Senior Coffee Reviewer & Grinder Specialist
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is the Senior Coffee Reviewer & Grinder Specialist at The Coffee Locator, with 13 years in specialty coffee. Sarah covers coffee grinders, grinder technology, sensory evaluation.

- 13+ years experience
- 31 product reviews
- 36 guides published
- Updated October 8, 2026
About Sarah Chen
Role, experience and the areas covered.
Sarah Chen is the Senior Coffee Reviewer & Grinder Specialist at The Coffee Locator, with 13 years in specialty coffee. Sarah covers coffee grinders, grinder technology, sensory evaluation.
- Role
- Senior Coffee Reviewer & Grinder Specialist
- Experience
- 13 years in specialty coffee
- On this site
- 31 reviews, 36 guides
Sarah Chen's work is peer-reviewed by Michael Anderson before publication. See how products are tested and our editorial guidelines.
Product Reviews by Sarah Chen (31)
Equipment reviews, with the star rating on each card.

Blue Bottle Coffee Three Africas
4.2 out of 5Read the review
illy Classico
4.4 out of 5Read the review
Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic
4.6 out of 5Read the review
Lavazza Super Crema
4.2 out of 5Read the review
Onyx Coffee Lab Geometry
4.5 out of 5Read the review
Peet's Coffee Dark Roast Whole Bean
4.4 out of 5Read the review
Stumptown Holler Mountain
4.3 out of 5Read the review
aarke Coffee Maker
4.2 out of 5Read the review
BALMUDA The Brew
4.1 out of 5Read the review
Fellow Aiden
4.3 out of 5Read the review
Keurig Smart Brewer
4.1 out of 5Read the review
Miele CM 5310 Silence
4.4 out of 5Read the review
Mr. Coffee 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker Stainless Steel
3.9 out of 5Read the review
Outin Mino
4.1 out of 5Read the review
OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker 32 oz
4.4 out of 5Read the review
VINCI Express Cold Brew Coffee Maker
4.2 out of 5Read the review
1Zpresso K-Ultra Manual Coffee Grinder
4.7 out of 5Read the review
Baratza Encore ESP
4.6 out of 5Read the review
Baratza Virtuoso+
4.5 out of 5Read the review
Breville Smart Grinder Pro
4.4 out of 5Read the review
Capresso Infinity Plus Conical Burr Grinder
4.1 out of 5Read the review
Comandante C40
4.4 out of 5Read the review
Turin DF64 Gen 2
4.8 out of 5Read the review
Eureka Mignon Specialita
4.5 out of 5Read the review
Fellow Ode Gen 2
4.8 out of 5Read the review
Fellow Opus
4.5 out of 5Read the review
Hamilton Beach Fresh Grind Electric Coffee Grinder
3.6 out of 5Read the review
KINGrinder K6
4.0 out of 5Read the review
Mavo Phantox Pro
4.3 out of 5Read the review
Timemore Chestnut C3
4.5 out of 5Read the review
Turin DF64 V5
4.5 out of 5Read the reviewGuides by Sarah Chen (36)
Buying guides and how-tos written by this reviewer.
7 Latte Alternatives Worth Trying Next
Looking for a latte alternative? Compare 7 espresso drinks, from cortado to con panna, by milk, strength, sweetness and calories.
Read the guideCoffee EducationAmericano vs Espresso: Which Is Stronger?
Americano vs espresso: same caffeine per shot, very different strength and taste. See the differences and which to order.
Read the guideEspresso GuidesAre Puck Screens Worth It? Who Should Buy One
Are puck screens worth it? They keep your group head cleaner but won't fix channeling. See who should buy one and which size fits.
Read the guideGrinder GuidesBurr vs Blade Grinder: Which Is Better?
Whether a burr grinder is worth it over a blade grinder, and at what budget it pays off
Read the guideCoffee EducationLatte vs Cappuccino vs Mocha: Key Differences
Coffee drinks explained: how lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites and cortados differ by milk, strength and caffeine, and how to order one.
Read the guideGrinder GuidesCoffee Grind Size Chart for Every Brew Method
Coffee grind size chart with micron ranges for espresso, moka pot, AeroPress, pour over, French press and cold brew, plus how to adjust.
Read the guideMaintenance GuidesCoffee Maker Leaking Water? Causes & Quick Fixes
Coffee maker leaking water from the bottom, filter basket or carafe? Match the leak to its cause, fix it step by step, or know when to replace.
Read the guideCoffee EducationCoffee Roast Levels Chart & Flavors
Coffee roast levels chart comparing light, medium and dark roast by flavor, acidity, body and brew method, plus the caffeine myth.
Read the guideBrewing GuidesDrip vs Pour Over: Which Makes Better Coffee?
Drip vs pour over coffee compared on taste, temperature, effort and cost, with a simple rule for which brewer fits your routine.
Read the guideCoffee EducationFlat White vs Cappuccino vs Cortado Explained
Flat white vs cappuccino vs cortado: milk ratio, foam, size and taste compared, plus which to order or make at home.
Read the guideGrinder GuidesHow to Choose a Burr Grinder: What Matters
How to choose a burr grinder: conical vs flat burrs, features worth paying for, and the best grinder by brew method and budget.
Read the guideBrewing GuidesHow to Make a Latte at Home: Ratio & Steps
How to make a latte at home: the espresso-to-milk ratio, steam-wand technique and pour method for a cafe-style drink.
Read the guideBrewing GuidesHow to Make an Americano: The 1:4 Ratio
Ratio, pour order and fixes for a better Americano
Read the guideBrewing GuidesHow to Make Cold Brew: Ratio & Easy Method
Ratio, steep time and fixes for cold brew at home
Read the guideBrewing GuidesHow to Make an Iced Latte at Home
Ratio, pour order and milk choice for a strong iced latte
Read the guideBuying GuidesHow to Choose Espresso Beans: Roast & Blend
How to pick espresso beans that suit your taste and brewing style
Read the guideBrewing GuidesHow to Use a Moka Pot for Smooth, Rich Coffee
How to use a moka pot: grind, heat and timing for smooth stovetop coffee.
Read the guideCoffee EducationLatte vs Cortado: Which Is Stronger?
Same caffeine, very different strength: how milk ratio changes the drink.
Read the guideCoffee EducationMacchiato vs Latte: Size, Strength & Taste
Macchiato vs latte: size, espresso share, strength and calories compared, with a quick pick for what to order or make at home.
Read the guideGrinder GuidesManual vs Electric Coffee Grinders
Manual vs electric grinders compared on speed, grind quality, noise and cost, with a clear pick for espresso, pour-over and travel.
Read the guideCoffee EducationWhat Is a Cortado? Cortado vs Latte
What is a cortado? A 1:1 mix of 2 oz espresso and 2 oz steamed milk. See its taste, how to make one and how it differs from a latte.
Read the guideCoffee EducationWhat Is a Flat White? How It Differs From a Latte
What is a flat white? A double espresso with silky microfoam. Learn how it differs from a latte, plus how to make one at home.
Read the guideEspresso GuidesWhat Is a Lungo? The Long Espresso Explained
What is a lungo? Same dose, more water: brew ratio, taste, caffeine, lungo vs americano vs ristretto, and when the long shot makes sense.
Read the guideCoffee EducationWhat Is a Macchiato? Espresso vs Latte Types
Espresso macchiato vs latte macchiato explained: what each one is, how it tastes, how it differs from a latte or cappuccino, and which to order.
Read the guideEspresso GuidesWhat Is a Ristretto? Taste, Ratio & How-To
Ristretto explained: same dose, about half the water. Why it tastes sweeter, how to pull one, the grind adjustment that matters, and caffeine.
Read the guideCoffee EducationWhat Is a Cappuccino? Ratio, Foam & Taste
Cappuccino explained: the 1:1:1 ratio, dry vs wet styles, how it differs from a latte or flat white, and how to order the real thing.
Read the guideCoffee EducationWhat Is Coffee Bloom and Why Does It Matter?
What is coffee bloom? Why CO2 degassing matters, how to bloom coffee properly, and how bean freshness changes it.
Read the guideEspresso GuidesWhat Is a Doppio? Double Espresso Explained
What is a doppio? The standard double espresso: how it differs from a single shot, its caffeine, the drinks it makes and how to pull one.
Read the guideEspresso GuidesWhat Is Espresso Crema? And What It Tells You
What crema is, why it forms, and whether it matters for taste.
Read the guideEspresso GuidesWhat Is Espresso? A Plain-English Beginner Guide
How espresso is made, what crema means and what gear you need.
Read the guideCoffee EducationWhat Is a Moka Pot? How It Works & Who Needs One
How a moka pot brews, and how it differs from espresso.
Read the guideBrewing GuidesWhat Is Pour Over Coffee? Method & Easy Recipe
What pour over coffee is and how the method works, plus grind size, water temperature and a recipe to dial in your best cup
Read the guideCoffee EducationSingle-Origin Coffee: What It Is, Is It Worth It?
What single-origin coffee means, how it differs from blends and specialty grade, and why traceability matters for flavor
Read the guideCoffee EducationWhat Is Specialty Coffee? SCA Grading Explained
What specialty coffee is: the SCA 80+ point scale, how grading works and what separates specialty from commodity coffee
Read the guideEspresso GuidesWhat Is WDT? Better Espresso With One Tool
WDT (Weiss Distribution Technique) breaks up clumps in your portafilter before tamping. What it fixes and whether a WDT tool is worth buying.
Read the guideEspresso GuidesWhy Does Coffee Taste Bitter? 5 Easy Fixes
Read the guideHow to Contact Sarah
Questions about a review, or a correction to suggest.
Use the contact page and name the review. The aim is to reply within 24-48 business hours. For a suspected error, include the article URL and the specific claim; the editorial guidelines explain how corrections are handled.
Why Trust Sarah Chen?
- Reviews are based on hands-on testing; each review states its own testing period and counts.
- 13 years in specialty coffee.
- Products are bought with the site's own funds, with no free samples or sponsored placements. The site does earn affiliate commissions on some links.
- Reviews are peer-reviewed by Michael Anderson before publication.
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