Frequently Asked Questions

Can I build custom blends with currently available coffees?
Don't see your favorite coffee available? Try a new blend! If you would like a signature coffee blend for yourself, your business, organization, or even extended family we can help. Please call our customer service representatives at 1-800-284-1416 or email: CustomerService@BarniesCoffee.com for some great ideas on custom and classic mixtures of currently listed coffee varietals.

Here are just a few examples:

German Chocolate a la Mode Blend: 1/2lb German Chocolate Cake and 1/2lb French Vanilla.
Hazelnut Brownie Blend: 1/2lb Hazelnut and 1/2lb Dark Chocolate.
Vanilla Cream Spice Blend: 1/3lb French Vanilla, 1/3lb Irish Cream, 1/3lb Cinnamon Butter Cookies.
Almond Coffee Cake Blend: 1/2lb Dark Chocolate, 1/2lb Traditional Holiday Blend (seasonal coffee).
Caramel Pumpkin Pie: 1/4lb Creme Brulee, 3/4lb Pumpkin Spice (seasonal coffee).
East Indies Blend: 1/2lb Sumatra Mandheling, 1/2 Java Kalisat.
French Mocha: 3/4lb Mocha Java, 1/4lb French Roast.

Why don’t I get a shipping quote when shipping to an international address?
When shipping internationally we must determine the Dimensional Weight of your order. Dimensional Weight applies to all service options that may involve an aircraft. Dimensional weight considers density, which is the amount of space a package occupies in relation to its actual weight, to determine billable weight. Calculations of dimensional weight are based on different standards than domestic shipping therefore the shipping quote must be obtained at time of order fulfillment. For International Orders, please call our call center at 1-800-284-1416 or email: CustomerService@BarniesCoffee.com.

What type of grind should I use?
We offer a choice of grinds for your coffee, or if you prefer to grind your own we also offer Whole Bean. Medium Drip is for Chemex, automatic coffee makers that use basket filters and cone filters. Fine Drip can be used on some automatic coffee makers with cone filters, Coarse Grind or Pk-F Press is recommended for Percolators, French presses, and Toddy Makers. Espresso is an extra fine drip and Turkish is a very, very fine drip. When in doubt, choose the coarser grind.

You sell 12oz Bags of Coffee. Is this bulk coffee or pre-packaged?
All of the 12oz Bags of Coffee sold by Barnie's® are Pre-Packaged. Some of the 12oz Bags of Coffee are Whole Bean and you can choose the type of Grind you prefer. In these cases, we will open the Pre-Packaged bag and do the Grinding for you.

What do you mean by Bulk Coffee?
When you see one of our coffee being sold in 1lb (one Pound) increments, this coffee will be coming from our Bulk Coffee bins. This coffee comes to us in large containers and is loose, not pre-packaged. We will grind the coffee to your desired specification and place it into a Barnie's® branded coffee bag. This bag is not sealed using glue, but by mechanical fold fasteners.

How many calories are in flavored coffee?
Barnie's® is known world wide for its wonderful flavored coffees. All of our flavored coffees are created by using Barnie's® Blend coffee with just the right amount of flavorings to dazzle your palate. All of Barnie's® flavored coffees have less than 5 calories and 1 gram of carbohydrates per 6 oz. cup.

What is a roast?
The roast colors of Barnie's® coffees are determined by the individual characteristics of each coffee. Coffees are grown throughout the tropical belt at elevations between 3,000 and 7,000 ft. where there is the perfect balance between sun, shade and rain. The characteristics of each coffee are determined by the growing conditions in which the coffee is grown in. The coffee characteristics are enhanced by precision roasting.

What is acidity?
Coffee acidity is one of the most misunderstood terms in the coffee industry. Acidity in coffee relates to the taste characteristics of the coffee and not the acid content. For example, a coffee with high acidity could be compared to drinking sparkling wine, while a coffee with low acidity could be compared to drinking a Cabernet Sauvignon. Think of acidity as the tingling sensation in the mouth.

What is body?
Body refers to the coating and the mouth feel of coffee. A light-bodied coffee would be like drinking water and a heavy-bodied coffee would be like drinking whole milk.

What are the methods of decaffeination?
Barnie's® Coffee uses two methods of decaffeination - the Methyl Chloride Process (MC) and the Sparkling Water Method (CO2).

Methyl Chloride Process (MC) - Prior to roasting, the beans are soaked in hot water to release the caffeine. The water is removed from the beans and Methyl Chloride is added to the water causing the caffeine molecules to attach to the Methyl Chloride. After removing the Methyl Chloride, the water is reintroduced to the beans since it contains precious oils that are important to maintaining the integrity of the flavor. The beans rapidly reabsorb the delicate flavor-bearing substances from the water. The main advantage of this decaffeinated process is the fullness of flavor in your cup.

Sparkling Water Method (CO2) -Barnie’s uses this method for decaffeinating coffee that is a natural process that uses water and naturally occurring carbon dioxide to eliminate the caffeine from the beans. This process is similar to the Methyl Chloride process, whereby it begins by mixing the green coffee beans with water that allows the caffeine molecules to become mobile. Then, carbon dioxide is added to the water that actually makes soda water or “sparkling water”. The carbon dioxide molecules are extremely selective and do not touch essential elements responsible for flavor and aroma. Interestingly, the carbon dioxide is removed from the water and can then be recycled from batch to batch. The main advantage of this process is its natural properties and its ability to recycle the carbon dioxide. Some industry experts believe that coffees decaffeinated in this method produce a sweeter, milder cup.