FAQs
What is specialty coffee?
Specialty coffee refers to coffee that is of higher quality than commonly available commercial or commodity coffee, and that has been scored 80 points or higher based on the evaluation standards of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).
A wide variety of flavors can be created depending on the origin, variety, and processing method.
While specialty coffee is often associated with light roasts that highlight fruity characteristics, at our shop we offer a broad roasting range from light to medium-dark, so that those who prefer deeper, richer roasts can also enjoy our coffees.
Does the roast level affect the flavor?
Yes, the roast level has a significant impact on flavor.
- Light roasts tend to have bright, fruit-like acidity and a clean, refreshing impression.
- Medium roasts offer a good balance of acidity and bitterness.
- Dark roasts emphasize bitterness and richness.
While roast level is important, flavor characteristics are also influenced by the processing method used before roasting. For this reason, not all light roasts are highly acidic, and some medium roasts may still have noticeable acidity.
At our shop, we mainly offer coffees roasted from light to medium-dark.
All of our beans are roasted using a Dutch-made GIESEN roaster (2kg drum).
How does the processing method affect the flavor?
Broadly speaking, there are two main processing methods: Washed and Natural.
- Washed coffees tend to be clean and crisp.
- Natural coffees are sun-dried with the coffee cherries left intact (similar to drying ume plums), allowing fruit components to permeate the beans and create more complex flavors.
Between these two is a method called Pulped Natural (Honey) processing.
In recent years, a variety of innovative processes have also emerged, including anaerobic fermentation and methods inspired by fermentation management techniques from brewing and winemaking.
I don’t have a grinder. Can I buy ground coffee?
Yes, you can purchase coffee pre-ground.
When adding items to your cart, please select [Ground].
If no specific grind size is requested, we will grind the coffee for paper drip brewing, which is what we use in our café.
If you have a preferred grind size, please write it in the order notes.
Please note that ground coffee loses its aroma more quickly than whole beans, so we recommend consuming it as soon as possible.
What do the coffee names mean?
Coffee names may refer to the farm name, the farmer’s name, the processing station, the region, or sometimes the country of origin.
The meaning varies depending on the coffee.
In some cases, the processing method may also be included in the name.
Reading the descriptions carefully may lead to new and interesting discoveries.
What do the ★ marks next to the coffee names mean?
We aim to avoid price bias, such as assuming that expensive coffee is always better or that inexpensive coffee is inferior.
However, because the cost of green coffee varies greatly, we have no choice but to classify our coffees into price grades.
Some coffees are more expensive due to their variety or processing method, but even ★★ coffees are priced to be easy to try.
Coffees without ★ marks are also delicious, so we encourage you to give them a try.
Our in-store prices are also set to be approachable, so please explore and discover your preferences.
When was the coffee roasted?
We roast coffee two to three times per week, but we do not roast per individual order.
When shipping, we pack coffee that was roasted within 10 days of dispatch.
Orders are packed from available stock, but if an item is out of stock, it will be freshly roasted.
If you purchase multiple items, coffees with different roast dates may be included in the same shipment.
When is the best time to drink the coffee?
The flavor generally settles and becomes well-balanced about one week after roasting.
Even coffee served in our café is rested for at least three days after roasting.
In some cases, the flavor continues to improve after a month.
The best drinking time ultimately depends on personal preference, but we hope you enjoy observing how the flavor changes over time.
Can I choose the shipping method?
The shipping method is automatically determined based on the contents of your order.
Orders of up to four 100g bags are shipped via Click Post, which does not allow time-specific delivery and will be delivered to your mailbox.
Can I specify a delivery time?
For shipments via Compact Courier or Standard Courier, time-slot selection is available.
Please choose one of the following and write it in the order notes when purchasing:
- Morning (by 12:00)
- 14:00–16:00
- 16:00–18:00
- 18:00–20:00
- 19:00–21:00
Can I pick up my order at a physical store?
Yes.
If your shipping address is in the Kanto area, you will be able to choose “Shipping” or “Pickup.”
After selecting Pickup, please choose either BRÜCKE or SHI-TEN as the pickup location.
A “Scheduled pickup date” field will then appear—please select a date.
We will contact you a few days before the pickup date to inform you when your order is ready.
※ Pickup dates must be at least two days after ordering and must fall on a business day of the selected store.
※ If we are unable to prepare your order, we will notify you by email.
How long does delivery take after purchase?
We usually ship orders within three days of purchase.
In some cases, delivery may arrive the next day, but for the Kanto area, please allow 3–4 days.
If we are unable to meet urgent requests, we will contact you by email.
※ Delivery may be delayed due to logistics issues or weather conditions.
Do you ship internationally?
We ship to Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America, among other regions.
If the destination address is in an area where delivery is not available, the order cannot be completed.
For international orders, customs duties, import taxes, and customs clearance fees may be charged by the destination country.
All international shipments are sent via ePacket Light with a maximum shipping weight of 2kg.
Due to automatic shipping calculations, orders exceeding 1.6kg cannot be placed.