Coffee Guides & Journal

Brewing methods, roast profiles, tasting notes, and everything we have learned running two specialty coffee shops in Basel.

Our baristas and roasting partners share practical guides on espresso technique, pour-over recipes, SCA cupping scores, and the science behind great coffee.

Whether you are dialling in your first home setup or exploring single-origin flavour profiles, start here.
Slayer Steam LP three-group espresso machine in turquoise blue — the machine behind every espresso at BRU Basel
Why We Chose Slayer: The Espresso Machine That Changed How We Brew
When we opened BRÜ₁ on Grenzacherstrasse in Basel, one decision towered above every other: which espresso machine would sit at the heart of our bar. We spent months researching, visiting... Read more...
BRU Specialty Nespresso Compatible Capsules by DABOV
Specialty Nespresso Capsules vs Standard Pods: Why the Difference Matters
The Nespresso machine changed how millions of people make coffee at home. One button, thirty seconds, and you have an espresso in hand. No grinder, no scale, no technique required.... Read more...
SCA Coffee Taster Flavor Wheel
How to Cup Coffee Like a Pro: The Complete Guide
Cupping is how coffee professionals taste and evaluate coffee -- and it is also the best way to train your palate at home. No fancy equipment needed: just cups, spoons,... Read more...
Run for the Brunch t-shirt by BRÜ Specialty Coffee
Running in Basel: Best Routes & Post-Run Coffee Spots
Discover Basel's best running routes along the Rhine, through Bruderholz hills, and into Lange Erlen park — plus why specialty coffee is every runner's secret weapon and where to refuel... Read more...
Coffee cupping bowls — how specialty coffee is professionally graded
What Makes Coffee Specialty? SCA Scores, Traceability & Taste
You have probably seen "specialty coffee" on bags, menus, and cafe walls. But what does it actually mean -- and why does it cost more than supermarket beans? Here is... Read more...
Iced coffee with cream foam and orange zest at Brü Basel
Summer at BRÜ: New Drinks, Brunch Specials & Evening Menu
Summer is here — and so are our new drinks. Whether you're after something cold and refreshing, a leisurely weekend brunch, or evening cocktails as the sun goes down over... Read more...
Inside Brü₁ specialty coffee Basel
Meet BRÜ: From a Train Ride to Basel's Specialty Coffee Scene
What starts with a one-hour train ride for a cup of coffee ends with opening your own cafe in Basel. That is the short version of how BRÜ came to... Read more...
Precision pour-over coffee at Brü
How to Brew the Perfect V60 Pour Over
The V60 is one of the most popular pour-over methods in specialty coffee -- and for good reason. It produces a clean, bright cup that highlights the unique characteristics of... Read more...
Professional coffee cupping at origin farm — evaluating specialty coffee quality
How to Recognize High-Quality Specialty Coffee (Professional Guide)
Table of Contents The Toast Test: How Do You Want Your Coffee Roasted? Why dark roast became the standard Why it matters for your health What to look for 1.... Read more...
Coffee Cupping Session at BRÜ Specialty Coffee Basel
What Is Coffee Cupping? Join Our Free Sensory Sessions in Basel
Discover the art of professional coffee cupping at our free sensory sessions in Basel. Learn the SCA cupping protocol, train your palate, and taste coffee like a pro — all... Read more...
Home Barista Course at BRÜ Specialty Coffee Basel
Home Barista Course: Master Espresso at Home
Learn the exact process-driven framework BRU uses to serve hundreds of cups daily. Our 3-hour hands-on Home Barista Course in Basel teaches espresso mechanics — temperature, pressure, yield, and time... Read more...
Home Brewing Course at BRÜ Specialty Coffee Basel
Home Brewing Course: The Science of the Perfect Pour-Over
Master the art and science of manual filter coffee in our 3-hour hands-on workshop in Basel. Learn V60, Chemex, AeroPress techniques, water chemistry, and grind science — CHF 210. Read more...
Latte Art Masterclass at BRÜ Specialty Coffee Basel
Latte Art Masterclass: From Microfoam Science to Perfect Pours
Learn the science behind perfect microfoam and master competition-level latte art techniques in our hands-on 2.5-hour workshop in Basel. From milk chemistry to pouring hearts, tulips, and rosettas. Read more...
Professional Barista Bootcamp at BRÜ Specialty Coffee Basel
Professional Barista Bootcamp: Behind the Bar at BRÜ
A full-day intensive bootcamp teaching the operational systems behind BRÜ’s specialty coffee service. Learn workflow management, advanced extraction, zero-waste protocols, and how to serve 300+ cups without breaking a sweat.... Read more...
Coffee Rave at Bru — Basel's Specialty Coffee Party
Coffee Rave at Bru — Basel's Specialty Coffee Party
When Coffee Met the Dance Floor Last June, we threw open the doors of BRÜ 1 and BRÜ 2 and turned our coffee shops into Basel's most caffeinated party. The... Read more...