Frequently Asked Questions

About Coffee

What is the history and origin of coffee?

According to legend, an Ethiopian shepherd named Kaldi became aware of the effects of caffeine. He observed that his goats became playful and energetic after eating coffee cherries.

Coffee beans come from a genus of flowering plants called Coffea. Their seeds are used to make coffee. All coffee in the world grows in the Equatorial/Subtropical regions, also known as the Bean Belt. The main coffee growing regions are Central and South America, Indonesia, and Africa.

What is the difference between Arabica and Robusta coffee?

Espresso Republic only uses Arabica coffee. Arabica coffee is a higher-grade coffee and it is consumed by 70% of the world.

Robusta coffee is a lower grade coffee but has 50% more caffeine than Arabica. It is consumed by 30% of the world.

What is the difference between “washed” and “natural processed” coffee?

Washed coffee is a wet method that results in bright clean flavors. The stages in processing include depulping the coffee cherries, putting the coffee in fermentation tanks to loosen the remaining fruit, and drying the coffee.

Natural processed is a dry method that results in a sweeter taste. The stages in processing include drying the cherries with the flesh of the fruit and then removing the seed by Millstone or hand-hulling the coffee.

What is a varietal?

A coffee varietal is also known as the “species” of the coffee plant. There’s a multitude of coffee varietals such as Bourbon, Caturra, Catuai, Gesha, Pacamara, Typica, etc. These coffee varietals have their own characteristics: some vary slightly in shape and size, some of them require more attention and care, and some grow better in certain altitudes. Some varietals are mutations of another depending on the growing environment. We find it interesting that there are more and more varietals that arise over time, and it makes specialty coffee much more interesting.

What are single-origin coffees and why do they matter?

Single-origin coffee is sourced from a specific area or region in various countries. These origin names are derived from a particular farm(s) or small group(s) of neighboring farms. Single-origin coffees are unique because the characteristics of the regions’ soil, altitude, climate, etc. all influence the flavor of the beans giving each brew nuanced flavors and a distinctive taste that captures the uniqueness of their origins. We highly encourage you to try the unique flavors of the single origin coffees we offer.

General

What’s the best way to get coffee for my office?

Indeed! You don’t need to walk to a café to get great quality specialty coffee. Freshly ground and freshly brewed Espresso Republic coffee is the best way to keep your office happy. Sign up for a subscription and get coffee delivered weekly or monthly, your choice.

How much coffee should I get?

A 12oz bag of Espresso Republic coffee will be enough for a week’s worth of coffee if you drink one cup per day. Depending on your daily consumption of coffee, you may want to double or triple your bags. This gives you an opportunity to try a variety of Espresso Republic coffee(s)! An Espresso Republic Coffee Subscription can be ordered and delivered to your home or office at your chosen frequency.

What is the best way to measure/dose coffee?

We strongly recommend using a scale to dose your coffee each brew. Weighing your coffee and water can help you maximize all the wonderful flavors of your favorite Espresso Republic coffee(s).

What is the best way to store Espresso Republic coffee?

For optimal freshness, we suggest storing Espresso Republic coffee at room temperature in an airtight container or in the original Espresso Republic re-sealable coffee bags your favorite coffee(s) came in, which are designed with one-way degassing valves and zipper seals to maintain freshness.

Do not store your coffee in the refrigerator or freezer. Storing coffee in the refrigerator or freezer is probably one of the biggest coffee myths commonly circulated. Storing coffee in the refrigerator or freezer can cause condensation creating moisture. Moisture is coffee’s enemy and will negatively affect the coffee’s flavor.

Do you do any tours of your coffee roastery?

Yes we do! Roaster tours are available on an appointment-only basis. You may request a tour by sending an email to info@espressorepublic.com using the subject: ROASTERY TOURS or by simply contacting us via our CONTACT US page. We will try our best to get back to you within 24 hours.

How should I get my coffee ground?

To brew a delicious cup of coffee, you need to choose the right grind size. If you grind too fine, your brew can over extract and have a bitter taste. However, if you grind too coarse, the coffee may not extract enough and will taste thin and possibly sour. Experiment with your grinder and brew method to see what you like. There is also a grind chart you can access in each coffee information page (before you buy) OR simply click on the link below.

Who ships my coffee(s)?

Domestic orders are shipped with USPS or FedEx. International orders are shipped with USPS only.

When will my order ship?

For All Orders without Coffee
We ship non-coffee orders as soon as possible Monday through Friday. Non-coffee orders placed after 3PM on Friday will be processed and shipped on Monday.

For All Orders with Coffee
The cut-off time for same-day fulfillment is 12PM. Orders placed after 12PM will be shipped according to our fulfillment schedules below. We aim to provide only the freshest coffee possible.

Coffee Order Fulfillment Schedules (based on Pacific Time Zone)

  • Orders placed after 12PM Monday and before 12PM Tuesday will produce and ship on Tuesday.
  • Orders placed after 12PM Tuesday and before 12PM Wednesday will produce and ship on Wednesday.
  • Orders placed after 12PM Wednesday and before 12PM Thursday will produce and ship on Thursday.
  • Orders placed after 12PM Thursday and before 12PM Monday will produce and ship on Monday.

 

Please note that choosing an expedited shipping option will not expedite the fulfillment schedule for producing and shipping the order. Expedited shipping only applies once the order ships from our facility.

Wholesalers

Can I carry Espresso Republic coffee in my store?

Specialty Coffee is the talk of the town and Espresso Republic is living by its reputation for premium coffee and excellent service. If you are interested in carrying our coffee at your café, restaurant, hotel or office, let’s connect.

When will my wholesale order ship?

For All Orders without Coffee
We ship non-coffee orders as soon as possible Monday through Friday. Non-coffee orders placed after 3PM on Friday will be processed and shipped on Monday.

For All Orders with Coffee
The cut-off time for same-day fulfillment is 11AM. Orders placed after 11AM will be shipped according to our fulfillment schedules below. We aim to provide only the freshest coffee possible.

Coffee Order Fulfillment Schedules (based on Pacific Time Zone)

  • Orders placed after 11AM Monday and before 11AM Tuesday will produce and ship on Tuesday.
  • Orders placed after 11AM Tuesday and before 11AM Wednesday will produce and ship on Wednesday.
  • Orders placed after 11AM Wednesday and before 11AM Monday will produce and ship on Monday.

 

Please note that choosing an expedited shipping option will not expedite the fulfillment schedule for producing and shipping the order. Expedited shipping only applies once the order ships from our facility.