CoffeeYinzer

Some real Italian coffee after Mass today. La Dolce Vita.

Picked up a Guatemala Vista al Bosque from Quantum Bean Coffee in Morgantown. This comes from Guatemala’s high‑altitude growing regions, known for volcanic soil and slow‑grown beans that produce balance, sweetness, and structure in the cup.
As expected for a good Guatemalan coffee, this one leans into cocoa and caramel with a medium body and clean finish, but what stood out was a surprisingly pleasant honey‑like sweetness. Solid medium roast, well‑balanced, and very approachable—exactly what you want from a thoughtfully roasted Guatemala. Well done Quantum Bean Coffee

Channeling my best Pittsburgh Dad for this one, here goes -

“Yinz, lemme tell ya about this here Field Trip coffee from Counter Culture — and I ain’t just jaggin’ around.

So I’m dahn there in my kitchen with the Breville, right, and I cracked open this jagoff-yellow bag — real pretty, gotta say — and the smell alone almost knocked me into next Stillers season. It’s a medium-light roast, which means it ain’t that burnt-rubber dark roast your uncle brings to every family picnic aht in McKeesport.
They say blackberry, clementine, and sweet on the front, and hooooney, they ain’t lyin’. First sip I took, I said ‘oh my gosh’ right out loud — bright and fruity like somethin’ you’d get dahn at the Strip District on a Saturday. It’s a blend — 70% from Colombia, 30% outta Rwanda, I don't know where Rwanda is exactly but they grow good coffee — and it brews up real clean and crisp.
Roasted January 5th, best by June — so it’s fresh as the pierogi at Primanti’s. Only 12 ounces though, so it goes fast, and it ain't at Folger prices so you best be sippin’ it slow.

Would I buy it again? Abso-lutely. Give it a shot, yinz. It’s worth the schlep."

This is Bongo Java (Nashville Roaster) Espresso Blend, an organic, fair‑trade blend sourced from Ethiopia, Peru, and Bolivia. Medium roast, clearly intended for espresso but brewed here as drip.

In the cup:
Smooth and balanced. The first impression is dark chocolate, followed by a mild berry brightness and a soft vanilla sweetness. Acidity is present but controlled—not sharp, not sour. Body is medium, with a clean finish and no bitterness.

Overall take:
This is a well‑built, dependable blend. It’s not flashy, but it’s thoughtful and consistent—exactly what you want in a daily espresso or drip coffee. Easy to drink black, forgiving if you add milk, and clearly roasted with intention.

Solid choice if you’re looking for balance over extremes.
☕👍

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coffee-tea-caffeine-dementia-risk-study/

What to know about a new study on coffee, tea, caffeine and dementia risk CBS News medical contributor Dr. Céline Gounder said the results of the study on coffee drinkers having lower risk of dementia should be taken "with a massive grain of salt."

https://apnews.com/article/coffee-inflation-prices-starbucks-1a809b2d3e650d5e92e2c0f5a5f4f85b

Soaring coffee prices rewrite some Americans' daily routines Rising coffee prices are changing how some Americans get their caffeine. Government data shows coffee prices were up nearly 20 percent in December from a year earlier and up almost 50 percent over five years.

☕️ Local Coffee Find: Reginald’s Coffee

Just finished brewing up the Schoolhouse Blend from Reginald's Coffee (shoutout to Bethel Park! 🌲), and it’s a winner! It’s a very solid medium roast—super smooth on the palate with a nice, subtle sweetness that lingers. If you like a balanced cup that isn't overly bitter, this one hits the spot.
Highlights:
• Notes: Balanced, Sweet, Cocoa 🍫
• Roast: Medium & Smooth

Definitely worth a try if you're looking to support a local roaster.

Reginald's Coffee

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DfnAGTFSo/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Long-term evidence from 130,000+ US adults over 43 years shows that moderate coffee intake is tied to LOWER dementia risk & modestly better cognition. The sweet spot appears to be 2-3 cups/day - which is my coffee intake! Benefits plateau beyond that. Decaf coffee doesn’t help. Source: https://bit.ly/4qv2MMZ

Some very good coffee in the Tampa airport. The Cafe Ybor is definitely worth a try

Thought this was a good reminder, not all grinders are the same. Grinders have a major impact on the quality of your cup of coffee!

Comparing 3 types of coffee grinders ⚙️

🔪 Blade Grinders

How they grind: Chop beans randomly with spinning blades

Key points:
❌ Very inconsistent particle size
❌ Produces many fines and large chunks
❌ Uneven extraction → bitter & sour flavors
❌ High heat can damage aroma compounds

Result:
➡️ Lowest brew quality, poor flavor balance

🔩 Conical Burr Grinders
How they grind: Beans crushed between a cone and ring burr

Key points:
✅ Much better consistency than blade
⚠️ Wider (bimodal) particle distribution
⚠️ Produces more fines than flat burrs
✅ Lower heat, stable grinding
✅ Fuller body, textured mouthfeel

Result:
➡️ Balanced, forgiving grinder with good overall quality

⚙️ Flat Burr Grinders
How they grind: Beans ground between two flat burrs

Key points:
✅ Most uniform particle size (narrow distribution)
✅ Very even extraction
✅ High flavor clarity and precision
⚠️ Can generate more heat if poorly designed
⚠️ Less forgiving, requires accurate dialing

Result:
➡️ Best for clean, clear, high-precision brews

🔬 Scientific Takeaway
Extraction quality depends on particle size uniformity
Blade ❌ → uneven extraction
Conical ⚠️ → balanced but wider range
Flat ✅ → most consistent and repeatable

The Roaming Bean preparing to open brick-and-mortar cafe >> See the full article below ⬇️