How is the caffeine removed from coffee beans?
Our decaffeinated coffees are produced by a direct solvent process. The green beans are softened by steam and then flushed with methylene chloride to remove 97% of the caffeine. The methylene chloride is then drawn off, the beans are steamed a second time and then dry heated to evaporate almost all solvents.

Methylene Chloride is a solvent used in both the direct and indirect decaffeination methods. The methylene chloride process is thought by some in the coffee industry to maintain coffee flavor better than other processes. Based on extensive research data, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that methylene chloride is safe for use in coffee decaffeination. While the FDA regulation allows up to 10 parts per million (ppm) residual methylene chloride, actual coffee industry practice results in levels 100 times lower than this amount.

Is there any caffeine in decaffeinated coffee?
A coffee must have at least 97% of its caffeine removed to qualify as decaffeinated coffee in the United States. Each five-ounce cup of decaffeinated, therefore, contains less than 5 milligrams of caffeine.

Do you sell Water Processed Decaffeinated coffees?
We offer Colombian Water Processed Decaffeinated coffee. To order, please visit The Coffee Shop, our online store.

What are flavored coffees made of?
The flavors we use are classified as Natural & Artificial. This combination enables us to make the best flavors. They are composed of ingredients which the Food & Drug Administration has deemed safe. The ingredients include essential oils and other plant derivatives as well as aromatic flavorings.

Do the flavors contain fat, cholesterol or calories?
All edible items present some caloric value. But the flavors in our coffees offer so little (less than one calorie per cup) as to be inconsequential. The flavors are essentially non-nutritive and don't contain fat or cholesterol.

Do they contain sugar or alcohol?
Most of our flavors are free from sugar and alcohol although some of our chocolate flavors may contain nominal amounts of either or both. They are used as a manufacturing aid in the natural cocoa extract which we occasionally use in these flavors. The amount of sugar or alcohol which ends up in the cup is too small to be readily measured and is of no dietary significance.

Following is an article from Prevention Magazine which confirms that liquid coffee flavors are essentially non-nutritive.

"Gourmet Coffee is ok for diabetics"

The boxed-coffee blends all list their ingredients, but gourmet shops that grind the coffee beans for you rarely provide this information. So we checked with 2 major flavoring manufacturers: neither uses sugar in its formulas. Even if they did, only 0.05 percent of ground coffee is added flavoring - a dose too small to make a difference. The American Diabetes Association says that people with diabetes should have no problem with any food or drink that contains less than a teaspoon of sugar (or any other caloric sweetener, such as honey or molasses) per serving. And this includes ground gourmet coffees.

Is there any lactose in your flavored coffees?
No, there is no lactose in any of our flavored coffees.

Are your flavors Kosher?
Coffee by its nature is Kosher. Additionally, all our flavorings are certified Kosher.

Is there gluten in your flavored coffee?
No, our flavored coffees do not contain gluten.

Where do New England Coffee beans come from?
We use coffee beans from all over the world. Our beans come from countries such as Colombia, Costa Rica, Sumatra, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Brazil and Hawaii. Our beans are exclusively 100% Arabica which is superior in cup quality to the other principal commercial coffee species. They are then roasted and ground in our Malden facility.

What is the difference between Arabica and Robusta beans?
There are two basic categories of coffee: Arabica and Robusta.

Arabica beans (named for the Arabs) are considered to be of much greater quality and taste than Robusta beans. Therefore, at New England Coffee, we only use 100% Arabica beans. Arabica beans are more flavorful and aromatic and have a sweet, acidic taste. They have less caffeine (about half the amount found in Robusta) and are predominately grown in higher elevations. These beans are extremely delicate and are threatened by, direct sunlight and disease – making them more difficult to grow and harvest. These hand-picked beans account for 75% of all world coffee production.

Conversely, Robusta beans (named for their hardiness) have a strong, harsh, and bitter taste. They are grown in low altitudes and are much more resilient and disease-resistant that Arabica beans. These machine-harvested beans are mostly used in instant coffee and commercial blends.

Do you sell whole bean coffee?
Yes, we do offer whole bean coffee. To order, please visit The Coffee Shop, our online store.

How should I proceed if I’d like to order your seasonal coffees?
During the Fall and Winter 2008 seasons, Pumpkin Spice, Eggnog, Gingerbread Cookie and Cinnamon Sticky Bun freshly ground packaged coffees will be available at selected retail locations and can be ordered online by visiting The Coffee Shop, while supplies last. Look for them to come back in Fall and Winter 2009.

Pumpkin Spice Coffee	September - December
Eggnog Coffee	October – December
Gingerbread Cookie Coffee	November – December
Cinnamon Sticky Bun Coffee	November - December

Pumpkin Spice, Cinnamon Sticky Bun, and Blueberry Cobbler were formerly seasonal coffees, but due to overwhelming popularity, they are now offered year-round as online made-to-order Exclusive Coffees packaged in 1 pound tin tie bags.

What exactly is Fair Trade Coffee and why should I buy Fair Trade?
Fair Trade Coffees promotes sustainable farming practices that help protect the environment. The Fair Trade Certified label guarantees that farmers and workers received a fair price for their product. The Fair Trade price means that farmers can feed their families and that their children can go to school instead of working in the fields. It also provides access to affordable credit, helping farmers stay out of debt to local loan sharks between harvests. The practice creates direct trade links to farmers and their cooperatives, bypassing exploitative middlemen.

Do you offer Fair Trade Coffees?
Yes, we offer Fair Trade Central Highlands Blend. Our Fair Trade coffee is certified by TransFair USA, a non-profit organization advocating economic independence through fair pricing. To order this coffee, please visit The Coffee Shop, our online store.

What is Transfair USA and was does Transfair Do?
TransFair USA, a non-profit organization, is the only independent, third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the U.S. TransFair's rigorous audit system verifies industry compliance with Fair Trade criteria. TransFair licenses over 600 U.S. companies to display the Fair Trade Certified label on agricultural products that meet strict international Fair Trade standards. TransFair is one of 23 members of Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO).

TransFair USA enables sustainable development and community empowerment by cultivating a more equitable global trade model that benefits farmers, workers, consumers, industry and the earth. We achieve our mission by certifying and promoting Fair Trade products.

Does New England Coffee have K-Cups?
Unfortunately no, but you could make New England Coffee with the My K-Cup Filter for the Keurig machine.

Does New England Coffee have any recipes?
Yes, treat your family and friends to something new with these new coffee recipes! Click here to find your next favorite treat.

What are New England teas made of?
New England Teas contain a fine blend of Orange Pekoe and Pekoe Cut Black Tea.

Do the flavors contain fat, cholesterol or calories?
All edible items present some caloric value. But our teas offer so little (less than one calorie per cup) as to be inconsequential.

Are your teas Kosher?
Yes, New England Teas are certified Kosher.

Is there gluten in your teas?
No, our teas do not contain gluten.

How do you decaffeinate your decaf teas?
Our decaffeinated teas are made with naturally decaffeinated Orange Pekoe and Pekoe Cut Black Tea tea.

Are your coffees certified Kosher?
Yes, all of our coffees are certified Kosher by the Rabbinical Council of New England. To view our Kosher Certificate, please click here.

Do any of your coffees contain eggs?
No, none of our coffees contain eggs or egg products.

Do any of your coffees contain milk?
No, none of our coffees contain milk or milk products. This includes whey, lactose, casein, milk and cream.

Do any of your coffees contain peanuts?
No, none of our coffee contains peanuts, peanut products or tree nuts (including almond, brazil nut, cashew, chestnut, hazelnut, filbert, pine nuts (pinyon, pinon), pistachio, pecan, macadamia, walnut).

Do any of your coffees contain wheat?
No, none of our coffees contain wheat or wheat products and this includes Gluten.

Do any of your coffees contain soybeans?
No, none of our coffees contain soybeans or soybean products (includes soya powder, protein, oil, lecithin, tofu).

How do I make the perfect cup of coffee?
Buying the right beans is just the first step to a great cup of coffee. For the very best flavor, we recommend following these simple guidelines:

• Brew New England Coffee using the drip method.
• Use only cold, fresh water, either freshly drawn from the tap or filtered.
• Measure one rounded tablespoon of ground coffee per 6 ounces of water, although the exact amount of coffee will vary to suit personal taste.
• Whenever possible use a thermal container to store your brewed coffee.
• Never reheat your coffee.
• Do not boil the coffee: this will destroy the flavor, resulting in a bitter taste. The flavors in brewed coffee are delicate and can be easily damaged by overexposure to heat and oxygen.
• Do not store coffee in the refrigerator due to odors and moisture.

What is the best way to store coffee?
Our coffee is packed immediately after roasting and grinding so that you get the freshest coffee possible. Our special one-way valve bag releases the natural gases produced by roasting. Unopened, this coffee will stay fresh for one year. Once opened, coffee should be consumed within a week for optimal taste and freshness. Remember that the natural enemies of coffee are air, moisture and heat. So always store your coffee in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Do you have a question that you could not find the answer to? If so, then please don't hesitate to email us at consumerrelations@necoffeeco.com. We will be more than happy to help you!

What exactly is a "Best Before" date, and how do I read it?
The "Best Before" date appears on the back of the coffee bags. It is the date one year after the product is manufactured. We guarantee the quality of the unopened product until this date. However, once opened, coffee should be consumed within a week for the best taste and freshness. Be sure to store unused coffee in an air-tight container in a cool, dry place.

Do you have a question that you could not find the answer to? If so, then please don't hesitate to email us at consumerrelations@necoffeeco.com. We will be more than happy to help you!

What materials make up the New England Coffee packaging?
For over 90 years, New England Coffee Company has been dedicated to providing the highest quality, richest tasting coffee possible to our loyal customers. In order to continue meeting these goals we use the highest quality materials available in packaging technology. These materials contain three different materials: Polyester, Foil and Polyethylene. The Polyester is used as a barrier for oxygen; the Foil as a barrier for oxygen and light; and the Polyethylene provides a barrier for moisture and as a sealant for the bag. Without the barriers these materials provide New England Coffee could not maintain the standards quality that have guided our business since 1916.

To date, there is not one material that will do all of this and the three different materials that are used cannot be separated because they are co-mingled, making recycling very difficult.

New England Coffee fully supports the ongoing efforts of the packaging industry to develop a more environmentally-friendly material that will protect the flavor and freshness of its products.