Nigel, Author at Clearly Coffee

Gevalia Colombian Medium Roast: My Review with Photos

May 13, 2024September 5, 2023 by Nigel

gevalia columbia medium roast bag of coffee and cups of coffee

by Nigel Ong

Colombian coffee is known for its citrusy, chocolate-like notes. As a result, many roasteries offer Colombian roasts in their coffees. Gevalia is not an exception – its Colombian roasts are very popular with coffee drinkers.

In this post, I thought I would give Gevalia’s Colombian Medium Roast a tryout. I’ll brew them three ways and sample them. Then, I’ll try the coffee with popular flavorings such as milk or sugar.

Finally, I’ll compare the coffee with its contemporaries and see if it is up to scratch. Let’s go.

My Review of Starbucks Espresso Roast Dark Roast (with photos)

May 13, 2024August 18, 2023 by Nigel

Starbucks Espresso Roast bag and prepared drinks

by Nigel Ong

Espresso drinkers usually seek deep, dark, and bold flavors with their coffee. This made roasters roast their coffee extra dark for them. Starbucks also offers its own take on espresso roasts, with the Starbucks Espresso Roast.

However, how good is it? Will it be another case of ‘Charbucks,’ where the beans are roasted to be so smoky you simply taste nothing else? Let’s find out.

In this post, I grab myself a bag of the Starbucks Espresso Roast. Then I brew it several ways and see how the coffee tastes. Finally, I compare the Starbucks Espresso Roast with other espresso roasts and other dark roasts from Starbucks.

I Tried IKEA Patar Dark Roast Coffee Beans: My Review with Photos

May 13, 2024August 17, 2023 by Nigel

Ikea Patar dark roast coffee beans and cups of coffee

by Nigel Ong

IKEA is known for its furniture and home supplies. However, they also ventured into the coffee world, first by making coffee gear and now, coffee roasts. There are several roasts that IKEA offers; one of them is the Patar.

Now, how good is the IKEA Patar? Is this a proper coffee roast, or more as a way for IKEA to sell cheap beans to generate more revenue? I picked up a bag of it to try it out myself.

I will review the IKEA Patar Organic Dark Roast coffee in this post. I’ll brew it three ways and sample them. Then, I’ll flavor them several ways and see if these popular flavorings improve the taste of the coffee.

My Review of the IKEA Mattlig Stainless Milk Frothing Pitcher (with photos)

May 13, 2024August 15, 2023 by Nigel

At $8, This IKEA Stainless Milk Frothing Jug Is Perfect For Beginners

*Here’s what the IKEA Mattlig Stainless Milk Frothing Pitcher looks like.*

by Nigel Ong

If you are interested in experimenting with coffee gear, IKEA is a great place to start. It offers decent equipment while keeping costs low. I have extensively used many of IKEA’s coffee gear and still use many of them.

If you are looking to get a milk steamer jug to start pouring your latte, IKEA also offers its own milk frothing jug, the IKEA Mattlig. At $8, you can get one to try out at the price of a spare change. However, how good is it?

In this post, I will talk about my IKEA Mattlig after having used it for half a year. Here, I share what I like and don’t like about the jug, as well as what I did to make it work better for me.

Choosing the Best Vietnamese Coffee Type (with photos)

May 13, 2024August 15, 2023 by Nigel

There are different types of Vietnamese coffee. Here’s an explanation of how they work!

Vietnamese drip coffee and a bahn mi sandwich — *I enjoyed this delicious Vietnamese drip coffee with a bahn mi sandwich for the full experience.*

by Nigel Ong

One of the most popular Asian coffees may be Vietnamese coffee. Based on French coffee traditions, it has since adapted to the palates of local Vietnamese and developed its own style and taste.

Vietnamese coffee is also widely available, as the diaspora take the coffee styles with them everywhere. Unlike Kopi Luwak, Vietnamese coffee is more palatable to many and does not harm animals. This also makes it more popular.

In this post, I visited one of the local Vietnamese cafes around my city and sampled some Vietnamese coffee. I also explore some ways you can enjoy the coffee better, such as flavorings and food pairings.

Filter Kaapi Explained: South Indian Filter Coffee (with Photos)

May 13, 2024August 15, 2023 by Nigel

Filter Kaapi South Indian Filter Coffee — *Here’s a cup of South Indian filter coffee I purchased at Saravanaa Bhavan, a popular South Indian Vegetarian Restaurant.*

by Nigel Ong

India first tasted coffee in 1670, when Baba Budan brought these beans from Yemen. Since then, the Indians have developed their coffee culture, distinct from your regular Western coffee traditions.

One of the most common ways to drink coffee in India is as a Filter Kaapi. Filter Kaapi basically means filter coffee and is incredibly popular in southern India. With the migrations of Southern Indians worldwide, they brought their coffee culture along with them.

In this post, I will sample a cup of South Indian Filter Coffee and then describe the taste. I’ll also explain some ways to enjoy the coffee, such as the drinking process and the right food to pair with the coffee.

McDonald’s McCafe Colombian Roast Bagged Coffee, Reviewed, Taste Tested with Photos

May 13, 2024August 2, 2023 by Nigel

by Nigel Ong

McCafe is part of McDonald’s but focuses on serving espresso-based coffee instead of regular fast food. Aside from serving great coffee in their cafes, you can also purchase their roasts in bags at your nearby grocery aisles.

However, how good are these roasts? Do they taste as good as served fresh from their cafes, or is it nothing but a poorer substitute? I set out to find this out.

In this post, I will brew the McCafe Colombian Roast and sample its taste. I then try to flavor it with popular flavorings to see if they improve the taste of the coffee. Finally, I compare the coffee with other medium roasts and also other McCafe roasts.

Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino: Ready Made Bottle vs. Barista-Prepared at a Starbucks, Taste Tested

May 13, 2024August 2, 2023 by Nigel

Mocha Frappuccino from starbucks and from the bottle

by Nigel Ong

The Mocha Frappuccino may be one of the most popular drinks in Starbucks today. It is ice cold, slushy, and full of chocolatey-coffee goodness. Add some cream on top… oh yeah.

It sold so well that Starbucks introduced a Ready-To-Drink (RTD) version of the drink. This way, you can enjoy your Mocha Frappuccino anytime you like. Just pick one from your grocery aisles.

However, do these RTD versions taste the same as the Mocha Frappuccino your barista makes at Starbucks? To answer this, I got onto a bit of an experiment myself. I compare the RTD Mocha Frappuccino and the hand-made drink version in this post.

Bodum Caffetiera vs IKEA Upphetta: an Owner’s French Press Comparison with Photos

May 13, 2024August 2, 2023 by Nigel

Bodum Caffetiera vs IKEA Upphetta french presses side by side

by Nigel Ong

French press is a popular way of brewing coffee since it is easy and simple. However, the issue is to get the French press that suits your style and needs – there are tons of French press makers out there to choose from.

I enjoy brewing with French presses and have tried many over the years. In the end, I settled with two, the Bodum Caffettiera and the IKEA Upphetta. I think they offer the best balance between value and performance.

However, how do you choose from one? In this post, I will try to compare the two. I list their characteristics and differences before sharing who should own which French press.

Wacaco Minipresso GR portable mini espresso machine: my review, tips and photos

May 13, 2024August 2, 2023 by Nigel

by Nigel Ong

I can be a bit of a coffee addict, and I want to enjoy my coffee whenever I like it. However, good coffee can be hard to access when I go on trips. I finally solved the issue with an espresso brewer that does not require electricity access.

Enter the Wacaco Minipresso GR. I bought this tool with the idea that if I can make espresso anywhere I want, I can easily turn the espresso into Americano or other coffee drinks too.

So far, I enjoy using this tool, especially on the road. There are, of course, parts I do not enjoy.

In this post, I will review my Wacaco Minipresso GR in depth. I will explain the full range of Wacaco’s products and the parts in the Minipresso GR. Then, I discuss what I like and don’t like about my Minipresso and if you should get one for yourself.