With cooler weather, football tailgates, apple picking and wearing plaid, there are so many reasons to love the fall season. One of our all-time favorite things about fall is the delicious seasonal coffee flavors. Pumpkin, cinnamon, gingerbread, caramel — we love it all.

If the idea of a cozy autumn-inspired drink appeals to you as much as it appeals to us, here’s a list of 7 of our very favorite fall coffee recipes that you are bound to enjoy!

1. Pumpkin Spice Latte

The Pumpkin Spice Latte is an iconic drink of the season and ‘America’s unofficial drink of the fall’. If you can’t make it to your local Starbucks, here’s a recipe to make at home!

The ingredients needed:

• ½ cup milk of your choice
• ½ cup coffee
• 2 tbsp pumpkin puree
• ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 ½ tbsp sugar
• Whipped cream optional

The instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to a saucepan.
2. Stir and bring to a simmer.
3. Take the saucepan off heat and pour into a mug.
4. Optional: top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.

2. Salted Caramel Latte

The thing about caramel is that it is one of those flavors that can be enjoyed all year round, but is really enjoyed in the fall. The salted element offsets the taste of the caramel in a complementary way. 

The ingredients needed:

Salted Caramel Latte

• ¼ cup milk of your choice
• 1 cup strong coffee
• 2 tbsp caramel sauce
• Whipped cream
• Sea salt

Salted Caramel Cream Topping

• ¼ heavy cream
• 2 tsp caramel sauce

The instructions:

1. Use a handheld milk frother to whisk together caramel sauce and heavy cream to create salted caramel topping. Set aside.
2. Bring milk to a simmer on the stovetop, making sure it doesn’t come to a boil since it can easily burn, or microwave it for 30 seconds. Pour heated milk into a French press, put the lid on, and move the plunger up and down, making sure to hold down the lid. Or, heat and froth milk at the same time using an electric milk frother. If you have an espresso machine, froth milk using the steam wand.
3. Pour coffee into a cup and stir caramel sauce, salt, and frothed milk. Top with salted caramel cream topping. Garnish with a drizzle of caramel sauce and a pinch of salt if you’d like.

3. Snickerdoodle Latte

With cinnamon and brown sugar, you are sure to find comfort in a snickerdoodle latte.

The ingredients needed:

• 1 ½ cup milk of your choice
• ½ cup strong coffee or espresso
• 2 tbsp light brown sugar
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• 1 ½ tbsp sugar
• Cinnamon sugar optional to sprinkle on top

The instructions:

1. Pour milk into a small jar that has a lid. Add light brown sugar and cinnamon
2. Tighten the lid and shake for about 1 minute.
3. Remove the lid and heat milk in a microwave for about 30 seconds.
4. Pour coffee or espresso into mug followed by warm milk. Spoon out remaining foamy milk if left.
5. Optional: sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top.

4. Gingerbread Latte

The combination of warm spices like ginger, nutmeg and molasses paired with espresso add the perfect holiday touch to any morning coffee.

The ingredients needed:

Gingerbread Syrup

• ½ cup molasses
• ½ cup water
• 1 ½ tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Latte

• 3 tsp gingerbread syrup
• 1 shot espresso or 1 oz strong coffee
• ¼  cup whole milk
• ¼ cup cream
• Optional: whipped cream to top

The instructions:

1. For the gingerbread syrup: place molasses, water, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
2. Store in a jar in the refrigerator. Makes about 3/4 cup syrup, or enough for 10-12 servings.
3. For each gingerbread latte: place 3-4 teaspoons of gingerbread syrup and a shot of espresso in a mug.
4. Warm the milk and cream to 155ºF and froth.
5. Pour milk over the syrup and espresso in the mug.
6. Optional: top with whipped cream.

5. Maple Cinnamon Latte

Maple and cinnamon flavors combined create a can’t-miss autumn latte.

The ingredients needed:

• 1/4 cup brewed espresso
• 1/2 cup steamed/frothed milk
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract
• Sprinkle ground cinnamon
• Optional: whipped cream and additional ground cinnamon for garnish

The instructions:

1. Add maple syrup, vanilla, and ground cinnamon to a large coffee mug.
2. Add hot espresso and stir to melt the syrup.
3. Pour in steamed milk and top with any remaining foam.
4. Garnish with a swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, if desired.

If you’re looking for a copycat Starbucks recipe where maple is paired with pecan instead of cinnamon, check out this bonus recipe by The Worktop.

6. Peppermint Mocha

If you’re looking for the perfect creamy, minty, chocolatey sip in the morning, this recipe is a must-try.

The ingredients needed:

• ¾ cup whole milk
• ¾ cup brewed espresso or strong coffee
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ tsp mint extract or ½ peppermint candy cane or peppermint syrup
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract
• Optional: whipped cream and chocolate shavings

The instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, add milk, cocoa and sugar. Heat over medium heat until small bubbles begin to form around the edge and sugar has dissolved.
2. Stir in espresso, mint extract and vanilla and remove from heat (if using a candy cane, be sure to let it melt completely).
3. Serve in a large mug and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings if desired.

7. Spiced Vanilla Latte

This simple yet sophisticated latte filled with hot coffee and frothed milk is our next go-to drink for the fall.

The ingredients needed:

• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup strong coffee
• ½ tbsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp granulated sugar
• 1 dash cardamom
• 1 dash cinnamon

The instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine milk, vanilla, sugar, cardamom, and cinnamon. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until sugar is dissolved and milk is hot, but do not boil.
2. Pour coffee into a mug.
3. Using a handheld milk frother, froth the milk mixture until there is a thick layer of foam on top. Give your saucepan a couple of firm whacks on a hard surface like your counter to break any of the larger bubbles and make a denser foam.
4. Using a wooden spoon to hold back the foam, pour the milk into the coffee mug. Spoon the foam on top. 
5. Optional: Add an extra dash of cardamom on top for garnish.

Your daily cup of coffee doesn’t always have to contain dairy! With dairy sensitivities and increased concerns around health and wellness, we’ve seen plenty of milk alternatives hit the supermarket shelves in recent years. Whether you choose non-dairy alternatives for lifestyle, health, or environmental reasons, you still want your coffee to taste delicious. We took the time to break down the different milk alternatives that can best complement your morning cup.

Oat Milk

Joining the ranks of almond, rice, and soy, oat milk is the latest trendy plant-based milk to take over supermarket shelves, cafés, and coffee shops everywhere. Oat milk has been quickly gaining popularity due to its neutral flavor that won’t overpower your coffee. It’s our personal favorite for a few reasons! With its smooth texture and creamy taste, it’s a great substitute for dairy milk. But the biggest perk of using oat milk is that it can froth and steam, making it a perfect choice for lattes or cappuccinos. If you’re looking to make your own oat milk at home, follow this recipe. 

Almond milk

Almond milk is the most popular milk in the United States, especially in cafes. It has a pleasant, nutty flavor and a creamy texture similar to that of regular milk. For this reason, it is a popular choice for people following a vegan diet and those who are allergic or intolerant to dairy. It makes for a great option due to its variety of unsweetened and sweetened options. An extra layer of flavor is added to your coffee with the nuttiness that comes along with almond milk. And when it comes to calories, almond milk is one of the lightest, and healthiest milk alternatives you can choose from!

Soy milk

Soy milk is one of the most well-known plant milks around. It’s accessible and affordable, making it a go-to dairy free option. It’s sweetness mimics the taste of dairy milk and it has a smooth, creamy texture. Soy milk also offers a healthful nutritional profile, including essential omega-3 fatty acids (if fortified) and flavonoids that exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective properties. Soy milk can be used to replicate the foamy texture of dairy milk, but can curdle depending on the acidity and temperature of your coffee.

Cashew milk

Cashew milk has become a favorite due to its creamy texture and slightly sweet taste. It’s nutty flavor isn’t as bitter as other milk alternatives. It has a creamy, rich consistency and is loaded with vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and other beneficial plant compounds. The foam created with cashew milk is less dense, with bubbles that tend to be larger. It may also boost immunity and improve heart, eye, and skin health.

Coconut milk

Coconut milk hasn’t gained the popularity of other alternatives, but is still a great option when considering milk alternatives. It has a thick, creamy texture with a high fat content, making it perfect for foaming and frothing. It is also thought that consumption of coconut milk and other coconut-derived foods may help protect the body from infections and viruses. Plus, the natural sweetness from the coconut can add a nice extra flavor to your cup!

Pea milk

Pea milk is new in the world of plant based milks, and is apparently the next big trend! It has a creamy texture with a smooth and neutral taste. Pea milk is a great source of iron and also has 8g of protein per glass, eight times more than almond milk, plus 40% less sugar and double the calcium levels of cow’s. It also claims to be better for the environment than other dairy alternatives – reportedly needing 100 times less water than almond milk to make. Since it is high in protein, it foams nicely and its silky texture makes great latte art.

Rice milk

Rice milk is a light and refreshing alternative to dairy milk. Rice is an easily digestible grain, making rice milk a fantastic choice for someone who is struggling with a digestive sensitivity or upset, plus rice is gluten-free and fairly non-allergenic, so rice milk works well for almost any special diet. The neutral taste allows the flavor of your coffee to come through. However, rice milk has a thin, watery texture and does not foam well.

Curious as to which type of coffee you should pair with which milk alternative? Check out these recommended pairings! 

And remember, dairy-free alternatives are only part of the equation… A great cup of coffee ALWAYS starts with the bean. Sign up for our world tour subscription for the best quality coffee, delivered to your door each month! 

The Wandercup team stands united in celebrating women in coffee. We want to use our platform to empower women within our communities and women everywhere. To start, we’d like to illuminate the realities of women who work in the coffee industry.

The face behind the world’s coffee business is female.

Women provide up to 70% of labor in coffee production in different regions of the world. Coffee plays a crucial part in the economies of the tropics as it provides a means of living for up to 25 million rural households. But, in comparison to male-operated farms, female farm operators have fewer resources such as land, credit, and education, contributing to the gender gap that disenfranchises and economically disadvantages women.

Gender inequalities in coffee-producing countries stem from differences in exercising freedoms that hinder women’s abilities to sustain their livelihoods. Such freedoms include exercising agency over control of resources, transportation, protection from violence, and decision making within the home and public sphere.

Despite women’s heavy involvement in the coffee farms, including laborious work like planting, pruning, picking, and harvesting, they go unpaid or unrecognized.

On our search for delicious coffee, we are committed to uplifting the women who devote their time to creating something special for coffee lovers everywhere.

We value creating the relationships we have with women farmers because we not only learn a great deal about their experiences, but we also play a part in supporting them financially to uplift their communities.

Wandercup’s mission is more than just sharing the world’s best coffee, it’s also about having the privilege of working with strong women who teach us, share stories and turn our dreams into a reality. As a newly founded company, we are proud to honor the talented women who comprise roughly 75% of our staff and partners (pictured below): Sonam Kline (Founder/CEO), Ariane de Bonvoisin (Business Coach), Jenna Kamalova (Web Developer), Carly Pritchard (Operations Manager), Moriah Johnston (Roaster), Kali Oriole (Social Media/Marketing Intern), and Cindy Mizaku (Social Media/Marketing Intern). We stand in solidarity with all women and choose to empower, inspire, and support each other every day.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Learn more about women in coffee by visiting the following sites:

• Gender Equality in the Coffee Sector
• International Women’s Coffee Alliance 
• Cafe Imports

Don’t have a chance to travel as much as you’d like to? Why not explore the world through your morning cup of coffee?

Get the freshest coffee delivered right to your door and learn about the beautiful cultures and stories behind the bean. We’ll take you to every continent that produces coffee — from Africa to Asia to Central and South America.

Purchase our coffees by the bag, or even better, sign up for our subscription!

So, what’s the hype about a Wandercup subscription anyways?

Trying to find new coffee is overwhelming — there are too many options, the occasional judgy coffee snob, and the chance that you’ll try something you don’t like.

At Wandercup, we take the overwhelming work of trying to find new coffees from around the world out of the picture. We do that work for you. Not only do we try more coffee than any sane person should, but we’ve filtered through the bad, the decent, and the downright amazing to bring you the absolute best coffee from all of the regions and countries around the world.

A Wandercup coffee subscription is ideal because it takes the thinking out of your morning routine. Each month, receive coffee and stories from a different country and stamp the pages of your Wandercup Passport as you go. It’s simple, convenient, and we know you’ll fall in love with the assortment of coffees we have to offer!

Thanks for being a part of our journey!

Cheers!
Sonam & Dan

When you look at the statue of David in Italy, it’s easy to get caught up in the beauty of the final product and forget that a skilled, talented, and experienced artist was able to turn a block of raw stone into the world’s most famous sculpture. Similarly, turning a raw coffee seed into a dynamic and flavorful bean is both an art and a science. It takes a delicate combination of experience, talent, and precision to have the vision to turn seemingly undesirable raw materials into something that is loved by people everywhere.

It’s at this stage of the process that the flavors in your resulting cup are shaped and the promise of the green bean is fulfilled. You can have an amazing green coffee bean to start with, grown in perfect conditions, but if it’s under or over roasted, your resulting cup is ruined.

Roasting requires both craft and instinct, as well as attention to smell, appearance, and sound. By carefully planning how much heat the bean gets during various phases, you can accentuate particular characteristics, mute others, and even develop the mouthfeel and body of the beverage. Becoming a skillful roaster is no easy task, which is why we’re thankful for the experts we’ve had the opportunity of getting to know!

So, what’s our roasting process like?

We’ve partnered with La Terza Coffee, whose Master Roaster from Uganda has won multiple barista championships around the world. He evaluates each bean variety and develops a custom roasting recipe. Some beans are roasted for longer than others, while others are roasted at lower temperatures. This guarantees each coffee has the optimum flavor, perfect for that harvest and climate, and is completely individualized to the specific beans.

We’re committed to the quality of each batch, and we promise that you’ll fall in love with Wandercup coffee!

Cheers!
Sonam & Dan

What goes into ethically and sustainably sourcing amazing coffee?

In the world of coffee, we often hear terms like “fair trade,” “direct trade,” and “sustainable.” But what exactly do all of these terms mean?

Fair Trade Coffee

If you’re like billions of people around the world, you start your day with a cup of coffee. Why not make sure that your daily brew is doing good for farmers in Central and South America, Africa or Asia?

By selecting fair trade coffee, you know that your coffee beans are grown using rigorous standards designed to support farmers and their communities and to protect the environment. In fact, every bean can be traced back to the cooperative of small-scale farmers who grew it. Fair trade certified coffee does this by guaranteeing farmers a minimum price, which acts as a safety net when prices drop. This gives coffee farmers the security that they will receive a price that covers their average costs of sustainable production.

Direct Trade Coffee

Direct trade is a term used by coffee roasters who buy straight from the growers, cutting out both the traditional middleman buyers and sellers and also the organizations that control certifications. Direct trade proponents say their model is the best because they build mutually beneficial and respectful relationships with individual producers or cooperatives in the coffee-producing countries.

Some roasters prefer direct trade because they are dissatisfied with the third-party certification programs, while others want to have more control over aspects ranging from the quality of the coffee, to social issues, or environmental concerns.

Sustainable Coffee

Sustainable coffee is coffee that is grown and marketed for its sustainability. This includes coffee certified as organic, fair trade, and Rainforest Alliance. Coffee has a number of classifications used to determine the participation of growers (or the supply chain) in various combinations of social, environmental, and economic standards. Coffees fitting those categories and that are independently certified or verified by an accredited third party have been collectively termed “sustainable” coffees.

So, what about our coffee?

Wandercup Coffee

We’ve partnered with La Terza Coffee, sourcing coffee beans ethically and sustainably through small, authentic farms and estates. We know where every bean comes from, and make sure that each farmer and worker is paid a dignified, fair wage. Our beans come from all over the world, from Indonesia to Africa to Central and South America, and we offer different varieties from each region. Once you find your favorite region, you’ll start noticing how beans taste different based on the country and climate!

In addition to ethical and sustainable sourcing practices, we strive to help restore the planet through reforestation efforts. That’s why we’ve partnered with One Tree Planted, an organization committed to this environmental cause. Check out our blog post on how we give back to learn more!

You can be sure that when you purchase Wandercup coffee, all farmers are being compensated fairly and we’re committed to keeping our planet beautiful!

Cheers!
Sonam & Dan

The age old question… pre-ground or whole bean coffee?

The best way to enjoy the full flavor notes, aromas, and overall taste of your morning cup is to grind your whole beans minutes before you brew via your selected method. The flavor is much stronger, and the subtle tastes of the specific bean are more noticeable.

Why is this the case?

The seed to cup journey of coffee isn’t the only factor that affects the freshness or flavor you taste in your morning cup. The aging process starts to take effect once the beans are roasted. The taste of the bean comes from the oils inside, and this oil can evaporate and/or go stale. Keeping the bean whole contains more of the oil inside the bean, but once it is ground the oils are released rapidly since the surface area is spread out over hundreds of grounds versus a single bean.

By grinding your own beans you also have complete control over the coarseness of the grind. Different brewing methods work best with different kinds of coarseness, so it’s best to not limit yourself to one option with pre-ground coffee. Check out our post about different brewing methods and grind tips if you want to learn more about brewing the perfect cup every time!

So why aren’t you grinding your own beans? A few common concerns about grinding beans fresh include the extra effort it takes to grind coffee beans, the cleaning of the grinder itself, and perhaps lack of space/desire for another kitchen appliance.

Wandercup is proud to offer a slim, dishwasher safe manual burr grinder that won’t take up any space and is extremely easy to clean. Check it out here!

The bottom line is that between whole bean and pre-ground coffee, the things to consider are freshness, control, and convenience. We’re here to help you transition to a morning routine that’s guaranteed to provide you with coffee you love, brewed to perfection!

Cheers!
Sonam & Dan

Congrats on embarking on your new coffee adventure! You’ve officially taken the first step on the road to becoming a worldly coffee aficionado. Take pride in the fact that you are now a part of a tradition that dates back to the 15th century and has carried on throughout our history, across cultures. Our manual burr coffee grinder will give you the power to unleash the true potential of your favorite coffee beans.

What Size Coffee Grind to Use

Now that you have your Wandercup grinder and your beans ready, it’s time to learn about the right grind size. Choosing the grind size depends on your method of brewing.

With your grinder, turn the adjustment knob all the way to the right. Each number in the table below represents a “click” to the left.

Setting up your first Wandercup Grind

1. Remove lid and fill hopper with the desired amount of whole bean coffee you wish to grind.
2. Adjust your grind size by turning the adjustment knob clockwise (finer) or counter-clockwise (coarser). See table above for more information this step!
3. Grip the grinder firmly at the midpoint, turning the handle in a clockwise direction.
   Warning: Significant damage can occur to your burr grinder by spinning the handle counter-clockwise.
4. Once finished grinding, remove the container and pour your freshly ground coffee into your brewer of choice. Enjoy!

Grind Tips

If your coffee is too weak or watery:
Try using a finer grind size. This will increase the surface area and extraction.

If your coffee is too strong or bitter:
Try using a coarser grind size. This will decrease surface area and extraction.

You might have to experiment a bit to get your coffee exactly the way you love it, but that’s part of the adventure!

Cleaning Your Wandercup Grinder

We recommend washing the grinder before your first use. Allow it to fully dry before grinding your coffee.

We also suggest cleaning your grinder every month to remove build up of fine particles and oils that can cause stale and undesirable flavors in your brew.

HANDWASH ONLY

1. Unscrew and remove the grounds catcher from the bottom of the grinder.
2. Unscrew the adjustment knob, then grasp the bottom edge of the inner burr mill.
3. Pull the burr away from the grinder to slide it off of the axle.
4. There is a plastic insert that sits below the burr mill, and a spring and small washer that sits above the burr mill. These are used to level and adjust the burr. Remove.
5. Carefully remove the top of the grinder from the hopper.  Do not wash the top handle assembly; it contains a gearbox that can be damaged if exposed to water.
6. Remove the axle from the hopper.
7. Gently hand wash the hopper, grounds catcher, and burr. A toothbrush is useful to clean the burr mill.
8. Allow to air dry.
9. Once everything is clean and dry, insert the axle into the hopper (the screw should be at the bottom). Then place and lock the top onto the hopper. Then replace the washer, spring, the inner burr mill, bottom insert, and tighten the adjustment knob onto the axle.
10. Place and lock the grounds catcher to the hopper.

Additional Tips

• Make sure the grounds catcher is screwed on tight before grinding.
• Gently shake the grounds catcher to pour the grounds out of it.
• Very lightly roasted, small, and stale beans are harder to grind.
• Grind your coffee right before brewing. Once coffee is ground it will quickly lose it’s best flavors and aromas.
• Place the grinder on a flat, smooth surface and hold in place while turning the handle.
• Place the grinder on the top of your thigh, with knees bent. Hold in place and begin grinding.
• Wrap your hand around the hopper, just below the top. Gently turn the handle to grind.

Caution

• Your Wandercup grinder was designed to grind coffee beans. We do not suggest grinding anything but roasted coffee beans.
• If the handle becomes hard to turn, try shaking the grinder or turning the handle in reverse to dislodge any hard or stuck beans.
• Ceramic is a brittle material. The burr can break if dropped on a hard surface.  Replacements are available by contacting us at info@wandercup.co.
• Do not use an electric drill to power the grinder. This can cause unnecessary stress on the components and lead to parts breaking.
• Keep out of the reach of children. There are small components which can act as choking hazards.

Share Your Stories!

You are now part of the Wandercup tribe and we’d love to hear about your experience!

Share your photos and daily coffee rituals with your new #wandercup coffee grinder, and use #wandercupjourneys for a chance to be featured!

Support

If you have a problem with your grinder or other question please contact us at info@wandercup.co. 

Thank you from Team Wandercup

Wandercup was made possible by the coffee lovers like you from around the world. Starting from day one we have aimed to make your life a little bit better through this delicious beverage.

We are constantly improving our products to satisfy your needs, and would love to hear any feedback you have.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support, and we are excited to be on this journey together!

Cheers!
Sonam & Dan

Wandercup Gives Back

One of Wandercup’s core values is sustainability. This comes from our respect for our planet, the people, and the numerous ecosystems that make our world and our coffee incredible. To give back, we’ve partnered with One Tree Planted, an environmental charity dedicated to reforestation all over the world.

For each purchase, Wandercup donates $1 to plant one tree on the country or continent from which your coffee is grown. We’ve already planted our first 46 trees, and we can’t wait to keep the momentum going.

Ecological biodiversity is critical to our coffee. Coffee comes from trees, and without reforestation, this beautiful crop that we love so much will disappear forever. We aim to plant trees after fires, floods, and other disasters, as well as to create jobs, build communities, and protect habitats for biodiversity.

We feel an overwhelming responsibility to keep our planet as beautiful and lush as it is for all of our future generations, so that they too can experience the thrill of traveling to exotic places, and start their day with the perfect cup of coffee.

About One Tree Planted

Started in 2014, One Tree Planted has more than doubled the number of trees planted year over year. Fast forward to today, and they have planted over 4 million trees in North America, South America, Asia, and Africa! One tree planted has set the ambitious goal of planting 15 million trees in 2020! Learn more at www.onetreeplanted.org.

Why Trees?

Trees help clean the air we breathe, filter the water we drink, and provide habitat to over 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity. They also provide jobs to over 1.6 billion people, absorb harmful carbon from the atmosphere, and are key ingredients in 25% of all medicines.

Cost to Plant a Tree

Thank you so much for being a part of our journey! Let’s keep this planet beautiful together!

Cheers!
Sonam & Dan

Why is it that coffee brewed by your local barista always tastes different than the beans you brew at home?

There are so many factors involved in brewing a perfect cup – from temperature, water chemistry, particle size and distribution, time, and quality of the beans – that making a quality cup might seem like an impossible feat!

But excellent craft coffee doesn’t have to be complicated if you learn and practice the technique of whichever brewing method works best for you.

Here’s a breakdown of each brewing method so you can achieve your perfect cup, every time!

POUR OVER

When you first see a Chemex, you may want to use it as a vase rather than a brewer… but there’s a reason it looks the way it does: it makes friggin amazing coffee, and it does it in style.

The primary benefit of using a Chemex over other drippers is capacity- you can easily make 3-4 cups in one go, making this gem a crowd pleaser.

You’ll need to practice mastering the finer details regarding grind size, water temp, and coffee volume, but once you do, prepare to fall in love!

Check out this step-by-step guide by @craftcoffee: https://www.craftcoffee.com/how-to-make-coffee/chemex-brew-guide

ESPRESSO MACHINE

Anyone who knows anything about coffee knows what an espresso machine is- they’ve been keeping us caffeinated since 1901.

Today they come in various shapes and sizes, with loads of features and gimmicks. Don’t get confused by flash machines though because the basics are the same: pressurized water is pushed through a chamber/puck of finely ground coffee beans, through a filter, resulting in what we call a shot of espresso.

This method is best suited for you if you like a milky brew (e.g., a latte) or if you’re the type that likes a quick and sharp hit of caffeine. The only drawbacks? They take up kitchen counter space and they’re an absolute b**ch to clean.

Check out this guide by @homegroundsco on how to pull the perfect espresso shot: https://www.homegrounds.co/how-to-use-an-espresso-machine/

STEEPED

The idea of instant coffee is great- it comes in a small jar so you can take it anywhere; just add hot water. There’s just one major problem, though… it tastes like ass. Enter the coffee bag: the solution to ass-tasting instant coffee.

Ground coffee (not dissolvable coffee, which is how instant is made) in a filter bag is plunged straight into your hot water, and you have your brew. If you can make tea, you can make steeped coffee!

Have you ever tried making your coffee this way?

MOKA POT

Don’t have a few hundred bucks to spend on an espresso machine, but still looking for that espresso-shot-like-kick that comes from a pressurized brew?

The stovetop espresso maker (aka the Moka pot) is the next best thing.

The magic behind the Moka pot is in its 3-chambered brew process. Water in the bottom chamber boils, and the steam causes pressure that pushes water up through the coffee grounds into the top chamber.

If done correctly, the end result is a bittersweet and super strong concoction that will get you through the day. Here’s a guide by @bluebottle on brewing Moka pot coffee: https://bluebottlecoffee.com/preparation-guides/bialetti-moka-pot

FRENCH PRESS

The French press is the unofficial mascot of home brewed coffee; it’s been steeping coffee in households since before your grandparents were born, and it has a very loyal, cult-like following amongst the home barista community.

Why so?

It’s likely thanks to multiple reasons, but our money is on the fact that it’s super easy to use, can be picked up for pocket change (almost), and produces a brew with a distinct taste and feel like no other method.

If you’re into the French press, make sure to use the right coffee grind as this little known but super common mistake taints French press coffee all over the world.

Check out this recipe by @crema.co: https://crema.co/guides/french-press-coffee

VACUUM POT

Ever feel like brewing coffee is a job for a chemist?

Also known as the siphon pot, making coffee this way is as unique as it comes; it’s a combination of brewing methods; a full immersion brew (as your coffee goes into the water) but also uses siphon action to create a great tasting cup.

At the very least, mastering this brew style earns you some serious bragging rights- whip it out when your friends are around and show them how advanced you are in the art of the brew.

Just make sure you warn your neighbors before using one, otherwise they might think you’re on the set of Breaking Bad…

AEROPRESS

The aeropress has a cult-like following amongst the traveling coffee community, and it looks more like a science project than a brewer. But if you ask us, it’s the best thing that happened to coffee. And many people say it brews the best cup they’ve ever tasted.

When it comes to the aeropress, simplicity is the name of the game; the right water temp, the right air pressure and the right size grind leave you with an excellent tasting brew in a matter of minutes! (Seriously, it’s one of the fastest coffee makers you can get your mitts on). This method is best suited for you if you’re a traveler or just someone who appreciates a quick, clean and great tasting coffee. Or perhaps you love camping? The aeropress ticks all the boxes!

COLD DRIP

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of this one! Cold brew is one of the most popular caffeine-infused innovations of our time (and no, we’re not talking about iced coffee). In a nutshell, it’s made by slowly dripping cold filtered water through your fresh grinds for a long period- often 10 hours or more.

Is it just like hot coffee, but cold? Hell no. In the end, your patience will be rewarded with a strong, intense, unique-tasting coffee with a super smooth finish- no acidity or bitterness. Since you can taste the real origins of the coffee bean and where it comes from, there’s no need for milk or sweeteners.

Our personal favorite part? Cold brew coffee stays fresh for up to 2 weeks, so fill up a few old jars in the fridge and with one cycle you’ll stay happily caffeinated on damn-great-tasting coffee for days.

TURKISH COFFEE

From 1299, the Ottoman Empire ruled Turkey for an impressively long stint. What was their secret? We bet it was strong Turkish coffee!

Brewing Turkish coffee might seem easy, but like most brew methods, there’s skill in doing it right. The most common way involves a Turkish coffee pot, water and very finely ground coffee beans.

After simmering a number of times, you’ll end up with a brew that you’ll either love or hate: strong, but exceptionally tasting with a thick foam on top.

For a complete guide on how to brew the perfect cup of coffee, check out this article that provides comprehensive tips: https://www.coffeebitz.com/blog/how-to-make-perfect-cup-coffee/.

We hope you enjoy your cup a little extra today!

Cheers,
Sonam & Dan

Ever wonder what goes into a perfect cup of coffee? They say each bean is touched over 22 times before it’s consumed, which makes drinking coffee a celebration that should not only be savored, but shared.

The seed-to-cup  journey is truly something special. It’s amazing to see how much time, commitment and heart goes into your morning cup!

SEED

Yes, this is how a coffee tree actually sprouts! It pushes the seed (or what we refer to as the bean) up through the soil as the roots begin to form. After a little while, a pair of leaves will emerge through the seed and push it apart, and then the “bean” will fall to the ground.

It’s special to be reminded that there’s life in coffee – yes, after drying and roasting, the germ dies – but to think that the entire coffee industry and millions of lives revolve around a seed is mind blowing.

PLANT

It takes 4-5 years to produce the first crop of a coffee plant, while the land on which it grows will produce fruit for about 25 years.

Each coffee plant has a yield of 1-2 pounds of roasted coffee. To put that into perspective, it takes 2,000 cherries (5 lbs) to produce one pound of roasted coffee. So in one year, a 2-cup-a-day drinker will consume the annual harvest of 18 coffee trees!

CHERRIES

Did you know that this is how coffee grows? The coffee beans used to make your morning cup of joe are actually the seeds inside of these coffee cherries.

The red ones are ready to be harvested, while the green ones still need more time to ripen up. This is why coffee is so often picked by hand!

HARVEST

Coffee cherries turn a bright, deep red when they’re ripe and ready to be harvested. It’s within this essential time frame that they must be picked in order to produce a high quality cup.

A good picker averages approximately 100-200 pounds of coffee cherries a day! This will produce 20-40 pounds of coffee beans. Understanding the labor-intensive work behind each cup makes us appreciate each sip a little bit more. 

WASH/DRY

Once the coffee has been picked, processing must begin right away to prevent fruit spoilage. Depending on location and local resources, coffee is processed in one of two ways:

In the DRY (natural) method, the freshly picked cherries are spread out on huge surfaces to dry in the sun (which makes for an ideal napping spot for this little guy! ^^). In order to prevent the cherries from spoiling, they’re raked and turned throughout the day for several weeks until the moisture content drops to 11%. The result on taste? Naturals tend to have more fruit and fermented flavors because the bean has more time to interact with the sugars from the cherry as enzymes break down the mucilage around the bean.

The WET (washed) method removes the pulp from the coffee cherry after harvesting so the bean is dried with only the parchment skin left on. The result on taste? Washed coffees are prized for their clarity and vibrant notes. Removing all of the cherry prior to drying allows the intrinsic flavors of the bean to shine without anything holding them back.

While processing methods likely aren’t something you consider when choosing your go-to coffee, this distinction really has an impact on how “fruity” versus “classic” the flavor profile in your cup will be. Do you have a sweet tooth? If so, you might want to consider sticking to dry/natural processed coffees!

MILL

Coffee beans have a natural barrier called the parchment layer that protects them from environmental changes. Removing this layer requires a delicate but abrasive approach in order to be efficient without damaging the bean. Once milled, the “green coffee” beans are graded and sorted before they’re ready for export.

ROAST

Turning a raw seed into a dynamic, water soluble bean is both an art and a science. It’s at this stage of the process that the flavors in your resulting cup are shaped and the promise of the green bean is fulfilled.

Roasting requires both craft and instinct, as well as attention to smell, appearance, and sound. By carefully planning how much heat the bean gets during various phases, you can accentuate particular characteristics, mute others, and even develop the mouthfeel and body of the beverage. Becoming a skillful roaster is no easy task, which is why we’re thankful for the experts we’ve had the opportunity of getting to know since we began our Wanderup journey!

GRIND

Every great cup of coffee starts with a fresh grind!

Believe it or not, you can have the highest quality coffee, the perfect roast, pure water, premium filters and an excellent coffee maker and still ruin it all with an incorrect grind. But don’t let your woes stop you! Some basic knowledge about coffee grinding goes a long way toward helping you achieve that perfect brew.

Regardless of your brewing method, the basic goal of grinding coffee is the same: break down the roasted bean to expose the interior and allow the right amount of oils and flavors to be extracted. Ground coffee has much more surface area than whole bean coffee, allowing water (the extraction agent) to make contact with more coffee when brewing. More contact means a more vibrant, flavorful cup!

The main “rules” of coffee grinding are:

1. Grind your coffee right before you’re ready to brew
2. Choose the right grind size (fineness/coarseness)
3. Select and use a high quality coffee grinder
4. Keep your coffee grinder clean

Stay posted for more on grinding tips and check out our Wandercup grinder to help you achieve that perfect cup every time!

BREW

Coffee is personal- the “right” way to make it is however you like it best!

Today with all the new and progressive coffee brewing options available, you might have a tough time deciding on just one method as your go-to. Cold-drip? Pour over? An AeroPress brew? You may swear by French Press, but unless you’ve tried them all, how do you really know what you’re missing?

Since there are so many ways to achieve an amazing cup, check out our coffee series, which covers each of the different brew methods in depth.

ENJOY

At last, our favorite step of the process!

Knowing the labor of love behind the coffee you drink makes savoring each sip even more special. For over 600 years, coffee has changed the world politically, socially and intellectually. It’s a beverage that brings people together and fuels us to achieve amazing things.

We hope you enjoy your cup a little extra today!

Cheers,
Sonam & Dan