FAQs
Rewards Program FAQs
Q: How do I join the Rewards Program?
A: Customers with store accounts are automatically enrolled. If you don't have one, create a store account to join today.
Q: How do I earn points?
A: Get 1 point for every $1 you spend (excluding shipping fees & eGift Certificates)
Q: How do I check my balance and redeem rewards?
A: Log in to your store account and go to the Use Points Page which can be accessed through the Rewards Widget located at the bottom of the store.
Q: How do I use my rewards?
A: Rewards are issued as discount codes that can be applied on the payment page during checkout (only one discount code per order).
Coffee FAQs
Q: How many cups of coffee can I make with one pound of coffee grounds?
A: With a coffee to water ratio of two level measuring tablespoons per five ounces of water, you can make approximately forty cups of coffee.
Q: How should I store my coffee beans, in the refrigerator or the freezer?
A: In the refrigerator. There is water vapor in the atmosphere surrounding your coffee beans. If you put your coffee in the freezer, the water vapor crystallizes and expands, shattering the beans cellular structure and increasing oxidization. The refrigerator is cold enough to inhibit oxidization but not so cold that you have the problems associated with keeping your coffee beans in the freezer.
Q: Should I grind my own beans?
A: Yes. Freshness is everything, and pre-ground coffee stales much more quickly than whole bean coffee. Roasted coffee also contains gas, which is part of what gives coffee its life and zest (like carbonation in club soda). Pre-ground coffee de-gasses much more quickly than whole bean coffee.
Q: Do I have to use espresso coffee in my espresso machine?
A: No. Most espresso blends are formulated for brewing under pressure, which is why they taste great in an espresso machine. But other coffee, such as Arabian Mocha-Java, also taste great in an espresso machine. The key is to experiment and have fun testing what coffee you like the taste of in your espresso machine.
Q: What is the difference between "Water Process" decaffeination and other decaffeination methods?
A: Most of our decaf coffees are decaffeinated using a chemical process. This process yields the best flavor, and only leaves less than one (1) part per billion in a cup of brewed coffee. Water process decaffeination uses water to remove caffeine from coffee. The water removes more wax and oils from the beans, so the taste is much milder.
Q: How much coffee should I use per cup?
A: We recommend using two (2) level measuring tablespoons of coffee per five (5) ounces of hot water. Using this coffee to water ratio brews a full strength cup, to which you can add hot water if the taste is too strong. Remember, you can always make coffee weaker by adding hot water to your cup, but you can't make it any stronger once its brewed.
Q: What's the best way to brew coffee?
A: There are lots of ways to brew coffee, some of which taste better than others. You definitely do not want to perk your coffee as that method over extracts your brew. Cone drip is fine, but a paper filter can impart some flavor to your coffee. We like to drink press pot coffee because its direct infusion seems to produce fuller flavor. In addition, press pot coffee allows the dissolved coffee solids to remain in the brew, which also contributes to flavor.
Q: Is there any coffee grown in the United States?
A: Yes, on the Hawaiian islands. The most famous is Kona, from the Big Island of Hawaii. There is also some fine coffee being grown on Maui. All coffee is grown in an equatorial band between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.