T.Ben is Founder of Glitter Cat – a barista training program for underrepresented groups of people. He is also the latest addition to our growing training and education department! We sat down with him to learn a little more about his coffee background and what he’s doing when he’s not showing off his latte art skills.

The perfect espresso: a lifelong pursuit for us coffee nerds. At it’s best, espresso is a harmonious balance of acidity, bitterness, and sweetness. At its worst, it can be aggressively sour or bitter. So how do you avoid these pitfalls? One of the first steps is to look for the “three phases” a shot goes through while it’s pulling. Each phase brings something different to the table. Coffee experts talk a lot about extraction, and that’s essentially what we’re looking at here. Different compounds in the espresso extract at different times. Too much of one phase will throw the shot out of balance. Part One: The Heart This is the most concentrated part of the shot. It’s heavy in body, and often it shows itself as deep, rich brown drips. This phases carries most of the bright, vibrant flavors of the espresso such as citrus and other fruit notes, but can be…

Whether you’re a casual tea drinker or a seasoned tea connoisseur, you’ve undoubtedly come across your local coffee shop offering the tasty and popular beverage known as chai tea. The History of Chai Tea The Hindi word for tea, the term chai was originally derived from the Chinese word for tea, “cha.” Chai tea is one of the most popular types of tea enjoyed worldwide and for a good reason. Not only is chai tea incredibly delicious, but it is also believed to provide a whole host of benefits when consumed. Chai tea has been the tea of choice for cultures around the world for thousands of years. Today, chai tea generally refers to a type of tea that consists of a wide variety of spices, sweeteners, and flavors. There’s even a chocolate chai tea. In this brief guide, we’ll be exploring the many types of chai tea and cover…

Everyone seems to be warming up to cold brew tea. The growing appreciation for subtler, softer flavors in drinks knows no season. As individuals look to replace super-sweet, carbonated drinks with healthier alternatives, these herbal options have stayed beyond summer, becoming the staple chill beverage of choice in restaurants and cafes. And you can easily make this beverage a staple in your home too. Unlike traditional hot cups of tea, cold brewing runs no risk of over steeping which means making large batches is incredibly simple, and the leaves can be re-used (for a lighter, second or third batch). Plus, all the magic happens inside your refrigerator. And if you’re a little more adventurous, you can even mix together your favorite flavors and use ingredients you already have at home – fruits, herbs, and even spices – to make a satisfyingly refreshing new drink. The best part about making your…

Originating in China, Matcha tea has been the beverage of choice for both the Chinese and Japanese cultures for thousands of years and has quickly become a drink of choice around the globe. Thanks to its incredibly rich flavors and a wide variety of tastes, matcha tea has won over the hearts of many casual tea drinkers and tea enthusiasts alike. Matcha tea is also believed to provide a whole host of health benefits when consumed on a regular basis thanks to the unique way in which it is processed. Despite being one of the most enjoyed beverages in the world, matcha tea remains a mystery for many. In this brief guide, we’ll explore what exactly matcha tea is, the difference between matcha and green tea, and how to find the best matcha tea to enjoy. What Is Matcha Tea? So what exactly is matcha tea? Matcha tea is a…

Have you ever sipped your favorite tea only to find the taste flat? Your disappointed frown on finding a different taste than when you first bought it and drank it. You might have blamed the manufacturer for the decrease in quality. But did you know that the improper storage of tea can be the actual culprit? While we’re all mindful of how we store our spices, we forget to pay the same attention to our teas. Even though, proper storage of the tea is crucial for maintaining its shelf-life, quality, taste, and aroma. In fact, adequately stored loose tea can last for about 18 to 24 months. That said, let’s dive into the details of tea storage, its fundamentals, and how you can best go about it. The Importance of Tea Storage Despite tea being the second most widely consumed beverage globally, many people toss in their opened tea packages…

When it comes to choosing the best manual coffee grinder, where do you start? Should you get one with a blade or burr? What’s the difference? And what about if you’re looking for an electric grinder? How do you narrow down all of your options? You’re not the only one wondering. In fact, we’ve put together this guide because we know that most people don’t know where to even begin. And not only can we help you navigate the maze of searching for the best coffee grinders, but we think it will also help you know to more about coffee grinding in general. All of this can be overwhelming especially when you’ve never owned a coffee grinder or you’ve never ground coffee before. We get it. Why Get a Coffee Grinder? Here’s the thing: Coffee grinding is not just about pouring coffee beans into a grinder, brewing the coffee and…

When people think about where to buy the best coffee beans, their minds narrow in on a package or a label. But there are different factors to look for when it comes to choosing the best whole bean coffee. A lot it also depends on where coffee beans grow, how they are roasted, for how long they’ve been roasted before being brewed, how they are ground and finally how they are brewed. All of these elements together give coffee beans their unique flavors. A lot of that depends on you too. You have your own unique taste palate and certain coffee flavor preferences. For example, do you prefer light, medium or dark coffee? And what flavors would you most likely go for? Fruity, nutty, or a citrus taste? At the same time, you may not have a favorite yet, or you’re open to trying new flavors. The best way to…

Isn’t pour over coffee so much better than machine brewed coffee? The rich taste that highlights all the flavorful notes. The wonderful aroma that fills the room. There is something special about the pour over method that makes truly makes a difference. Yet, many still opt for brewing coffee using a normal coffee machine. Why bother if you can just push a button? Who needs a pour over coffee when you have the convenience of using your coffee maker? Yes, it may seem like brewing pour over coffee is more labor-intensive. But the process is not that complex at all. Pour over coffee easier to make than you realize. What’s involved? Only a few basic things: Freshly ground coffee, a filter, hot water, and a brewer — a pour over coffee maker. That’s it. What You’ll Need to Make Pour Over Coffee: 1. Pour over coffee maker (We’ll get into…

Learning how to make French press cold brew will not only result in creating a delicious and refreshing cup, but it will also help you cut back on excessive trips to your favorite coffee shop. No matter your reasons, learning to how to make cold brew coffee from the comfort of your home just makes sense. We’ll teach you a simple way to make French press cold brew. You only need a few tools. You do not have to be an experienced coffee barista to make this successfully. So give it a try. It’s easy, we promise! Cold Brew, Iced Coffee, What’s the Difference? First, we want to clear up some of the confusion around how cold brew is different from iced coffee. Are they both cold? Yes. Are they prepared similarly? No. They are two completely different drinks. If you’re not familiar with the difference between cold brew and…