Welcome to
Coffee Talk
We’ve brewed up answers to the questions we hear most from our Alma Coffee family. From brewing tips to roast comparisons, this is your one-stop spot for learning more about all things Alma.
About
Brewing
What is the best way to brew coffee?
There’s no single “best” way — it depends on your taste and what gear you have at home. Some people love the clarity of pour-over, others prefer the boldness of a French press, and some like the convenience of a drip machine.
How does grind size affect brewing?
Grind size is one of the most important factors in getting a great cup. To start, you’ll want your coffee ground to the appropriate size for your brew method. We can grind it for you when you order, or you can pick up a grinder and do it yourself at home.
Coarse grind → best for French press and cold brew
Medium grind → works well in drip machines
Medium-fine grind → ideal for pour-over
Fine grind → perfect for espresso
Does water temperature matter?
Yes. The sweet spot is between 195°F and 205°F. (At Alma we keep ours at 203°F). Too hot and you’ll over-extract, making coffee taste bitter. Too cold and it will be under-extracted, tasting sour or flat.
Which roasts should I try for different brew methods?
Pour-over → light to medium roasts to highlight bright, fruity notes (We recommend our Natural Process Roast.)
French press → medium to dark roasts for a rich, full-bodied cup (We recommend our Soulmate Roast.)
Espresso → medium-dark roasts for balance and crema (We recommend our Essence Roast.)
Quick tip: Use fresh, filtered water and freshly ground coffee. It makes a world of difference.
About
Cold Brew
What is cold brew?
Cold brew is coffee that’s brewed with cold water instead of hot. Instead of a quick extraction, the grounds steep for 12–24 hours, giving you a smooth, naturally sweet flavor with lower acidity.
How is cold brew different from iced coffee?
Iced coffee is brewed hot and then chilled over ice. Cold brew is steeped cold from the start. The result is less bitterness and a smoother taste that many coffee lovers prefer.
How do you make cold brew at home?
- Start with coarsely ground coffee. We recommend our Frio Roast.
- Use a 1:4 ratio of coffee to water (adjust to taste).
- Steep in the fridge for 12–24 hours.
- Strain and serve over ice. Add water or milk if you prefer it lighter.
About
Subscriptions
What is an Alma Coffee subscription?
Our subscription makes it easy to keep your favorite Alma roasts stocked at home. Choose the coffee you love, pick how often you want it delivered, and we’ll handle the rest.
Why should I subscribe instead of ordering one bag at a time?
Subscribing saves you time and money. You never have to worry about running out of coffee, you get exclusive savings, and free shipping as a subscriber. Plus, you can update, pause or cancel your subscription anytime.
Can I change my subscription after I start it?
Absolutely. You can switch the roast, adjust the grind size, change how often it ships, or even skip a delivery. It’s flexible so it fits your coffee routine.
About
Storing Coffee
What is the best way to store coffee beans?
Keep your coffee in an airtight container at room temperature. Oxygen, light, moisture, and heat are the biggest threats to freshness. We recommend our sleek, custom-etched stainless steel canisters. These specific coffee canisters are far superior than their competitors due to their patented lid design that actively removes and locks out air pressure, resulting in optimal freshness and flavor in your beans.
How long do beans stay fresh?
Whole beans taste best within 2–4 weeks of roasting. Ground coffee loses freshness faster, usually within 1–2 weeks. At alma we roasted to order. When it comes to freshness, we go the extra mile. Each coffee order is meticulously roasted and marked with a handwritten date before being mailed. This commitment to quality reflects our belief in an extraordinary cup of coffee.
Should I keep my coffee in the fridge or freezer?
We don’t recommend the fridge because coffee easily absorbs moisture and odors. Freezing can work if you’re storing beans for a long time, but make sure they’re sealed in an airtight bag and only take out what you plan to use.
more
Coffee Questions
Roasting Schedule
We roast all of our coffees fresh to order 6+ days a week. Shipping is available Monday - Friday with our average turnaround being around 24-48 hours from order placement.
Certifications Including Organic
Between our roastery and family farms we are proud to carry the following certifications:
- Georgia Grown - Alma Roastery
- USDA Certified Organic - Alma Family Farms & Roastery
- Bird Friendly - Alma Family Farms
- Rainforest Alliance - Alma Family Farms
- Fair Trade TSA - Alma Family Farms
- Con Manos De Mujer - Alma Family Farms
How to Store Coffee
For optimal enjoyment of your Alma Coffee, we recommend ordering fresh and in whole bean. Once your coffee is in hand, we recommend consumption within 2 months of its roast date. Please note that this is a recommendation and not an expiration date, you can enjoy the coffee much longer than the recommended 2 month time frame.
For optimal storage we recommend storing your coffee in its original packing and using the resealable zippers. Alternatively, you can keep your coffee fresher longer by storing in one of our canisters with patented vaccum sealed technology.
Acid Sensitivity
Coffee naturally has acidity in it and we can not guarantee you won't experience acid sensitivity when drinking any coffee.
By controlling the entire coffee supply chain from farm to cup and consistently roasting fresh daily, we have gotten feedback that our coffee does not trigger acid sensitivity the way it is experienced with other coffee brands. If you are looking for a low acid coffee, we recommend checking out our medium and dark roast offerings for safe options with minimal acidity.
K-Cups and Single Serve Options
Staying true to our 3 key pillars; improving lives, sustainable practices, and extraordinary coffee, we do not offer disposable k-cups. Single use k-cups are generally made of cheap plastics and metals. When these products come in contact with hot water, micro-plastics and micro-metals make their way into your cup of coffee and then into your body. We recommend you check out re-usable k-cup options available online. Make sure you check compatibility with your current Keurig machine as one size does not fit all.
Flavored Coffee
All of our coffees have tasting notes which are natural flavors derived during its maturity at the farming level. Flavored coffee is very different. The process of flavoring coffee involves taking roasted coffee beans and covering them in a sugary and very concentrated artificially flavored syrup. If you are looking to add additional flavor to your coffee, we recommend using natural extract or simple syrups.
Coffee Catering
We sure do! We can work with you to provide an amazing coffee experience at your next event. To get the conversation started and to get a quote please contact us using the form below.
Green Coffee for Home Roasting
Please reach out to us using the form below for inquiries on green bean for home roasting. Please make sure to include the following information:
- Desired quantity in pounds
- Desired process (washed, honey process, natural process)
- If you plan to pick up the order or have it shipped
- If shipping the order, the address for the shipment