The Reverb Journal
Coffee Guides, Brews & Gear Notes
Brew tutorials, honest gear explainers and buying advice from people who actually pull the shots. Everything here is tested before it’s recommended.
Welcome to the Reverb Coffee journal — our running notebook on everything between the bean and the cup. We dig into the questions real home baristas ask: why your shots channel, how to dial in grind size, which machine actually fits your kitchen and budget, and how to get café-quality coffee without café prices.
Every guide is grounded in hands-on testing. We buy or borrow the gear, live with it for weeks, and only write what we’d tell a friend. Use the topics below to jump into a silo, or scroll for the latest articles.
Browse by topic
Espresso MachinesFrom $200 starters to prosumer dual-boilers — what to buy and why.Explore →Coffee GrindersThe single biggest upgrade to your cup. Burr grinders, tested.Explore →Coffee BeansRoasts, origins and freshness — how to pick beans you’ll love.Explore →By BrandBreville, De’Longhi, Gaggia, Nespresso, Rancilio & Jura — compared.Explore →Buying GuidesStep-by-step buying advice for every piece of your setup.Explore →Hands-On ReviewsFull reviews of the gear we’ve actually pulled shots on.Explore →
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Why trust Reverb Coffee: We test every product we recommend hands-on and only suggest gear we’d buy ourselves. Reader-supported — we may earn a commission, but it never changes our recommendations.
Latest articles
2026-06-04How to Make an Iced Latte at HomeHome›Blog›Iced Latte How-to How to Make an Iced Latte at Home By Reverb Coffee Team·UpdatedRead more →2026-05-30The Best Water for Espresso (and Why It Matters)Home›Blog›Best Water for Espresso Espresso basics The Best Water for Espresso (and Why It Matters)Read more →2026-05-29What Is a Macchiato?Home›Blog›What Is a Macchiato Espresso 101 What Is a Macchiato? By Reverb Coffee Team·Updated 2026·7Read more →2026-05-28How to Make Cold Brew Coffee at HomeHome›Blog›Cold Brew How-to How to Make Cold Brew Coffee at Home By Reverb Coffee Team·UpdatedRead more →2026-05-26What Is an Espresso Con Panna?Home›Blog›Espresso Con Panna Espresso 101 What Is an Espresso Con Panna? By Reverb Coffee Team·UpdatedRead more →2026-05-24How to Make an Espresso MartiniHome›Blog›Espresso Martini Brew Guide How to Make an Espresso Martini By Reverb Coffee Team·Updated 2026·7Read more →2026-05-23Single vs Double Shot Espresso, ExplainedHome›Blog›Single vs Double Shot Espresso 101 Single vs Double Shot Espresso, Explained By Reverb CoffeeRead more →2026-05-22Super-Automatic vs Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines: Which Is Right for You?Home›Blog›Super vs Semi-Automatic Gear Explained Super-Automatic vs Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines: Which Is Right for You?Read more →2026-05-19What Is Single Dosing (and Should You Do It)?Home›Blog›Single Dosing Gear Explained What Is Single Dosing (and Should You Do It)? By ReverbRead more →2026-05-19What Is a Long Black?Home›Blog›What Is a Long Black Espresso 101 What Is a Long Black? By Reverb CoffeeRead more →2026-05-19How to Make an Affogato at HomeHome›Blog›Make an Affogato Brew Guide How to Make an Affogato at Home By Reverb CoffeeRead more →2026-05-14What Is Pre-Infusion in Espresso?Home›Blog›Pre-Infusion Espresso basics What Is Pre-Infusion in Espresso? By Reverb Coffee Team·Updated 2026·6 min readRead more →
Popular buying guides
Best Coffee Beans for EspressoSee picks →Best Coffee Beans for BeginnersSee picks →Best Coffee GrindersSee picks →Best Dark Roast CoffeeSee picks →Best Espresso GrinderSee picks →Best Espresso Machine for BeginnersSee picks →Best Espresso Machine for LattesSee picks →Best Espresso Machine Under $500See picks →Best Espresso Machine with Built-In GrinderSee picks →Best Grinder for BrevilleSee picks →Best Super-Automatic Espresso MachinesSee picks →
Browse the full archive101 articles
How to Make an Iced Latte at HomeThe Best Water for Espresso (and Why It Matters)What Is a Macchiato?How to Make Cold Brew Coffee at HomeWhat Is an Espresso Con Panna?How to Make an Espresso MartiniSingle vs Double Shot Espresso, ExplainedSuper-Automatic vs Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines: Which Is Right for You?What Is Single Dosing (and Should You Do It)?What Is a Long Black?How to Make an Affogato at HomeWhat Is Pre-Infusion in Espresso?What Is a Doppio (Double Espresso)?How to Backflush an Espresso MachineHow Often Should You Clean Your Espresso Machine?The Best Time of Day to Drink EspressoWhat Is a Breve (Caffè Breve)?Espresso and Sleep: How Late Is Too Late?Espresso Machine vs Drip Coffee Maker: Which Is Right for You?How to Clean an Espresso MachinePortafilter Sizes Explained: 58mm vs 54mm vs 51mmHow to Make a Latte at HomeHow to Make a Mocha at HomeHow to Make a Cappuccino at HomeConical vs Flat Burr Grinders: What’s the Real Difference?How to Tamp Espresso the Right WayNespresso vs Keurig: Which Should You Buy?What Is a WDT Tool (and Do You Need One)?What Is Crema? The Foam on Your Espresso, ExplainedHow to Dial In Espresso (Beginner’s Method)Espresso While Pregnant: Is It Safe?Single Boiler vs Double Boiler vs Heat ExchangerDoes Espresso Stain Your Teeth?Moka Pot vs Espresso Machine: Which One Should You Buy?Why Is My Espresso Channeling? How to Fix ItEspresso Ratio & Recipe: A Beginner’s GuideHow Hard Should You Tamp Espresso?How to Season a New Coffee GrinderDoes Espresso Help With Weight Loss?AeroPress vs Espresso: What’s the Difference?What Is a PID on an Espresso Machine?Is Espresso Bad for Your Heart?Light vs Dark Roast Coffee: Which Is Better?Espresso Grind Size: How to Dial It InIs Espresso on an Empty Stomach Bad for You?How Much Caffeine Is in a Shot of Espresso?Why Is My Espresso Sour? (Causes and Fixes)Arabica vs Robusta: What’s the Difference?How to Clean a Steam Wand (Properly)Does Decaf Espresso Have Caffeine?How to Make Latte Art at HomeDoes Espresso Dehydrate You?Espresso Before a Workout: Helpful or Harmful?Espresso vs Coffee for Energy: Which One Wins?Why Is My Espresso Bitter? (And How to Fix It)How to Store Coffee Beans to Keep Them FreshHow to Make Iced Espresso (Without It Going Watery)Gaggia Classic Pro vs Rancilio Silvia: Which Should You Buy?What Is a Barista? Skills, Tools & Terms ExplainedHow to Froth Milk for Lattes at HomeWhat Is a Red Eye Coffee? (And How to Make One)What Is a Bottomless Portafilter?Breville vs Gaggia: Which Espresso Machine Brand Wins?How to Descale an Espresso MachineHow to Make a Flat White at HomeHow to Use a Moka PotHow to Make an AmericanoWhat Is a Cortado? Cortado vs Macchiato vs Flat WhiteCappuccino vs Latte vs Flat WhiteRistretto vs Lungo: What’s the Difference?Best Home Espresso Machines for Every BudgetBreville Vs Delonghi Espresso MachinesCan I Make Espresso With Regular Coffee?Can You Drink Espresso Like Coffee?Espresso Vs Brewed CoffeeHow To Make Espresso At Home Without A MachineIs Espresso Healthier Than Coffee?Is It Ok To Drink Espresso Everyday?Is It Worth It To Purchase An Espresso MachineIs One Shot Of Espresso The Same As One Cup Of Coffee?Best Espresso Machine On A BudgetWhat Is Espresso CoffeeHow Much Caffeine Is Too MuchIs An Espresso Subscription Worth ItEspresso Machine Vs French PressWhat Is So Special About Espresso?What Is Espresso Powder Used ForWhat Is The Best Coffee SubscriptionWhat Is The Disadvantages Of Espresso?What Is The Healthiest Coffee?Why Drink Espresso Instead Of Coffee?What Is The Best Espresso Machine For Home UseWhich Is The Easiest Espresso MachineWhy Do You Drink Water Before Espresso?What Is The Best Home Espresso MachineWhat Is The Best Cup To Drink Espresso FromWhat Is The Best Espresso MachineWhat Is The Best Portable Espresso MakerWhat Is The Best Espresso Machine To Buy For Daily Espresso DrinkersWhat Are The 9 Best Espresso Machines On The MarketHow is Espresso Different From Coffee?
Frequently asked questions
How does Reverb Coffee test products?
We buy or borrow the gear, live with it for weeks, and pull real shots — dialing in grind, dose and pressure — before we write a word. Our picks reflect what we’d actually keep on our own counters, not spec sheets.
How often is the blog updated?
We publish new guides, brew tutorials and gear explainers regularly, and we go back and refresh older articles as products change and we learn more. Recently updated pieces show at the top of this page.
Do you earn commissions from links?
Yes — Reverb Coffee is reader-supported and we may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes which products we recommend.
Reverb Coffee is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we have tested and would use ourselves.