February 2025

Although a skilled barista makes it look easy, a lot goes into pulling a perfect shot. They need to understand their espresso machine inside and out for consistency and speed. For those just beginning their home espresso journey, the first step is acquiring the right machine, which can be daunting. The market is chock full […]

Serious Eats is dedicated to providing high-quality content, supported by credible sources including peer-reviewed studies. Our editorial process ensures the accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness of our articles. To understand how we maintain our standards, you can read about our fact-checking procedures. For those interested in the intricacies of espresso, we recommend visiting the Fellow Products

Building a home espresso bar can be intimidating. Aside from figuring out which machine and grinder to buy, there’s a bevy of other espresso tools that help pull a great shot. And then there’s the technique—good equipment doesn’t automatically make great coffee. To help you navigate making espresso at home, we put together a 101

Cooking around a campfire is romantic—the crackle of the flames, the chirp of crickets, sipping a nice cold drink while you tend to your dinner. But this romantic image can go up in flames without the proper gear— no one wants their skillet scrambled eggs to fuel the fire instead of themselves. Whether you’re a

The kitchen is a space where the principle ‘work smarter, not harder’ truly comes into play. Culinary endeavors, even the most casual ones, require a significant amount of preparation: peeling garlic, juicing lemons, filleting fish, and brining chicken, all before preheating the oven. Not to mention the grocery shopping, constant stirring and simmering, and the

As a proficient gift-giver, I find coffee gifts to be a safe bet for any occasion. Whether it’s for an espresso enthusiast or a casual coffee drinker, there’s something for everyone. This year, I gifted my dad a Trade Coffee subscription for his birthday, which was a hit and led to him requesting more of

Nespresso and Keurig are two of the most popular single-cup coffee brewers on the market. Each has its own dedicated following, with Keurig known for its quick drip coffee and Nespresso for its hassle-free espresso. While neither is recommended for coffee purists, who might prefer an automatic drip brewer or espresso machine, there are distinct

One of the best parts about cooking pasta is the leftover starchy pasta water that’s ideal for emulsifying sauce. One of the worst parts is figuring out how to strain your pasta quickly without pouring that liquid gold down the drain. Placing a bowl under a colander can be precarious, and ladling water into a

During the pandemic and peak everything-must-be-ordered-online, I realized I love getting mail. But not just any mail. Letters, psh. Those are for bills, adverts, and newspapers I never once subscribed to but still receive. What I’m talking about are packages. There’s a specific joy in receiving a brown box with your name on it that’s

Straight to the Point: After rigorous testing of 11 moka pots, our top choices are the Bialetti Moka Express and Bialetti Venus Moka Pot, with the latter being induction-friendly. These days, I find joy in life’s small pleasures, such as starting my day with a robust cup of coffee from my newly re-discovered moka pot.