Coffee may seem inherently simple, the combination of water and beans. But we’ve all had enough bad coffee to suggest, perhaps, there’s a little more to it than that. Good baristas separate themselves with taste and finesse, and you should, too. Just be diligent, because the deeper you go, the more you’ll realize that the secret to truly great coffee is hidden in the details — the regionality of your beans, the minerals in your water; hell, even the mug you ultimately drink the stuff from. If you feel like it’s time to step up your home-coffee game, the collection of stories below would be a good place to start.

What Makes This Coffee Maker the Best? More Than You Might Think.
The Specialty Coffee Association does not pull punches when testing the coffee makers that eventually wind up in your kitchen.

I Discovered the Best Damn Coffee Mug on the Planet and Now Every Other Cup Design Is Dead to Me