Does The Kofe Company roast their beans?
Our Roastery located in West Yorkshire does all the roasting.
Is your coffee Fairtrade?
We follow a sourcing practice called Direct Trade, not Fairtrade. When it comes to growing coffee, we trust it’s our producers who know how to do it best. Although Fairtrade has done so much for the coffee industry, it does come with certain restrictions which impacts how coffee producers work. We trust that the people we work with to ensure the quality and sustainability.
That trust is built on a foundation of visiting producers every year to talk about how the coffee is farmed, how the waste products are handled, what happens to after using as well as a myriad of other questions that we always have in our hopes to learn as much about what makes the best coffee so great.
How should I store my coffee?
For optimal coffee storage, it is best to place your coffee in an airtight container and store it at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, whenever feasible. These conditions can help maintain the freshness and quality of your coffee beans, as exposure to these factors may lead to a decline in freshness and deterioration of the coffee.
Will my coffee go off?
When stored correctly and most importantly kept dry, coffee doesn’t go off. That being said, over time coffee loses its flavour characteristics. We recommend drinking your coffee between a week and a month, for optimal taste and maximum 6 months after roast date.
Are Coffee beans a fruit?
In the field of botany, a fruit refers to the seed-bearing structure found in flowering plants, also known as angiosperms, which develops from the ovary after the process of flowering.
We won't delve too deeply into the intricacies of plant reproductive systems, but in essence, fruits are the parts that contain seeds. That's why virtually all fruits you can think of, such as tangerines, watermelons, and even tomatoes, contain seeds. In everyday language, we tend to use the word 'fruit' to describe the edible part of these structures. (Interestingly, coffee is technically a fruit, although you wouldn't typically consume it as such.)
However, from a botanical perspective, the term 'fruit' encompasses any structure that contains seeds, including bean pods, corn kernels, and wheat grains – items that are not typically consumed directly.
For our purposes, though, we are primarily interested in coffee beans. Coffee beans themselves are not fruits, but they are a component of a fruit.
In fact, the coffee bean is essentially a seed of the coffee plant. To be precise, it's not a bean at all; it's simply a seed. (Although they do resemble beans, actual beans come from an entirely different plant family.)
When coffee is harvested from the coffee plant, it is in the form of red or purple 'cherries.' These cherries grow alongside the coffee plant's green, waxy leaves. The cherries are, in fact, the fruits of the coffee plant. It takes nearly a full year for a cherry to mature and become ready for harvesting after the coffee plant has flowered (and around five years for a coffee plant to reach its full production capacity after being planted).
Inside these cherries lie the coffee beans – the seeds. Typically, there are two beans inside each cherry, with the flat side facing inward and the rounded side facing outward.
Approximately 5-10% of cherries contain only one bean inside, which is known as a 'peaberry.' These peaberries are smaller and more spherical than the usual flat-sided beans. Some coffee enthusiasts believe that peaberry beans have a superior taste, although this is subjective. It's possible that peaberry beans roast differently than regular beans due to their more even surface area. Certain suppliers meticulously select peaberries and market them separately to connoisseurs who believe in their higher quality.
After the cherries are picked, they undergo a series of processes, including drying, milling, and roasting. Once they are prepared for use, they are ground to the desired consistency for coffee lovers' preferred beverages.
How much caffeine is in an espresso?
In the United Kingdom, espresso-based beverages are the standard choice, especially at prominent coffee chains found on major streets. When preparing a single espresso, a skilled barista typically uses anywhere from 7 to 11 grams of coffee. This coffee is firmly packed into a circular puck, through which hot water is pressurized, resulting in the creation of a small cup of espresso.
Each of these petite cups contains a single shot of espresso, with its caffeine content ranging from 30 to 60 milligrams. When you request 'a single espresso' at a coffee establishment, you are likely to receive what's commonly known as a single or solo shot. Alternatively, you can opt for a double shot, often referred to as a doppio espresso, which will typically contain twice the caffeine content, ranging from 60 to 120 milligrams.
What does speciality premium grade mean?
As a forward-thinking coffee roaster committed to excellence, we employ the term 'speciality coffee' to refer to coffee beans that have achieved a rating of 80 or higher as per the rigorous grading criteria established by the Speciality Coffee Association and Coffee Quality Institute.
Our preference lies in sourcing coffee beans that attain scores of 82 or higher, with a particular focus on those exceeding 85 points. From a flavor perspective, there exists a noteworthy distinction between coffee rated at 80 and one that achieves an impressive 85.
In general, higher-scoring coffees offer a greater degree of complexity in terms of taste. Additionally, our commitment to procuring speciality-grade coffee serves another vital purpose – it empowers coffee producers to earn a substantial premium for the exceptional quality of coffee they cultivate.
All the coffee beans at The Kofe Company is Speciality Premium 100% Arabica
What does Single Origin mean?
Single origin coffees originate from specific regions, farms, or even distinct areas within a single farm.
One compelling reason to savor a single origin coffee lies in its remarkable ability to showcase the distinct flavors characteristic of a particular country or region, akin to the way wine does.
For instance, Zimbabwean coffee typically offers a medium-bodied profile coupled with zesty acidity and a delightful blend of woody and sweet notes.
In contrast, Nicaraguan coffee presents a well-balanced sweetness complemented by hints of chocolate and floral undertones.
To truly immerse yourself in the rich coffee heritage of a particular country, choosing single origin coffee beans is the key to savoring its unique attributes, intrinsically linked to its place of origin.
How do i know if a coffee is sustainable?
In broad terms, our definition of 'ethical coffee' encompasses coffee that is directly purchased from farmers at a price that is equitable. By 'equitable,' we mean a price that not only covers the production costs but also ensures a fair margin for the farmers.
Moreover, we believe that ethical coffee production should be conducted in a manner that upholds environmental stewardship, considering the well-being of future generations and fostering biodiversity. This may involve coffee that is cultivated using organic practices, although we acknowledge that not all coffee producers can bear the cost of obtaining organic certification.
When it comes to acquiring coffee from a café, we consistently recommend patronizing local independent establishments rather than large coffee chains. Independent coffee shops are more likely to have established direct connections with coffee roasters and coffee farms. They are also better positioned to address any inquiries you may have about the origins of their coffee beans.
For those seeking to purchase coffee beans directly, we encourage sourcing from suppliers who are transparent about their ethical commitments. A quick visit to the coffee company's website can provide insights into their sustainability and ethical policies. Much like smaller coffee shops, independent coffee roasteries are more deeply involved in their supply chains and maintain direct relationships with the coffee farms from which they source their beans. Consequently, they are usually well-equipped to answer any questions regarding their partner farms and their commitment to ethical practices.
Is Coffee good for you?
Yes it is!
Both in the short-term (just after drinking a cup) and the long-term (wellbeing throughout your lifetime), coffee has proven benefits to your health and happiness.
Coffee is a source of the following nutrients, which are useful in different ways:
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) – to help build red blood cells and support energy functions
Vitamin B3 (niacin) – to balance cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation, and promote healthy brain function
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) – to help convert food into energy – it’s also good for healthy skin, hair & eyes
Potassium – to reduce blood pressure and conduct signals through the body
Magnesium – to create energy & proteins, maintain DNA, and regulate stress
Do you use Arabica or Robusta Beans?
Did you know that the world's coffee primarily comes from two species: Arabica and Robusta?
ARABICA COFFEE
Arabica constitutes over 60% of global coffee production. It boasts a complex flavor profile with sweet notes of fruits, florals, chocolate, and nuts. Arabica is more expensive due to its delicate nature and specific cultivation requirements, like weather and altitude. The beans are oval and larger.
ROBUSTA COFFEE
Robusta, accounting for 25% of coffee production, is less sweet than Arabica with woodier or burnt rubber flavors. It's hardier and less expensive because it's more resilient to adverse conditions. Robusta beans are smaller and paler.
OUR CHOICE
We exclusively use 100% high-grade Arabica coffee in our products. While less common in instant coffee, we believe it offers superior taste and allows us to explore diverse flavor profiles from around the world in our Premium Coffee range.