+ How should I store my coffee?

Coffee goes stale when exposed to oxygen. Our bags have an airtight seal which, keeps your coffee fresh. Once opened, we recommend resealing the bag each time. Alternatively, any airtight container such as Tupperware or Kilner Jars work well but don't put in the fridge. Keep out of direct sunlight.

+ How long will my coffee stay fresh?

Whole beans will stay tasting their best at least 1 month after the roast date printed on the bag. We recommend consuming within 2 months. Ground coffee doesn't stay as fresh due to the increased surface area. We recommend consuming ground coffee within 3 weeks of the roast date. We are happy to grind for you but for the best results we recommend you grind fresh just before brewing. There are some great home grinders out there. We prefer burr grinders over blade grinders for the most consistent results.

+ Does Carve Coffee have a roast day?

Yes. Every week day

+ When will I receive my order?

We post orders either first or second class by Royal Mail. We roast throughout the week so aim to have your coffee to you 2 days after ordering.

+ Can I collect from the roastery?

Yes, we are open to the public. Check our latest opening times on our website. We also offer free delivery to Dorset postcodes.

+ I hate running out of coffee. Can I have a rolling order?

Yes. We offer subscriptions which are quick, easy and no faff. You decide how much you want and you will receive a regular order every month.

+ Coffee at work is either bad or runs out. Can I get a Carve Coffee at work?

Yes. We know how important that coffee fix is at work. Why not get your lovely boss to open a Carve Coffee bulk Subscription or get your colleagues to club together and set one up between you. Whichever way you do it, it's simple, faff free and you can have fresh coffee at work every day.

+ Can I recycle your packaging?

Yes. Our coffee bags are 100% plastic. They are a composite of PET and LDPE plastic. They can be recycled the same as carrier bags. This is either at a supermarket bag recycling point or in your household recycling. We recommend checking how your local council recycles LDPE (code 4) plastics. Our postage boxes are cardboard or paper and can recycled in your household recycling. We chose Dutch Coffee Pack to supply our bags because since January 2019, every coffee bag they supply is certified CO2-neutral and they invest in projects to help different issues in the coffee industry.

+ What grind size do I need?

We list 4 options. WHOLE BEANS: For those with their own grinder or 'Bean-to-cup' machine. COARSE grind: For use with a French press, Cafetiere, Chemex, or Batch Brew. MEDIUM grind: For use with an Aeropress, V60, Clever dripper or Kalita wave. FINE grind: For home Espresso machines, Moka pot or Stove top.

+ What water should I use?

Coffee is about 98% water so brewing with good tasting water will give you a more delicious coffee. Softer water is better for taste and your appliances, as you will get less limescale build up. If you don't live in a soft water area, then home water filters do the job and are better for the environment than bottled water.

+ What is Speciality coffee?

Speciality coffee is a term for the highest grade of coffee available. Professional tasters, called ‘Q-graders’, assess coffee by grading it using a score out of 100. Anything above 80 can be considered Speciality. Coffee below 80 is classified as Commodity coffee. Commodity coffee is traded under one single global price, the C-price. This price fluctuates with supply and demand on a global scale. When supply is high and demand is low, producers often receive less for their coffee than the cost of production. Speciality coffee is not traded at the C-price. A higher, fairer price can be secured for the producer based on the quality of the product and trade relationships. Speciality coffee is more traceable than commodity coffee. As a result, the higher price the consumer pays, the more money goes directly back to the specific farms and co-operatives who grow it.

+ What does 'Process' mean on my bag of Carve Coffee?

Put very simply, this is how the coffee beans have been picked, sorted and dried before being put in sacks and shipped from all over the world. This may include Natural, Washed, Pulped Natural and Honey.

Want to know more? Read our blog on Coffee processing.

+ What does 'Varietal' mean on my bag of Carve Coffee?

It's like a family tree of coffee! The Coffee tree or Coffea Shrub produces cherries from which coffee beans are extracted. The two main commercial species are Arabica and Robusta. Coffee varietals are the hybrids or natural mutations of these two species. Each varietal will have its own taste profile and characteristics, much like wine. Farmers choose which varietal based on production and resistance to things like weather and disease.