How is coffee named? How do you pronounce the names?

Coffees are named after the country in which they were grown. Often the name is

made up of several words that might include the grade of the coffee or the growing region. If you’re unsure how to pronounce a name or region, just ask one of our employees to tell you the story of that particular coffee.

What is espresso?

Espresso is a brewing method that involves forcing pressurized water through

finely ground coffee to extract the most flavorful components and aromatics of the coffee. It is an intense and full-flavored brew. Espresso is the base for all of our lattes and mochas.

I like strong coffee. Which varieties are the strongest?

Strength usually refers to the extraction of coffee, or the “thickness” of the brewed

beverage. We brew all our coffees to a strength that allows the flavor characteristics to be at their best. Some people perceive dark roasts, such as French Roast and Fireside Blend, or big-bodied coffees like Sumatra or Kenya AA to be “stronger.”

Should I keep my coffee in the refrigerator or freezer to keep it fresh?

Neither. Freezers and refrigerators are full of odors that will be absorbed into your

coffee ... you could end up with chicken-flavored coffee! Refrigeration also causes condensation on the coffee that will cause the flavor to deteriorate rapidly. You should buy only enough coffee to last you about a week and keep it in an airtight, opaque container on the counter or in a cupboard.

Is it OK to microwave coffee to keep it warm?

No! Once coffee has cooled, its chemistry has changed. Reheating the coffee will

further break down the few aromatics left, giving you bad-tasting coffee. Keep coffee in a thermos to keep it warm or simply brew a fresh pot.

How much caffeine is there in a cup of coffee or a shot of espresso?

12 oz. cup of coffee = 230 milligrams of caffeine [average]

1.5–2 oz. shot of espresso = 80–100 milligrams of caffeine
12 oz. cola drink = 30-60 milligrams of caffeine

Is decaffeinated coffee 100% caffeine free?

A decaffeinated cup of coffee has 97 to 99 percent less caffeine than a caffeinated

cup. A 6 oz. cup of decaf has 1 to 5 milligrams of caffeine.

How is caffeine removed? Does it affect taste?

In order to decaffeinate green coffee it must first be “steamed” to open the pores

of the beans making them vulnerable to the solvent that will remove the caffeine. After “steaming,” the solvent is introduced to draw the caffeine out of the coffee. Once decaffeinated, the coffee is dried and rebagged.