To Decaf, or not to Decaf?

Coffee is one of those things that tastes best when in its most natural state.  There are those that drink it just for the jolt.  While we understand that, we drink it for the enjoyment of the delicious flavors. Then, there are the times when additional doses of caffein just won’t be good! Unfortunately, most of the decaffeinated coffees available today taste either like burnt rubber, or has the aroma of angry children.
Enter Central Decaf.  This is a fantastic blend of decaffeinated coffee from Central America, and has the deep, mellow flavors consistent with what you’d find in our other coffees.  The most frequent comment we get is, “Are you sure you gave me decaf?”  We love it!!

All the fancy coffee-drinkers talk about is acidity, what is that?

In coffee land, “Acidity” is a word used to describe taste, and has nothing to do with the kind of acid that mobsters use to dispose  bodies…which we know nothing about.  It is a term used in a similar way as when describing wine – acidity is to coffee as dryness is to wine.  A coffee with good acidity might be described by terms like bright, clear, snappy, dry, clean, winey, or lively.  It is more of a sensation than a taste, and is experienced on the tip of the tongue and/or the roof of the mouth. Acidity is great. Acidity is the bee’s knees and the cat’s meow. Acidity is a sensation that we like to have in the coffee, particularly at the front end of the flavor process.  Coffees without acidity tend to taste flat and dull, and convey a deep sense of despair.

How should coffee be stored so that it stays fresh?

There are a couple good ways to preserve your coffees freshness.  The main thing to remember is that coffee should be stored in a dry location, in an air tight container, and away from sunlight.  We do not recommend storing your coffee in the freezer or refrigerator as they can easily pick up moisture from the cold-to-room temperature changes.  They can also pick up flavors from foods like onions, garlic, or that take-out chinese that has been sitting there for a little too long but looks fine so you might eat it anyway. Remember, whole beans hold their freshness much longer than ground coffee.  So, if possible, don’t grind till you’re ready to brew. If you purchased your coffee in one of our Biotrē Film® bags, then your coffee should remain fresh for approximately 2 to 3 weeks when stored in a cool, dry place and away from sun light. If you need some extended freshness, try our foil lined bag for added shelf-life.

You just mentioned bags, why does you bag look like a paper sack?

Most coffee bags are made from a standard plastic/foil laminate which is made from non-renewable fossil fuels and are not considered biodegradable. This presents a predicament for us in that we want to  exercise an element of responsibility while at the same time remaining practical.

The bag option we have chosen is our craft paper bag with a foil liner.  The natural craft paper exterior is a great choice as it is made from a renewable resource, and gives the bag a great look.  The foil liner provides for additional shelf life.  It may not be quite as exciting or accompanied by as many big words as some of the competitors, but it is an excellent bag nonetheless.