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Transcript We all know the catch. It seems so easy, but what you get is a watered-down bland version of the cup of coffee that you're craving. We won’t drink coffee like that and neither should you. At Ember Coffee, we thought you deserve a better option. Leading the way in innovation. Our single serve pods are not your typical pod. For starters, we've reimagined everything about pod technology to give you the best single serve specialty coffee experience. Other pods fill just a small portion of their available space with coarse ground over-roasted, low-quality coffee. Our pods maximize the use of space through a special deep brewing capsule that allows the water to have full contact with a finer grind of our top-quality coffee—and on top of that, we actually provide 50% more coffee per cup than your old pod. Our unique lid style seals tightly to keep in freshness but off-gases CO2 for a pod that won't explode or go stale. Did you say stale? That’s right. Conventional brands actually have to use stale coffee or risk the pods exploding as they sit on warehouse and grocery store shelves for months on end. The strength of our poly “P” filter also allows for finer grinds to be used, resulting in a pod that puts your coffee into the ideal balance between strength and extraction. The depth, strength, and double-pleated style of the filter avoids channeling, allowing for a high extraction rate and a better cup of coffee--and what you get is a rich full-flavored single-serve cup of coffee.  That's not all that makes the Ember Coffee pod unique. When you're done with your brew, simply separate the pod pieces and recycle. Our Zero Waste design is all about our steadfast commitment to environmental responsibility. We take it to heart and want to ensure that you can too. Convenient, flavorful, responsible. Our Ember Coffee pods are a better kind of pod. Try one for your next cup and experience the excellence of Ember Coffee Company.

Transcript Hello, I’m Matt from Ember Coffee, where our mission is to elevate the coffee experience by providing ethically sourced, exceptionally roasted coffee. We understand the challenges restaurants and businesses face today—finding reliable, high-quality products shouldn't be one of them. That’s why we’re here to help, to demystify the process, and to deliver coffee that not only tastes good but also does good. At Ember Coffee, our commitment to ethical sourcing means we’re devoted to obtaining our beans in a manner that respects both the environment and the people involved. Our roasting process, featuring the pioneering Sivetz air roaster, known for its fluid bed technology, allows us to consistently deliver a cleaner, more flavorful cup. This technology ensures each bean is roasted evenly, highlighting its unique characteristics and providing a superior coffee experience. Our wholesale program is designed to support your business by offering: Hands-on training sessions and resources, ensuring your team excels at coffee service, Expert consulting to enhance and streamline your coffee offerings, Early access to our new and exclusive coffee selections, Reliable and timely delivery, so freshness is never a concern. We roast only the finest beans, selected from the top 1% globally, which we air roast weekly to ensure peak freshness. This isn’t just about serving coffee—it’s about creating memorable moments for your customers. Partnering with Ember means you’re not just getting a supplier; you’re getting a team committed to your success. We provide the best equipment, tailored support, and continuous guidance to help you serve exceptional coffee with confidence. Join us at Ember Coffee. Let’s work together to make coffee a highlight of your customer’s day and a defining feature of your business.

Transcript Hello, I'm Matt, and at Ember Coffee, we're not just about brewing the perfect cup—we're about empowering your brand with our unique private label offering. Why? Because your vision for a coffee brand deserves to be realized without the complexities and costs of roasting it yourself. At Ember, we provide a service known as toll roasting, where we take your selected green beans and roast them to perfection according to your exact specifications. This is not just about making coffee; it's about crafting an identity and offering a product that resonates with your values and speaks directly to your community. Whether you're a local CrossFit gym looking to energize members with a signature blend, a youth club aiming to fundraise with something unique, or a church community wanting to share a comforting brew, we're here to make that happen. Even local companies and corporate marketing teams find value in creating something bespoke that stands out in today's crowded market. Here's why partnering with us is more than just convenient—it's transformative. By entrusting us with your roasting, you leverage our state-of-the-art facilities and deep roasting expertise, freeing you to focus on your brand and your customers. This is about more than just coffee; it's about creating moments and memories. It's about supporting your strategic goals, whether that’s enhancing customer loyalty, boosting brand visibility, or offering something truly special that tells your story. Imagine your coffee, served in your style, under your brand, without the need to invest in expensive roasting equipment or manage the intricate roasting process. We handle the complexities of roasting so you can enjoy the simplicity of serving. At Ember Coffee, we are committed to quality, community, and sustainability. We ensure every batch reflects this commitment, helping you deliver not just a product, but an experience. An experience that your customers will love, remember, and come back for. So, if you’re ready to elevate your brand with a coffee that's uniquely yours, crafted with care and expertise, let’s make it happen. Let’s brew an unforgettable journey together.

Transcript Hey there, I’m Matt, and I’m not just here to serve you coffee; I’m here to invite you into the heart of Ember Coffee Company. You see, we believe that coffee isn’t just a drink—it’s an experience, one that should be accessible to everyone, not just the connoisseurs. At Ember, we strip away the pretense of coffee snobbery. Whether you’re a brewing rookie or a seasoned sipper, our doors—and our coffee—are open to you. It’s all about celebrating what truly matters: great coffee and even greater company. Now, you might be wondering, how do we ensure every cup of coffee is special? Well, it starts at the source. We’re committed to ethical sourcing, working with farmers who share our passion for quality and sustainability. From the lush fields where our beans begin their journey, to the small batches we meticulously roast, quality is our mantra. But it doesn’t stop there. We’ve mastered the art of air roasting, a technique that not only enhances the flavor but also shows our commitment to crafting the perfect cup. This method allows us to achieve a cleaner, smoother taste that lets the unique notes of each bean sing. And for those who cherish convenience without compromising on quality, we’ve got you covered with our recyclable K-cups. Designed for perfection, they’re ready to go whenever you are, ensuring you’re never more than a few moments away from a delightful coffee experience. So, whether you choose to grab a bag of our artisan-roasted beans or pop a K-cup into your machine, you’re not just brewing coffee—you’re brewing a story. Your story. Ready to unleash your bean-to-beautiful journey? Join us at Ember Coffee Company, where every cup is a new chapter. Let’s brew this story together.  

Transcript Hello, I’m Elisa from Ember Coffee, and I'm here to share the heart and soul of our culture with you. At Ember, we believe that small is significant. This shapes everything we do, from our beans in the roastery to the friendships that blossom in our coffee shop.We are committed to excellence, and hospitality in what we do. Whether it’s the precise art of air-roasting coffee or the warm greeting you receive when you walk through our doors, we want to bring goodness and beauty wherever we have the opportunity because serving our customers is a privilege to us.At Ember, authenticity is really important to us. We aim to be genuine, to reflect on the outside what we are on the inside. We love truth and simplicity, and we try to stay clear of the pretense and snobbery that can sometimes be found in the coffee industry. We'd rather focus on our love of coffee and the sense of family that it can create.As a part of the inner-workings of our culture we seek to show kindness and create a sense of belonging- and we believe that effort is never wasted. Because at the end of the day, we aren’t just roasting coffee beans and serving lattes—we are actually serving people.The last few years have been quite an adventure for us and we are so thankful for you, our friends and customers for being a part of our story.  As we continue to learn and grow we want you to know that we consider you part of our coffee tribe! We hope that when our beans come to your doorstep or you're drinking your cup of Ember coffee, you get a little more goodness in your day.

Within every thriving community, you'll likely find an independently-owned coffee shop. In today's world, coffee shops serve as key spaces for community members to connect and engage. It's no surprise that many are curious about the viability of starting their own coffee shop. Here, we share insights from our years of experience running Ember Coffee. We know because we've done it! Let’s explore how to start a coffee shop. What we know about coffee shops Like many, we took a leap of faith when opening Ember Coffee. None of us had prior experience running a business like this, but with a vision and a lot of passion we set out on the journey. Now several years later, we operate a successful cafe, a kitchen, and a roastery. We employ over 20 individuals, some of whom have been with us nearly from the start. To say we’ve learned a few things along the way is an understatement. We’ve learned a ton, some through successful hunches and some through utter failure. Thankfully we’re able to apply those lessons learned to further our business and continue our growth. We’re thankful for the people who coached us along the way by sharing their experience. And now we’re excited to share ours. The coffee shop concept On one side of the coffee offering spectrum, you have restaurants. For them, coffee is a tertiary product that is served after a meal. In the middle, you have cafes where coffee becomes a secondary offering served to nearly every customer alongside made-to-order dishes. And on the other side of the spectrum, you have coffee shops. The primary offering of a coffee shop is, well, coffee. Not only is it in the name, but coffee beverages are also the number one seller. Second to coffee is food, mostly pre-made pastries and light made-to-order dishes. And third, packaged goods like coffee bags and chocolate bars, as well as other retail, will be tertiary offerings. This is important to consider as the concept will have a tremendous impact on your start-up costs. 12 Steps to Opening a Coffee Shop 1. Cast the vision Develop a vision for your customer experience. What are you offering your community that doesn’t already exist? Who in your community are you targeting? What reputation do you want to obtain? Articulate this vision by creating a slide deck. Using images and text to tell the story. Dream big! 2. Build the business model Now focus your vision into a model for a sustainable business. We recommend the Business Model Canvas, an easy to build table for developing your business model. 3. Set your menu By this point, you probably have an idea of what you want to serve. Mock up a menu including all sizes and variants for all items. Once you’ve gotten everything written out, start chopping. Go item by item and ask if it is essential to your business’ success. If it’s not, cut it. A focused and concise menu will help you perform better than a bloated menu with too many options. 4. Find a location You’ll be looking in areas that are either urban or suburban. Neither is better than the other, and there are pros and cons to both. Keep in mind that your rent or mortgage should cost you no more than 10% of your net revenue. If a location costs $5,000/mo, you should be able to bring in at least $50,000/mo in revenue. If you don’t think you can, keep looking. Urban locations have high foot traffic and visibility. They’re in densely populated areas that also have high price tags. The benefit is you’ll be taking advantage of the draw the city creates. You’re going to where the people already are. In these areas, plan to rely heavily on to-go orders. At least half your sales will be from takeaway orders. Therefore, lots of seating isn’t necessary, and you can look for smaller spaces to stay within budget. If you’re looking in the suburbs or on the outskirts, you will likely become a destination drawing people to you. Because of this, you’ll need to find a location large enough for plenty of seating. Customers will likely want to spend time in your shop, so don’t lose a potential customer because all the seats are taken. If you are in a car-heavy area, consider a drive-thru. Drive-thrus can be very successful if you’re able to keep up with the quick pace. Finding larger locations in the suburbs should still keep you within budget because of the cheaper price tag. 5. Design the shop Now that you have a location in mind, hire an architect to help you lay it out. Architects know the building codes and laws to help you avoid costly changes later. You’ll not only be navigating building code but also health department requirements for food prep and city laws for accessibility. 6. Hire a contractor Getting the right contractor to handle the build-out is critical. Once you have your architecture drawings done, send them to several contractors and get multiple bids for the project. You may have a number in mind, but by getting several bids, you’ll be able to zero in on the true cost. Hire someone with a good rate and a good track record. You don’t want to have to repair poor work later on. Also, build-outs almost always take longer than projected. So be sure to pad your schedule and don’t let it stress you if construction takes a few weeks longer than anticipated. 7. Finance Financing can be the most discouraging step in the process. Once you have an idea for the build-out costs, but before you sign any contracts, you need to secure your financing. You’ll either be looking for loans or investment. With investment, you’ll be giving away ownership for capital. This is a great way to finance your shop as long as you and your investors are in alignment. Personal loans can be the easiest way to finance as long as the terms are spelled out clearly like interest rates and payback dates. Loans from banks or the SBA (Small Business Association) are other options, but don’t be discouraged if they tell you no. Banks are typically pretty conservative when lending money to coffee shops. Try your best to avoid credit card debt. Credit cards are the most expensive way to finance your shop. 8. Set up services Most of the items in this list will be happening simultaneously. While you are building out, hiring, and marketing, you’ll also need to be setting up all your services. Services like utilities, internet, security, your POS system, music, and service providers like CINTAS who provide towels, soaps, and floor mats. 9. Make it legal In this business, asking for forgiveness is not easier than permission. Make sure you’re meeting all the legal requirements for operating a business. By this point, you should’ve already set up your LLC with your lawyer or CPA. If you have business partners you should’ve also already set up your Operators Agreement as well. Now you’ll need to apply for an EIN (employee identification number) with the IRS, a state business license, and when you’re ready to open, you’ll need a certificate of occupancy. And definitely don’t forget about insurance coverage! 10. Hire and train Provide plenty of time prior to opening for your team to build camaraderie and confidence. Train on customer service, prep, and bar flow. Use our reference below on figuring out who and how many to hire. 11. Market, market, market Build hype! You want your community eagerly awaiting your opening. Start marketing your business at step 1 in this list. Make a splash by announcing your new business on social and with the local news. Get your family and friends involved. Don’t lose momentum after the announcement, but keep it building by releasing information like the menu, renderings of the layout, pictures of construction, etc. Do small coffee pop-ups throughout the community during build-out to give people a taste. This will help ensure you have a line out the door on opening day. 12. Open! Yay! You finally made it. Before announcing to the public that you’re open for business, work out the kinks by soft opening. At your first soft opening, invite family and friends, and if you can, don’t charge them. This is a gesture to thank them for supporting you, but also give your staff a warm-up. Plan to open for just a few hours, close, and spend a few hours with your staff working through what they learned and adjust what needs adjusting. Then do another soft open where you’re open to the public, but just let the word spread naturally. This will help prevent a rush that can overwhelm your new staff. Once you feel good, announce it to the world! Have balloons, a ribbon-cutting, get the mayor out, a DJ, and do everything you can to make it a celebration because you deserve it! How much it all costs TThe largest hurdle when opening a coffee shop is financing. And to figure out your financing, you need to have an accurate understanding of how much it will cost. And that depends entirely on your business model. The demographic you’re targeting, where they’re located, and the menu and experience that will appeal to them are the primary considerations when estimating your start-up costs. Keep in mind that you should have a goal of paying off your start-up costs within the first 5 years and ideally within the first 3. Your goal is to get to profitability as fast as possible. When estimating how much capital you’ll need to get off the ground, here are the things to consider. Build-out ($100k-$300k) Build-out is going to be your largest startup cost. Depending on the size of the space, your concept, and how much demolition and installation you’ll be doing, your cost will vary significantly. Finding a location that was previously a food & beverage establishment is a great way to reduce your build-out cost. Spend lots of time evaluating your layout and workflow to identify efficiencies like power and water placement. Expect build-out costs to fall somewhere between $100,000 and $300,000. Equipment ($30k-$60k) Equipment is the second largest cost when starting up. And it’s your menu that will dictate it. The equipment for a coffee shop falls into 3 categories: specialty equipment, commercial kitchen equipment, and ancillary equipment. Expect equipment costs to be between $30,000 and $60,000. Specialty equipment Espresso Machine: The heart of any specialty coffee shop, this machine is vital for crafting everything from lattes to macchiatos, ensuring each cup meets the high standards your customers expect. Pitcher Rinser: Installed beside the espresso machine, this tool swiftly cleans pitchers between uses, maintaining the quality of milk-based drinks and speeding up the beverage preparation process. Knock Box: A simple yet indispensable tool for quickly disposing of used espresso grounds, keeping the bar area clean and efficient. Grinders: Critical for any coffee shop that prides itself on freshness, having separate grinders for espresso and regular coffee allows you to grind beans on-demand, preserving their flavor and aroma. Batch Brewer and Airpots: Essential for serving high volumes of coffee during peak hours, these allow you to brew large quantities that stay hot and fresh, catering to customers in a hurry without compromising quality. Hot Water Tower: Ensures that hot water is always available for tea and other beverages, facilitating efficient service and a diverse menu offering. Water Filtration System: A cornerstone for making great coffee, this system ensures that the water used in all beverages is clean and pure, enhancing the taste and quality of the drinks served. Commercial kitchen equipment Ice Maker: An essential piece of equipment that ensures a constant supply of fresh ice for cold beverages, essential for iced coffees, smoothies, and other cold drinks, especially during warmer months. Refrigerators: Crucial for storing perishables like milk, cream, and fresh produce, refrigerators help maintain the freshness and quality of ingredients used in both beverages and food items. Freezer: Used for storing longer-term items such as frozen pastries, ice cream, and backup supplies, a freezer helps manage inventory and reduce waste by preserving essential ingredients until they’re needed. 3 Compartment Sink: A key component for maintaining hygiene, this sink features separate compartments for washing, rinsing, and sanitizing tools and dishes, ensuring that health standards are upheld throughout the operation. Dishwasher: Speeds up the cleaning process and ensures a high standard of sanitation for all dishware and utensils, crucial in a busy coffee shop environment where turnaround times are fast and volumes are high. Work Tables: Provide necessary space for food preparation and assembly, essential for efficient workflow and productivity in the kitchen and service areas of the shop. Ancillary equipment Pour Over Brewers: Ideal for crafting single cups of meticulously brewed coffee, these brewers appeal to connoisseurs who appreciate the art and precision in coffee making. Kettles: Essential for heating water to the precise temperature needed for different types of coffee and tea, ensuring optimal flavor extraction. Tea Pots: Serve a dual purpose, not only for brewing loose-leaf or bagged teas but also for presenting them elegantly to customers, enhancing the tea-drinking experience. Tamp: A vital tool for espresso preparation, it compresses the coffee grounds evenly, ensuring a consistent and flavorful extraction. Tamp Mat: Protects the countertop and provides a stable base for tamping, essential for baristas to apply the right pressure without damaging surfaces. Milk Pitchers: Used for frothing milk to the perfect consistency for lattes and cappuccinos, these pitchers are crucial for the precise pouring and latte art that distinguish specialty coffee. Scales: Ensure precise measurements of coffee grounds and water, crucial for achieving the perfect coffee-to-water ratio and consistency across servings. Stirring Spoons: Used for mixing drinks, they’re also indispensable for preparing layered beverages and ensuring flavors are well incorporated. Whisks: Needed for beating milk, matcha, or other ingredients to create smooth and frothy textures in various drinks. Strainers: Help in filtering out fine particles from teas and coffees, ensuring clarity and purity in every cup. Squeeze Bottles: Useful for storing and precisely dispensing homemade syrups and sauces, they contribute to the efficiency and creativity of drink making. Kitchen Timers: Critical for timing the brewing process, they help baristas achieve perfect brew times for coffee and tea, crucial for maintaining high-quality standards in drink preparation. Furnishings ($5k - $8k) Furnishings are an extension of your brand. The experience you create for your customers through your furnishings should match the experience you provide within your cup. Be as intentional with your decor, tables, chairs, and cups and plates, as you are with your coffee. Sourcing can be difficult, but don’t hesitate to ask companies if they offer trade discounts. Training ($5k - $8k) Once you have assembled and hired your team, you will need to spend time together to train. Training should include casting your vision for the shop and the customer experience, training on beverage and food preparations, bar flow, and how to work together as a team. Give your team adequate time to train so they’re not stressed or lacking confidence when you open. You have one shot at a first impression, so set your team up for success. Budget a week’s worth of pay for training all team members prior to opening. Professional services ($10k - $20k) It takes a village to open a business. Plan to incur costs for hiring professional services like a CPA, lawyer, architect, graphic designer, interior designer, or business consultants. Goods ($10k) You will need to place orders for all your goods like coffee, milks, tea, flavorings, food, paper goods, and retail before you open. Plan for around $10,000 for purchasing these items, and don’t plan to make much money off your initial order. You’ll be using a good bit of it during training and soft opens. Operating capital ($10k-$20k) It will take time for you to become cash flow positive where you have more cash coming in than going out. To help relieve stress and give you a cushion for just-in-case, plan to have $10,000 to $20,000 in the bank for operating capital. Who do you need to hire/how many people? To figure out who you’ll need to hire, start by identifying your roles. General manager, shift manager, barista, chef, cook, baker, are all common positions at a coffee shop but you may not need all of them at the start. Though having an individual split between multiple roles sounds like an efficient idea, typically it doesn’t go well. Let your team dedicate their minds to a single position. When hiring, start with your leadership team. Shift managers, lead baristas, and chefs will lead the team to success. Find people you believe in, who have experience, and that align with your vision. Even if you start out managing the employees yourself, you will eventually want to delegate those tasks, so having people to promote will be a smoother transition than hiring from outside. To estimate how many people you need to hire, start by creating a mock schedule. Based on the hours you’ll be operating, figure out the stations that will need personnel throughout the day. Coffee shops tend to be busiest in the late morning and early afternoon. And weekends are typically busier than weekdays so plan to be fully staffed at those times. Also be sure to account for time to open and close the shop. What supplies do you need? Goods sold Goods sold are the things that go into a purchase. It includes your coffee, milks, tea, flavorings, food, and retail. You’ll need to be in a weekly rhythm of taking inventory and ordering. Make use of a PAR level system which will prevent you from running out of inventory. Consumables Consumables include your paper goods like cups, lids, straws, napkins, filters, etc. As well as receipt paper, printer paper, and anything else that will need to be continually replaced. Cleaning supplies Soaps, detergents, disinfectant sprays can be provided to you through services like CINTAS. Other cleaning agents like Cafiza will also need to be on hand for cleaning your coffee equipment. Have more questions? Though it is stressful and difficult, nothing is more satisfying than seeing your community excited to see you open and eager to support you. It’s a special feeling that we feel very lucky to have. If you have more questions that we didn’t answer here, feel free to reach out and ask! If you’re in the process of opening a coffee shop, or even if you already have, we’d love to partner with you. Our wholesale program provides coffee as well as tea and we’ll help you navigate your barista training, which equipment to purchase, and answer any questions you may have about how to run a healthy business. Apply to be a wholesale partner  

Coffee is more than just a drink; it’s a part of our daily routine and plays a big role in our lives. If you sell coffee, whether you brew it yourself or resell it, you know it’s important to have great quality. Finding the right wholesale coffee partner is key, and you probably have a lot of questions: Will they understand and support my business? Will they be there when I need them? Can I trust them to deliver on time? We understand, and we’re here to help. As you look for the perfect partner, we’ve put together some important questions to ask. These will help you sort through your options and find a partner who is more than just a supplier, but a real supporter of your coffee business. What is a wholesale coffee partner? A wholesale coffee partner is a business that focuses on roasting coffee beans in large amounts and then selling these roasted beans in bulk to other businesses. These companies usually work on a B2B (business-to-business) model, supplying coffee to shops, cafes, restaurants, hotels, offices, and other places that serve or sell coffee to people. Wholesale coffee roasters are important because they make sure there’s always a steady supply of high-quality coffee for their clients. Wholesale Coffee Partner vs. Coffee Distributor You might wonder how a wholesale coffee partner is different from a coffee distributor. When you work with a wholesale coffee partner, you deal directly with the company that finds the green coffee beans, roasts them, and packages them. On the other hand, a coffee distributor works with various coffee roasting companies and sells their products. The advantage of working directly with the roaster is that you can have a closer relationship with the company that makes your coffee. This means faster communication and feedback, more flexibility, and better knowledge of the industry. Working with a distributor gives you access to a wider variety of coffee brands and products, but they might not have as much in-depth knowledge about coffee as the roaster. What to look for in a wholesale coffee partner? Choosing the right wholesale coffee partner is very important if you run a cafe, restaurant, retail store, or any other place that serves or sells coffee. You’ll want to make sure your partner is consistent, reliable, quick, and above all, honest. Here are seven questions we recommend you ask to find the best wholesale coffee partner: 1. What is their reputation? Reputation is very important. Look at how they treat their customers. Do they spend quality time in person? Do they treat each customer as if they are the most important, or do they neglect some? Start with online reviews, but also ask for references from a few of their current or past customers. 2. How do they source their coffee? Knowing where they get their coffee can tell you a lot about the reliability and quality of their products. Do they get their coffee through green coffee distributors, importers, exporters, or directly from the growers? Have they built good relationships with their green coffee suppliers? Do they share details about how the coffees were grown, their type, altitude, harvest time, and how they were processed? The better the relationship a coffee roaster has with their green coffee suppliers and the more they share, the lower the risk of getting poor quality coffee or having supply problems. Also, ask about their pricing to make sure you’re getting a good deal. 3. What types of roasts do they offer? Every roaster has their specialties—certain types of coffee or roast styles they are known for. Find out if they have the coffee types and roast styles that your customers like. Ask about the range of roasts they offer, from bold and dark to light and bright, and see if they have a good selection that suits your customers’ tastes. If your customers like darker coffees, they should taste rich and smooth, not too bitter. If they prefer lighter roasts, they should taste bright and delicate, not sour or tart. 4. What is their policy on freshness? Coffee tastes best a few days to a month after it’s roasted. Specialty coffee roasters often roast their coffee only when they have orders, and ship it the same day or the day after roasting. This makes sure you and your customers get the freshest coffee. Avoid coffee that has been sitting on a shelf before you order it. Make sure your customers are happy with the roast dates they see on the coffee. 5. Do they require contracts or offer terms? It’s common for wholesale coffee partners to ask you to sign a contract for a year or more to get the best prices, and they may also require minimum orders. This helps them plan their sales, but it might not help you. Some wholesale partners, like us, don’t require contracts. We believe a wholesale relationship should be based on trust and mutual benefits, aiming to improve both the customer experience and the business on both sides. You should get real benefits for your customers and your bottom line from your wholesale coffee partner, and they should too. 6. Will they be a resource for brewing advice? Your wholesale coffee partner should know the best ways to brew their beans. They should also help you get the most out of their coffee. Many wholesale partners have experience running coffee shops or cafes and can be a great resource for advice on bar flow, equipment, and how to brew. Even if you’re not local, it’s important to find a wholesale partner who can guide you on how to best brew their coffee so that you and your customers are happy with what you offer. 7. Will they be available? One of the last things to check is if they’ll be available when you need them. If you’re starting a new cafe, you might still be figuring out how often you need to order, or you might need help as your business grows. Your wholesale coffee partner should be easy to reach and willing to help you solve problems, offer advice on best practices for your bar, equipment, and maintenance, and be supportive. A good partner will be invested in your success.Deciding on your wholesale coffee partner isn’t just about the cost and products; it’s also about building a relationship. Finding a partner who supports you and helps you grow will benefit both your business and your customers. If you are looking for a wholesale coffee partner, we at Ember Coffee would love to work with you. We strive to support those who aim for excellence in their offerings, service, and customer experiences. Ready to get started? Let’s partner →

If you're a coffee lover looking to enhance your daily brew, you won't want to miss this informative video featuring Ember Coffee Co. in Big Lake, Minnesota, winner of Minnesota's Best Coffee and Coffeehouse in 2023. In the video, owners Elisa and Matt Berry share their passion for creating high-quality coffee and their innovative approach to the coffee industry. Key takeaways from the video: 1. Air roasting: Ember Coffee Co. uses a unique air roasting technique that removes the outer layer of the coffee bean, resulting in a smoother, less acidic cup of coffee that's easier on the stomach.2. Fresh coffee pods: The Berrys discuss the importance of freshness in coffee pods and how they use special pods with one-way valves to ensure their customers receive coffee that's as fresh as possible, sometimes just days after roasting.3. Buying local: To ensure you're getting the freshest, most flavorful coffee, Matt recommends buying from local roasters in your state or county.By incorporating these insights into your own coffee routine, you can elevate your daily cup and enjoy a more satisfying coffee experience. Check out the video to learn more about Ember Coffee Co.'s innovative approach to coffee and discover how you can apply their techniques to your own coffee habits.Have you tried air-roasted coffee or freshness-focused coffee pods? Share your experiences in the comments below!

To our fans and loyal customers, We have some exciting news to share with you! Last year, thanks to your incredible support and love for our coffee, we were honored to be named as the winners of both Best Coffee and Best Coffeehouse in Star Tribune's "Minnesota's Best" competition. Words cannot express how much this recognition means to us, and we are forever grateful for your unwavering support. As the Spring season approaches, so does another opportunity for us to showcase the passion and dedication we pour into every cup of coffee we serve. We are thrilled to announce that we are once again in the running for Star Tribune's "Minnesota's Best" competition, and we need your help to defend our title! Your votes are crucial in helping us maintain our position as the best coffee and coffeehouse in Minnesota. We know that there are many fantastic coffee spots throughout the state, but we believe that our commitment to quality, sustainability, and community sets us apart. So, we humbly ask for your support once more. Please take a moment to visit the Star Tribune's "Minnesota's Best" voting page and cast your vote for Ember Coffee in both the Best Coffee and Best Coffeehouse categories. Every vote counts, and we would be incredibly grateful for your time and effort in helping us secure these prestigious titles once again. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being a part of the Ember Coffee family. Your continued support means the world to us, and we promise to keep striving for excellence in everything we do. Let's show Minnesota why Ember Coffee is truly the best! With gratitude, The Ember Coffee Team

Kickstart your St. Paddy's Day with our Irish Coffee Recipes. Each recipe was intentionally crafted to highlight the flavors of our Barrel Aged Blend complimented by your favorite Irish Whiskey. Our Barrel Aged Blend can be purchased in our Big Lake location as well as on our website. To make the cold brew concentrate at home, we have a great tutorial for making cold brew at home. Enjoy your day and drink responsibly! Irish Coffee Ingredients: 1oz Irish Whiskey 0.5oz Simple Syrup 4oz Brewed Coffee (Barrel-Aged Coffee) Top with Frothed Heavy Whipping Cream Garnish with a gentle dash of ground Nutmeg Instructions: Brew Ember Coffee's barrel-aged coffee. For the perfect brew, we recommend using 20g of coffee to 160g of water. Do this with a double-strength extraction and an 8:1 water-to-coffee ratio. This gives the drink a strong and distinct flavor, which adds depth to the finished product. Making it a smooth, bold, coffee-centric cocktail. In a 6-ounce glass, combine 1 ounce of Irish whiskey and 0.5 ounces of simple syrup. Add 4oz of Ember Coffee's barrel-aged coffee. Make sure to still measure this out, as the actual amount brewed may be larger than 4oz and may overfill the glass. Once everything is in your glass, froth the heavy whipping cream. We recommend using a milk frother that produces a nice micro foam or whatever method you prefer to froth milk. The goal is to get the cream thick and smooth, so it can still flow but isn't too liquidy. When your frothed milk is ready, hold a spoon just above the glass upside down. Then, pour the cream over the back of the spoon, gently layering it on top of your brewed cocktail. Garnish with ground nutmeg and enjoy! Iced Irish Coffee   Ingredients: 1oz Irish Whiskey 0.5oz Simple Syrup 4oz Brewed Coffee (Barrel-Aged Coffee) Top with Frothed Heavy Whipping Cream Garnish with a gentle dash of ground Nutmeg Instructions: Use a small cold-brew set to brew Ember Coffee's barrel-aged coffee. Use a 5:1 ratio of water to coffee to make the cold brew. Let it brew in the fridge for 16 to 18 hours. Tip: For this particular cocktail, we like to leave this as a concentrate because we think it gives the final drink more depth and flavor. This makes a strong, well-balanced cocktail that focuses on coffee. After brewing, put it in a jar and refrigerate until you're ready to make the cocktail. Pour 1 ounce of Irish whiskey in a six-ounce glass and add 0.5 ounce of simple  syrup. Then add 4 ounces of Cold Brew Concentrate Coffee. Still measure this out, because the amount that was brewed might be more than 4oz and fill the glass too much. After putting everything in the glass, it's time to whip the heavy cream until it foams. We recommend using a milk frother that produces a nice micro foam or whatever method you prefer to froth milk. The goal is to get the cream thick and smooth, so it can still flow but isn't too liquidy. When your frothed milk is ready, hold a spoon just above the glass upside down. Then, pour the cream over the back of the spoon, gently layering it on top of your brewed cocktail. Garnish with ground nutmeg and enjoy!

This month at Ember Coffee, we're brewing something special. Our Roaster's Choice selection isn't just about the perfect cup, it's...

Have you ever felt like you had to go to the bathroom right away after drinking your favorite coffee? Don't worry—this funny and informative piece explains why coffee makes people go to the bathroom. You love coffee and want a smooth, balanced experience without any stomach pain. Whether you use a V60, an espresso machine, or a single-serve Keurig pod, we understand. Let's go on an adventure as we learn about the interesting world of coffee and how it affects our metabolism. Get ready for an interesting, fun, and sometimes cheeky look at the connection between coffee and going to the bathroom. People, get your coffee mugs ready, because this ride is going to be fun! Why does your coffee come with a morning sprint? Alright folks, grab your brew and let's dive into science! Coffee, loved by many for its taste and energy-boosting effects, also has an interesting side effect—it makes us poop! This is not just anecdotal. A study published in the Journal of Gastroenterology found that 29% of subjects reported increased bowel movement within twenty minutes of coffee consumption. Talk about fast-acting! Coffee causes this effect due to its unique composition. It contains tiny molecules called phytochemicals, caffeine being the most notable one, which have a stimulating effect on the colon. To get a bit more science-y, coffee increases the levels of the hormone gastrin in the body, which in turn stimulates activity in the colon. Plus, this beverage promotes the release of cholecystokinin, another hormone that aids digestion. Therefore, when you enjoy your cup of joe, it's not just waking up your brain, it's waking up your gut too! Now, the million dollar question: Is it bad for you? Luckily, the answer is no. Coffee-induced poop isn't harmful. It’s simply your body's way of responding to a natural stimulant. In fact, some people see it as a benefit. Many people, according to a survey by the National Institute of Health, use coffee as a tool for maintaining regular bowel movements. So, the next time you grab your morning coffee, remember, it's not just your brain that's thanking you—it's your digestive system too! Arabica or robusta? Is there a difference in caffeine? Yes, there really is a difference! Whether you choose Arabica or Robusta beans, the type of coffee you make may have a big effect on both how it tastes and how well it helps your digestion. The Robusta bean, which is also called Coffea Canephora, has a long and interesting history. This type comes from sub-Saharan Africa and has been grown and eaten for a very long time. Robusta beans are known to be tough, robust, and much easier to grow because they don't get diseased or eaten by pests. While Arabica is easy to like, Robusta takes a little while to get used to. The coffee in it is almost twice as strong, which wakes up both your brain and your digestive system. Robusta tastes darker, stronger, and a lot more bitter because it has a lot of caffeine in it. Is that not good? Not in the least! With its strong taste, the Robusta bean wakes you up in the morning, just like your coffee! Let's go back in time now. Think back to the late 1800s. Robusta beans were grown in large amounts because Arabica beans were in short supply. Some brands, like Folgers and Maxwell House, saw a chance. They found that using Robusta beans would allow them to make a cheaper, stronger, and more caffeinated coffee. In this way, they changed the way we drink coffee and made it available to everyone. That being said, Arabica beans, also known as Coffea Arabica, are often thought of as the best coffee beans. People who like their coffee smoother and less bitter love these beans because they have a more delicate and complicated flavor profile and less caffeine. And the next time you drink coffee, think about the beans that went into it. It's not just about taste when you decide between an Arabica and a Robusta. It's also about history, farming, and the interesting science behind what moves us. The science: coffee or laxative? Now for the important question: Can your favorite coffee be used instead of a laxative? A lot of people have talked about this, and we're finally going to tell you! Before you start, it's important to keep in mind that coffee does stimulate your bowels, but not in the same way that a cleanser does. Laxatives mostly work in one of three ways: they either make your stools bulkier, they make them easier to move, or they make your innards move faster. However, coffee raises the production of gastrin, which in turn speeds up colonic action. Even though it can "get things going," it won't work as well as a regular cleanser. Putting that aside, using coffee as a natural way to help you go to the bathroom has some benefits. It doesn't have the side effects that can happen when you use laxatives a lot, like becoming dehydrated or having your pH levels change. Plus, it's a lot more fun than the other way to keep your gut system healthy. But what about just drinking coffee? Does it make you feel good? Yes, coffee lovers can rejoice! Not only does coffee help you get your morning, um, "moving," but it also has many other health perks that have been proven to work. Years of study show that people who drink coffee are less likely to get a number of serious illnesses. The Harvard School of Public Health says that people who drink coffee are less likely to die young, get heart disease, or get some types of cancer. It also lowers the chance of getting Parkinson's disease and type 2 diabetes. But, as with everything else, balance is key. Even though it's clear that coffee is good for you, drinking too much of it can cause a lot of problems, like jitteriness, sickness, headaches, and trouble sleeping. I'd like to use wise words from my grandmother: "Too much of anything is bad." The same is true for coffee. Keep in mind that coffee affects each person's body in different ways, so the "right" amount can be very different for each person. Pay attention to your body. If coffee makes you feel good and helps you do things well, then you're probably on the right track. So, does coffee make you more powerful than a laxative? No. Can it help things move? Of course. Does it make you feel good? In small amounts, yes! Folks, that's the end of the review of the drink that gets you through the day. Now, go make some coffee and enjoy it! Daily intake How much is too much? We've talked about coffee, your gut, and its amazing benefits. Now let's talk about the most important question: "How much coffee is too much?" It's time to solve the puzzle and bring this important problem to light. Up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day is what the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says is a good amount. That is about the same amount as four 8-ounce coffee cups. But keep in mind that the amount of caffeine can change based on the bean type, how it's roasted, and how it's made. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) agrees and says that people shouldn't take in more than 200 mg at a time. This is about 2.7 mg per pound of body weight, which is about 12 ounces of coffee for a 150-pound person. Still, everyone is different, and just like how people like their coffee, our bodies react to caffeine in different ways. After having a tea in the middle of the day, some people may be able to sleep like a baby, while others may be up all night tossing and turning. How sensitive we are to caffeine depends on our genes, our age, our body mass, and our general health. Remember that more isn't always better, especially when it comes to coffee. Too much coffee can make us feel antsy, anxious, have an upset stomach, have a fast heartbeat, and even tremor our muscles, even if it helps us wake up or go to the bathroom. We love coffee and don't let it ruin our day. To sum up, people, less is more. Whether you drink occasionally, a lot during certain times of the year, or all the time, it's important to keep track of how much you're drinking and drink sensibly. In the end, the fun of coffee is in enjoying every moment, smell, and taste. Let's raise our mugs to a balanced coffee experience that makes our bodies and taste buds happy. Cheers to the drink that keeps us going, brings us together, and makes our lives a little more fun. Coffee lovers, have a drink!