Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
New to specialty coffee or to Heart of Coffee? You don’t need to know everything. This is a good place to begin.
1. Do I need to be a coffee expert to enjoy this ?
No. Our goal is to do the hard work upstream so enjoying coffee downstream is simple.
2. What kind of coffee do you make ?
Thoughtfully sourced and carefully roasted specialty coffee, designed to be reliable, enjoyable, and easy to live with
3. Is specialty coffee only for black coffee drinkers ?
No. Drink your coffee how you like it. Milk, sugar, or plain are all valid choices. your brew method at checkout.
4. Do I need special equipment ?
No. Good coffee works with simple tools. Precision helps, but it’s not required.
5. How fresh is the coffee ?
We roast shortly before shipping and label every bag with a roast date.
6. What if I don’t know what to choose ?
That’s fine. Our subscriptions and descriptions are designed to guide you without overwhelming you.
7. Can I change or cancel a subscription ?
Yes. Subscriptions are flexible. You can pause, skip, or cancel at any time.
8. What if I don’t like a coffee ?
Tell us. We’ll help you adjust and find something closer to your taste
9. Is this about trends or novelty ?
No. We focus on reliability and long-term enjoyment, with room for exploration when you want it.
10. Where should I go next ?
If you’re curious:
· Learn about how we roast
· Explore brewing basics
· Or simply pick a coffee and start
Good coffee doesn’t require permission or preparation. It just needs to be enjoyed
Coffee FAQs
Getting Started (Very Basic)
1. Do I need special equipment to enjoy good coffee ?
No. Good coffee starts with good beans and clean water. Equipment helps, but it’s not a prerequisite.
2. Is specialty coffee always expensive ?
Not necessarily. It often costs more than commodity coffee, but it’s priced around quality and care, not luxury.
3. Can I add milk or sugar to specialty coffee ?
Yes. Coffee is meant to be enjoyed, not judged.
4. Is specialty coffee always acidic or fruity ?
No. It can be chocolatey, nutty, sweet, or balanced. Fruity is just one possible expression.
5. Do I need to weigh everything to make good coffee ?
It helps with consistency, but it’s not mandatory. Start simple and adjust by taste.
Coffee Basics
6. What is specialty coffee ?
Specialty coffee is coffee evaluated for its quality and traceability, typically scoring 80 points or more on the SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) scale. This organisation established a tasting protocol called cupping, which evaluates coffees across several criteria such as aroma, flavour, acidity, body, and balance. Coffees scoring above 80 points are considered specialty coffee.
7. What does “origin” mean ?
Where the coffee was grown. It reflects climate, altitude, soil, and farming practices.
8. What is single origin coffee ?
Coffee sourced from one place rather than blended, highlighting specific characteristics.
9. What is a coffee processing method ?
How the fruit is removed and the bean dried. It strongly influences flavour.
10. What’s the difference between Arabica and Robusta ?
Arabica is generally more complex and nuanced; Robusta is stronger and more bitter with more caffeine.
Taste & Flavour
11. What does acidity mean in coffee ?
Brightness or liveliness, not sourness. It’s a positive quality when balanced.
12. Why does coffee sometimes taste bitter ?
This happens and often it is due to over-extraction, a grind that is too fine, or water that is too hot although the exact influence of water temperature is still debated.
13. What does “body” mean ?
How coffee feels in the mouth, from light to rich and full.
14. Why does the same coffee taste different at home ?
Grind size, water, brew method, and ratios all affect extraction.
15. Does roast level determine flavour ?
It influences flavour, but it doesn’t replace origin or processing.
Brewing & Storage
16. How should I store coffee ?
In an airtight container, away from light, heat, and moisture.
17. Whole bean or ground coffee ?
Whole bean stays fresh longer. Ground is more convenient.
18. How fresh should coffee be ?
Best within 2–4 weeks after roast, though still drinkable beyond that.
19. What water should I use ?
Clean, filtered water with balanced minerals works best.
20. Does grind size really matter ?
Yes. It’s one of the biggest factors in how coffee tastes.
Advanced (For the Curious)
21. Why don’t roast profiles transfer perfectly between coffees ?
Because coffee is biological. Density, moisture, and structure vary between harvests.
22. What is extraction yield ?
The percentage of soluble material extracted from the coffee varies depending on how you brew it but for example an espresso will typically yield around 18–22%.
23. Why do some coffees need resting after roasting ?
To allow gases to escape and flavours to stabilise.
24. What is development time in roasting ?
The phase where flavour compounds form after first crack.
25. Why can precision sometimes reduce enjoyment ?
Because systems should support taste, not dominate it. Over-optimisation can remove balance.
Heart of Coffee (HoC) FAQs
Buying & Orders
1. Do you sell whole bean and ground coffee ?
Yes. You can choose your preference when ordering.
2. How fresh is the coffee when shipped ?
Roasted shortly before shipping and clearly dated.
3. Do you ship internationally ?
We ship to selected regions listed at checkout.
Subscriptions & Coffee as a Service (Coffee-aaS)
4. How does the HoC subscription work ?
Choose frequency and coffee. We handle the rest.
5. Can I pause or skip a delivery ?
Yes, write to us.
6. Can I cancel my subscription anytime ?
Yes. No long-term commitment.
7. When am I charged ?
At the start of each subscription cycle.
Returns & Support
8. What if my order is incorrect or damaged ?
Contact us within 7 days and we’ll make it right.
9. Can I return coffee ?
Unopened bags can be returned within 14 days.
10. What if I don’t like a coffee ?
Tell us. We’ll help you adjust future deliveries.
Coffee Myths
Don’t call it a rule. Call it a guideline.
• “Dark roast has more caffeine.”
Usually not. Caffeine content is similar by weight.
• “Freshly roasted coffee is always best.”
Not always. Many coffees taste better after resting.
• “You must drink coffee black to appreciate it.”
No. Milk and sugar are valid choices.
• “Espresso is stronger than filter coffee.”
- More concentrated, yes. More caffeine per cup, not always.
• “There’s one correct way to brew coffee.”
There isn’t. Taste decides.
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