Frequently Asked Questions

How do I order coffee from BlackBridge Coffee Roasters?

All orders are processed through our website. We offer several secure payment options: (1) all major credit cards and debit cards (MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, etc.), (2) our secure PayPal platform. We process and ship orders every Monday thru Thursday. To ensure the freshness and integrity of our roasted coffee products, we strive to provide our customers with fast response and turnaround times. Once we receive your order, we will roast and ship on the same day or the following business day every Monday thru Thursday. Once ordered, you should receive your coffee within 2-3 business days. We ship via USPS Priority Mail to your home, office or business. 

What is specialty coffee?

Specialty coffee is the highest quality coffee in the world. Specialty coffees are grown in ideal climates and are distinctive because of their full cup taste with little to no defects. The unique flavors and tastes are a result of the special characteristics inherent in the coffee bean, the growing environment, the climate and composition of the soil in which they are produced. 

What makes BlackBridge Coffee Roasters so special?

BlackBridge Coffee Roasters is creating a global community through our commitment to worldwide sourcing, meticulous product development, quality roasting techniques and the dependable delivery of the freshest and finest coffee available in the United States. We are the premier 100% black owned and operated coffee roasting company in the world. We shine nationally and internationally as a beacon of quality, culture and professionalism in the specialty coffee industry. 

What does Roast-to-Order mean?

We strive to bring our customers the freshest and best tasting coffee available. Unlike many of our competitors, we do not carry an inventory of roasted coffee. Each batch is roasted on demand, only when ordered to ensure freshness and quality. Once roasted, your coffee is immediately shipped to you the same day or the following business day.

Where is your coffee from?

We import and have direct relationships with independent coffee farmers and coffee farmer cooperatives in Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Caribbean. Our coffee origins include: Ethiopia, Kenya, Burundi, Columbia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Indonesia, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. 

Is BlackBridge Coffee roasted light, medium or dark?

Our roasts range from light to medium to dark, with the goal of creating a balanced and traditionally inspired cup in every batch of coffee created.

What is the difference between light, medium, and dark roasted coffees?

LIGHT: Generally, light roast coffees are more acidic, bright, with fruity flavors and less body (thinks teas). Body refers to the mouthfeel; coffee either feels thick and syrupy in the mouth or thin like tea. 

MEDIUM: Medium roasted coffees may have a balance of flavors and body.

DARK: Dark roast coffees are full-bodied, smoky and have less acidity.

Why are some coffee beans oily?

For dark roasted coffee, the “oil” on the surface of the beans is a sign of freshness. It’s actually not oil, but starches in the beans that have been released by the dark roast. Light roasted coffees do not release any oil on the surface of the beans.

What are the small brown flakes mixed in with my coffee beans?

You may notice a small amount of brown flakes mixed in with your roasted coffee beans. These flakes are known as coffee chaff. Chaff is a natural part of the coffee bean; it’s the husk or thin layer of “skin” of the coffee fruit that’s common on the exterior of green coffee beans. As green coffee beans dry and expand during roasting, chaff is shed and burned off during the roasting process. The remaining chaff is removed after roasting, leaving a negligible amount remaining in the final product. Chaff has no flavor, so it does not add to or take away from the flavor of your brew. Many consider the presence of chaff as evidence of freshness and quality; a by-product of high-quality coffee beans that are freshly roasted to perfection. 

How long does roasted coffee beans last and stay fresh?

Our roasted coffee beans will stay fresh for no more than 30 days after the roasting date specified on the product's label . After 30 days, the coffee will start losing its flavor and freshness. You will start noticing a difference in its aroma and a staleness in its taste. The freshness of our coffee depends on the development of the bean's original flavor compounds, that fully develop within 24 to 48 hours after roasting. This begins the optimal time to consume your coffee. With each passing day after roasting, the flavor compounds that are locked inside the bean begin to slowly escape. This is a natural process and once all of the compounds have escaped, your coffee beans are stale and unusable. For ultimate freshness and flavor, it’s good practice to properly store your coffee beans and keep in whole bean form until you decide to grind them immediately before brewing. When you grind your coffee beans, grind just the amount that you’ll use for brewing. Again, for optimal flavor, our coffee beans should be used within 30 days of roasting. 

How do I properly brew my coffee beans at home?

Coffee is very personal; the proper way to brew your roasted coffee beans depends on your individual liking. Keeping that in mind, adhering to a few basic fundamentals will help you perfect your brewing technique for optimal flavor:

-Your Equipment: Make sure that your tools (grinders, filters and brewers) are cleaned thoroughly after each use. Check your equipment's directions for proper cleaning instructions.

-Your Beans: Great coffee starts with great coffee beans. The quality and flavor of your coffee is not only determined by your brewing process, but also by the type of coffee you select. There can be a world of difference between coffee origins, varieties, roasts and textures. While there are a lot of choices when it comes to selecting coffee beans, remember that there is no right or wrong choice. Your preference is all that matters. Have fun trying and enjoying the different single origin beans and signature blends that we offer, to find your favorite flavor profiles. 

-Freshness: Purchase coffee as soon as possible after it's roasted. Fresh roasted coffee is essential to a quality cup. Never reuse your coffee grounds to make coffee. Once brewed, the desirable coffee flavors have been extracted and only the bitter ones are left. Instead of reusing them, find ways to recycle your used coffee grounds. 

-The Grind: Always grind your beans as close to your brew time for maximum freshness. Also, the size of your grind is hugely important to the taste of your coffee. If your coffee tastes bitter, it may be over-extracted, or ground too fine.  On the other hand, if your coffee tastes flat, it may be under-extracted, meaning your grind is too coarse.  Find a grind texture that works for you. Refer to your grinder's instructions for recommendations. 

-Your Water: The water that you use is important to the quality of your coffee. Use filtered or bottled water. Unfiltered tap water may have a strong taste or odor due to added chlorine or other chemicals.

-The Golden Ratio: Coffee-To-Water Ratio

The coffee industry's general brewing guideline is known as the "Golden Ratio" - two tablespoons of ground coffee for every six ounces of water. This can be adjusted to suit your individual taste preferences. Check the cup lines or indicators on your specific brewer to see how they actually measure. Remember that some water is lost to evaporation in certain brewing methods. 

When it comes to coffee, there are no right or wrong choices. Again, your preference is all that matters. We encourage you to experiment with different roasts, origins and preparation methods to find the coffee that's best for you.

How do I store BlackBridge Coffee?

Improperly stored coffee beans will lose its freshness and its high quality taste very quickly. Four of coffee’s worst enemies: oxygen, light, moisture and heat. Always store your coffee in an airtight, opaque container so that the coffee beans are protected from air, light, moisture and heat. Keep the container in a cool, dark cabinet until you decide to grind the coffee for consumption. 

Grind, Brew & Enjoy!

BlackBridge Coffee Roasters