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Good Morning - Tuesday, April 8th - Yesterday was National Beer Day. Today is National Ibuprofen Day. Researching coffee news that doesn’t include the ‘T-Word’ proved to be a chore this week. We want you to enjoy your first sip as you click on this week’s JTD newsletter. We have a feeling you just want the coffee rumors, ratios, and roasts. Many of you let us know you want more of the coffee science so we packed in a bit below. Sip away!

This weeks grind:

• How are you Brewin: Grams and MLs. Adult math

• Excelsa Coffee Brew: Follow up on the “Champagne of Coffee”

• BigFace Coffee: Jimmy Buckets handmade mugs

HOME BREWING

It’s Not You, It’s Your Ratio

If your morning coffee tastes like sadness and battery acid, chances are your water-to-coffee ratio is to blame. We’re not saying you need to be a scale-toting coffee nerd—but there is a method to the madness. Dialing in your brew ratio is the difference between a cup that sings karaoke and one that wins Grammys.

So if you’ve ever muttered “meh” after that first sip, it’s time to talk numbers. Great coffee starts with great math.

For a better breakdown on brew ratios—or just a solid starting point on your journey to the perfect cup—read more here.

COFFEE FOLLOW UP

Excelsa — The Follow Up

A week or so ago, we talked about Excelsa coffee. It’s that rare bean that isn’t an Arabica or a Robusta, but some third cousin that only gets invited to the BBQ about 10% of the time. Well, we bought a bag and tried it out. Perfect excuse to bust out the camera and whip up a video review whilst we sip.

Since we’re talking about water ratios in this newsletter, we figured—why not AeroPress ourselves a cup of this mystery bean? We went with a 16:1 ratio, and honestly, it turned out great.

The bag design is minimal, for sure—black text on a plain white bag. The standout detail? “Champagne of Coffee.” Someone at Excelsa HQ is clearly a Miller High Life fan. The roast inside leans dark, with a touch of oil on the beans. It gave off a solid espresso aroma. The bloom smelled strong, but the flavor really opened up as it cooled. Think unsweetened chocolate—bitter, but not in a bad way. More like “I know what I’m doing” bitter.

If you’re a coffee lover who can’t always handle the full caffeine punch of your usual brew, Excelsa might be your sweet spot before diving into the decaf deep end. If you pick up a bag, let us know what you think!

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New Gear Alert: X&Y Bottle Electric Coffee Grinder

According to my Kickstarter account, I’ve backed 28 projects. About 80% of those are pens or wallets—because I’m a sucker for an awesome pen and a slick wallet. I’ve even backed a couple of coffee-related campaigns, ranging from an all-glass pour-over coffee maker to Nomad Energy, a drink made with juice from the cascara of a coffee bean.

Note: We’re not part of this Kickstarter project, and I haven’t backed it. Just thought it looked cool—and it’s new.

Product Summary:
The X&Y Bottle Electric Coffee Grinder is a game-changer for coffee enthusiasts who crave precision and portability. With 45 adjustable grind settings, it caters to every brewing method—from fine espresso to coarse French press. Its blazing speed means you won’t be stuck waiting for that much-needed caffeine fix. The unshakable grip design offers solid stability during grinding, while its ultra-slim, lightweight profile makes it the perfect travel companion. Whether you're at home or on the go, this grinder promises innovation in every grind.

The internet tells me HK$ means Hong Kong Dollars. When converted to ‘Merican, this grinder comes in at about $89. It does look cool, but for $89 you can get some decent burr grinders. OXO makes good stuff—their burr grinder is also around $89. Coffee McGregger turned me onto the Baratza burr grinder back in May of last year. It’s still going strong... but it'll set you back about $150.

IMPERFECT MUGS

Jimmy Buckets Dunked on the Mug Game

Coffee nerds and hoop heads, unite. Jimmy Butler—yes, that Jimmy Buckets—just dropped a new ceramicware collection with Created Co., and it’s looking like the kind of mug that could stare down your morning grogginess and win.

After building a café in Miami, getting traded to the Warriors (plot twist!), and somehow still finding time to obsess over mug design, Butler is clearly not one to sit still. His coffee brand, Bigface, has now teamed up with California-based design pros Created Co. to release the Warp Collection—and honestly? It slaps.

This isn’t your average, mass-produced, soulless diner mug. No sir. These beauties are high-gloss white, imperfect in that handmade-with-love kind of way, and stamped with the Bigface logo. Think: sculptural, slick, and ready to class up your caffeine corner.

We’ve been following Butler’s coffee journey since it kicked off during the NBA COVID year, when he was charging $20 per cup inside the locked-down player bubble. That season will always have an asterisk next to the title—but Butler’s coffee hustle? Certified.

Random Wakeups

• I’m Your Huckleberry: Admit it, you watched Tombstone since Kilmer’s passing

• It’s Masters Week: Make sure you mention stomach pain before leaving work Wednesday

• Game of Wolves: Wolves for everyone. Not just the Stark family.

• Vlad Jr Takes Over Canada: Mega MLB contract has Vlad Sr asking for a $10k spot to…“hold for a bit”

• Where Are My Old Baseball Cards?: Many American’s searching for money in their couches so they can buy on the dip!