Specialty Coffee Connoisseur Journal Notebook

Grade 1: Specialty Coffee Beans

This is the highest grade awarded to coffee beans, typically reserved for specialty coffee beans that are virtually flawless.

During cupping, these beans should exhibit distinct characteristics in taste, acidity, body, or aroma and must be free from any cup faults or taints. Additionally, to qualify as specialty coffee beans, they must not contain any Quakers, which are beans that are unripe or improperly roasted.

Our coffee is sourced from various regions around the globe. Each single-origin coffee genuinely originates from the location it claims— for instance, our single-origin Colombian coffee is sourced directly from Colombia. The specific city or town of origin for each single-origin coffee is detailed in its product description.

We start with a blend of single-origin, specialty-grade beans, which are excellent even before flavoring. Each batch is roasted to order, and we hand-flavor each bag while the beans are still warm. To enhance the beans, we use all-natural flavorings that add just a hint of flavor.

The optimal way to keep ground coffee fresh for a longer period is to store it in your freezer right after use. Freezing coffee doesn't actually freeze the grounds, so they remain ready to use without any need for defrosting.

When it comes to storing coffee, whether it’s ground or whole bean, the storage location makes a significant difference in freshness and shelf life. Unopened and sealed ground coffee can be kept in the pantry for 3 to 5 months, but if stored in the freezer, it can last 1 to 2 years. For whole bean coffee that is unopened and sealed, the pantry will keep it fresh for 6 to 9 months, while the freezer can extend its freshness to 2 to 3 years.

Once opened, ground coffee retains its quality for the same duration in the pantry and the freezer, which is between 3 to 5 months. However, opened whole bean coffee will last for 6 months in the pantry but can be stored for up to 2 years in the freezer without losing its freshness. It’s important to note that freezing coffee does not require defrosting before use, and it's always ready to be brewed.

Cold Brew: Cold brew is created by immersing coffee beans in cold water and allowing them to brew for several hours. This process yields a coffee that is smooth, low in acidity, and high in caffeine.

Moka Pot: A moka pot is a stovetop coffee maker that brews coffee by forcing water upwards through the coffee grounds. Since it doesn’t use a filter, this method allows for a full and pure extraction of the coffee flavors.

French Press: A French press is an immersion brewer that submerges coffee grounds in hot water. It features a built-in metal filter that you press down once the coffee has brewed.

Aeropress: The Aeropress, like the French press, is an immersion brewer. However, it differs in that it uses air pressure to push the coffee through a filter.

Pour Over: A pour over coffee involves pouring hot water through ground coffee using a paper filter. The water drains through the coffee beans, extracting is unique flavor along the way.