All coffee beans come from plants in the genus Coffea. There are two strains of coffee plants. Arabica, which grows at higher altitudes, produces the finest coffee. It can be enjoyed unblended because of its quality. Robusta, on the other hand, can grow at lower altitudes, and is commonly used as a filler to make the Arabica go further in commercial grade coffee. Specialty Gourmet coffee is made up of 100% Arabica. Arabica is genetically distinct: it has four sets of chromosomes, whereas robusta, and liberica each have two.

Keep coffee in an airtight container as it will absorb neighboring odors. If kept in original bag, always re-close bag, folded tightly, to the level of the beans to minimize air in the bag. Keep in a cool, dry place. How much ground coffee should I use? A standard “cup” of coffee uses six ounces (177 ml) of water. The SCAA’s standard measure of ground coffee for this quantity of water is 10 grams (+/- 1 gram) or slightly over a third of an ounce (or, simply, two tablespoons). Since the ground coffee will absorb water, you will be left with approximately five and one-third ounces of coffee. Unless stated otherwise, the preceding is the ratio used in the FAQ’s descriptions. Most coffee scoops and water chambers will be calibrated to this standard, but that is not necessarily so; the country of manufacture may result in different calibrations, and some measures may simply be wrong. Accurate scales can help verify how much a particular scoop holds. Recommendations to grind more finely and thereby use less coffee are simply wrong. Grind fineness is related to steeping time; using less but finer coffee will make the resultant product bitter; using less coffee under these circumstances will make a weak, bitter cup.

Cup of Excellence selects the very best coffee produced in a coffee producing county for that particular year. They are cupped at least five different times during the competition process. The final winners are awarded the prestigious Cup of Excellence and sold to the highest bidder during an internet auction. These coffees are perfectly ripe, carefully hand picked with well developed body, pleasant aroma and a lively sweetness that only extremely high quality specialty coffees contain. Each winning coffee has its own unique signature flavor. We are proud to offer a wide variety of Cup of Excellence Coffees. Every year we pick our favorite of these awarded coffees and skillfully roast to unlock the most unique flavors that these coffees have to offer.