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Category: Education

Flat White
EducationEspresso
January 15, 2021 Post a Comment

Espresso Anatomy – The Flat White

If you're a coffee lover... you're also likely a lover of arguing the semantics and definitions of certain coffee drinks. One of those hotly debated espresso based beverages is the globally popular flat white. Some claim it is all about the addition of the legendary ristretto shot of espresso. Others say it is just a basic...

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Hot Buttered Latte
CoffeeEducation
December 25, 2020 Post a Comment

Coffee Recipes – The Hot Buttered Latte

Just a few short days ago... winter officially began and I feel a bit torn about it. I do really love the Holiday season, but I'm not a big fan of cold weather. Yeah, I do live in San Diego, so winter isn't nearly as "wintery" or "cold" as other places, but I still crave those...

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Coffee Cupping
CoffeeEducation
December 4, 2020 Post a Comment

Coffee Cupping – Increasing Your Coffee Tasting Skill

Lately there has been... a lot more interest in coffee cupping and tastings, even within those who are more casual coffee drinkers.  For quite some time cupping was something that most casual coffee drinkers had never heard of and looks pretty odd from a distance. It was mostly reserved more for coffee roasters, barista competitors, and...

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layers of espresso
EducationEspresso
November 27, 2020 Post a Comment

Espresso Anatomy – The Three Layers of Espresso

Many of us enjoy... a nice shot or two of espresso on a daily basis, and spend a lot of our time and hard earned money trying to get the good shots. Yet, how many us can name and break down each of the three layers of espresso?  We all already know a shot is pulled...

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Dialing In A Light Roast
EducationEspresso
September 25, 2020 Post a Comment

Five Tips – For Dialing In A Light Roast

With the ever growing popularity... around the world of specialty and third wave coffee, light roasts are becoming more and more common in cafes and kitchens. With lighter roasts  come not only more unique flavors that can really showcase the coffee's origin and the roaster's skill, but they can also be somewhat tricky to brew well. Not...

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How To Read A Coffee Label
CoffeeEducation
September 18, 2020 Post a Comment

Buyer’s Guide – How To Read A Coffee Label

Making your own coffee... at home can be a humbling experience, even just picking the right coffee can be tricky.  Knowing how to read a coffee label is one of those skillsets that's as niche as knowing how to juggle.  The amount of information on the label can vary widely from one roaster to another roaster,...

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Macchiato
EducationEspresso
August 28, 2020 Post a Comment

Espresso Anatomy – The Macchiato

Long before the days of caramel and whip... the macchiato was a mainstay on espresso bars around the world, and in most cases it still is.  Yet like many drinks in the world of specialty coffee there are multiple ways to make it, and of course some debate. This small but mighty espresso based drink not only carries...

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Lungo Espresso
EducationEspresso
July 24, 2020 Post a Comment

Espresso Anatomy – The Lungo Shot

When it comes to espresso... there is one brew type that tends to be forgotten.  The lungo espresso garners very little interest over the standard shot, and the notorious ristretto. Personally I rarely if ever see it on a menu, and when I asked about them on an Instagram poll many people mentioned having never had...

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Espresso Machine Pour Over
CoffeeEducation
July 17, 2020 Post a Comment

Coffee Hack – The Espresso Machine Pour Over

As the saying goes... "necessity is the mother of invention", and this week's post is born purely out of my love for a simple and delicious cup of coffee. But I should back up just slightly and give a little context as to what I'm talking about. As you may of guessed I'm a big lover...

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Roasting Coffee at Home
EducationRoasting
July 10, 2020 1 Comment

Roasting Coffee – Learn At Home On A Budget

Roasting coffee at home... is a pretty highly requested topic, and I've only covered it in one video awhile back. But now, in this world where many of us are spending more time at home, it may be a good time to dig in a bit deeper. So in this video I'm breaking out one of...

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Starbucks Undertow
EducationEspresso
July 3, 2020 Post a Comment

Coffee Recipes – The Starbucks Undertow

There are few words... that strike as much anger, post traumatic stress, and caffeinated rants in specialty coffee circles as Starbucks.  It brings up a lot of feelings. For some its memories of our first barista job while being berated by angry Karens. For others it's the frustration of explaining to someone that a macchiato is actually...

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Cold Press Espresso
EducationEspresso
June 19, 2020 Post a Comment

Cold Press Espresso – Brewing The Contradiction

Cold press espresso... sounds nice in theory. As the weather warms up the idea of an iced drink for espresso lovers sounds pretty amazing.  I've heard whispers about a thing called cold press espresso, and it sounds like the perfect option.  But is it really possible? The answer to that is actually a bit more complicated...

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Single Shot Espresso
EducationEspresso
June 12, 2020 Post a Comment

Espresso Anatomy – The Single Shot

The single shot of espresso is one of the rarest... if not the rarest espresso drink in all of modern coffee and cafe culture.  Ever since I began learning about and working in the specialty coffee industry (which is a paltry five years) a single shot has been a split double. That basically means you're likely...

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Espresso Myths
EducationEspresso
June 5, 2020 Post a Comment

Top Three – Espresso Myths Busted

Espresso myths are made to be busted... and that's what I'm going to do in this video.  Of course there are far more than three myths about espresso.  Yet the myths I decided to bust in this video are the ones that are pretty persistent and should really be put to rest once and for all....

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Aeropress Recipes
CoffeeEducation
May 29, 2020 Post a Comment

The Aeropress – Six Lessons From The Champions

There are countless Aeropress recipes... online, which isn't surprising, it's been out for the last fifteen years.  But very few of these aeropress recipes are from literal world Champions.  Now I've had my Aeropress for years, but I retired it quickly because it just couldn't stand up to my V60 or espresso brews.  They often tasted...

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Ristretto Shot
EducationEspresso
May 15, 2020 2 Comments

Espresso Anatomy – The Ristretto Shot

The ristretto shot has had a wild ride... over the past ten to twenty years in the specialty coffee industry.  In the early 2000's it was called the future of espresso.  You'd find it in many cafes, and some who were even pushing the envelope and innovating in the industry. Espresso Vivace is the first that...

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Egg Coffee
CoffeeEducation
May 8, 2020 Post a Comment

Coffee Recipes – Vietnamese Egg Coffee

I'll be happy if... I never see the Dalonga coffee ever again.  As a fan of all things coffee I was open to it. Yet the constant inundation of something that became popular via a platform as cringy as Tik Tok just isn't something I can get behind.  Plus pumping out videos about it purely to...

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Morning Routine
EducationEspresso
April 24, 2020 3 Comments

Coffee Time – My Morning Routine

Since it's quarantine season... and I'm spending 99.9% of my time at home. So I figured there is no better time to do a video that's been highly requested, for some reason I don't fully understand. Yet, here I am and I'll be going over my morning routine.  As a bonus, not only will I be...

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Bean Temperature Extraction
CoffeeEducation
April 17, 2020 Post a Comment

Coffee Science – Bean Temperature & Extraction

Extraction is a dense topic... and this experiment may lift off a bit of that density.  It will provide some answers, depending on how you feel about my scientific methods, or in some peoples views, lack thereof.  Armed with an idea, a refractometer, and two bags of the same coffee I decided to dig in to...

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Traditional Cappuccino
EducationEspresso
April 10, 2020 Post a Comment

Espresso Anatomy – The Traditional Cappuccino

The traditional cappuccino... tends to have a bad reputation in specialty coffee.  For the life of me I don't really understand why.  Maybe its the distinct lack of latte art.  Or maybe its the perception that it doesn't take much skill to make one.  Well, today I'm going to set the record straight on this espresso...

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Easy Home Brew Methods
CoffeeEducation
March 20, 2020 Post a Comment

Top Three – Easy Home Brew Methods

Brewing coffee at home... can be a daunting adventure to embark on for those who don't look at coffee as a hobby or a passion, but more as a daily necessity.  Considering we're all in the same boat right now, and making coffee at home appears to be something we'll be doing regularly for some uncertain...

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Flat vs Conical Burrs
EducationEspresso
March 6, 2020 Post a Comment

Espresso Anatomy – Flat Vs Conical Burrs

There are many debates within the coffee industry... and one of those debates that has been raging for years is flat vs conical burrs.  The passion each group carries about their burr preference is up there with the Montagues and Capulets (yeah that's a Shakespeare reference, deal with it). Of course I have my preferences, and...

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Espresso Brew Temperature
EducationEspresso
January 10, 2020 Post a Comment

Espresso Anatomy – Espresso & Brew Temperature

Not all brew temperatures... are created equal.  I feel like this topic is something that isn't talked about very often, but it can be hugely beneficial to your final cup flavor.  For example, have you ever wondered why cold brew and hot coffee from the same beans taste so incredibly different?  Well, that's down to a...

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espresso machine misconceptions
EducationEspresso
December 20, 2019 Post a Comment

Top Three – Espresso Machine Misconceptions

It's time I clear up... all these rampant espresso machine misconceptions.  Okay, maybe rampant is a bit aggressive, but they are surprisingly common. I mean, there are a few things I see at cafes, in homes, and get questions about regularly that should be straightened out.  So with those things in mind I figured making a...

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Freezing Coffee
CoffeeEducation
December 13, 2019 Post a Comment

Coffee Science – Drinking One Year Old Coffee

The debate of freezing coffee... is still raging both inside and outside of the specialty coffee industry.  If you ask coffee legend and roaster extraordinaire George Howell he will tell you that freezing coffee is great way to store it.  Even so much that he does it to a lot of the coffees that come from...

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Barista Hacks
EducationEspresso
September 27, 2019 Post a Comment

Top Three – Easy Home Barista Hacks

Being a home barista is tough... at times so having some hacks (or tips) is always a plus to help save time and waste.  So I decided to put together a video of my three favorite home barista hacks that have helped me and I'm sure would help you.  I should also preface this with these...

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One and One
EducationEspresso
August 30, 2019 Post a Comment

Espresso Anatomy – The One And One

The one and one... is a go-to order for me when going into a cafe for the first time.  If you don't know what the one and one is, its a split double shot of espresso, one is served straight, the other is served as a macchiato. It can be made in a traditional way (dry...

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Viennese Recipe
CoffeeEducation
August 16, 2019 Post a Comment

Coffee Recipes – The Viennese

The Viennese is one... of my personal favorite specialty espresso drinks when I have a bit of a sweet tooth.  As you may of gleaned from my previous posts and videos, I don't do a lot of flavored espresso drinks.  Yet, the Viennese is a bit different.  It's a classic, and most shops (at least here...

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Steaming Milk
EducationEspresso
August 2, 2019 1 Comment

Top Three – Most Common Mistakes When Steaming Milk

Steaming milk is a tough skill... to master for any new or intermediate barista.  For myself, I would go to work with a gallon of milk every weekend and be steaming milk alone in the shop through the morning.  This helped build my understanding for what it takes to master the skill, but that said, even...

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Modern Cortado
EducationGear
July 19, 2019 1 Comment

Espresso Anatomy – The Modern Cortado

The Cortado is one of my... go to espresso drinks. Theres nothing better than a little espresso beverage and not spending a fortune.  Especially when you're like me and usually hit at least three coffee shops when I go out.  It's easy to get over-caffeinated and up feeling a little wonky.  So keeping things small and...

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Distribution vs Extraction
EducationEspresso
June 21, 2019 1 Comment

Coffee Science – Distribution Method Vs. Extraction

Distribution is key to extraction... but are all distribution methods created equal?  The answer is an unequivocal no, but it is far more complicated, and really the reason why is beyond my understanding.  I've been hearing about distribution tools having negative effects on extraction, and more importantly (in my mind) taste.  Finally, armed with the curiosity,...

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Tamp Or Not
EducationEspresso
June 14, 2019 Post a Comment

Espresso Anatomy – To Tamp Or Not To Tamp

Espresso without the tamp... seems like some kind of witchcraft to me.  Since I started in my specialty coffee journey I've never heard of such a thing. The workflow and preparation was the way it is, and the way it has been for decades. With the rise of distribution tools it was only a matter of...

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Mistakes In Espresso Preparation
EducationEspresso
May 31, 2019 Post a Comment

Top Three – Mistakes in Espresso Preparation

Making espresso is fraught potential mistakes... that can and will effect the outcome of your drink.  Most of the common mistakes are easy to avoid, and just require a bit more focus, or breaking a bad habit or two.  The three mistakes I cover here are simple fixes, but in my experience are prolific with baristas...

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Aeropress Filter Espresso
EducationEspresso
May 3, 2019 1 Comment

Coffee Science – Higher Extraction Using An Aeropress Filter

I saw this all over... Instagram this week.  Both coffee consultant Scott Rao, and notable coffee scientists Socratic Coffee brought this interesting process to light. It definitely seems counterintuitive to that adding an Aeropress filter or two to your portafilter when pulling shots of espresso would increase total dissolved solids (TDS) and in turn increase the...

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Tamper Shape Cover
EducationEspresso
February 1, 2019 Post a Comment

Tamper Shape Vs. Extraction – Flat & Convex

When I get my hands on... some new coffee toys I can't help but put them to the test.  So when I got the Pullman Big Step tamper I decided to see how it compares to the La Marzocco Convex tamper.  When I say compares I don't mean in looks, because lets face it, that Pullman...

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Cappuccino VS Flat White
EducationEspresso
December 14, 2018 Post a Comment

Espresso Anatomy – Cappuccino Vs. Flat White

The debate has raged on... for as long as I can remember, or at least the time I've been in specialty coffee.  Which granted, isn't that long.  But since I began my career I've heard, read, and contemplated all of the definitions for the differences between the beloved cappuccino, and the rising star, the flat white....

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CoffeeEducation
September 14, 2018 Post a Comment

Freezing Coffee – A Short Term Experiment in Preservation

It's no surprise... that the internet is filled to the brim with opinions about the benefits, or consequences of freezing your coffee.  We all know what they say about opinions, and we all know its true.  Yet, when it comes to freezing coffee there are two schools of thought.  Each is backed by science, but only...

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Sweet Maria's
CoffeeEducation
July 13, 2018 Post a Comment

Knowledge Is Power – My Top Three Educational Resources

Recently I was having a conversation.. with a stranger (lets be real, it was on Bumble.  I'm single ladies, come at me) and I was asked how I developed my knowledge in the coffee industry from a technical dispatcher to a Director of Coffee in a short three years time.  All the while never having worked...

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Group Water
CoffeeEducation
January 25, 2018 2 Comments

The Other Ninety-Eight Percent

It’s essential to all life on earth… and a proper cup of coffee.  Water; it makes up a total of ninety-eight percent of your coffee beverage.  Think of the blood, sweat, and tears that went into bringing those beans into your kitchen.  How can you not give them a proper bath after that journey?  In this...

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𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗲 - This would be its point of view just before entering flavor town.
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#espresso #espressoshot #espressocup #espressolover #espressotime #espressoyourself #espressoaddict #espressogram #espressohit #espressolife #espressocups #barista #baristagram #homebarista #crema #therealsprometheus #sprometheus #makecoffeenotwar #specialtycoffee #thirdwavecoffee #coffee #coffeegram #coffeeoftheday #coffeeofinstagram #coffeeshots #coffeeinblack #coffeeprops #coffeeblog #coffeeblogger #coffeedaily
𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗔 𝗕 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗔 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝘄 𝗕𝘆 𝗜𝘁𝘀 𝗕𝘂𝗯𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀 - The word fresh has become synonymous with quality, and it’s something we just generally accept as a fact of life. At least in the culinary world, but in coffee this is one of those debatable topics.

As much as we baristas love the visual cues of freshness, like dense crema and bubbly blooms, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s reached its peak flavor.

There is no golden rule, no expiration date, and as an agricultural product there are a myriad of other variables that come into play. Yet, an aspect like roast level can be applied somewhat generally.

Lighter roasts will maintain their flavor and complexity longer due to a less compromised cell structure from roasting. On the other hand, darker roasts will present better cup profiles on the fresher side of the spectrum.

Personally, I’ve had some amazing cups up to 3 months old, when stored properly without freezing. Moral of the story; don’t judge a brew by its bubbles.
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#coffee #coffeetips #freshcoffee #coffeelife #coffeelover #coffeedaily #coffeeprops #coffeeshots #coffeeinblack #coffeeoftheday #coffeeofinstagram #coffeesesh #coffeegram #coffeeblog #coffeeblogger #coffeebrewing #coffeegeeks #makecoffeenotwar #brewmethods #pourover #pourovercoffee #sprometheus #therealsprometheus #thirdwavecoffee #specialtycoffee #butfirstcoffee #kalitawave #singleorigincoffee #coffeeroasting #baristagram
𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗲 - To handle, or not to handle, that is the question.
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#espresso #espressocup #espressoshot #espressopull #espressobar #espressolove #espressoaddict #espressolife #espressoshots #espressogram #coffee #coffeegram #sprometheus #therealsprometheus #coffeeoftheday #coffeeofinstagram #coffeedaily #coffeeshots #coffeeinblack #coffeeblog #coffeeblogger #makecoffeebetter #lamarzocco #lineamini #drinkcoffeedostuff #specialtycoffee #thirdwavecoffee #coffeecups #ceramics #sundaycoffee
𝗔 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗸𝗮 𝗔 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗸𝗮 𝗣𝗼𝘁 -  For those who strive for clean cups of coffee paper filters make a world of difference in nearly all brewing applications. The moka pot is no exception.

Using just a single, rinsed Aeropress filter I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how effective it can be at removing fines and sediment from my pot brews.

I also prefer to grind a bit coarser (medium-fine) to aid in a smooth and even flow of water through the puck, and using a slightly lower heat to allow for a little longer contact time. 

However, I do recommend using hot water in the brew chamber to avoid heating the coffee in the metal basket for too long which can allow burnt or charred flavors to come through.

In the end there should be very little, to no grinds on the moka pot filter, and the resulting cup should present cleaner notes, and crisper acidity while maintaining that dense flavor that moka pots are known for. 

It’s what I call a win-win.
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#mokapot #mokapotcoffee #aeropress #coffee #coffeebrewing #coffeedaily #coffeetime #coffeelife #coffeenerd #coffeegram #coffeeculture #coffeetips #coffeeblog #coffeeblogger #coffeeoftheday #coffeeofinstagram #therealsprometheus #sprometheus #coffeeprops #coffeeshots #coffeeinblack #makecoffeenotwar #brewmethods #barista #baristagram #homebarista #drinkcoffeedostuff #specialtycoffee #thirdwavecoffee #blackcoffee
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 - It’s flat, it’s not really white, but there’s a lot of debate surrounding this little beverage online.

In today’s video I share the research I did with baristas and consumers from Australia and New Zealand; which are rumored to be the possible birthplace(s) of the drink. As well as how we in the states put together a flattie. 

So hit that bio link to check it out now.
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#flatwhite #flatwhitecoffee #espresso #espressogram #espressocup #espressoyourself #espressolove #espressohit #espressohouse #espressomachines #latte #latteart #latteartgram #coffee #coffeegram #baristagram #sprometheus #therealsprometheus #coffeeblog #coffeeblogger #homebarista #baristagram #makecoffeenotwar #butfirstcoffee #notneutral #specialtycoffee #thirdwavecoffee #coffeeview #coffeephotography #drinkcoffeedostuff #coffeetips
𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁 - I just want to take a quick second to thank all of you for following along on this coffee journey. 

It’s a trip to think that this global community was brought together by a mutual love for a roasted cherry seed.
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#coffee #coffeebean #coffeelover #coffeetime #coffeeroaster #coffeeblog #coffeeblogger #coffeeculture #coffeeoftheday #coffeeofinstagram #coffeedaily #coffeegram #coffeepeople #coffeecommunity #makecoffeenotwar #sprometheus #therealsprometheus #drinkcoffee #thirdwavecoffee #specialtycoffee #roastingcoffee #butfirstcoffee #freshcoffee #coffeeinblack #manmakecoffeee #peoplebrewcoffee #coffeeprops #coffeeshots #drinkcoffeedostuff #coffeerules
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