FAQ's

Arabica beans and robusta beans are two different species of coffee grown commercially for consumption as coffee. The general differences are those of taste, the conditions under which the two species grow and economic differences.

Taste: Arabicas have a wider taste range. They range in taste from sweet-soft to sharp-tangy. Their unroasted smell is sometimes likened to blueberries. Their roasted smell is aromatic with fruity notes and sugary tones. Not only is Neighbors Coffee strictly Arabica coffee, but they only use the top 10% of Arabica in the world. Robustas taste range is neutral to harsh and they are often described as tasting grain-like or oatmeally. Burnt tires is the description that many people find more accurate.

Production Conditions: Arabicas are delicate; they require cool subtropical climates, lots of moisture, rich soil, shade and sun. They are subject to attack from various pests, and are extremely vulnerable to cold and bad handling. Arabicas also must be grown at a higher elevation of 600 to 2000 meters. Robustas are hardier plants, capable of growing well at low altitudes of 200 to 800 meters, they are also less subject to problems related to pests and rough handling. They yield more pounds of finished goods per acre at a lower cost of production.

Economics: Customs and trade, supply and demand over the course of the last 150 years has determined the relative values of Arabica vs. Robusta beans. Generally speaking, the best coffees are all Arabicas and the highest quality blends are pure Arabica blends. They are also the priciest.

In the U.S. you will generally find Arabicas in the coffee store and specialty food shop, and Robustas in the supermarket cans. Jars of instant are almost exclusively Robusta.

Neighbors Coffees contain the finest beans available from each country of origin. Nevertheless, customer preferences are a consequence of personal taste. Defined are the different characteristics you'll find in our coffees:

Body- The sense of fullness, richness or thickness when one tastes coffee. The impression of lightness or weight when drinking coffee.

Flavor- Refers to the intensity of the taste characteristics and range from one-dimensional to rich and complex.

Acidity- This is a wonderful quality for a great coffee. A sharp “nippy” taste or snap denoting a pleasant tartness and is most desirable for many coffee drinkers. Acidity can be assessed as lively, moderate, flat or dull.

Aroma- The smell or bouquet of the coffee or the strength of vapors released from freshly brewed coffee. 

There are many answers to this question…

A. Whatever seems right to you.
B. It may change slightly from coffee to coffee and according to freshness and varietals.
C. What the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) has to say: A cup is defined as 6 ounces of water before brewing. This will produce 5.33 ounces of brewed coffee.
D. The easy answer for most home coffee brewing is 2 Tbs. per 6 oz of water. A standard coffee measure should be 2 Tbs. Be warned some coffee measures deviate from the 2 Tbs. standard.

It is quite simple: Coffee is at least 98% water; therefore, the higher the quality of water, the higher the quality of the resulting cup of coffee. If your tap water tastes good at room temperature tap water is probably fine for making coffee. If your tap water has off flavors, then your coffee will have off flavors. Many people use filtered or bottled water for their coffee. There is a difference. Some of the newer more expensive coffee pots come with replaceable charcoal filters built into the machine. If at all possible don't use distilled water. It is missing minerals that make water pleasing to drink. Please note that your taste buds are more acute when tasting warm liquids so it is important to taste your perspective water at room temperature since you will be drinking your coffee warm.

The optimal water temperature for coffee is 92-96C (197.6-204.8F) for 90% of the contact time.

Generally, the darker any coffee is roasted, the heavier and stronger tasting it will be in the cup. Look for clues in the name that the coffee is a dark roast (i.e. Viennese, French Roast, Seattle, Dark, N'Orleans, etc.) The purpose of roasting is to extract the flavor out of the coffee. When roasted to extremes, coffee will taste burnt.

Storage is integral to maintaining your coffee's freshness and flavor. It is important to keep it away from excessive air, moisture, heat, and light -- in that order -- in order to preserve its fresh-roast flavor as long as possible. Coffee beans are decorative and beautiful to look at but you will compromise the taste of your coffee if you store your beans in ornamental, glass canisters on your kitchen countertop. Doing so will cause them to become stale and your coffee will quickly lose its fresh flavor.

STORE YOUR DAILY COFFEE...

It is important not to refrigerate or freeze your daily supply of coffee because contact with moisture will cause it to deteriorate. Instead, store coffee in air-tight glass or ceramic containers and keep it in a convenient, but dark and cool, location. Remember that a cabinet near the oven is often too warm, as is a cabinet on an outside wall of your kitchen if it receives heat from a strong afternoon or summer sun.

The commercial coffee containers that you purchased your coffee in are generally not appropriate for long-term storage. Appropriate coffee storage canisters with an airtight seal are a worthwhile investment.

It is wise to purchase coffee in amounts proportionate to how quickly it will used. Coffee begins to lose its freshness almost immediately after roasting so it is far better to purchase it in smaller quantities. Purchase freshly roasted coffee frequently and buy only what you will use in the next 1 or 2 weeks. And because exposure to air is your coffee's worst enemy, it is a good idea to divide your coffee supply into several smaller portions, keeping the larger, unused portion in an air-tight container.

STORE LARGER QUANTITIES OF COFFEE...

If you've purchased a large quantity of coffee that you will not use immediately, small portions, wrapped in airtight bags, can be stored for up to a month in the freezer. Once you have removed them from the freezer, however, do not return them. Instead, move them to an air-tight container and store in a cool, dry place.

Coffee contains less than one calorie per 8-ounce serving (without cream or sugar). The flavorings we use in our coffees do not add any nutritional value, therefore 0 calories and 0 fat.