FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here are some popular, obscure, and funny questions you’ve asked us.

Q: How do you pronounce Urraco?

Urraco is pronounced [ooo’ rock’ oh’]

Q: What is Urraco?

Our roots trace back to the small coffee growing village of Urraco, Honduras. We first met the people of Urraco while lending a helping hand in the region after Hurricane Mitch devastated the gulf coast of Honduras in 1998. Our passion for roasting coffee began by bringing coffee grown in Urraco up to Shelton, Washington and roasting it to give away to our friends and family. It wasn’t long before inspiration stirred us to develop a coffee roasting company with a commitment to buy, roast, and serve the best quality coffee from growing regions around the world. When we were forming the company, the amazing people, and beautiful mountain landscapes that surround Urraco, inspired us to keep the namesake.

Q: Do you offer ground coffee?

If you stop in the shop and buy a bag off the shelf, yes, we will grind it for you. But we only ship our coffee in whole bean form for all online orders and subscriptions. This is for a good cause: your taste buds. Your coffee tastes light-years better when you grind only the amount of coffee you’re going to brew, just before brewing. Truth is coffee should not be ground for at least 24 hours after the roast process has finished. These hours are crucial to the bean’s flavor potential as the natural oils concealed within continue to develop and seep out onto the beans’ surface producing its peak flavor. In whole bean form, coffee acts as its own air tight container, preserving its freshness and peak flavor inside. Once ground, the flavor diminishes rapidly. Since we want to ship you your coffee fresh out of the roaster so you can enjoy it within 48 hours of it being roasted, we must send it to you in whole bean form.

Check out our coffee line up and add some freshly roasted, whole bean coffee to your cart.

Q: What about tax and shipping charges?

Tax and shipping are figured after you enter in your address during checkout. Don’t worry… we’re not trying to hide anything. Shipping charges depend on where you live and are based on real time USPS shipping rates with zero “handling” mark-up. Bottom line: you’ll be able to review tax and shipping charges before anything hits your credit card.

Q: What’s the best way to grind/brew my coffee?

Follow these easy tips and you’ll be brewing like a pro!

  • Only grind the amount of coffee you are going to brew, immediately prior to brewing.

  • If possible, use bottled or filtered water.

FOR AUTOMATIC DRIP

  • If you have a flat bottom filter - we recommend a “medium” grind - somewhere between Sea Salt and Table Salt. With flat-bottom filters, your coffee will immerse in water for a longer period of time so start with a slightly courser grind. For cone shaped filters, the water will pass through your coffee faster - so you’ll want a slightly finer grind.

  • We recommend two tablespoons of freshly ground coffee for every 6 ounces of fresh water.

  • It sounds crazy, but when your brewer completes the brewing cycle, open the carafe and give the coffee a stir with a large spoon - it will help every cup achieve its maximum complexity and flavor potential. Trust us on this one.

FOR COFFEE PRESS

  • Grind the coffee course, there shouldn’t be any full beans in your grinder - but the grounds should look chunky. The larger grind will allow the coffee to saturate during the immersion time - and will prevent floaters from getting through the plunger filter and ending up in your mug.

  • We recommend two tablespoons of ground coffee for every 6 ounces of fresh water.

  • Fill the press with hot water that is just off the boil. Pour the water over the grounds in a circular motion to saturate all of the grounds.

  • Place the plunger back on the press without pushing it down - let the coffee grounds steep in the hot water for 4 minutes.

  • Don’t be afraid to give it a stir with a spoon before plunging.

  • Gently press the plunger down until it reaches the bottom of the press.

  • Serve and enjoy!

FOR ESPRESSO

  • Grind the coffee fine. Fine enough so if you pinch the coffee grounds with your fingers the grounds will stick together and not fall apart.

  • The brew time for espresso extraction is short, about 18-21 seconds, so the fine grind is what helps build up the pressure necessary for a proper shot.

  • Don’t tamp the espresso grounds too firmly. Just a nice tamp to flatten the top of the portafilter.

  • If your shot glass if full a lot sooner than 18 seconds, you might need to grind a little finer, or tamp a little harder. If your shot glass still isn’t full and you’re way over 21 seconds of extraction, you will want to either grind a little more course, or tamp lighter. Ideally, your shot glass will reach the fill line between 18 and 21 seconds.

  • If you’re lucky enough to have an espresso machine at home - make a latte for your neighbor, or at least save your grounds for someone in your neighborhood with a garden! :)

Now that you’re a pro - order some fresh roasted coffee and get brewing!

Q: Can coffee really “go bad”?

Kind of… roasted coffee beans can go stale just like bread. It’s best to drink your coffee within two weeks of the roast (but not within 24 hours of roast). When you order a bag of coffee from us you can rest assured that we don't roast your coffee until you order it - and we ship it to you directly from the roaster to ensure it's freshness and peak flavor.

This is why our subscriptions are the best bet. We send you a freshly roasted pound of coffee every other Monday. This ensures you never run out of the best coffee - and that your coffee isn’t sitting around in your pantry for too long. Save 10% and start a subscription today!

Q: How should I store my coffee?

Contrary to common opinion, coffee should never be stored in the freezer or refrigerator. Coffee is very subjective to its surroundings, and will pick up flavors of other foods in your freezer or refrigerator. To keep your coffee fresh, store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark, dry place to protect it against the staling effects of heat, light, and moisture. It is possible for metal or plastic containers to contaminate your coffees flavor, so use a ceramic container if possible.

Q: Where do you get your green bean coffee from?

We work with a Seattle based coffee importer to get coffee from all over the world. The beans are brought into Seattle by boat in containers, and then warehoused in Auburn, WA until we are ready to have them delivered and toss them in the roaster.

Q: Do you like the movie “Along Came Polly”?

“Along Came Polly” is definitely in our top five. There is a classic basketball scene where Sandy Lyle can’t hit a single shot, though his ranting would foreshadow otherwise. At one point he yells “RAINDANCE!!!” only to throw an air ball. The scene is hilarious… highly recommended.

Q: Can I expect to perform better at work while drinking your coffee?

For sure. You’ll be pumping out TPS reports at light speed upon your first sip. Gift some gourmet coffee to your boss and you’re sure to score a high five, and will be less likely to be asked to come in on Saturday.

Q: Do you offer wholesale prices for business to business customers?

Yes! We'd be happy to customize a coffee program tailored to your specific needs including a discounted price based on your volume and frequency. Drop us a line and lets start hashing out the details.

Forward March

Like a cat, your curiosity has been satisfied. Unlike a cat, your curiosity hasn't killed you. Celebrate your life with a fresh roasted cup of coffee that will put the other “gourmet” brands to shame. You have nothing to lose. The time is nigh to select a gourmet coffee.