There’s a million ways to pull a bad shot of espresso, but the easiest way is to mess up the tamp. Although it might appear to be a menial task, tamping is essential for an even extraction, i
Author: Michael Butterworth
Michael Butterworth is an authorized instructor of the Specialty Coffee Association and the inventor of the Etkin Dripper. He cofounded the Coffee Compass mostly as an excuse to visit more coffee shops. For consulting and training enquiries please visit butterworth.coffee.
Gear Review: Handground
Kickstarter has been a decidedly mixed bag when it comes to coffee. On one hand, it’s given us success stories like Acaia, whose Bluetooth-ready scales have become a fixture in quality-minded caf
Three Shops Changing the Phoenix Coffee Scene
It can be tough selling a hot beverage in the desert. Against all odds, roasters like Cartel, Press, and Peixoto have long championed locally-roasted coffee in the Phoenix area. But a new wave of c
The Official 2016 Coffee Compass Holiday Gift Guide
Still looking for the perfect present for that caffeine-addicted person in your life? Don’t worry, we’re one step ahead of you. We’ve compiled a list of presents any barista, roas
Gear Review: The Rattleware Cupping Brewer
Every coffee professional has had the experience: a coffee blows you away on the cupping table, but subsequent brews don’t measure up. Or perhaps you’ve invited your friends to a cuppi
Five Great Coffee Shops in Chicago
Against all odds, the Chicago Cubs are the 2016 World Series Champions. But when it comes to coffee, Chicago has been a champion for a long time. On our most recent trip to the Windy City these f
Learn How to Make Good Coffee in a Hotel Room with The Voice’s Dave Moisan
When The Voice’s Dave Moisan isn’t busy having Alicia Keys and Adam Levine fight over him, he’s something of a coffee nerd. The Louisville native is known to travel with an Aer
Learn How to Make a French Press With James Hoffmann
Almost everyone owns a French press. The ubiquitous brewing device is prized for its simplicity and yet hated by many coffee aficionados for the sludgy mouthfeel. But according to James Hoffmann,
Black Fox Coffee Raises Bar in Lower Manhattan
I’m sitting in a café in Lower Manhattan and a barista has just checked on our table- for the third time. Do we need any more coffee? Is everything tasting alright? Can we take those dish
The Apprentice: an interview with Bethany Hargrove
Two years ago I tried to overcome my disappointment with not qualifying for the semifinals at the United States Barista Championship by going to a local latte art throwdown. I was no more fortunat