Editorial Policy
Coffee Made Clear exists to make coffee easier to understand. We aim for calm, practical, evidence-aware guidance that helps readers make better brewing and buying decisions without hype. This policy says how we work and what you can rely on. Where a sentence describes an aim rather than something we can show, it says “aim”.
Principles
We aim for guides that are useful, understandable, accurate, appropriately sourced, honest about uncertainty, and beginner-friendly. We prefer clarity over complexity and useful distinctions over absolute claims.
Evidence and Sources
The right evidence depends on the question. When we make factual claims, we generally prefer sources in roughly this order, where relevant:
- peer-reviewed human research and systematic evidence;
- government agencies, academic institutions, standards organizations, and recognized professional bodies;
- original scientific papers and technical publications;
- manufacturer manuals and official documentation, for product-specific facts;
- our own testing and measurement, if we have done any;
- established specialty-coffee organizations and reputable technical sources;
- qualified expert commentary;
- credible secondary sources; and
- anecdotes, only when clearly identified as such.
This order is a guide, not a rule. A manufacturer is the best source for the dimensions of its own grinder; independent testing is better for how it performs. Every guide lists the sources it relies on.
Evidence Labels
Each guide carries one label on the “Evidence” line of the box near the top that lists its author, dates, evidence, and sources. It says what the guide is based on. There are four labels, used the same way everywhere:
- Hands-on tested: the findings are based on hands-on testing that was completed. We use this label only when it is true.
- Researched: hands-on testing has not been completed for this page. It reflects published research, documentation, and category best practice.
- Opinion: subjective impressions, such as tasting notes. They are one set of impressions, not a lab measurement, and your experience may differ.
- Example: placeholder content that demonstrates a page format. It is not a real review or recommendation.
The label describes the guide as a whole. It does not rate how good the advice is, and it is not a score.
Testing Claims
We do not call something tested unless hands-on testing was actually done. Research can support useful comparisons and buying advice, but it is not hands-on experience, and we will not present it as if it were. A research-based page must not be written to sound like a hands-on review.
Today, our guides are labelled Researched, and each says it does not claim hands-on product testing. If we publish hands-on testing, the page will use the Hands-on tested label and say what was done. If a future comparison or early look at a product combines or limits its basis, the page will say so in plain words and will still carry one of the four labels above.
Words like “best” describe a recommendation for a stated use, within the evidence the page gives. They do not mean a product or method is better for everyone.
Health and Caffeine
Health-related coffee content gets extra care. We aim to prioritize good human evidence, separate association from causation, name meaningful limitations, avoid exaggerated promises, and avoid diagnosing readers or giving individual medical advice. Health content is educational and is covered by our Disclaimer.
Originality
We aim to publish original work. Sources inform our writing, but another publisher's wording, review, structure, or scoring should not be presented as ours. When another source materially supports a claim, we aim to credit it. We do not invent quotes, experts, or sources.
Independence and Money
Coffee Made Clear currently uses no affiliate links and takes no payment for coverage. See the Affiliate Disclosure. Our policy is that commercial relationships do not buy conclusions: a brand cannot buy a “best” designation, a commission rate does not decide a ranking, free products do not guarantee a favorable view, negative findings are not hidden because of a relationship, and a product with no commission may be recommended when it is the better choice. If we ever take payment, sponsorship, or a free or loaned product that could affect how you read a recommendation, we will disclose it as described in the Affiliate Disclosure.
Who Runs This Site
Coffee Made Clear is run by its founder, Jeremy NyQuist, who reviews what is published and is responsible for it. The About page explains who runs the site and how it works. If that changes and a contributor has an interest that could reasonably affect how you read their work, we will disclose it or change the assignment.
Corrections and Updates
Accuracy matters more than preserving an old version of a page. To report an error, use the “Report a correction” link on any guide, or email hello@coffeemadeclear.com. We read what we receive, but we cannot promise a reply time.
When we confirm a meaningful error or update a page for new evidence, we fix the page and change its Updated date. Corrections are logged in that date. We do not publish separate correction notices. We may update pages when new evidence appears, a product changes or is discontinued, information is out of date, or a link stops working. Small spelling or formatting fixes may not change the date.
Reader Feedback
You can also tell us about outdated information, unclear disclosures, or content that is hard to use with assistive technology. Feedback does not guarantee a change, but credible reports will be looked at.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy as the site and its methods change. The date at the top shows the latest version. If we start hands-on testing or add features such as reviews, we will update this policy to describe how they work before relying on them.