Frequently Asked Questions

Which roast should I order?

Origin Coffee is proud to offer three delicious roasts to suit most coffee tastes. Our Medium Roast is a general roast that is perfect for anytime of the day or night. The Medium/Dark Roast boasts ‘Italian’ characteristics and popular for use in espresso machines and is by far our most popular offering. The Dark Roast is our Full City offering and has a full body character and a strong finish, Our dark roast is extremely suited to espresso machines and re-usable coffee pods. All of our coffee can be enjoyed alongside  our  Chocolate-Coated Coffee Beans, please visit our Coffee Shop.

How much coffee should I order each time?

We recommend you order no more than 1 month’s supply of coffee beans at a time, however if the beans are ground then only a two weeks supply should be ordered at any one time.

What is an ‘origin’ coffee?

The majority of coffees are a blend of origins – coffee from different origins around the world are mixed together to create an adequate blend, however our Guatemalan coffee, as an origin, is renowned for its good acidity and medium body, leading to a fine coffee. With fresh roasting it gives a clean cup and a rounded taste with lower levels of caffeine than robusta.

What is green bean coffee?

Green bean is a term used to describe coffee in the state that it leaves the plantation and is transported around the world. At this stage it should have been dried down to about 12% moisture to minimise deterioration. The coffee has no aroma at this point, only when it’s roasted.

How should I store my coffee?

Store ground coffee in a vacuum tight container, some recommend the fridge (not freezer, I’ve had a bad experience with frozen coffee), for an optimum time of two weeks. It is best to grind enough for two to three day’s usage only. Obviously freshly ground coffee tastes the best. Roasted beans will stay fresh for four to five weeks if stored in a similar container.

What’s the difference between Arabica and Robusta coffee?

These are two different species of coffee. The growing cycle and production techniques vary widely. Robusta coffee is easier and cheaper to produce than washed Arabica and these factors follow through with the taste of each species when roasted. Robusta has much more up-front fruity/ harsh characteristics, while washed Arabica has more defined qualities depending on origin and growing season. Due to the cost, Robusta is generally used in instant coffees but is also blended with Arabica to make up the traditional Italian/ Continental espresso coffees which are heavily roasted.

Why is my filter coffee never hot enough?

There are heaps of theories on this one! Boiling water should never be poured directly over coffee grounds as it leads to a scolded taste and doesn’t bring out the best in the coffee. Even with the French press (plunger) the kettle should be left for a couple of minutes to drop from boiling temperature before the water is poured onto the coffee. So, filter machines are designed with this in mind and produce coffee that is not as hot as some people are used to. If you add milk, I suggest that you follow the Dutch tradition of using concentrated milk (UHT). Anchor produces a handy little carton. Less milk is needed and the coffee remains hotter acquiring that special coffee milk flavour.

Why does coffee never taste the same when I get it home and prepare it?

It’s all in the preparation! But the freshness of the roast and grind can make the difference. Another major factor is your frame of mind. When you’re out and stop to have a coffee you have made time to enjoy it. At home we normally have half a dozen things going on at the same time and hardly ever devote full time out to enjoy a coffee.

When placing an order, are my personal details safe with your company?

We are committed to protecting your privacy and will NEVER solicit your email address or any other details you provide to us with any other persons and/or companies, other than the required contact details to our delivery company to enable your coffee order to reach you!

Is it safe to order online using my credit card?

Yes. Origin Coffee uses secure and confidential payment methods to ensure your security and privacy. When using our online store, all payments are processed through Paypal, an external payment gateway. You will be redirected to a secure Paypal form to enter your credit card information. As a result of this, Origin Coffee does not store any credit card information and you can rest assured that your details are safe with one of the worlds largest payment providers.

How long will it take before I receive my Origin Coffee order?

Your coffee order will be processed and dispatched within 24 hours. We use Pass The Parcel for all New Zealand delivers, which take between 24 and 48 hours (depending on your location). New Zealand rural address destinations and weekend orders may take a little bit longer, however all parcels of coffee are tracked so Contact Us if you have any questions or concerns regarding your order. International orders are subject to standard International Post terms.

If you have any additional questions please do not hesitate to Contact Us.