FAQ

What is naturally processed coffee?

Naturally processed, also known as dry process or sun-dried coffees are dried in the full cherry prior to de-pulping. This is more sustainable (less water used, less waste produced) and less acidic (flavorful while still smooth). Learn more via Our Story.

Are your beans: Fair Trade, organic, sustainable,  shade grown, etc.?

Often, yes. Many times, the producers we work with are too small to gain certifications. It’s expensive and burdensome. By roasting exclusively naturally processed coffee, we feel this is a better way to focus on sustainability, quality, and flavor at the same time.

Fair Trade is a well-intentioned model that helped shift the conversation towards paying commodity producers more for their labor. But we're not roasting commodity grade coffee. We always pay well above fair trade rates.

On the sustainability front, we support farmers who are undertaking practices to make their coffee production more environmentally friendly. 

As a roaster, we are not USDA certified organic, which means that even when our source coffees are organic, we can't label them as such. If you'd like to know which coffees in our lineup are grown using organic practices, feel free to email info@bivouac.coffee.

What is your shipping policy?

We have switched over to dynamic pricing for shipping, which means that the carriers we work with (USPS and UPS) will provide accurate and real-time shipping rates based on the details of your order. This improves transparency for our customers - we don't make any money off your shipping charges. To support the increasing cost of shipping and as a thank you to our customers, we automatically discount 10% of any shipping charge.

What is the best way to brew my coffee?

There are many ways to brew coffee, and often it simply starts with the right beans. 

Need some inspiration? Check out our guide on How to Brew Coffee in the Backcountry.

We'll have more brew guides soon, but for now drop by our Tasting Room for custom tips from our baristas.

Which coffee is best for espresso? What about drip or pourover?

Coffee preference is very personal, which is why we have a variety of blends and single origins to suit your desires! That being said, if you're not sure where to start we're here to help:

• For a traditional espresso flavor, we recommend "Second Wind" – Dark Roast Blend or check out one of our Single Origins with the espresso bean tag for a more modern take.
• For drip coffee and french press, our bestseller, "The Wild Thing" – Medium Roast Blend is an excellent place to start.
• Pourovers (Chemex, Kalita, etc) are perfect for extracting the best out of any particular bean, which is why it is the preferred technique for exploring our Single Origins. Grab our Seasonal 4-Pack to try the full spectrum of flavors.

Can I order bulk bags (e.g. 5 lbs)?

Yes! Check out our current selection.

Do you host private events? Can I rent your space?

Yes! We can create a custom class for your family, friends or office, or you can rent our whole space for a private party. Reach out to us via our contact form and we can talk details.