Coffee Processing Methods Coffee processing refers to the method used to remove the outer layer of the coffee cherry (fruit) to reveal the inner seed, which is then dried and roasted to make the coffee beans we know and love. There are two main methods of coffee processing: wet processing and natural processing. Natural processing Natural processing, also known as dry processing, is an older method of coffee processing that is going through something of a revival and is becoming increasingly Read More [...]

Last orders for Christmas, Wednesday 21st December Last Christmas orders this year will be 10:00 on Wednesday 21 December. Orders placed by 10am will definitely be processed and handed over to the couriers. Our couriers, who do an excellent job all year round, are completely snowed under at this time of year, yet they assure us they will do their best to get everything delivered in time. So please, if you can, get your orders in early.  It's a busy Read More [...]

Coffee Ice Cubes. Handy to have in your freezer If you often have some coffee left over in your French press or coffee pot, instead of pouring it down the sink, put it in an ice cube tray and make a few coffee ice cubes. Once the cubes are made, you can keep them for ages in a bag or container in your freezer. Then, the next time you have an iced coffee, you'll have coffee ice cubes. No more Read More [...]

Oaxaca La Cañada SHG Organic On the tasting table: In the La Canada area of Oaxaca, Mexico, the humidity and altitude combine to make the perfect environment for growing coffee. Most of the varietals are Mundo Novo, Bourbon, Typica, and Criollo, grown at a height of 1,200 to 1,500 meters. In this area, close to Eloxochitlán de Flores Magón, lies the headquarters of Union de Productores Las Flores. Each member has between .5 and 3 hectares of land, and they Read More [...]

Tasting time: Mantiqueira Amarelo, Brazil Beautiful big Yellow Bourbon beans The Serra de Mantiqueria mountains run for 320km across Southeastern Brazil, through Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janiero. The Mantiqueria de Minas region, which is in the state of Minas Gerais, was the first in the Brazilian coffee business to get a geographical indication (supported and developed by BSCA). With 25 counties in the region and 7,800 farmers, 89% of whom are smallholders, this development, similar to "terroir" Read More [...]

Coffee Growers and Nature Hand in Hand Coffee growers work with nature A recent study investigated how bees helped fertilise coffee plants and how birds helped control pests. The study demonstrated how working with wildlife might increase farmers' income. But it's only one of many advantages provided by nature to us that we take for granted. Twenty to twenty-five million households, including dealers, export managers, farmers, and baristas working in coffee shops, rely on the production of coffee for their Read More [...]

Jaggy Loko will be back next week Jaggy Loko Temporarily out of stock 19 July 2022. Most of the Dreambeans / Greenbean team is on holiday this week, and our annual break has coincided with the good weather for once. Yay! We've had a good run of orders for Jaggy Loko over the past week and because we hold very little coffee in stock, we have run out. Apologies to Jaggy's many devotees!. We will be roasting again on Monday Read More [...]

Decaf Coffee: The Mountain / Swiss Water Method. Our decaf coffee, Decaf Dream is more popular than we ever anticipated when we introduced it. It's easy to see why. Decaf coffee is getting more popular all the time, even among discerning and dedicated coffee drinkers. Many people drink caffeinated coffee during the day but switch to decaf in the afternoon or evening as they start to relax after a busy day. Our Decaf Dream tastes so good, it's like drinking Read More [...]

11 uses for leftover coffee grinds If you drink as much coffee in your house was we do in ours, I'm sure you have often wondered if there was anything you could do with all the coffee grounds? If you have a dedicated knockbox or if you keep it all in one place, you will be surprised how quickly used coffee builds up. Here ar a few ideas to consider. Coffee grinds are a good source of nitrogen for your Read More [...]

Kopi Luwak: Why we don't sell it. Kopi Luwak is controversial Kopi Luwak, or civet coffee, is pretty controversial. It’s one of the most expensive coffees in the world, and it's made from beans that have been passed through the digestive system of a civet cat (aka luwak). Asian Palm Civets (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) are small, catlike creatures that live in Southeast Asia.  name comes from the Malay word for “musk” because they smell like musk. They're kind of cute and Read More [...]