Our team is always here to help with any questions you may have. We're here to assist in providing recommendations on how to choose the right coffee to fit your personal taste and roast level preferences, offering brewing tips for a plethora of brew methods, helping you work out that perfectly dialed-in recipe, and everything in between.
Keep reading to browse a few of the top questions we've received, and don't hesitate to send us a message if you have a question you don't see an answer to or if you're just wanting to talk coffee!
Featured Partners Team Members
Joe R. | Coffee Educator
Rachel G. | Ecommerce & Digital Marketing Manager
How do I choose coffee that’s right for me?
The beauty of coffee is that there is so much to explore. The rabbit-hole of flavor profiles and possibilities is nearly endless. I recommend finding a specialty cafe or roaster that has a unique range of coffee offerings, and slowly begin tasting outside of your comfort zone. Let your palate guide you through the possibilities of finding the perfect coffee for you. As coffee is a seasonal produce, I recommend finding an opportunity to taste all these unique coffees before their harvest disappears.
My personal preference is to begin my mornings with a slightly darker and familiar flavor profile (think Cocoa, Nutty, Stone Fruit). The rest of my coffee-centric day is spent tasting, cupping, sampling, and exploring more unique flavor profiles (think Berry, Citric, and Floral). I have such deep respect for the art and labor of coffee production, roasting, and brewing, that I am always interested in exploring all that coffee has to offer.
-Joe R.
Coffee is such a diverse experience. There is truly something out there for everyone, whether your focus is a budget-friendly option or a cup that makes you sit back and say "wow." This range can make exploring coffee a daunting experience, which is why at Partners we focus on an increased emphasis on approachability, so that no matter where you're at in your own personal coffee journey, our team is here to help find the perfect offering to meet your preferences.
-Rachel G.
What is the best way to store coffee?
I recommend storing your whole bean coffee in an airtight container at room temperature. Once a bag of coffee is opened, its flavor profile will stay prominent for about 30days. The fresher the roast date, the more intense the bloom (or de-gassing). Older coffee will usually not taste as vibrant (likely flat or bland) as oxygen begins to oxidize the beans, losing nuance and profile. As coffee ages, more notes begin to appear, with tasting notes peaking between 7-21 days off roast.
-Joe R.
As a general rule, we recommend using coffee beans within 4 weeks of their roast date. But, if you like to keep your coffee beans for longer, that's not an issue at all, especially when storing intentionally (whether in a coffee-specific storage device or a run-of-the-mill storage container). Along with food safety standards, our coffee beans have a shelf life of up to 6 months after their roast date.
-Rachel G.
What is the difference between "Espresso" and "Filter" beans?
There is no difference, simply recommendations! You can brew any coffee however you prefer, yet we have found that certain coffees work particularly well on certain brew methods. Brew the same coffee on different brew methods and you will find subtle nuances to your cup, each method highlighting its extraction notes in a slightly different way.
-Joe R.
When browsing coffees from our Mainstay collection, you may notice "Filter" or "Espresso" noted on the packaging just above the name of the coffee. These are simply brewing suggestions and are in no way meant to limit the only brew method on which that particular coffee can be exceptional. I personally have enjoyed many of our "Espresso" labeled offerings on a filter brew method (like pour over and automatic drip), and encourage others to do the same! You should enjoy your coffee and have fun experimenting and trying new things, no matter how you choose to brew.
-Rachel G.
How can I learn about new coffees?
I recommend finding a specialty cafe or roaster that has a unique range of coffee offerings, and slowly begin tasting outside of your comfort zone. Each coffee’s origin, processing method, and/or blend will have a different perspective of highlighting its full potential (even the same green coffee amongst different roast profiles). In New York City, we have the privilege of living in a location that has so many options for specialty coffee. Find what you love, and then find who does it really well. Let your palate guide you through the possibilities of finding the perfect coffee for you. The perfect cup is right outside your window!
-Joe R.
Each new or returning coffee release is always accompanied by a Partner Story that's added to our blog and featured in our Sunday Morning Brews newsletter. Each article highlights the details of a specific coffee, including information about the producer(s), growing region, and more.
You can browse our full collection of past and current Partner Stories and sign up for our weekly newsletter at the link below.
-Rachel G.
What kinds of classes do you offer?
At Partners Coffee Brew School, we employ professional, industry-leading Educators who offer a range of individually-curated, consumer-facing classes at our Brooklyn Cupping Lab. Classes are designed for novices and experienced baristas alike.
Espresso Foundations provides a hands-on training of the essential elements of espresso preparation and basic brewing. Exercises include dosing, tamping, grinder calibration, extraction, troubleshooting, and general equipment maintenance. Advanced Espresso utilizes a series of hands-on exercises, wherein students will learn how to critically analyze their espresso through visual cues, palate development, and grinder calibration.
Home Brew participants will master the techniques of the ideal brew: proper grind, coffee ratios, pouring techniques, and the extraction principles of V60, Chemex, French Press, or AeroPress.
Latte Art focuses on all aspects of milk. Topics include milk science, texturing, and free-pour latte art. Students will have the opportunity to craft hearts, tulips, and rosettas, with plenty of hands-on practice. Advanced Latte Art is designed to teach you skills and techniques to hone and polish your free-pouring techniques, including the physics of pouring more intricate and detailed latte art.
-Joe R.
Additional Articles
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