FAQs

Did you know?

Not all roasters roast the same.  At Potter & Crow our focus is on small batch, craft roasting and our goal is to respect and highlight the unique influences of the beans we choose. Things such as the origin, region, varietal and processing method impact the natural flavours thus the roasting profiles we develop take these variables into consideration so that we can truly let the complexity of the beans shine and tell their story of where they came from and in doing so, you get to enjoy a sensory experience of the beans’ journey from origin to cup.

Do you have a dark roast?

We tend to roast to what is considered a ‘medium roast’.  Because we source incredibly high quality beans, our goal is to roast them to highlight their natural flavours.  However; we know that some people just love that 'roasty' coffee taste and so for you, we suggest you try our Trading Post Dark Roast or our Black Crow Espresso.  We take these two roast just a bit darker so that you can enjoy both that 'roasty' and true bean flavour.

Why don’t you sell ground coffee?

We roast to order and deliver whole beans because you deserve to enjoy the freshest, most flavourful cup of coffee.  Remember #lifeistooshorttodrinkbadcoffee. Our advice is to grind right before you brew. Trust us, it’s better this way.

Where do you source your coffee from?

We work with importers who invest in their relationships with farmers; ensuring a sustainable future for them, and us.  When we choose our specialty grade coffee beans, we want to be creating a positive impact on the farmers and their communities and because of this, we only partner with importers who are committed to doing the same.  

If you would like to learn more about the producer/farmer that grew your favourite bean, send us an email and we would be happy to share their story with you.  We may even have some great photos of our importers visiting the farm!  

Are your beans organic?

Although we do offer some 'Certified Organic' coffees, the process to become certified is extremely expensive so rather than penalize the hardworking farms that are utilizing organic growing methods but simply cannot afford to certify as such, we focus on purchasing Specialty Grade beans instead.

Specialty Grade coffee is measured against standards far more strict that what is required to become "certified organic." These measures preserve the, "dignity, value and well-being of the people and land involved," and by purchasing specialty grade coffee, we know that the coffee we bring you will be free from defects, have passed the rigorous aspects of grading and cupping tests, and will have scored 85 or higher on the 100 point Coffee Review System.  In short, the beans we use are of the highest quality, free from chemicals and their rating is better than an organic certification.

Only 3% of the world's coffee is grown "organically" but less than 1% is 'Specialty Grade' and that's what you will enjoy when you purchase our beans.

Are your beans Fair Trade or Direct Trade? Is one better than the other?

The answer to this is complicated but we think it is an important conversation to have...

Depending on the farm we are sourcing from, our beans may be either 'Fair Trade' or 'Direct Trade.'  One is not better than the other; they are not rivals but rather different approaches bringing green beans to the roaster.  

Fair Trade means that the farmers have received certification for ethical business practices that include paying their workers a fair, living wage, and utilizing environmentally sustainable farming practices.  But Fair Trade does not mean quality.  Although many Fair Trade farmers produce high quality coffee beans, this is not actually a regulating standard of the certification.

Direct Trade means working directly with the farmer or a representative of the farm which in turn cuts out the middle man and guarantees more profit for the farmer.  By working together "directly," farmer and roaster form a relationship and hopefully they create a positive impact on a wider community.  But as with Fair Trade, there are pitfalls to this approach too and there is little to no standardization which often results in a lack of accountability.

We, at Potter & Crow, think there is something better than a sticker that says 'Fair Trade' or 'Direct Trade' and that's trusting that the importers and farm representatives that we work with have done their due diligence to source from farmers that are committed to producing the highest quality beans while utilizing responsible and ethical practices. We aim to support farmers who create non-hazardous, environmentally friendly growing conditions, and who ensure fair compensation for all those involved in the hard work it takes to get the bean to your cup. That is what we believe creates a sustainable coffee.

My favourite beans are sold out, will you be stocking them again?

We will certainly try, don’t forget we brought it in because we love it too, but coffee is seasonal and during certain times of year it isn’t possible for us to stock certain varieties.  Please also remember that we are a small batch roaster so we only buy our specialty green beans in limited quantities to ensure you are getting the freshest of the fresh. When we run out, there is a good chance we won’t be able to bring in that same bean again. This is actually a wonderful dilemma to have because now you get to expand your palate and try something new…and fall in love all over again!

When Do You Ship?

We know that freshness makes a difference and that’s why we roast to order.  It takes us about 48 hours to get your order out to you and we ship our orders twice per week, on Mondays and Thursdays, via Canada Post.  We understand that running out of coffee can be a serious emergency so if you NEED your coffee sooner, shoot us an email and we can quote you on a faster shipping method.  Oh and check out our coffee subscription service.  We created it to ensure that you never have a coffee 911.

We are having a fundraiser for a very important/special/fun cause, would Potter & Crow be interested in partnering with us?

ABSOLUTELY! We’ve roasted for several fundraisers and we love having the opportunity to support awesome endeavours.  Shoot us an email and let’s chat!

Do you offer Private Label or Customized Bags?

Yes!  We love creating a special blend or roast tailored to your unique needs.  Whether it be for a customer appreciation gift, a wedding or shower favour or your own house brew, we will work with you to develop the perfect coffee to fit your taste.  Head on over to our wholesale page for more details.

Driven By Passion
Committed to Quality