An experience I didn’t realize was needed. A bite of the pastry, a sip of the coffee, there’s no harmony between the two. This is why food pairing is important. This is where Blacksmith Coffee Roastery comes in and answers the problem I didn’t know needed solving. Three pairings — each coffee brewed differently and paired with a dessert that does not overshadow each other.

The cafetiere, also known as a French press, offers a time-honoured way to brew rich and delicious cups of coffee. While seemingly simple, this brewing method has several nuances that, when perfected, yield an exceptional result. The experts at Howden Coffee share five tips for brewing a masterpiece in your French press.

Andrew Chung is an architect, photographer, website designer, coffee drinker and founder of Best Cafe Designs. His site charts the growth of global cafe culture and collaborates with over 40 architects, photographers and writers. In this interview, we find out about how the idea of Best Cafe Designs was conceived, the cafes he features, design trends, website design, and his top cafe picks.