Coffee notes

Notes from the roastery.

Straight answers for coffee shops, cafes, diners, restaurants, and coffee lovers at home, from our team in Midlothian, Virginia.

Fresh roasted beans being poured into a blank navy coffee bag on a scale
How to run a coffee fundraiser with your own private label bag
A coffee fundraiser sells something people already buy every week. How Richmond-area churches, schools, and teams can run one with their own name on the bag. Read more...
Commercial coffee grinder and batch brewer on a cafe back bar
Office coffee service in Richmond: seven questions to ask before you sign
Fresh coffee, the right brewer, and someone who answers when it breaks. What Richmond-area office managers should ask an office coffee service before signing. Read more...
Commercial espresso machine on a cafe counter
Commercial espresso machine maintenance: a daily, weekly, and periodic checklist
The cleaning routine that keeps a commercial espresso machine pulling good shots, and the signs it is time to call a technician. For Richmond-area cafes and restaurants. Read more...
Barista tamping a portafilter at a commercial espresso machine
Barista training for Richmond cafes, diners, and restaurants: what your team should learn first
Good espresso is a trained skill, not a machine setting. What barista training should cover for Richmond-area cafes, diners, and restaurants adding espresso. Read more...
Commercial espresso machine and grinder installed on a cafe espresso bar
How to open a coffee shop in Richmond: the coffee, equipment, and training checklist
Opening a cafe in Richmond, Chesterfield, or Henrico? The coffee, equipment, permits, and training to line up before opening day, in the order that saves you money. Read more...
Whole bean coffee portioned into airtight containers for the freezer
Should you freeze coffee beans? A no-fuss guide for big bags
Yes, if you will not finish the bag in a few weeks. How to portion and freeze a big bag of coffee so the last cup tastes like the first. Read more...
Coffee bags with blank labels on a cafe retail shelf
Private label coffee: how it works and who it is for
Your brand on the bag, a roaster's coffee inside. How private label coffee works, who it fits, and what to have ready before you ask for a quote. Read more...
Two people tasting coffee samples at a cafe counter
How to choose a wholesale coffee roaster for your cafe
Taste it at your shop, ask how fresh it will be, and find out who fixes the machine. The questions worth asking before you sign with a roaster. Read more...