Meet Greg Berkowitz, founder and head roaster of Berk's Beans Coffee. Learn about his journey from garage hobbyist to specialty coffee roaster, his approach to ethical sourcing, and what makes small-batch roasting different.
Where does coffee come from? Almost all of the world’s coffee grows in the “Coffee Belt” — the tropical band circling the globe between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn (about 23.5° north and south of the equator). This zone spans some 70 countries across five continents,…
Coffee roasting transforms green beans into brown, aromatic ones over about 10–15 minutes: the roaster removes moisture, triggers the Maillard reaction and caramelization, hits “first crack,” then develops the roast to the target level. How long the roaster goes past first crack is what makes a coffee light, medium, or…
Quick answer: to make pour over coffee, rinse your filter, add medium-coarse grounds, and pour water heated to 195–205°F in slow spirals — starting with a 15-second bloom, then two or three pours — at about a 1:16 coffee-to-water ratio. The whole brew takes roughly 3 minutes and produces a…
Let’s talk about some of the health benefits coffee offers. Several potential benefits coffee offers for the skin, both topically and when consumed. Consumable Benefits Increased Collagen Production: Studies suggest that coffee consumption may increase collagen production, which is essential for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness. Reduced Cellulite: Coffee may…
Specialty Coffee: Leading the Way in U.S. Coffee Trends Specialty coffee is undeniably reshaping the coffee culture in the U.S. From bustling coffee championships to high-end roasters like Intelligentsia, Blue Bottle, Stumptown, and La Colombe, America is now home to some of the most influential names in the industry. These…
The simplest way to brew great coffee at home is by starting with high-quality beans. Whether you’re purchasing coffee from the grocery store, a coffee shop, or directly from a roaster, it’s essential to understand what to look for on the packaging. This can be overwhelming, but don’t worry! We’ve…
Brewing the Perfect Cup of Coffee Step 1: Choose Your Beans The perfect cup demands freshness. Only fresh, high-quality Arabica beans that have been freshly ground, brewed, and consumed can meet this standard for excellence. If brewed coffee will be relegated to a warming element longer than 20 minutes, it’s…
Your morning coffee does a lot more than wake you up. Research over the past two decades has confirmed what coffee lovers have always suspected: a well-timed cup in the morning provides measurable physical and mental benefits that last well into the day. Here are five science-backed benefits of drinking…
Espresso is one of the most fascinating and misunderstood preparations in the coffee world. It’s not a type of bean or a roast level — it’s a brewing method. And once you understand how it actually works, you’ll appreciate your shot a whole lot more. Here are 10 fun facts…
If your morning cup never quite hits the mark, you’re not alone. Most home brewers are one or two small adjustments away from a dramatically better cup. At Berk’s Beans Coffee, we’ve helped hundreds of home coffee lovers unlock café-quality results with beans roasted right here in Concord, CA. Here’s…
