Contactand Care
Questions about your order, brew, or virtues blend?
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Email or live chat , we'll reply within 24 hours.
Feedback and Support
Coffee Tips
How should I store my fresh-roasted coffee for best flavor?
Keep it in the original bag or an airtight, opaque container in a cool, dark spot like a pantry, away from heat, light, and moisture. Ideal temp below 75°F (24°C). Once opened, use within 2-4 weeks for peak taste. Avoid the fridge or freezer for daily use (condensation risks); save freezing for long-term portioning only. Temperance in mindful storage honors the beans' journey.
How long is my coffee at its freshest?
Roasted to order, it arrives near peak which is best enjoyed 1-3 weeks post-roast. Whole beans retain flavor longer than ground. After 4-6 weeks, it won't spoil but aromas soften. Brew with care, and it'll still be virtuous!
Should I grind right before brewing?
Yes. Grind fresh for each brew to protect oils from oxygen. Whole bean is ideal if you have a grinder at home. If pre-ground, use within 1-2 weeks and store airtight.
What grind size is best for my brewer?
- Coarse: French press or cold brew (like coarse sea salt).
- Medium-coarse: Pour-over/Chemex.
- Medium: Drip machines.
- Fine: Espresso/moka pot.
Experiment courageously—your perfect extraction awaits!
Tips for brewing the best cup?
Brewing great coffee is about balance, fresh ingredients, and a little intention - temperance in measurement meets courage in tasting and adjusting.
Universal Tips for Any Method
- Use fresh, filtered water (neutral taste, no strong chlorine/odor) at 195-205°F (90-96°C) - just off the boil for most methods. Too hot scorches; too cool under-extracts.
- Aim for a 1:15-1:17 coffee-to-water ratio (e.g., 20g coffee for 300-340g/10-12oz water) - adjust to taste (stronger = lower ratio).
- Grind fresh right before brewing - whole beans protect flavor; pre-ground loses aroma quickly. Match grind to your method (coarse for immersion like French press, fine for espresso).
- Bloom if possible (pour a small amount of hot water first - about 2x the coffee weight - wait 30-45 seconds). This releases CO₂ for even extraction, especially with very fresh roasts.
- Taste and tweak: If bitter (over-extracted), coarsen grind or shorten time; if sour/weak (under-extracted), finer grind or longer brew. Freshly roasted beans shine brightest in the first 2-4 weeks.
Quick Method Notes
- Drip machine / Auto-brewer: Medium grind, level grounds, fresh filter - let the machine handle timing.
- Pour-over / Chemex: Medium-fine grind, slow spiral pour in stages after bloom for clarity and brightness.
- French press: Coarse grind, 4-minute steep, gentle stir after bloom, press slowly.
- Espresso: Fine grind, tamp evenly, 25-30 second pull for rich body.
- Moka pot: Fine grind, fill basket loosely and level off (no tamping to avoid over-pressure) - add hot water to lower chamber just below safety valve, brew on low-medium heat until top fills, remove early to prevent bitterness.
Brew mindfully, enjoy the ritual, and remember: wisdom comes from practice. If your cup falls short, share your setup - we'll help refine it!
Ordering and Payment
How do I place an order?
Browse our collection, select your coffee, grind preference (if available), and quantity, then proceed to checkout. We accept major credit cards and Shopify's secure payment options.
Can I change or cancel my order?
Since each bag is custom-roasted just for you, orders are processed quickly. If you need changes, contact us immediately via email at support@fourvirtuescoffee.comor our built-in chat feature (bottom-right of the page) with your order number. Once fulfilled, modifications aren't possible.
What if my payment doesn't go through?
We'll notify you via email. Simply pay the invoice through your account, and we'll add it to our queue.
Shipping and Delivery
How long does shipping take?
We roast and prepare your coffee fresh to order, so processing typically takes 2-5 business days. Delivery adds 1-5 business days depending on your location and carrier (we use USPS, UPS, or FedEx for the best fit). Your coffee arrives at peak flavor—worth the wait for that virtuous brew!
Do you offer expedited shipping?
Not at this time, as our focus is on quality roasting over speed. Total delivery time is influenced by when you order and our custom process, ensuring the freshest possible coffee.
How can I track my order?
You'll receive a tracking number via email once it's ready. If it shows as "pre-shipment," it's in the final stages—give it a day or two. If issues arise, reach out to us via email or chat.
Returns and Refunds
What is the return policy?
Because our coffee is freshly roasted and perishable, we don't accept physical returns (shipping back wastes resources and we'd have to discard it for safety). If anything isn't right (wrong item, damage, quality concern), contact us at support@fourvirtuescoffee.com or via our built-in chat feature with your order details.
What about errors or damaged packages?
If your order arrives incorrect or damaged, let us know right away via email or chat. We'll typically replace it quickly so you can enjoy that virtuous brew without delay.
Products and Quality
Where does your coffee come from?
We source ethically from sustainable farms worldwide, partnering for fair wages and practices that align with our four virtues: justice, temperance, wisdom, and courage.
How fresh is the coffee?
Every order is roasted to order in small batches for ultimate freshness and balanced flavor. It's at its peak when it arrives—brew and enjoy within a few weeks for the best experience.
What does "single-origin" mean?
Single-origin means 100% of the beans come from one specific region (like Jinotega, Nicaragua or Sidama, Ethiopia), not a blend from multiple countries. This gives you unique, traceable flavors you can't get from generic blends.
Why is specialty coffee more expensive than grocery store coffee?
Grocery store coffee is mass-produced, often sits on shelves for months, and uses lower-grade beans. Specialty coffee (like ours) uses only the top 3% of beans worldwide, is roasted in small batches, and reaches you much fresher. You're paying for quality, traceability, and ethical sourcing.
Do you offer subscriptions or other options?
Yes! We offer subscriptions for regular deliveries of your favorite coffees. Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop on new releases and more.