FAQs
Where’s my coffee?
All of our web shop orders are shipped daily, so they should be with you within 48 hours. We use UPS next working day delivery and orders that exceeded £24.95 will receive free shipping. If you have any questions about your order please feel free to get in touch by emailing info@verdecoffee.co.uk
Where does your coffee come from?
Our coffee comes from all over the world, from anywhere we find coffee that we think tastes good. Great coffee is typically grown in the tropics, at altitudes of at least 1000m above sea level.
Is your coffee Fairtrade and/or Organic?
We have Fairtrade options for those looking for the Fairtrade label. Organic certification is a tricky subject. Organic is synonymous with better quality produce. However, in the coffee industry, this doesn’t really show the whole picture. Many of the farms we work with are very small, and the expense of Organic certification just isn’t a possibility for them. Most small scale or poorer coffee farms do farm organically anyway out of necessity, they just simply don’t have the funds to certify themselves.
How do you maintain quality?
In order to make sure the coffee is of the upmost quality when it reaches you, we roast fresh each week and dispatch via next working day courier. We use bags with a one-way valve to ensure the coffee can de-gas, but cannot stale.
What is the difference between a coffee capsule and a coffee pod?
This can be confusing as some companies call capsules pods, when the pod is actually something entirely different. Coffee pods are essentially a pad of coffee wrapped in filter paper. With the coffee pod you have water going through the filter on both sides, and this makes the coffee taste different. The capsule is just like brewing a fresh pot of coffee as you can control the elements around the brew chamber.
What support and training do you provide?
We provide barista training when we come to install your espresso machine. We offer UK-wide support to our customers, and can even be with you next working day if it's urgent.
What does free on loan mean?
This is where you subscribe to buy our coffee each month, and in return we loan you an espresso machine, grinder and knockout box for free.
Are there any hidden costs for the espresso machine deals?
The only other cost, apart from your monthly subscription, might be a setup fee although some of our deals have no setup fee at all. Any fees are made clear at the top of our contracts.
Where do your espresso machines come from?
Our coffee machines mainly come from Europe, we have machines form Spain, Italy and Switzerland to name a few.
How to use a commercial coffee machine
Fill the water reservoir, turn on and preheat machine. Measure and grind the coffee beans, fill the group handle evenly and tamp down. Lock into position on the group head and turn on water. Water will be forced through the ground coffee in the group handle and pour out into the cup which should take about 25 to 30 seconds.
Do café coffee machines use coffee pods?
Yes, they do (see link). Depending on what type of pod or capsule you want to use there are various options available to use in a traditional machine with obvious advantages of less training for staff and less mess with grinding coffee etc.
Do commercial machines use fresh coffee everytime
Coffee beans stay fresh for about 2 weeks after bag is opened so care should be taken to maintain freshness of beans. Commercial machines can also use coffee pods or capsules which will generally have a longer shelf life due to packaging.
How to clean a coffee machine
The amount of cleaning you will have to do depends on what type of coffee machine you have. Bean to cup machines come with a range of warning lights and prompts to guide you through the cleaning routine. Most of these models will have a steam pipe which is used to froth milk and this will need to be cleaned after every use to prevent it becoming blocked. Traditional espresso machines will need to be cleaned and flushed through with water. To keep your machine running well regular cleaning of the portafilter and brew head are necessary. As with the bean to cup machines, the steam wand will need cleaning after every use.
How to descale a coffee machine
Regular descaling of your coffee machine is very important, especially if you live in a hard water area. Some machines use a commercially available descaler whilst others will want you to use a recommended product. Refer to your manual for the necessary information on how to proceed with the descaling of your particular machine.
How do bean to cup coffee machines work
A bean-to-cup coffee machine delivers a fresh and perfectly made coffee effortlessly as they do almost everything for you. They are programmable so you can adjust the drink size, coffee strength and on some models these settings can be saved so you will always make the perfect coffee. Some have smart controls so you can control the machine via an app on your phone, the height of convenience! Most of these machines run an automatic rinse sequence, flushing the machine with fresh water and also a programme to deep clean the machine.
How to use a filter coffee machine
This appliance very slowly pours hot water onto ground coffee. The water slowly seeps through the ground coffee carrying its flavour and the colour of the beans into a jug below. Some are programable so you can wake up to your favourite morning coffee already brewed and some have jugs or carafes which can be kept warm on a hotplate.
What type of coffee machine should I pick?
Depends on what type of coffee you enjoy drinking and what volumes you need to achieve. You could choose a single serve capsule coffee maker. Most have water reservoirs so you don’t have to refill for every cup and they can produce a large variety of coffees styles. An Espresso Coffee Maker produces a consistently good cup of espresso which can also be used as a base for lattes and cappuccinos. They often come with a milk frother and can be manual, semi-automatic, automatic or super-automatic.
What is the best bar pressure for a coffee machine?
9 bars is the industry standard for espresso making. More pressure doesn’t lead to a better espresso as higher pressures can hinder your chances of getting the best shot. It is still accepted that 9 bars of pressure is the perfect pressure for proper extraction.
What type of coffee can I use in an espresso coffee machine?
You should be able to adjust the grind level on your machine but be aware not to grind the coffee too finely as this can clog your machine. If the grind is too fine or too coarse your espresso wont extract properly and your coffee wont taste wonderful. Dark roasts generally make a better tasting espresso.
My coffee machine is malfunctioning, what should I do?
Any type of coffee machine will from time to time develop problems. A large coffee machine would require specialist attention from the manufacturer but smaller issues can be checked by you. Check the power supply is switched on and check it is plugged (if it has one). If it has a fuse (and it is possible) try changing the fuse. If the coffee machine has a timer function, check it is not in sleep mode. Otherwise it depends on what time of machine it is but if it is a commercial one it is worth contacting a qualified engineer.
Do coffee machines need plumbing?
Most smaller home coffee machines come with a refillable water tank that should suffice for the home user. If however, you are dealing with a commercial coffee machine instal in a small café you will need to have (a hose pipe and some water)!! Can you fill in please.
How do coffee machines heat water?
Coffee machines heat water when it is pumped through the machine and past the heating element which heats it to the right temperature. The water pressure is increased when it is pumped through a narrow needle.
How safe are commercial coffee machines? What precautions should I take?
Commercial coffee machines are generally safe as long as they have been installed by a qualified engineer and staff have had the necessary training. The coffee machine should be placed on a stable surface with a reasonable amount of space around it. The electricity cable should never come into contact with water and should be regularly checked. Water under pressure can scald so staff should be made aware of how to use machine properly and safely. Machine should be switched off when not in use.
How much power does a coffee machine use?
Depends on which type of coffee machine. A small home use machine would use around 300 to 600 watts for 2 cups of coffee. Commercial coffee machines use anything from 1kw to 8kw depending on the size of the machine and usually how many group heads it has for traditional machines.