Coffee School

Five Coffee Cup Gift Ideas for Enthusiasts

Five Coffee Cup Gift Ideas for Enthusiasts

There’s delicious coffee and then there’s delicious coffee in the perfect cup. Some like a mug to be large and cozy, others prefer a sleek and simple style. There’s even a theory out there that the shape of a cup accentuates certain flavor characteristics over others. Point being, the cup from which you drink your coffee matters. Coffee cups can even hold sentimental value for some coffee drinkers.
Read more
A French Press for Every Coffee Drinker

A French Press for Every Coffee Drinker

The french press is one of those simple, yet tastefully designed products. First designed in France in the mid 1800s without a seal inside the brewing chamber, the French Press...
Read more
Why You Need to Ditch Cold Brew and Replace it with This...

Why You Need to Ditch Cold Brew and Replace it with This...

Ok ok, I am not hating on cold brew. Cold brew was the hottest craze for a while. Especially under the warm summer sun, at the beach, or even in...
Read more
Everything You Need for Pour Over Coffee

Everything You Need for Pour Over Coffee

The Pour Over coffee craze has spread like wildfire over the last few years. A quick search on Facebook, Reddit or other forums where coffee lovers have debated the value of various pouring methods, and brewing ratios will show you how passionate these craft coffee enthusiasts are about their coffee. 
Read more
Espresso Drinks Explained by a Barista

Espresso Drinks Explained by a Barista

I remember my first experience at a coffee shop. I was in high school and Caribou Coffee often featured local bands. My older, cooler, neighbor was the lead in his...
Read more
Espresso That Will Blow Your Mind

Espresso That Will Blow Your Mind

What comes to mind when you hear the word “espresso?” For many, it’s strong, bitter flavors, or extra caffeine perhaps? If you’re from Italy, espresso is coffee and coffee is...
Read more
Creative Ways to Keep Your Coffee Fresh

Creative Ways to Keep Your Coffee Fresh

The smell of coffee. There’s nothing like it. I’ve met countless people who say they aren’t coffee drinkers but they love the smell. I used to be one of those...
Read more
Three Coffee Recipes to Impress Your Friends

Three Coffee Recipes to Impress Your Friends

Being a coffee roaster, I am an advocate for letting coffee speak for itself. To be honest, the best coffee moments I have had have been with a simple delicious, craft, pour over, nothing added.
Read more
The Story of Mountain Ridge Coffee

The Story of Mountain Ridge Coffee

When we set out to offer specialty coffee to our customers we determined that quality would be at the forefront of every decision.  From the selection of our single-origin beans to the roasting process we wanted to provide a quality selection of great coffee that people would tell their friends about.

Read more
So You’re Thinking About Roasting Your Own Coffee?

So You’re Thinking About Roasting Your Own Coffee?

So you’re thinking about roasting your own coffee? When most of what is on the shelf at your local grocery store was roasted six or more months ago, I don’t blame you. And of course, there’s no shame towards the coffee drinkers who still buy the year old 12oz bag of Eight O’Clock, at Jewel Osco. If they haven’t tried truly fresh roasted coffee, they don’t know much different. In honesty, when the budget was tight I used to grab whatever was cheapest as well.
Read more
Five Books Every Coffee Lover Needs

Five Books Every Coffee Lover Needs

While there is no substitute for trying different coffees and brewing methods, or even roasting your own beans, getting in the head of some of the most experienced coffee experts will open up a new world of coffee you never knew existed. These five coffee books will certainly expand your coffee knowledge.
Read more
Espresso and Coffee (What's the Difference?)

Espresso and Coffee (What's the Difference?)

What’s the difference between coffee and espresso? Are they the same thing or is an espresso bean just darkly roasted coffee? Can I actually make espresso at home, or do I have to go to a coffee shop and order espresso from a trained barista who knows how to use all the fancy equipment? We are going to dive into espresso, what it is and how it is different than your common cup of Joe.
Read more