Frequently asked questions about our coffee
What is the difference between espresso and filter coffee?
In our Alf & Bet roastery, we roast every coffee in two different ways. We roast espresso coffee slightly longer to emphasize its sweetness and body under the higher pressure of a coffee machine and faster extraction. Filter coffee is roasted lighter (i.e., for a shorter time) to highlight its flavor potential during the slower extraction of drip brewers (V60, Kalita, Chemex, Aeropress, Moccamaster, etc.).
What does the label "specialty coffee" mean?
It is the highest quality coffee, scoring over 80 out of 100 points in international evaluations. We focus on beans that have achieved at least 85 points and have a clear origin, where we know the farmers and specific regions, such as Las Delicias in Colombia or La Torre in Guatemala.
What is the best way to store coffee beans?
If you order coffee in a bag, we recommend keeping it in our original packaging. The bags are equipped with a one-way valve that releases CO2 while preventing air from entering, which slows down the degradation of the coffee.
If you choose the gift tube packaging, we recommend consuming the coffee as soon as possible. For longer storage, it is best to move the coffee into a bag with a one-way valve or a specialized coffee canister (such as Airscape) to maintain its quality. In general: keep your coffee in a dry, dark place at room temperature.
When was the coffee I ordered roasted?
Freshness is a priority for us, and we roast coffee regularly several times a week in our roastery in Prague's Holešovice. We usually ship the coffee just a few days after roasting, in some cases a maximum of one week. You will find the specific roasting date on every package.
To achieve the best taste and full potential, we recommend letting the coffee "rest":
- Filter coffee: Ideally consume 2–3 weeks after roasting.
- Espresso coffee: Ideally consume 3 weeks after roasting.
How long do coffee beans stay fresh?
We roast on an American Loring hot-air roaster, and this technology is very gentle on the coffee. After roasting, coffee releases CO2, and with our roasting style, it is ideal to let it "rest" for at least 2–3 weeks for filter coffee and at least 3 weeks for espresso. During this time, the beans get rid of excess CO2, allowing the full flavor potential of the coffee to shine during preparation. It is certainly not true that the fresher the better, and you should not be afraid to consume our coffee even more than a month after the roast date.