Frequently Asked Questions
It’s all in the roast. While most coffee is drum-roasted, which means the beans are scorched as they come in contact with the hot sides of the metal drum. In contrast, we use superheated air for heat transfer—a method used by less than 1% of roasters worldwide. It delivers smoother, more balanced flavor with zero burnt bitterness.
Our air-roasting process reduces acidity and eliminates that harsh, burnt bitterness found in most coffees. That means no gut-bomb effect, no acid reflux, and no regret after your second cup. Even customers who’ve sworn off coffee come back for Ember.
Crazy fresh. We roast in small batches right here in Minnesota and ship quickly—so your beans haven’t been sitting on a shelf for months losing flavor. You’ll taste the difference the moment you open the bag. Plus we stamp our bags with the roast date, not the "best buy" date. Note: Most coffees actually improve in taste in the two weeks following its roast date. If you receive a bag that was roasted 7-10 days from your date of order, we've likely held it to allow for off-gassing and maximum flavor.
We believe great coffee starts at the source. That’s why we build direct trade relationships with farmers who care as much as we do. Better pay for them, better beans for you, and a whole lot more integrity in your cup.
Yes, yes, and yes. Whether you’re team drip, AeroPress, Chemex, or full-on espresso, Ember’s roasts are engineered to perform across all brew methods without losing flavor, depth, or smoothness.
Because once you taste coffee that’s roasted right, sourced right, and doesn’t wreck your stomach… it’s game over for the grocery store brands and chain coffee shops. Ember becomes the new standard.
Transparent Pricing
Yes, our coffee costs more. Here's exactly where that money goes...and where it doesn't.
Commodity "Big Coffee" roasters charge less by paying farmers poverty wages and cutting corners—and then pocket 30-40% profit.
We take ~12% profit. The extra you pay goes to farmers, quality, and doing things right.
Cost Breakdown
Ember
Big Coffee
Farmer
$6.9
$1.05
Import & Shipping
$2.75
$2.0
Roasting
$3.25
$2.25
Packaging
$2.0
$0.9
Fulfillment
$2.85
$1.5
Credit Card Fees
$2.4
$1.3
Profit
$2.85
$6.0
Transparent Pricing
Yes, our coffee costs more. Here's exactly where that money goes...and where it doesn't.
Commodity "Big Coffee" roasters charge less by paying farmers poverty wages and cutting corners—and then pocket 30-40% profit.
We take ~12% profit. The extra you pay goes to farmers, quality, and doing things right.
Cost Breakdown
Ember
Big Coffee
Farmer
$6.9
$1.05
Import & Shipping
$2.75
$2.0
Roasting
$3.25
$2.25
Packaging
$2.0
$0.9
Fulfillment
$2.85
$1.5
Credit Card Fees
$2.4
$1.3
Profit
$2.85
$6.0
$6.9
Ember Coffee helps local farmers invest in quality, sustainability, and their families.
$1.05
Big Coffee methods exploit farmers, paying poverty wages. The company pockets $6.00 profit instead.
Science-Backed Ingredients
We only use Arabica beans that score 80 or above on the Specialty Coffee Association scale—their standard for exceptional flavor and cleanliness. These tend to be grown at higher elevations and harvested by hand. In our experience, starting with a better bean matters more than anything else we do.
Every lot we roast meets SCA’s rigorous grading system, which evaluates 10 key attributes—like aroma, acidity, balance, and aftertaste. Each batch is cupped, scored, and traceable, ensuring not just quality, but integrity at every step. This isn't marketing fluff—it’s a globally respected benchmark for true specialty coffee. We source, roast, and brew with purpose—so you get a cup you can count on.
We test our coffees for mold before and after roasting. And while we cannot make a medical claim about what that means for you, but a lot of people who have had trouble with other coffees tell us they do fine with ours, and that it doesn't bother their stomachs (especially helpful for folks struggling with GERD).
Specialty-Grade Coffee, Delicious Taste
Over
20,000
bags of Ember Coffee sold
and here’s what they’re saying
Subscribe to Ember Coffee
and feel the benefits
Immediately
Your order joins our fresh roast plan—no stale beans, just coffee roasted specifically for you.
In a few days
Freshly roasted beans rest and off-gas, unlocking full flavor, smoothness, and a clean finish.
Within 7 days
Delivered to your door—thoughtfully packed, perfectly timed, and ready to brew your best cup yet.
Coffee Made Thoughtfully
Coffee Quality
Specialty Grade
Unknown Origins
Air Roasted
Low Acidity
Ethically Sourced
Full Traceability
Small Business
The Difference
Rooted in values, roasted with heart, and delivered fresh for real life.
Mass-made with little thought and even less flavor.
Crafted in the North. Shared Nationwide.
Ember Coffee is Born
We opened our Big Lake coffeeshop and roastery and launched our first full production run. Built by family, led by women, and grounded in the values of the North—humble, honest, and quietly exceptional.
Winning Minnesota's Best
We were honored as Gold Winner for Best Coffee, Coffeehouse, and MN-Made Product for THREE years in a row. No gimmicks—just fresh air-roasted coffee, crafted with care and shared by a community that truly feels like home.
20,000 Bags Sold
With over 20,000 bags brewed, Ember continues to grow—without ever growing out of what matters. We roast with purpose, deliver with heart, and help make your mornings more meaningful.
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