Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer subscriptions?
Yes, you can subscribe and have Primos automatically delivered biweekly or monthly at a 5% discount! We offer subscriptions on freshly roasted bags of coffee (2 or more bags), unroasted green coffee and single serve cups (6 cartons). There is no obligation and you may change or cancel your subscription at any time. Just choose your preferred subscription option when adding coffee to your shopping cart. (Please contact us if you would like a subscription with a different quantity or frequency than our standard plans.)Â
What do you mean by "sustainable farming practices?"
Our family has been producing coffee since 1929 and we want to continue for many more years. To do this, we are committed to sustainable practices including the highest social, economic and environmental standards for our fellow Nicaraguans and natural resources. For example, the skin of the coffee cherries is composted and used as natural fertilizer and the processing water is cleaned through three filtering ponds before being placed back into the water supply.
What is Arabica coffee?
The two commercially viable species of coffee are Arabica and Robusta, and within these species are hundreds of varieties, each with its own characteristics. Specialty coffee is primarily focused on Arabica coffee, the species that is the grown at high elevation and is generally smooth and sweet with notes like chocolate and fruit. (Robusta tends to be harsh, bitter and generally of lower quality.) Primos imports the best lots of our best Arabica varieties.
Is this fair trade coffee?
Fair trade is focused on obtaining better trading conditions for small farmer co-operatives. Our coffee is not traded through a co-operative but rather directly, meaning you are purchasing directly from the farmer.
How is your coffee processed?
Our coffee is fully washed. This means that after the cherries are milled, they ferment for 36 hours and then are fully washed prior to being dried in the strong sun and fresh air.
What crop are we buying?
Each annual crop arrives in Texas between May and August. The beans are shipped in Grain Pro bags and stored in our climate controlled facility to ensure they are as fresh as possible. We sell out of each crop every year so you are buying our most recent crop.
I see you offer unroasted coffee. How would I roast my own coffee?
Home roasting is becoming more and more popular. There are several different methods to roast beans including an oven, a skillet, a popcorn popper or a small coffee roaster. There are lots of videos and information online that show step-by-step so you can select the method that works best for you. A lot of folks will do this outside their kitchen as it does produce smoke and chaff.
How do I know what grind I need?
Grinds vary by steeping time which varies by brew method. The longer the coffee will steep, the coarser the grind. Long brewing methods such as French press and cold brew need coarsely ground coffee. For drip brewing, a medium grind works best and for espresso, the coffee is very finely ground.Â
What is the best way to store roasted coffee?
Coffee should be kept away from oxygen, light, heat and moisture. Our bags are made to keep your coffee fresh. Keep the zip lock closed and store in a cool, dark place like the pantry or a cabinet.Â
How much ground coffee should I use?
A standard "cup" of coffee uses six ounces of water. The standard measure of ground coffee is two tablespoons per cup. For those who find that the two tablespoon per cup ratio produced too strong a cup, simply reduce the quantity of coffee used until the desired strength is reached.