer, judging a cupping session, or describing espresso notes to a fellow professional, having a strong flavor vocabulary is a powerful skill. A well-developed flavor vocabulary helps you identify, describe, and communicate what … Read more

Specialty Coffee: The Impact of Processing Methods on Flavor

In specialty coffee, one of the most powerful factors influencing a coffee’s flavor isn’t just the origin, altitude, or varietal — it’s the processing method. This crucial step happens between harvesting and drying, and it directly shapes the sweetness, acidity, mouthfeel, and overall complexity of the final cup. For baristas and coffee professionals, understanding processing … Read more