About Grounds Truth

In surveying and data science, ground truth is what you get when you stop guessing and go measure. Grounds Truth applies the same idea to coffee at home. We weigh the beans, check the water temperature, and explain why a piece of gear is worth the money or isn't.

Most coffee advice online falls into two camps. One treats a $1,500 espresso machine as the starting point. The other repeats "two tablespoons per cup" and stops there. We sit in between. We want you to make coffee you like better than your local café's, spending as little as you need to get there.

Who's behind it

Hi, I'm Lauren. I've spent 10 years in the food and beverage industry as a Certified Sommelier. My background in wine, beer and cocktails carried naturally into coffee, and I set out to learn everything I could about beans, origins, roasting and what creates such complex flavors in the cup. Coffee is part of my every day, so I started Grounds Truth to dig deeper and share what I learn.

I'm not a professional barista, and I won't pretend to be one. What I bring is a trained palate and a habit of testing things carefully. I read the manuals, follow the people who test gear for a living, and write down what actually changes the cup.

How we choose what to recommend

• Brew quality first. A recommendation has to make better coffee than something cheaper. Looks, app features and brand prestige come second.
• Evidence we can point to. We rely on published specs, manufacturer documentation, independent certifications such as the Specialty Coffee Association's home brewer program, long-running community consensus, and our own brewing where we say so.
• Who should skip it. Every pick says who it's wrong for. If a product only suits one kind of coffee drinker, we say that.
• Prices as ranges. Coffee gear prices change weekly, so we list typical ranges and link to the current price instead of quoting a number that will be wrong next month.
• Updates. Guides show the date they were last reviewed. When a product is discontinued or overtaken, we change the recommendation.

How the site makes money

Grounds Truth earns money through affiliate links. When you buy something through a link on this site, the retailer may pay us a small commission. The price is the same for you. We also earn a referral fee when readers start some of the coffee subscriptions we recommend.

That arrangement never decides what we recommend. Several of our top picks are the cheapest option in their category, and some of our advice, such as "you don't need a new brewer, you need a grinder," costs you less. Brands can't pay to be included, and we don't accept free products in exchange for coverage. You can read the full details in our affiliate disclosure.

Get in touch

Spotted a mistake, have a brewing question, or want to suggest a guide? Contact us. We read everything, and corrections get fixed quickly.