Coffee & Tea at Home

Like most tales from the Emerald Isle, the origin of Irish Coffee seems to have more versions of its history than could possibly be true. The idea of mixing a spirit or liqueur with coffee most likely has heritage in other parts of Europe. The…

As a kid, hot chocolate was a big part of our lives, at least that is how I remember it. Sounds dramatic but I have distinct memories, of my childhood, where specific hot chocolate was an integral part. When I went up to the mountains…

Compared to coffee, good quality Yerbas Mate Tea can be a lovely way to perk up and enjoy a flavorful hot beverage. Compared to its java counterpart, you see that even Black Tea has only half the caffeine content that black coffee does. Here is…

I hate to admit this but I actually like the Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Not everyone makes them well, but a lot of places do and it although I don’t “embrace all that is pumpkin” I have been known to make a pie, maybe some pumpkin…

Developed by the famed inventor of the Aerobie frisbee, Alan Adler, the AeroPress is quite simply one of the best ways to manually create optimal coffee brewing pressure at home. Light and simple to use, we love bringing this along when we are camping. Please…

The V60 Pour Over is one of our personal favorites. Serves 1-2 balanced cups of coffee and since it takes a little more time, give you that zen coffee-brewing experience along the way. Like the Chemex, the V60 shows up the complexities and nuance of…

Ah, the French Press. Much debate on origin of the name here in the Pick and Brew office, but it is universally accepted as one of the premier coffee brewing methods. Using a coarse grind, the hot water pulls on each ground, extracting premium flavor…

Matcha is essentially a powdered green tea. It originated in China and spread via buddhist monks to Japan where it gained popularity. In China, this powdered form of tea fell out of popularity, but had continued to be produced on a small scale. Deveining the…

Personally, I think a pour-over method is the best way to drink coffee on the weekends. A little more care, a little slower pace, and a whole lot more flavor than the commuter cup of coffee we have become accustomed to. The Chemex is one…

Did I tell you that my kid sister is staying with us again? More on that some other time (lets just say that she brings a new “smell” to this home of 4 males).  One thing she knows well is good coffee.  I introduced her…