Q: How long has Alakef Coffee been in Business?
A: We started roasted specialty grade coffees in 1990 in Duluth Minnesota
Q: What type of coffees does Alakef roast?
A: There are two types of coffee- robusta and Arabica. Robustas are grown at low altitudes and are intended to give a high yield. Most commercial roasters use robusta coffee. Arabicas, on the other had are grown at higher altitudes and are hand picked at their peak. This along with other attributes gives Arabica coffees superior aroma and flavor. Alakef Coffee Roasters uses only the top grade of Arabica which represents between 5-10 percent of all Arabica coffees grown.
Q: Does Alakef Coffee offer organic coffees?
A: Yes, currently we offer around 20 different 100 percent certified organic and fair trade coffees. We are certified organic by the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association which is our certifying agency affiliated with USDA.
Q: Does Alakef Coffee offer Fair Trade coffees?
A: Yes, matter of fact, all of our organic coffees are also certified Fair Trade through TransFair USA.
Q: What is Fair Trade Coffee?
A: A guaranteed price for their coffee which empowers the farmers to invest in their communities, protect the environment and develop the business skills to compete in the global marketplace.
Q: Does Alakef Coffee conduct tours?
A: Yes, current customers as well as individuals looking at starting a business are welcome to see first hand the roasting process.
In addition, public tours are conducted during the summer months and typically scheduled the last Friday of the month. Please call ahead for a current tour schedule. Group size is limited.
Q: Where does Alakef get their coffee?
A: From all over the world. We are currently buying coffees from South America, Central America, Africa and the Far East.
Q: How are orders processed?
A: Providing your orders are received before 11am Monday through Friday, we roast, package and ship that same day. You won’t find a fresher bean!
Q: What does the term “cupping” refer to?
A: Cupping is coffee terminology for tasting and evaluating coffee and coffee characteristics such as body, flavor and acidity. Farmers, importers and roasters cup coffees to determine different coffees unique characteristics associated with aroma and flavor. Cupping is also done to find defects that would affect coffee flavor.
Q: How are coffees decaffeinated?
A: There are several processes and methods used to decaffeinate green coffee - including the water process, CO2 process, as well as direct and indirect methods. The direct and indirect methods commonly use methylene chloride or ethyl acetate solvent baths to draw the caffeine molecule from the green bean. Water processes will commonly use charcoal and water to extract the caffeine. International standards mandate that between 97% and 99.9% of all caffeine be removed from the green bean before it can be sold as "decaffeinated". Alakef Coffee carries both types of decaffeinated coffees.
Q: How much caffeine is in a cup of coffee?
A: It will vary depending on coffee type and roast but generally speaking a 5 fluid ounce cup of regular coffee contains 60 mg to 180 mg of caffeine. Arabica coffees contain less caffeine compared to robusta. Also, darker roast coffees contain less caffeine compared to lighter roasts.
Q: How much caffeine is in a cup of decaffeinated coffee?
A: The decaffeination process must remove 97-99 percent of the caffeine for the coffee to be considered decaffeinated.
Q: What is the best way to store coffee?
A: If at all possible, keep it out of the freezer as well as the refrigerator. Purchase what you will use in a week and keep the coffee in an air tight container away from direct sunlight.