Capitol City Coffee Team
The people behind the beans
Meet the team
If you want to be a part of the team here at Capitol City Coffee you must not only be an awesome person, but you must love coffee. The love for coffee is what makes this site so special. Everything from the coffee articles, recipes, the picture gallery, and the entire website design is here because of the people below.
Victoria C.
Coffee Content Creator
I am a macchiato devotee who loves researching and writing about all things coffee. The diversity of coffee beans and brewing styles never ceases to fascinate. Coffee teaches you more about different peoples, cultures, and, most importantly, flavor. There is always more to learn and to taste. Growing up Italian, my earliest memory was the rich smell of coffee brewing from my grandmother’s moka pot. Today, my morning ritual is preparing my moka pot and frothing farm-fresh whole milk. I cannot live without this nostalgic combination.
Lindsay F.
Coffee Content Creator
Growing up, coffee was more of a ritual in my household. Trying different beans, learning how to blend different types, and trying out new brewing methods was something I always looked forward to. Now as an adult, I savor coffee just as much, if not more. To me, it is more than just a drink. It is something that unites us, something that breeds different cultures, and something that can transport us to a different time and place. Not only do I love to drink coffee, but I am passionate about writing about it as well. If I can convince someone else of its importance and beauty then I have done my job.
Raj S.
Website Developer
Website developer with more than 5 years of experience creating websites. Whether it comes to writing code, working with WordPress, or just simple fixes, Raj is our go-to guy. An online instructor at a young age, he has worked with some of the top online instructors in the field. He loves to create unique and efficient websites and strives for perfection, while of course making sure he always has a fresh pot of coffee nearby.
How Capitol City Coffee Rates Coffee and Coffee Machines
Every coffee and coffee machine we recommend is scored on the same 100-point scale, so a recommendation on one page means the same thing as a recommendation on any other. Each pick is also labeled with how we reached its score.
Research-ratedScored from the roaster or manufacturer’s published specifications, independent results such as Coffee Review blind cuppings and SCA brewer certification, and patterns across verified buyer reviews. Most of our current picks are research-rated.
Hands-on testedThe Capitol City Coffee team has brewed the coffee or used the machine ourselves, following the testing steps below. We only use this label when that testing actually happened, and we show the date we tested.
Coffee beans: 100-point scale
| What we score | Points | What we look at |
|---|
| Origin and sourcing transparency | 20 | Country, region, farm or cooperative, altitude, bean variety, and processing method are clearly disclosed. |
| Flavor evidence | 25 | Independent cupping scores, how closely the tasting notes match what the origin is known for, and our own cupping notes when hands-on tested. |
| Roast and freshness | 15 | Roast level stated, roast-date practices, whole-bean availability, and packaging with a one-way valve or resealable bag. |
| Brew versatility | 15 | How well the roast suits pour-over, drip, French press, cold brew, and espresso. |
| Value | 15 | Price per ounce compared with similar single-origin coffees or blends. |
| Buyer feedback | 10 | Volume and consistency of verified reviews, and recurring complaints about staleness, bitterness, or shipping. |
Coffee machines and gear: 100-point scale
| What we score | Points | What we look at |
|---|
| Brewing performance | 25 | Water temperature in the 195–205°F range, even extraction, and SCA certification or published test data. |
| Build quality and reliability | 20 | Materials, known failure points, and long-term owner reports. |
| Ease of use and cleaning | 15 | Setup, the daily routine, descaling, and dishwasher-safe parts. |
| Fit for your kitchen | 10 | Capacity, counter footprint, and noise. |
| Useful features | 10 | Programming, grind and temperature control, and carafe type. Features that improve the cup count more than extras that do not. |
| Value | 10 | Price compared with machines that perform similarly. |
| Warranty and support | 10 | Warranty length, parts availability, and how the brand handles repairs. |
What the grades mean
| Score | Grade | What it means |
|---|
| 90–100 | A | Exceptional. Our first recommendation for the feeling and setting described. |
| 80–89 | B | Strong. Excellent, with minor trade-offs we explain. |
| 70–79 | C | Good. Worth it for specific needs, with clear compromises. |
| Below 70 | — | Not recommended. We do not feature these as picks. |
How we test hands-on
When a pick carries the Hands-on tested label, this is the method behind it, and we note the date we tested.
- Coffee: brewed fresh from whole beans following Specialty Coffee Association guidelines (water between 195 and 205°F, about 1 gram of coffee to every 15 to 18 grams of water) in the brew methods the roast suits best, such as pour-over, French press, or espresso. We taste it black first, then with milk if that is how most people drink it, and each taster scores it on their own before we compare notes.
- Machines: used in our everyday routine rather than a single demo. We brew both full and small batches, check the brewing temperature and brew time, and run the cleaning or descaling steps the manual calls for.
How we choose the feeling and setting
We match each coffee to a mood and a moment based on its flavor profile and roast. Bright, citrusy light roasts suit energizing mornings. Chocolatey, full-bodied medium roasts suit slow or social moments. Richer roasts suit espresso and milk drinks. Each pick explains which facts led us to that match.
Our scores stay independent
Every score comes only from the criteria above. No brand can pay for a pick or a higher grade. We re-check ratings when a roast, listing, or model changes, and update or remove picks that no longer earn their grade.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Capitol City Coffee earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Questions about a rating? Reach the Capitol City Coffee team through our contact page.
