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The Difference Coffeehouse
Road Test: Bonavita One Touch brewer
In the eternal quest for the perfect coffee, batch brewers are serious contenders. Here's our look at the Bonavita 8 Cup One Touch...
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The Difference Coffeehouse
May 25, 20231 min
Lessons from a Roasting Competition
We were encouraged by the results of our first shot at a coffee roasting competition. See what you think of our learnings... 1. You can...
The Difference Coffeehouse
May 24, 20223 min
Road Test: Compostable Coffee Bags
When it comes to storing roasted coffee; how do compostable bags compare with the bags we've been using? The environmental benefits of...
Martyn Smith
Apr 19, 20222 min
Next Level Espresso (Part 1)
When your barista experience expands to include different beans and roast profiles, you might be surprised at the flavours you extract....
The Difference Coffeehouse
Feb 23, 20211 min
Take me to Tanzania
2021 sees us make a small, but significant, coffee origin change. Southern Kenya has become northern Tanzania. You probably won't taste...
Martyn Smith
Feb 10, 20202 min
The truth will set you free
Hands down if you’ve ever put off going to the dentist, the mechanic…the accountant. They’re only going to tell you things you don’t want...
The Difference Coffeehouse
Jan 4, 20192 min
Test drive: Hario Mizudashi pot
In a world of bewildering complexity, simple solutions can be a refreshing change. And I'm only talking about coffee! The Hario Mizudashi...
The Difference Coffeehouse
Oct 24, 20181 min
Conquering coffee confusion
Is a flat white just a latte, but with less froth? Is a cappuccino the same the world over? And why does a piccolo latte look so much...
Martyn Smith
May 4, 20182 min
My embarrassing espresso secret
In 2009, I had the opportunity to be coached by a World Barista Judge. I learnt something that day that was so controversial that I kept...
The Difference Coffeehouse
Feb 7, 20182 min
Crystal balls and cold, dark summers
If the US market is anything to go by, SA is facing an invasion of cold brewed coffee. Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts report that 24% of...
Martyn Smith
Sep 18, 20172 min
Back to school: An assignment on Fairtrade
Last week, I received an email request to help with a high school assignment on Fairtrade in Food and Hospitality. I've included Shanise'...
Martyn Smith
Mar 7, 20173 min
Test drive: IKAWA Pro sample roaster
I came across the IKAWA Pro when looking for something to roast bean samples. The UK-based website announced a starting price of 850...
Martyn Smith
Jan 14, 20171 min
Separation anxiety?
Are you like me - a vague sense of inadequacy at having never travelled to a coffee growing region? Don't you wish you could tell others...
Martyn Smith
Oct 28, 20161 min
May I be excused? My brain is full.
I'm indebted to Ross Quail and Andy Todd of Sensory Lab, Melbourne. These guys have dived very deeply into their subject matter. I prefer...
Martyn Smith
Sep 30, 20161 min
Don't let me explain
Recently, one of our customers told me that he thought our coffee had changed. And so, like an armored knight of old, the logical part of...
The Difference Coffeehouse
Sep 5, 20161 min
Out with the old, in with the old
When we took over the 41-year-old Ricca Coffee Company this year we expected to do some updating. There was the customer database –...
Martyn Smith
Jul 22, 20162 min
Break all the rules
Which is the more effective (long-term) management strategy? The lion-tamer approach with cracking whips, or a cheerleader with colourful...
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