Frequently Asked Questions
Coffee & Brewing
Do you have decaf?
Yes, you can find our full selection of available decaf coffees here on our website.
All decaf coffees here at Equator Coffees are decaffeinated using the water process method of caffeine extraction. This environmentally friendly, chemical-free process extracts caffeine without compromising the coffee’s original rich flavor characteristics.
Where do you roast your coffee?
We roast to order in small batches at our roastery located at 115 Jordan Street, San Rafael, CA, 94901.
Where do you source your coffee?
We source our coffees from all over the world and pride ourselves on developing long-standing relationships with producers. Every coffee that we sell includes the location from where it was sourced. All you have to do is click on your coffee of choice and scroll down to view the Origin, Roast Level, Tasting Notes, and more. Â
What are the flavor profiles of your coffee?
Every coffee that we offer has a unique and complex flavor profile meticulously developed by our best-in-class roasting team. To view the singular tasting profile of your coffee of choice, simply click on the coffee and scroll down the product page to the Tasting Notes section.
How should I store my coffee?
We believe that coffee tastes best when it is freshly roasted, freshly ground, and freshly brewed. That's why we roast coffee to order. We suggest buying whole bean coffee every week or two so you always have the freshest coffee possible.
Keep your coffee in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight—it will taste best when brewed within a week or two of opening the bag. Once a bag of coffee has been opened and the beans are exposed to air, the flavor will gradually diminish over time. This loss in intensity is imperceptible at first, but as the weeks progress, the coffee will gradually begin to taste stale.
If you end up with too much coffee on hand, you may freeze unopened bags of coffee and then plan to brew the coffee within 3-4 months. Always look for a ROASTED ON date on the bottom of our bags to find out exactly when your coffee beans were roasted.
Do you offer ground coffee?
Yes. If you would like to purchase pre-ground coffee, select your coffee of choice, once you arrive on its individual product page underneath the price you will see GRIND. Click the dropdown menu to the right of the GRIND option and select one of the following options:
- Course Grind (French Press)
- Regular Grind (Drip/Pour Over)
- Fine Grind
- Espresso Grind
Select the option that matches your home brewing method, and we will roast and grind your coffee to order.
Do you offer light, medium, and dark roasts?
Yes, you can shop for each coffee roast level here on our website. Select your preferred roast level to view all coffees that fit that roast profile:
If you're still searching for the right roast profile for you, check our our Roast Levels Explained article.
Is Equator coffee arabica?
Among the many species of coffee, the two most broadly cultivated are arabica and robusta. At Equator, we only source arabica coffee due to its higher cupping quality and superior taste profile.
The heritage of the Arabica coffee that populates farms throughout the world can actually be traced back to a small number of trees from Ethiopia, where Arabica coffee is native.
Today, the largest producers of arabica coffee include Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Honduras. At Equator, we source our coffee from top sustainable farms and cooperatives from throughout South America, Central America, Africa, and Indonesia.
What brewing methods do you recommend?
Check out our Brew Guides to learn more about our recommended brewing methods. These different methods very in speed, price, volume, and especially the final profile of your coffee.
While there are many ways to brew your coffee, here are the brewing methods we focus on here at Equator Coffees, each with it's own brew guide:
- AeroPress
- Chemex
- Clever
- Cold Brew / Hario Mizudashi
- Espresso Machines
- French Press
- Hario V60 (Pour Over)
- Kalita Wave (Pour Over)
- Origami (Pour Over)
Do you sell brewing equipment?
Yes, we sell a variety of brewing equipment here on our website! This is a curated collection of equipment we recommend for brewing Equator coffee from home, including coffee brewers, grinders, kettles, filters, and other handy coffee accessories.
Subscription
How do curated coffee subscriptions work?
For curated subscriptions, our expert coffee roasters curate a rotating selection of coffees within each category for you to recieve. These subscriptions are a phenomenal way to add variety into your coffee routine and explore a range of flavors, producers, and roasts within the Equator Coffees family.
Just select the Curated Subscription of your choice (ie. Curated Blend Subscription), select your quantity and frequency, and get 30% off on your first bag with the code FIRST30 at checkout.
As soon as you order, our roasters will make their selection and begin roasting your coffee to be delivered fresh to your door.
When you subscribe, you're also eligible to receive VIP perks like early coffee access and exclusive discounts.
How much does a curated coffee subscription cost?
Equator subscriptions are billed per shipment and can be cancelled at any time.
Our curated subscriptions start as low as $17.00 every two months. Changing your preferred quantity and frequency will change the overall cost, but changing your preferred grind level is always complimentary.
We offer an ongoing promotion of 30% off the first bag when you start your first curated subscription (with code FIRST30). We think you'll love the experience and will stick with us!
Subscribers also receive discounted shipping on every subscription shipment, and free shipping on all orders over $40.
Are your coffee subscriptions customizable?
Just about everything about your coffee subscription with us is customizable:
- Coffee: choose your preferred coffee category: Roaster Blends, Espresso, Single Origin, or 100% Fair Trade Organic.
- Frequency: choose your preferred frequency level: as often as once per week and as infrequently as every 8 weeks.
- Grind: select your preferred grind within five levels: Whole Bean, Coarse (French Press), Regular (Drip/Pour Over), Fine, or Espresso
- Size: choose between a 12oz bag or 2lb bag. 2lb bag customers save up to an extra 15% per oz!
How fresh will my coffee be?
If you prefer your coffee to be freshly-roasted, then an Equator coffee subscription is perfect for you.
Every single coffee shipment is roasted fresh to order here at our roastery in San Rafael, CA and delivered right to your door.
Can I subscribe to a specific coffee?
Already have some favorite coffees at Equator? You're in luck!
You also have the option to subscribe to many of our year-round coffees directly — when you do, you'll save 10% on every bag.
Our full collection of subscription-eligible coffees include all our best-selling blends, espressos, and select fan-favorite single origin coffees, like Ethiopia Ardi Natural.
To subscribe to your favorite coffee, just click on a specific coffee and select the Subscribe & Save option. You will receive 10% off every bag, discounted shipping, and can set the quantity and frequency to your preference.
When you subscribe, you're also eligible to receive VIP perks like early coffee access and exclusive discounts.
How do I manage my subscription?
You can manage your existing coffee subscription here on our website by clicking on the profile icon on the upper right-hand of your screen— and selecting Manage my Subscription, following the quick verification for a passwordless login. Here you will have the option to update your shipping info, billing info, adjust product quantities, pause your subscription, add one-time products to your next shipment to try, or make a cancellation.
For any issues accessing your subscriber portal, or issues making updates to your information, please contact our support team at: info@equatorcoffees.com.
How can I swap to a new coffee?
You can make changes to your coffee selection at any time in your Equator subscriber portal. To access your portal on our website, click on the profile icon on the upper right-hand of your screen— and selecting Manage my Subscription, following the quick verification for a passwordless login.
Once you're in the subscriber portal, select the Subscriptions tab from the left side of the top menu and click the Manage Subscription button on the active subscription you'd like to change.
From here, select Product from the left column. If you're just looking to customize your current coffee — bag quantity, bag size, or grind size — you can set your new preference and click Update.
To swap to a new coffee entirely, scroll down and select Swap Product. Here, you can browse all our subscription-eligible coffees or find an exact coffee more quickly using the search bar. When you're ready to make your choice, click Select, customize your preferences, and click Swap Product.
You are now subscribed to a new coffee! Your new coffee selection will be reflected under Product on the left column.
For any issues accessing your subscriber portal, or issues making updates to your coffee selection, please contact our support team at: info@equatorcoffees.com.
How do I update my subscription shipping address?
You can update a subscription's shipping address from any time in your Equator subscriber portal. To access your portal on our website, click on the profile icon on the upper right-hand of your screen— and selecting Manage my Subscription, following the quick verification for a passwordless login.
Once you're in the subscriber portal, select the Subscriptions tab from the left side of the top menu and click the Manage Subscription button on the active subscription you'd like to change.
From here, select your Shipping Address from the left column; you will now be presented with an option to change to another existing shipping address, or enter a brand new shipping address. Once your selection has been saved, your subscription's address is now updated!
You can also check your saved addresses at any time by clicking the Shipping Address option on the top menu, located between Purchase History and Payment Methods.
For any issues accessing your subscriber portal, or issues making updates to your information, please contact our support team at: info@equatorcoffees.com.
How do I update my subscription payment method?
You can update a subscription's payment method from any time in your Equator subscriber portal. To access your portal on our website, click on the profile icon on the upper right-hand of your screen— and selecting Manage my Subscription, following the quick verification for a passwordless login.
Once you're in the subscriber portal, select Payment Methods on the right side of the top menu, click the Edit button on the payment method you'd like to change, and then select Send Update Email.
Instructions to update your payment method to a new card will be emailed to you automatically by our system.
Once you've followed the steps to update your card, you will see the new payment method reflected in the Payment Methods section of your subscriber portal. Select Move Subscriptions Here, select the subscriptions you'd like to be charged to that new payment method, and save.
For any issues accessing your subscriber portal, or issues making updates to your information, please contact our support team at: info@equatorcoffees.com.
How do I cancel a subscription?
You can cancel a subscription at any time in your Equator subscriber portal. To access your portal on our website, click on the profile icon on the upper right-hand of your screen— and selecting Manage my Subscription, following the quick verification for a passwordless login.
Once you're in the subscriber portal, select the Subscriptions tab from the left side of the top menu and click the Manage Subscription button on the active subscription you'd like to change.
From here, scroll down on the left column and select Cancel Subscription.
If you'd like to re-activate a cancelled subscription in the future, select the Subscriptions tab from the left side of the top menu and click the Re-Activate button on the inactive subscription you'd like to bring back.
For any issues accessing your subscriber portal, or issues making updates to your information, please contact our support team at: info@equatorcoffees.com.
Can I gift a coffee subscription?
Yes, you can! Our Coffee Subscription Gift is a great way to introduce your friends and family to a variety of our coffees, with zero hassle.
Each gift subscription includes a rotating monthly selection of our most popular and widely beloved coffees of the season for 3 months, curated by our expert roasters.
Unlike our other subscriptions, Gift a Subscription is a one-time charge only with no recurring fee or shipping charges. At the end of the 3 months, the subscription comes to an end and will not auto-renew.
Shipping
Do you offer free shipping? What orders qualify for free shipping?
We offer free shipping on all orders of $40 or more, for both subscription orders and one-time orders.
One-time orders under $40 have available shipping rates for USPS and UPS that will vary based on your region.
Subscription orders under $40 receive a discounted flat shipping rate of $5.
How do I update my shipping address?
If you need to modify a shipping address for an order that has already been placed, please contact our support team with your order number (ex. #EQ123456) at info@equatorcoffees.com or call us at 1-800-8090-7687 (M-F 8am-5pm).
If you are a coffee subscriber looking to update the shipping address for future subscription shipments, you can do so within your subscriber portal on the Manage My Subscription page.
When will my coffee order ship?
We roast our coffee fresh to order, Monday through Friday. Coffee orders placed before 12pm PST will typically ship the following business day.
Do you ship internationally?
Equator does not currently ship internationally, but we look forward to letting you know when we expand to include our international community members.
How do I check the status of my shipment?
After you complete your purchase you will receive a confirmation email that will include your order number as well as your USPS tracking number. Visit the USPS website and input your tracking number to view the status of your shipment.
My order arrived damaged, what should I do?
If your order arrives damaged in any way, please let us know. We will swap it for a different coffee, or refund your account.
You can email us at info@equatorcoffees.com or call us at 1-800-8090-7687 (M-F 8am-5pm).
My order was marked as delivered but did not arrive, why?
If you checked your tracking number and it says your order was delivered but your coffee never arrived you can email us at info@equatorcoffees.com or call us at 1-800-8090-7687 (M-F 8am-5pm) and we would be happy to replace your order or refund your account.
Can I return or exchange my order?
If you are not happy with your coffee order for any reason, please let us know. Under our exchange policy, we will swap it for a different coffee, or refund your account, if you can let us know within 30 days.
To initiate an exchange, you can email us at info@equatorcoffees.com or call us at 1-800-8090-7687 (M-F 8am-5pm).
Do you offer expedited shipping?
Yes, you can select expedited shipping under shipping options for an additional cost.
Gifts
Do you offer corporate gifts?
Yes, we have a robust wholesale coffee program that is happy to assist you. Please email us at info@equatorcoffees.com or call us at 1-800-8090-7687 (M-F 8am-5pm) to discuss your needs.
Do you offer gift cards?
We offer both online e-gift cards for our website as well as cafe gift cards.
Please note that, online e-gift cards are delivered to you by email and are only redeemable for orders here on equatorcoffees.com.
Our cafe gift cards will be mailed to you and can only be applied in-person at our cafes.Â
Why won’t my gift card work online?
Please make sure that your gift card (e-gift card) is for the online store and not for cafes. If you have a physical cafe gift card, not it will not work for our online store.
If you have an e-gift card for our online store and are having toruble redeeming it, please email us at info@equatorcoffees.com or call us at 1-800-8090-7687 (M-F 8am-5pm)
My order is a gift; will the items in my order ship together in one box?
Yes, all items within an order will ship to the requested address in one box.
Wholesale & Bulk
Can I buy your coffee wholesale or in bulk?
For wholesale inquiries please complete and submit a wholesale inquiry form. We'd love to help your business build and maintain an excellent coffee program.
If you are just enjoying coffee from home and would like to get a bulk discount, most of our coffees offer 2lb and 5lb bag options.
To select a larger size, simply select the coffee of your choice and click on the 2lb red button or 5lb red button. 2lb bags save you 15% per oz, and 5lb bags save you 20% per oz.
Where can I buy your coffee?
All Equator Coffees are available for purchase here online, with select whole bean coffees also available for purchase at our cafes.
You can also find Equator Coffees for purchase at select Whole Foods Market locations (Northern California), Safeway, Nugget, Mollie Stone's, Draeger's, Berkeley Bowl, Woodlands Markets, and other local markets.
I would like to subscribe to your emails.
Great! To subscribe to our email list, scroll down to the bottom of our homepage and enter your email in the textbox next to GET THE LATEST NEWS & 15% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER, and then click SUBMIT.
How do I unsubscribe from your emails?
To unsubscribe from our email list, open your email and select an email from Equator. Scroll down to the bottom of the email to the footer. In the red rectangle at the bottom, you will see the option to click UNSUBSCRIBE. Once you click this you will be removed from our email list.
If you are having any trouble unsubscribing, please email us at info@equatorcoffees.com or call us at 1-800-8090-7687 (M-F 8am-5pm).
Cafes
Where are your cafes located?
Equator Coffees has cafe locations throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, Peninsula, and greater Los Angeles area. We'd love for you to stop by for a visit!
When are your cafes open?
Our Cafes page details each location's operating hours, address, and contact phone number. All Equator cafes are closed Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day.
Do your cafes have food?
While classic drinks like Equator Blend coffee and Tigerwalk Espresso can be found at each of our locations, each Equator cafe also offers its own unique menu of food and snacks, ranging from assorted local pastries to robust options for breakfast and brunch.
Visit our cafes' page to view our menu and see what food options are offered at an Equator Coffees near you.
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