FAQ
Every brewing method brings out different characteristics in your coffee. Preparing a cafetiere, for example, requires a very different approach from making espresso. To get the best from your beans, explore our brewing guides for advice on preparing coffee using your preferred method.
Grind size plays an important role in coffee extraction, affecting how quickly water passes through the coffee and how much flavour it extracts.
Think of the difference between stones and sand. Water flows easily through stones, whereas water flows slowly through sand. Finer grounds slow down flow and provide greater surface area for extraction.
The ideal grind size depends on your brewing method. If you have a grinder at home, you can adjust the grind to suit your equipment. If you buy pre-ground coffee, simply select your preferred brewing method when placing your order so we can prepare the coffee to suit.
Yes! Our coffee bags can be recycled through TerraCycle. Simply return your empty coffee bags to either our shop in Wells or our roastery in Upper Langford, and we’ll ensure they are sent for recycling.
Fairtrade is a certification designed to support better trading conditions for farmers and workers. It includes standards around fairer prices, working conditions and community development, helping producers invest in priorities such as education and local infrastructure. Fairtrade standards also include protection against issues such as exploitative labour and child labour.
Organic coffee is grown according to organic farming standards, which restrict the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers. Organic certification also sets requirements around soil health, biodiversity and other farming practices.
Both certificates focus on different aspects of coffee production, and each can help consumers make more informed purchasing decisions.
Coffee blends combine beans from two or more origins to create a particular flavour profile. By bringing different coffees together, roasters can develop a balanced, consistent cup with complementary characteristics.
Single origin coffee comes from one defined geographical origin, which may be a country, region or specific growing area. These coffees can showcase the distinctive flavours associated with their origin.
Single estate coffee comes from one individual estate or farm, offering a closer connection to a specific producer and growing environment.
Single origin and single estate coffees can highlight distinctive flavour characteristics, while blends are often designed to create balance and consistency. However, the flavour of any coffee depends on factors such as the variety, growing conditions, processing method and roast profile.
The roast level influences a coffee’s flavour, acidity, sweetness and body. Although every coffee responds differently to roasting, the following guide explains some common characteristics.
Light roast – Lightly roasted coffee tends to retain more of its original characteristics, including delicate floral, citrus and fruity notes. It often has brighter acidity and a lighter body.
Medium roast – Medium roasted coffee offers a balance between the bean’s natural characteristics and the flavours developed during roasting. You may notice a combination of sweetness, acidity and flavours such as caramel, chocolate and nuts.
Dark roast – Dark roasted coffee develops deeper, more pronounced roasted flavours, often associated with dark chocolate, nuts and caramelised sugar. It generally has less perceived acidity and may have a fuller, heavier flavour profile. Dark roasts tend to lean into more bitter flavours too which makes them ideal for milk-based drinks.
These are general guidelines rather than fixed rules. The final flavour will always depend on the individual coffee and how it has been roasted.
Different roast levels can work well with different brewing methods, but there are no strict rules. Your personal taste is the best guide, and experimenting is a great way to discover what you enjoy most.
At a starting point, we recommend the following:
Light roast
- Drip or filter coffee
- Chemex
Medium roast
- Espresso
- Drip or filter coffee
- Chemex
- AeroPress
- Moka pot
- Cafetiere
Dark roast
- Espresso
- AeroPress
- Moka pot
- Cafetiere
Light roasts can work particularly well with filter methods, which help highlight their delicate flavours. Medium roasts are versatile across a wide range of brewing methods, while dark roasts can be a great choice for those who enjoy richer, more pronounced flavours.
Ultimately, the best combination is the one you enjoy drinking. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different roast levels and brewing methods to find your perfect cup.