Frequently Asked Questions

Coffee is the second most widely traded commodity yet, the vast majority of people have probably never had a great cup of coffee.

Even with the rise of "specialty coffee" the overall quality of brewed coffee in this country is poor. Many people regularly drink weak, bitter, brownish hot water and accept it, thinking "that's what coffee is." There are many possible reasons for this but the simple fact is brewing a great cup of coffee is not difficult. A great brew isn't a simple thing, but an excellent cup of coffee is worth it!

Coffee should not taste bitter, nor must it taste like charcoal. It can taste chocolaty and have elements of citrus without adding any chocolate or fruit. You should look forward to your morning cup of coffee!

This section of our website explores the how, what, where, and why of coffee in pursuit of that great cup of coffee. It will explain the elements involved in making a great cup of brewed coffee. The FAQs will be particularly helpful for those who have little or no knowledge about coffee however, connoisseurs should be able to glean some new information.

While we cannot begin to address all your possible questions, please go through the 20 FAQs below before asking questions. If you still have a question, want to request a recipe or just make a suggestion please click here.

1. What are the overall factors that go into brewing a great cup of coffee?
2. What is the perfect water temperature to brew a great cup of coffee?
3. Does the quality of the water really affect the taste of the coffee?
4. How much ground coffee should I use?
5. How do I keep coffee hot?
6. Why is coffee bitter?
7. What if my coffee is too strong or too weak?
8. What are coffee beans?
9. Can you explain the difference between Arabica and Robusta coffee beans?
10. How important is the beans' country of origin?
11. What's the difference between dry processing and wet processing?
12. So why does "mocha" refer to coffee with chocolate?
13. What is a "Peaberry"?
14. What is the difference between the various decaffeination processes?
15. Is coffee acidic?
16. How much caffeine is in decaffeinated coffee?
17. Is coffee harmful?
18. How and where was coffee discovered?
19. What is "cupping"?
20. What is Iced Coffee?