COFFEE FAQ's

Why does coffee taste better at Kopi than at home?  Coffee is 98% water; we pass Fulton County water though three filters before brewing espresso (2 filters before the Fetco brewer). This extracts the chemicals added by the county, and filters out the hardness and natural impurities of water coming from this area.  Secondly, we use better beans and thirdly, the best equipment.  Lastly, our Baristas are professionals at making coffee.

How are Decaf beans processed?  Initially they are processed the same as all beans in either the wet or dry method.  Then they are made “decaffeinated” by one of four similar methods.  These involve combining the beans with another compound which absorbs the caffeine, usually by soaking the beans with this compound. The compound is extracted along with the caffeine that bonded to it; the beans are washed and then roasted normally.  The excess caffeine is then sent to Coca Cola to be added to soft drinks (among other uses).  Coffee beans labeled Decaf will still contain as much as 2.5% caffeine, so they can best be described as over 97% caffeine free.

Why are espresso-based drinks mixed with milk relatively unpopular in Europe, yet dominate here?   Tradition, mostly.  Americans came late to espresso based coffees, and milk is plentiful and fresh in the US whereas it was often less so in Europe.  ( I remember flying to Europe in the 70s with some German kids who marveled at how fresh and good tasting American milk was wherever one bought it, not so in Europe they said – lack of refrigeration, especially in southern climes like Italy, was a possible reason).  It seemed natural to add milk to us, and we had no traditions of decades’ duration which said not to add milk.  Higher incidence of lactose intolerance on the part of southern Europeans has been suggested as a reason, but I doubt that’s accurate.

Why do Starbucks beans taste burnt?  They don’t to everyone, but it’s true they roast their beans by design much darker then many prefer.  This is partially because they make so much more espresso roast as compared to anyone else.  Since they need so many beans, they find that roasting beans from many different growing areas to a very dark roast enables them to offer a similar taste regardless of bean origin and initial flavor characteristics.  But even when they were smaller, their coffee always had a slightly burnt taste (to me and many others, at any rate), so it’s also a company preference.  Kopi will of course use a dark espresso roast, but not one in which the sugars have caramelized into carbon as completely.

Why is Kopi Coffee better?   1. Our beans are excellent, chosen from a roaster that pays close attention to detail and crafts each batch of beans.  Batdorf and Bronson sources bean from estates all around the world.  They are sensitive to ecological impact and working conditions at the estates.  And they get the beans right when they roast them.  2. Our equipment is the best that can be obtained anywhere.  We are vigilant in maintaining and servicing our equipment so it always produces the best product possible.  3.  Our staff works hard to understand coffee principles, to make a great cup, and to serve with excellence.         4.  We have chosen superior baked goods to offer along with our coffee and tea, and always serve these as fresh as possible.

Why doesn’t Kopi offer beans for sale?   In six months or so, we will.  Our initial focus is on creating a destination for a great cup of coffee.  Once successful in our core mission, we can expand to additional offerings (Kopi mugs, beans, logo shirts, etc.).  Our business plan calls for expansion to five stores around Atlanta over the next few years, but we will learn walk before we run.

Where does Kopi stand on the environment and social concerns?   We choose to serve only Fair Trade and relationship coffees.  These are coffees grown with social responsibility.  In many areas of the world, coffee laborers are offered bare subsistence wages and very poor working conditions – relationship coffees cost a bit more but ensure that the environment and laborers are treated respectfully. 

Coffee itself is a healthy and beneficial food.  Like most any food it can be abused by using excessive amounts, usually described as beginning at four or five cups (6 ounce) per day, but this is highly dependent upon the individual’s particular health and biological makeup.  Many people drink much more coffee with no adverse effects.  Like wine, a cup or two of coffee is acknowledged to enhance health over having none at all.  Coffee offers antioxidants and the caffeine itself has health benefits that have often been documented in the press.  However, excessive amounts of caffeine have been demonstrated to cause stomach irritation, increased nervousness, increased heartbeat, and anxiety.  Caffeine is considered a mildly addictive substance.  Our baked goods are chosen with taste in mind; unfortunately, even lower fat and “healthier” pastries or cookies are not that good for your body, only for your attitude and to blissfully satisfy your sweet tooth. 

Kopi is concerned about its employees, our community and the situations in which we live.  We offer a drink special daily that allows our customers to choose a charity (such as the local women’s shelter, hurricane relief efforts, or homeless assistance), and Kopi will donate $1 of that drink’s cost to the charity chosen.  The customer’s choice of charity is tracked by the POS system.  At the end of each month, a check is written to each charity for the amounts collected.  Amounts disbursed will be posted in the store and on the web site each month.