FAQ's
Have Questions?
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A few frequently asked questions are below for your info and reference.
Need further information? Contact or message us your query. We'd be glad to assist you!
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ONLINE ONLY OR..CAN I DROP IN?
Our Roasting Room located in Grassy Head. We welcome you to come check-out the team and equipment the behind the Painted Blue doors and delicious our beans.
As a result of contact-less preferences, we provide local pick-up options. Simply order online, pay for your preference and select your collection day.
We offer Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday Roasting Room collection options, shall neither of these days suit, please get in touch for another pre-arranged day. Orders are ready from 9 am, drop by at your leisure of your selected day for collection.
During Low season, we are open Friday and Wednesday mornings only from 9.00 am. At any other time, please contact us to make an appointment or to arrange a time for pickup outside of these hours.
Summer and school holiday hours vary, checkout our socials for these times and updates.
A number of local cafes also serve our product; enjoy our product in Stuart's Point, Gladstone and South West Rocks and Macksville. Coffee Vans located in nearby holiday parks also offer our beans. Bag sales also available at our local Supermarket in Stuart's Point. We can point you further in the right direction shall you need more info.
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WHAT ARE OUR SHIPPING COSTS?
We want to keep our coffee prices reasonable! We haven't hidden any shipping costs into the price you pay for the beans, we don't make a profit off shipping. Aus Post prices are inclusive as we use pre-paid satchels.
Shipping costs are calculated based on National rates. Rates for information are below.
If you have any further questions on shipping and/or suggestions to improve it, please send us a note.
PARCEL SIZE | NATIONAL EXPRESS POST | AUSTRALIA POST |
Small Satchel under 1.200 kg | $14.40 | $10.90 |
Medium Satchel under 2.2 kg | $18.80 | $14.80 |
Large Satchel up to 3.2 kg | $23.15 | $18.65 |
Extra Large up to 5 kg | $30.45 | $22.45 |
* Additional charges for Courier above 5 kg may be used ** Courier cannot deliver to PO Boxes, therefore Australia Post will be used in these cases. |
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^ Our Flat Rate promotions are Net weights, inclusive of our very light weight packaging.
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WHERE ARE YOUR GREEN BEANS SOURCED FROM?
Our beans are sourced through Australian merchants, whom import and provide us with global flavours. At Painted Blue we work with suppliers to select the finest, seasonal, responsibly sourced and the most delicious green beans.
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I DON'T HAVE AN ESPRESSO MACHINE, WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?
There are a few tips in creating great coffee. With a little knowledge it should be as simple as adding coffee and water, with the use of some specifically designed equipment. The equipment doesn't have to be fancy or expensive.
You TOO can make great coffee with any of the following options;
- Stove Top, also known as a Moka Pot
- French Press, also known as a Plunger
- Cold Drip or Batch Brew, think of an old school Coffee Maker
- AeroPress
- Pour Over
- Chemex
- Cold Brew
Are in the market for some brewing equipment, want to switch to something new or just don't know where to start? We can guide you through a few options, please ask :)
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HOW SHOULD I BREW MY COFFEE?
How do you turn our beloved beans into your best daily home or office brew?
Some guidance on popular brew equipment and tips on how to brew like a pro is over at our Brew Guide.
Essential tips!!
Like anything, practice does lead to perfection. With coffee, your brewing technique and the result in your cup will become perfect too, be sure to use;
- The right coffee particle (grind) size for the intended equipment type, grind adjustments can change the taste and time of brewing.
- The right filtration medium for the desired brew qualities.
- A paper filter can mean less sediment, clearer flavours.
- Metal filters may lead to more sediment and greater texture.
- The right ratio of coffee to water.
- The right water temperature (between 93°C and 97 oC).
- The right amount of contact time between coffee and water.
- Enjoy!
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GRIND OR WHOLE BEAN?
Freshly ground coffee is always best. If you can grind for immediate use with a “burr” grinder you are well on your way to the perfect cup. A burr grinder ensures your beans are grounded evenly and uniformly.
Take note, when you next visit a cafe, you will see that every morning, sometime hourly, depending on humidity, baristas “dial in” the day’s coffee, adjusting the grind size to ensure that the flavours really sing and that the coffee is syrupy, not watery.
With Espresso machines the timing and size of the grind is probably the most crucial aspect. Espresso is under pressure, the smallest change in grind can result in a noticeable outcome in the cup. A fabulous cafe will always use whole beans and grind the coffee seconds before it is made. If you don't hear the grinder in use before your coffee is made, you have every right to go elsewhere.
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DO YOU GRIND YOUR BEANS?
Yes, we can.
We will always prefer to sell you whole beans so you can grind as you go. If you don’t have access to a grinder we recommend you buy coffee in smaller quantities and request to have your coffee ground to your preference based on the equipment you use.
When you order your coffee, select your grind preference based on the equipment you brew with.
If you aren't sure and we haven't got it covered, ask us or consult the apparatus recommendations. We have baseline grind settings if your order pre-ground coffee, but for best results do let us know of your preference.
Our grinder is the marvellous Mahlkoenig EK 43, an exceptionally robust grinder with high grinding capacity, suitable for different grinding fineness, including turkish-extra fine and espresso grinding.
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HOW SHOULD I STORE MY COFFEE?
REMEMBER to store your beans in a cool and dry place, preferably around 20 oC.
We package your beans to retain their freshness as much as possible. Your coffee is prepared in pouches containing resealable zips and one-way release valves to help preserve your beans from cup to cup.
If you do want to put your beans in a pretty container, or something else, store them in an opaque, air-tight container at room temperature. Coffee beans are beautiful to look at, but for the sake of freshness avoid clear canisters which will allow light to compromise the taste of your coffee. Keep your beans in a dark and cool location to preserve your beans' fresh roasted flavour as long as possible.
Some notes on;
MOISTURE + COFFEE
Coffee is hygroscopic. This means that it absorbs moisture from the surrounding environment very easily. Moisture on the surface of your freshly roasted coffee will leach out much of the aroma and flavour from the beans or grounds, so you want to keep it as dry as possible.
There is a common myth that storing coffee in the fridge or freezer keeps it fresh. Unfortunately, both the common household fridge and freezer are quite moist and will damage the coffee quite easily.
Fresh is best. Source small-batches, delivered fresh to you on a regular basis. Buy small quantities on a regular basis, and the discussion over freezing becomes a moot point.
HEAT + COFFEE
Heat can lead to stale coffee. The optimum storage conditions are around 20 to 25oC.
At home, make sure you keep the beans low down (remember that hot air rises) and away from your stove/oven, microwave etc. Halogen lights are also a source of heat.
In a commercial environment, avoid putting your beans next to hot fridge motors, on top of the espresso machine or in a bean hopper in a sunny window.
Essentially, you want to store your coffee beans in similar conditions to wine - always keep your coffee in a cool, dark and dry place and you’ll maintain all of the precious aromas and flavours which make up that lovingly brewed cup.
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WHOLESALE & STOCKISTS
We are happy to have Wholesale enquiries for those cafes that demand exceptional coffee and quality for their clients.
If you are also looking for a point of difference and wish to stock our specialty products on your shelves, we are happy to have a chat.
Send us a note via our Contact us page.