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tips

BOOM!! Fresh is Best!!

BOOM!! Fresh is Best!!

You are given a bag of coffee and it’s kind of puffed up. Or you find a bag of beans in the back of the cupboard. How old are they? Are they still any good?

Sparkplug here to help you figure out if it’s fresh or not even before you taste it.

Read on to find out how to tell if your coffee is FRESH… or NOT.

The scoop on DECAF

The scoop on DECAF

How is decaf coffee made? Are there any health benefits or concerns? 

You're not the only one who'd like to know! A pretty simple overview with links to follow for additional resources if you'd like to dig deeper and learn more.

Brew It Yourself - Aeropress Secret Tip

If you're an AeroPress aficionado, you may have already figured this out. For those of us that have been using the inverted Aeropress technique, here is a new way to ensure a perfect brew!

Coffee pairing - double chocolate banana bread

Coffee pairing - double chocolate banana bread

Double Chocolate Banana Bread

Chocolate. Bananas. Cocoa. Easy. Delicious.

Pair up this recipe with a mug of our Fuss Studio Blend coffee for a wonderful treat.

We found this recipe at Smitten Kitchen, a great source for recipes that always turn out well. Read on for our version of the recipe (and a link to the original). 

Coffee Lover: Dawn Ayer

Coffee Lover: Dawn Ayer

Dawn Ayer:

Sparkplug Coffee Lover

Most memorable coffee Dawn ever had? Touring the Lavazza factory in Turin, Italy. (She even got to eat in the employee cafeteria!)

Coffee Lover: Darryl Wright

Coffee Lover: Darryl Wright

Darryl Wright:

Sparkplug Coffee Lover

Darryl's coffee secret? "Just off the boil" is a term used in beer brewing but it also applies here. When you hear that ding or click, don't reach. Pause for a moment... 

The Amazing AeroPress - why we think it's the best coffee maker ever

The Amazing AeroPress

What the heck is that thing?

The AeroPress is a coffeemaker, of course! But it is strange looking and many people wonder how that crazy syringe-thing works.

Here’s the Sparkplug Coffee Scoop on the Amazing AeroPress. Read on to learn how it works and why it's great.

How clean is your grinder?

How clean is your grinder?

You'll be surprised the difference a clean grinder makes

Most of us don’t pay attention to this and don’t clean our grinder regularly. Over time, coffee oils and residue build up and can start to affect both the taste and performance of your grinder. Darker and oilier coffee beans are especially bad for gumming up your grinder. (Take note Globetrotter fiends!)   

The good news is that cleaning a grinder is quick and easy. Read on for our tips - and we've got you covered, whether your grinder is blade or burr.