Nigel

Nigel Ong Ph.D enjoys his coffee black, over a French press. His favorite beans are the light and medium roasts from Indonesia and East Africa. He has also sampled hundreds of bags of coffee roasts, from all regions around the world.

IKEA Uphetta French Press Coffee Maker, My Review with Photos

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IKEA uphetta french press coffee maker pouring fresh coffee

by Nigel Ong

French presses are a popular way to brew coffee, and many coffee equipment makers have also created their own version of it. IKEA is not an exception to this and offers several French press models. 

The IKEA Upphetta is the most affordable and possibly the best-selling of these French presses. However, how good is the IKEA Upphetta? Can it stand up against more premium makers such as Bodum?

In this post, I will review the IKEA Upphetta and share my experience using it regularly for the past two years. I also talk about what I like and don’t like about the French press. Finally, I try to determine who should get the IKEA Upphetta.

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IKEA Produkt Milk Frother Review: Can Cheap be Any Good? (with Photos)

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by Nigel Ong

Sometimes, the inner barista in us just wants to steam some milk and pour our own cup of Latte, Cappuccino, or Cortado. However, it may be expensive to purchase an espresso machine, especially those with milk steamers.

What about a much cheaper solution instead? Please pick up a milk frother such as IKEA Produkt, and then froth your warm milk with it. Unlike espresso machines that cost hundreds, the Produkt costs a measly… $7. That’s pocket spare change for many of us.

I have been using one on and off for the past 2 years, and I thought I would share my experience using the frother. I’ll talk about why I like it, why I don’t like the IKEA Produkt, and who should get it.

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My Review of the Bodum Caffettiera French Press Coffee Maker, with Tips & Photos

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bodum french press pouring coffee

by Nigel Ong

The French press is a very popular way to brew coffee. Fans of them enjoy how simple it is to brew with one and the strong, flavorful coffee it makes. 

I regularly make my coffee with a French press, and my regular go-to is the Bodum Caffettiera, the original French press. It is one of those rather premium French presses; some people may not see the need to use one. Is it really better than other French presses?

In this post, I review my personal Bodum Caffettiera French press. I also discuss what I like and don’t like about it. Finally, I share some tips on using the French press better, based on my own experience.

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Using an IKEA Riklig Teapot For Coffee. (Review with Photos)

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IKEA Riklig Teapot
You can also brew coffee with the IKEA Riklig Teapot.

by Nigel Ong

IKEA makes a wide range of kitchen gadgets, including coffee brewing. There are pour-overs, coffee grinders, and more. With IKEA Riklig, people see it as a pot for brewing tea. 

However, I have been using it as a pot to help brew coffee, and it works amazingly well. If you are keen to know why, read on.

In this post, I review the IKEA Riklig and explore how you can brew coffee using the pot itself. I will discuss the pros and cons of the pot as well.

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IKEA Overst pour-over coffee dripper / filter – my review (with photos)

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by Nigel Ong

IKEA has always been known to make a wide range of kitchen tools, including coffee gadgets. The IKEA Overst is their pour-over coffee dripper/filter. It is affordable compared to premium drippers, such as the Hario V60. 

However, how good is the Overst, and does it make good coffee? Let’s find out in this review.

In this post, I will share my experience using the IKEA Overst dripper for over half a year. I will review the IKEA Overst coffee dripper/filter in detail and talk about what I like and don’t like about the dripper. 

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Illy Classico Instant Coffee, My Review and Photos

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Can of Illy Classico instant coffee Illy blend

by Nigel Ong

If you have gotten tired of drinking regular instant coffee, you can always explore coffee from other regions. I have always found Euro-style coffee refreshing and not too alien from what we are used to in America. 

With Euro-style instant coffee, there are two brands that you can easily get here in the US, Lavazza, and Illy. Both are Italian and make an excellent blend of instant coffee too. We have reviewed Lavazza’s Prontissimo Intenso before, but what about Illy?

In this post, I will review Illy’s Classico Instant Coffee. I’ll explore how it tastes, black and with flavorings. Finally, I explore how it compares against regular coffee and if it suits you.

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McDonald’s McCafe Breakfast Blend Light Roast Bagged Ground Coffee: My Taste Test and Review (Photos)

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McCafe Breakfast Blend Light Roast Bagged Ground Coffee

by Nigel Ong

McCafe coffee has been staples with many of us, thanks to it being everywhere. One good thing about the McCafe coffees, too, is that you can make them at home by getting its range of bagged coffees. 

However, how good are these bagged coffees? Are they as good as the ones they serve in McCafe restaurants, or more like a disappointment? 

In this post, I picked up a bag of McCafe’s Breakfast Blend and thoroughly tested it. I brew it in three popular ways and then experiment by adding common flavorings. 

Then, I compare it against other McCafe roasts and regular coffees. Finally, I arrive at my conclusion and suggest who are the people that will enjoy the McCafe Breakfast Blend the most.

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Starbucks Pike Place Roast Bagged Ground Coffee: My Review, Photos

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Starbucks Pike Place roast coffee beans and hot coffee

by Nigel Ong

When it comes to coffee, people think of Starbucks or Folgers. However, some coffee enthusiasts consider these coffee houses as subpar or low-quality. There’s even a joke where coffee lovers call Starbucks’ roasts’ Charbucks.’ 

The reason? They think Starbucks roasts its beans darker, so the smoke can mask the low-quality beans it uses. How true is this? I picked up a bag of Starbucks’ signature Pike Place Blend to find it out myself. 

In this post, I will brew the Starbucks Pike Place Blend in three ways and then sample its tastes. I will also experiment with some flavorings to see if they can help elevate the taste of the coffee. Finally, I answer if Starbucks’ roasts deserve that ‘Charbucks’ moniker.

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Nescafe Gold Instant Coffee: My Review with Photos

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Nescafe Gold instant coffee container

By Nigel Ong

Nescafe may not be as popular as Folgers here in America. Still, they are pretty much the default instant coffee in Europe and Asia. Nescafe also offers a more premium version of their instant coffee, called the Nescafe Gold. 

Will Nescafe Gold taste better than regular Nescafe? Or is it nothing but a branding exercise? Let’s find out. 

In this post, I will review the Nescafe Gold Blend and explore how it tastes with all sorts of flavorings. I will also compare its tastes with regular Nescafe and see if the Nescafe Gold is better.

What Is Nescafe Gold?

Nescafe is a line of instant coffee made by Nestle. This Swiss food company is also behind many popular foods such as Cheerios, Coffee Mate, and Gerber. 

Within the Nescafe line, there is the regular Nescafe. These are the basic instant coffee made with Arabica and Robusta bean blends. Then there’s the Nescafe Gold. 

Nescafe Gold is a more premium offering, using only a higher-quality blend of coffee beans. Nestle also tried to blend different beans to produce different flavors and styles of coffee with Nescafe Gold. 

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