We are frequently asked where our beans come from. We are happy to answer, and equally happy to keep walking.
Origins
Our beans are sourced from a small group of farms in warm and distant places. We have never visited. We have, however, seen a photograph, in which a man stands beside a bush and looks pleased. We take this as confirmation.
Selection
Beans are chosen by Espresso Paws, who sits in a shipment of bags and chooses the one he likes best. His selection method is simple: he lies on a bag, and if he does not move, it is purchased.
Roasting
We roast on site, in a machine the size of a wardrobe. The roasting process takes about fifteen minutes and fills the building with a scent so inviting that three separate customers have tried to leave their dogs outside.
Storage
Beans are stored in sealed containers, which are opened by cats, and not sealed again. We have therefore given up on the idea of seals. We store the beans in a dry, dark place, and the cat stores itself next to them.
Grinding
Grinding is performed fresh for each cup. The sound is loud and alarming, and Madame Whiskerton has asked that all grinding be done in a separate room. There is no separate room. She therefore leaves.
Quality control
We test each batch with a rigorous process:
- We smell it.
- We look at the cat.
- If the cat is calm, the batch is acceptable.
- If the cat is asleep in the beans, the batch is excellent.
Sustainability
We are proud of our environmental credentials. Our beans are ethically sourced, our cups are recyclable, and our cat is carbon neutral, since he does not move.
The torn bag
Our signature bag, the Whole Bean Bag, is sold with a small tear at the top. This is not a defect. It is a feature, applied by a cat before the product reaches you, and it shows that the beans have been inspected and approved.
Thank you for supporting our small and slightly chaotic enterprise.