FAQ
Real answers to questions we actually get asked. Anything missing? Email us.
About the brand & mission
How much of every purchase goes to ocean cleanup?
One pound of plastic is recovered from coastal areas for every bag of Tide & Bean coffee sold. That's more than the bag itself weighs. We've partnered with CleanHub, a verified plastic recovery service, to make this possible. Every collection is weighed, traceable, and audited. You can see our running totals at our live impact report.
Who are your ocean cleanup partners?
We've partnered with CleanHub — a verified plastic recovery service that funds collection in coastal communities most affected by ocean plastic, with collection hubs in places like Indonesia, India, and Egypt. CleanHub partners with local crews who collect, weigh, and process plastic before it reaches the open ocean. Every bag of Tide & Bean coffee we sell triggers the recovery of one pound of plastic through that system. Read more on the Mission page or see our live impact report.
Is Tide & Bean a nonprofit?
No. We're a for-profit specialty coffee brand operated by Hearth & Harbor Holdings LLC. We chose this structure because for-profit businesses can sustain ongoing financial commitments to ocean cleanup partners rather than depending on episodic fundraising. You're not making a donation when you buy from us — you're buying coffee that funds the work.
How do I know plastic actually gets recovered?
Every pound of plastic recovered through CleanHub is weighed at the collection hub, shipped with documentation, and audited by an independent third party. You can see our running impact total — live, updated as the work happens — at our CleanHub Impact Report. There's no opaque NGO middleman and no aspirational claims — just verified collection on the ground, in the communities where ocean-bound plastic actually originates.
What is the “Path to the Sea”?
It's our way of connecting coffee origin to ocean restoration. Every region we source from sits in a watershed — rain falls on a farm, joins a creek, joins a river, and eventually reaches the sea. Peruvian coffee water crosses 3,700 miles of Amazon to reach the Atlantic. Ethiopian water joins the Blue Nile to reach the Mediterranean. The water that grew your coffee returns to the sea we're cleaning. Each origin page on our Origins index tells its own version.
What about the bag — is it recyclable?
Better than recyclable. Our coffee bags are TÜV Austria OK Compost HOME certified — meaning they break down completely in a backyard compost pile, no industrial facility required. Most "compostable" coffee bags need municipal composting, which only about 5% of U.S. homes have access to. Ours don't. Toss the empty bag in your compost with your coffee grounds and they'll return to the earth together. The mission doesn't end with the coffee inside the bag.
About the coffee
Is your coffee Fairtrade certified?
Our Fairtrade Single Origins collection carries formal Fairtrade certification. Our other single origins and house blends are sourced under specialty-grade standards from cooperatives and farms with transparent labor practices, even where they don't carry the formal Fairtrade label.
How fresh is the coffee when it arrives?
Very fresh. Our roasting partner, Temecula Coffee Roasters, roasts in small batches and ships within days of roasting. You'll receive coffee well within its peak window (roughly 5–21 days post-roast). Each bag carries a roast date so you know exactly what you're working with.
Whole bean or pre-ground?
Your call — every product offers both as a selectable option on the product page. Whole bean preserves freshness longest (coffee starts losing aromatics within minutes of grinding), so we recommend it if you have a grinder. If you select Ground, we'll grind to a standard drip spec — versatile for most home brewing methods. For a specific grind size (espresso, French press, Aeropress, cold brew), leave a note at checkout with your brewing method and we'll match it.
Do you offer decaf?
Yes — our Quiet Drift · Peru Decaf is a Fairtrade-certified Swiss Water Process decaf, and Still Pull · Decaf Espresso is a dark-roasted Fairtrade decaf blend built specifically for espresso. Both are decaffeinated using the Swiss Water Process — 100% chemical-free, water-based, and the gold standard for water-process decaffeination. Real coffee flavor without the caffeine.
Do you offer coffee subscriptions?
Yes — our Subscribe & Save program offers 10% off every order on three delivery cadences: every 2 weeks, every 4 weeks (monthly), or every 8 weeks. You can change frequency, swap coffees, skip a delivery, pause, or cancel anytime from your customer account. No commitments, no pricing tricks. Choose "Subscribe & Save" on any product page.
What's the difference between single origins and blends?
Single origins come from one specific country, region, or farm and showcase the unique flavor of a place. They tend toward distinctive, sometimes adventurous profiles. Blends combine multiple origins to hit a consistent flavor target — usually broader-appeal profiles like “smooth and chocolatey” or “balanced everyday cup.” If you're curious, start with a single origin. If you want consistency, start with a blend.
Which coffee should I try first?
If you're not sure where to start, take the Find Your Coffee quiz — three questions and a personalized recommendation. If you're new to specialty coffee in general, start with our Colombia or Mexico — both are broadly appealing and easy to love. If you're already deep in specialty, try our African origins (Ethiopia or Kenya) for the wildest flavor profiles.
Brewing & storage
What's the best way to brew your coffee?
Depends on the bean and what you like. Bright, fruity coffees shine in pour-over. Full-bodied, low-acid coffees shine in French press. Medium-dark roasts make great espresso. Our Brewing Guide covers ratios, grind sizes, and step-by-step methods for pour-over, French press, espresso, Aeropress, drip, and cold brew.
How should I store coffee?
Airtight container, room temperature, away from light and heat. Don't refrigerate — it introduces moisture and dulls flavor. Use within 4 weeks of the roast date for peak flavor.
How long does coffee stay fresh after opening?
About 2 weeks at peak quality in a sealed bag at room temperature, sometimes longer for darker roasts. Whole bean lasts considerably longer than pre-ground — coffee loses aromatics fast once ground.
Orders & shipping
How much does shipping cost?
Free U.S. shipping on orders over $60. Under $60, shipping is a flat $7 anywhere in the continental United States. Three bags of coffee clears the free-shipping threshold, so stocking up is the easiest way to skip shipping costs.
How long does shipping take?
Every order is roasted after you place it, which means total delivery time is about 5 business days on average. The breakdown: 2–5 business days for roasting and processing, then 1–5 business days for shipping. During holidays or product launches, total time can stretch to 10 business days. You'll get a tracking link when your order ships. Full details on our Shipping page.
Do you ship internationally?
Not yet. International shipping is on our roadmap. Sign up for the newsletter for launch updates.
What's your return policy?
If your coffee arrives damaged, incorrect, or otherwise not as described, email us at ketan.patel@tideandbean.coffee within 14 days and we'll make it right — replacement, store credit, or refund. We don't accept returns of opened coffee for food safety reasons. Full details on our Returns page.
Can I cancel or change an order?
The cancellation window is short. Because coffee is roasted to order, your order enters the roasting queue within minutes of being placed. Email ketan.patel@tideandbean.coffee as soon as possible if a change is needed — if it hasn't been roasted yet, we can usually modify or cancel. Once in production, the order is locked, but we can work with you on a replacement or refund if something arrives wrong.
Wholesale
Do you sell to cafes, restaurants, or retailers?
Yes. We work with a small set of carefully chosen wholesale partners — independent boutiques, cafes, gift shops, and specialty retailers whose values align with ours. We're not chasing big-box placement.
How do I become a wholesale partner?
Email ketan.patel@tideandbean.coffee with details about your business — location, what you currently carry, and what you're looking for. We respond personally, usually within a few days.
Still have questions? Get in touch — we're a small team and answer email ourselves.
