Journal

Plain answers about coffee.

Short pieces from the roasters and trainers, written for the questions customers ask us at the bar and on the wholesale desk.

All articles

Illustrative, AI-generated
Tamsin Iredale · 1 October 2026 · 4 minute readWhat is decaf, and does it taste different?Decaf is coffee with most of the caffeine removed before roasting. It is not caffeine-free. Here is how it is made and how good decaf tastes.
Illustrative, AI-generated
Theo Marangoni · 29 September 2026 · 4 minute readHow long does roasted coffee stay fresh, and how should I store it?Roasted coffee tastes best from about a week to a month after roasting. Store it airtight, cool and dark. Here is why, and what to do with older beans.
Illustrative, AI-generated
Priya Ramanathan · 22 September 2026 · 5 minute readWhy does my espresso taste sour or bitter?Sour usually means under-extracted, bitter usually means over-extracted. A simple recipe and one-change-at-a-time fixes for espresso at home.
Illustrative, AI-generated
Theo Marangoni · 15 September 2026 · 4 minute readWhat do washed, natural and honey coffee mean?They are three ways of removing the fruit from the coffee seed. Here is what each does to the cup, and how a honey process coffee gets its name.
Illustrative, AI-generated
Theo Marangoni · 8 September 2026 · 4 minute readWhat is coffee cupping, and what are you tasting?Cupping is how roasters taste coffee: same grind, same water, a spoon. Here is how it works and what the words on a cupping sheet mean.
Illustrative, AI-generated
Priya Ramanathan · 25 August 2026 · 4 minute readDoes altitude change how coffee tastes?Yes, usually: coffee grown higher ripens more slowly and tends to be denser and brighter. But altitude is only one factor. Here is how to read it.

For your venue

Questions about your own coffee?

Send an enquiry and Lachlan will answer it at your tasting, with the coffee in front of you.

Enquire Plan my coffee supply

Wholesale desk: Mon–Fri, 8 am–4 pm, Melbourne time
Phone: (03) 5550 0142 (demo contact details)
Email: wholesale@lowfield.example