FAQs, Coffees, Roasts, & More

Ever wonder about the path a coffee bean takes to get to your cup? 

A: We know the entire process due to our direct involvement with the entire chain. Our green coffee buyers travel extensively in search of the highest quality 100% Arabica coffee beans from each producing country. From ethically sourcing out sustainably harvested coffee agriculture, to picking off the coffee cherries from the coffee trees, to processing and sorting, to exporting and importing, to roasting and final fulfillment, our program monitors and implements strict standards at each step of the coffee bean's path. We pay a premium for our strict standards which rewards farmers and mill processors to produce the highest quality of Arabica coffees.

Rain-forest Alliance coffee focuses primarily on good farming habits to protect the wildlife and also on waste water management so that the water that is returned to the streams is as clean and if not cleaner then when it was taken out of the streams. Rainforest Alliance coffees are grown and harvested in a way that contributes to the protection and growth of local economies, environments, and social groups.

Fair-Trade uses trace-ability to get farmer higher wages allowing them to hold onto their farms and invest in quality. These premiums are then used by the cooperatives and farmers as needed for equipment, tools, and other items that are used on a daily basis. It puts farmers in direct contact with importers and roasters which creates long-term sustainability that help their communities flourish.

Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (SMBC) is dedicated to understanding, conserving, and championing biodiversity and the grand phenomenon of bird migration. Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center programs help raise awareness about migratory birds and the need to protect diverse habitats across the Western Hemisphere.

Organic certification on our products regulates organic in-country agricultural practices by ensuring the preservation or enhancement of water and soil quality; wetlands, woodlands and wildlife conservation; and preventing the use of synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering. Free of GMOs and harmful synthetics, organic coffees are regulated at each stage of the production process. Swiss Water decaf guarantees your coffee is free of chemicals, while maintaining impeccable flavor and body.

The perfect roast is a personal choice that is sometimes influenced by national preference or geographic location. We always cup at medium roast, black, no preservatives, and base our product descriptions on this roasting/cupping profile. 

Light roasts

Many consumers assume that the strong, rich flavor of darker roasts indicates a higher level of caffeine. But the truth is, light roasts actually have a slightly higher concentration. Light brown in color, this roast is generally preferred for milder coffee varieties. There will be no oil on the surface of these beans because they are not roasted long enough for the oils to break through to the surface. Also known as City, Half City, and Cinnamon.

Medium roasts

This roast is medium brown in color with a stronger flavor and a non-oily surface. It’s often referred to as the American roast because it is generally preferred in the United States. Also known as Full City, American, and Breakfast.

Medium/dark roasts

Rich, dark color, this roast has some oil on the surface and with a slight bittersweet aftertaste. Best known as Full City +

Dark roasts

This roast produces shiny black beans with an oily surface and a pronounced bitterness. The darker the roast, the less acidity will be found in the coffee beverage. Dark roast coffees run from slightly dark to charred, and the names are often used interchangeably. Best known as New Orleans, Espresso, European, Viennese, Italian, French, and Continental.

Q: Why are coffee prices rising now?

A: Coffee is a traded commodity that is exchanged daily, and like sugar and cocoa, these prices rise for many reasons. Currently, speculators are "holding the paper" on coffees which forces the market differentials to rise. Also, global transit issues at the Panama and Suez canals cause delays and rerouting of carrier ships. Finally, domestic freight logistics fuel increases, rising supply costs, and overwhelming domestic carrier postage/shipping increases which occur 2-3 times per year; USPS is the one carrier that has 3 increases per year.

Q: How can I contact you regarding my order and shipping?

A: You may contact us via e-mail for any questions that you may have; this is our preferred method of contact as our customer service answers all e-mails immediately. However, sometimes it is necessary to contact us for an immediate concern. Whenever this arises, please contact us as soon as possible at 617-798-0572, eastern Time USA, and we will handle your concern expeditiously. If there is ever an order problem, we will address that FIRST and contact the buyer prior to final shipment. As of January 2023, we no longer process any customer requests(s) to change a shipping address. This policy is necessary so that accurate information may be maintained within the account, financial, and shipping gateways of our website. Please make every effort to ensure that the shipping information given in checkout is accurate, and review the check-out screens for accuracy prior to placing your final order. If a cancellation is requested, cancellation fees will apply; please see our cancellation policy.

Q: What information will I receive regarding my order? 

A: Order confirmation and shipment tracking information will be sent to you via your provided email. Tracking usually updates with the carriers within 36 hours. We have noticed that scans are not updating expeditiously and carrier hubs are over-loaded resulting in a final scan to appear at order destination or final delivery.

Q: When will my credit card be charged for my order? 

A: Your credit card will be charged during fulfillment within 24 hours of ordering.

Q: Can I attach a message to my order? 

A: Yes, there is a message box for the recipient prior to order completion. You may also contact us via a separate e-mail at contact@rhoadsroast-coffees.com or though the contact link page on our website or through chat.

Q: Can I use a different shipping and a billing address?

A: Yes, you can provide a different shipping and billing address. Please update your profile with the addresses that you wish to use. All financial data must correspond to your billing address. Please make sure your zip code is accurate with your financial institution because sometimes the zip code will prevent final payment processing. If this happens, you made need to contact your bank. 

Q: Do you ship International? 

A: Yes, please refer to our shipping page for detailed information. You may also contact us for international shipping rates based upon product(s) ordered and destination. We have selected specific international areas to ship to with the hopes of expanding in the future. We recommend FedEx International Economy for international orders because of the reasonable pricing and transit speed.

Q: Do you ship to DPO, APO, and FPO boxes? 

A: Yes, we ship to DPO, APO and FPO. Boxes are available. Free expedited shipping as well to APO, FPO, and DPO addresses…thank you for your service!

Q: Is it safe to use my credit card? 

A: Your credit card information is safe and secure under encrypted Secure Checkout (SSL).

Q: How do I make any changes to my Subscriptions?

A: All Subscriptions (recurring orders) are based upon customer selection. Emails are sent about 3 days prior to the customer to verify the upcoming subscription order. This reminder email notifies the customer of their upcoming subscription and allows for any customer changes, pausing of the order, swap-outs, edit of existing order, cancellations, credit card changes, and any modifications to be made within the current subscription prior to the next subscription being placed. Since the subscription reminder email is time sensitive, it very important to review promptly and make any necessary changes to your subscription by the processing deadline. Once a subscription passes the 3 day receipt, it will start the fulfillment process, and any other changes cannot be made.

Q: When will my order be shipped? 

A: All orders are processed and shipped within 36 hours of receipt, excluding holidays and weekends. All roasted orders are shipped within 36 hours of order receipt, custom fresh roasted to every order daily. Whenever crops/fresher inventory arrive in our warehouse during fulfillment, we may hold back your order and we will ALWAYS give you the freshest products available. We do not toll roast or pre-stock our products so when you receive a shipping notification that your order is shipping, then it is being fulfilled within the next 24 hours. Please note that fulfillment is NOT the same as delivered. Fulfillment is the order process to ship your order; carrier transit confirms delivery to final destination.

All orders start processing at 5:30 AM Eastern Time and are prepared in queue as first in, first out for shipping the same day, especially for roasted coffee bean orders which are always shipped the same day as roasted or held for current day import receiving. The shipping label notifications will alert you as to when your order is in processing queue for roasting (if ordered), final fulfillment and shipping. An email will be sent to the customer with shipping and tracking formation; please review this email to be aware of shipping timeline(s). Orders received after 8 AM Eastern Time will process and ship the next business day. Shipments are processed through FedEx Express/Ground, UPS Express/Ground, or USPS Priority. We always ship via Express or Priority in our attempt to meet a 2-3 day transit time to our customers destination. Larger orders transit Ground/Home Delivery with FedEx or UPS, 3-5 days transit time. These carriers are destination sensitive. Please note that holiday time, national weather conditions, extreme global issues, and carrier operational delays may affect carrier promptness.

Q: How are the coffee beans packaged?

A: Our green coffee beans are packaged in a brown, wax-lined, tin-tied bag, sealed and taped shut within a grocery bag. Always shipping either FedEx, UPS, or USPS Priority, depending on weight classification and final destination, so that our home roasting enthusiasts can begin roasting the beans as soon as received and store properly at their site. The roasted coffee beans are packaged immediately after roasting within a black foil de-gassing valve bag, heated sealed, along with a reseal-able tape at the top. It is vitally important that once you receive your roasted coffee beans to open the bag, and allow these to breathe for 2-3 hours at room temperature in order for any remaining CO2 to expel. Then, re-store these in an air-tight, burp-able container away from light, air, and moisture for maximum freshness dating up to 8.5 weeks; store in a dark pantry or kitchen cupboard. Please note that the black foil coffee bags are NOT for storage...these are a transit package from us to you...please store properly as mentioned and throw away the bag! Roasted coffee beans are also always destination sensitive and shipped either FedEx, UPS, or USPS Priority for our customers to receive quickly, brew, and enjoy!

Q: Why should you buy from RhoadsRoast Coffees?

A: As coffee lovers, we want you to enjoy coffee and appreciate the nuanced flavors and characteristics in each cup. We’re dedicated to cupping and hand-selecting our 100% Arabica coffees with the greatest flavor and smoothness. We custom roast to order in the morning and ship that afternoon to get you the freshest coffee possible. We never stock our roasts, all roasts are custom roasted to order; we can help you find the perfect brewing method so those subtle flavor complexities shine through for your coffee enjoyment. Call us or chat with us for coffee recommendations, information on current inventory, new offerings and imports, or anything coffee. We are always willing to help!

Q: What are your return policies?

A: If you are not entirely satisfied with your purchase, we're here to help. Returns are handled on a case-by-case basis. Our products are considered grocery, and as a result of pandemic effects, we no longer accept returns on opened and/or used items for health and safety reasons. If there is ever a problem with your order, please contact us immediately (within 14 days of order receipt) because sooner is better than later, and we will make every attempt to resolve your concern so that you may experience the quality and diversity of our finest products. Due to the nature of our roasted coffee bean products being custom, fresh roasted, we attempt to resolve any issues quickly within the time parameters given above. If you do return any of our products, re-stocking fees will apply. Please refer to our Refunds and Return Policy.

Please chat with us, email, or contact us at 617-798-0572, 8 AM-4 PM Eastern Time USA, for assistance, recommendations, questions, etc. We are here to help you promptly and will resolve your concern to the best of our ability.

Thank you for shopping and browsing our site. We are here to help so that you can enjoy the freshest, most flavorful and unique single origins available on-line. Bringing the coffee to you from farm to cup, your satisfaction is guaranteed because we appreciate your business

The RhoadsRoast Coffees® Family

Video: "Everything You've Wanted To Know About Coffee", Courtesy of Tastemade