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From Farm to Cup: Understanding Coffee as an Agricultural Product

At Elemental Coffee, we pride ourselves on sourcing the highest quality beans from dedicated farmers around the globe. To help you get the most out of your brewing experience, it’s important to understand that coffee is, first and foremost, a raw agricultural product.

Unlike processed factory goods, coffee beans are seeds harvested from cherries grown on trees in diverse, open environments. Then often dried on large open air concrete pads. Because of this natural journey, the process from harvest to roast is complex and rugged.

Why "Debris" Happens

Despite multiple rounds of cleaning and sorting, the nature of traditional coffee farming means that organic and inorganic material can occasionally find its way into a bag of beans. This is a reality for the entire specialty coffee industry.

Common items found in raw coffee include:

  • Small Stones: Often similar in size and color to a coffee bean.

  • Twigs or Dried Cherry Husks: Natural remnants of the coffee tree.

  • Corn or Soy Seeds: Sometimes present if the farm or transport vessel handles multiple crops.

  • Metal objects: Horse shoe nails, screws nuts and bolts are very rare but sometimes occur.

How it Gets There

Most high-quality coffee is sun-dried on large outdoor patios or raised beds. During the drying and raking process, or during the initial harvest, small pebbles or sticks can become mixed with the beans.

Our Quality Control Process

We take several steps to ensure your coffee is as clean as possible:

  1. Milling: Farmers use "destoners" to vibrate and sift out heavy objects.

  2. Optical Sorting: Many of our partners use laser sorters to eject discolored or odd-shaped items.

  3. Roaster Inspection: We perform a final visual check as the beans are cooled and bagged and run the coffee through magnets in the green beans and roasted beans.

Pro-Tip for Home Brewers: While we strive for 100% purity, no mechanical system is perfect. We always recommend a quick visual scan of your beans before pouring them into your grinder. This simple habit protects your equipment and ensures a perfect brew every time.

Our Commitment to You

We believe the beauty of coffee lies in its connection to the earth and elements. While the occasional pebble is a rare reminder of the rugged terrain where your coffee was grown, we are committed to providing the cleanest, most delicious beans possible.

Keeping Your Brew Perfect: The Importance of Grinder Maintenance

Because coffee is a natural product, your grinder is the most hardworking piece of equipment in your kitchen. Grinders are designed to handle a small amount of hard material, the odd small stone will generally not damage your grinder burrs or blades. However, whether you are using a manual hand-grinder or a high-end electric burr mill, regular maintenance is the best way to ensure flavor consistency and protect your investment.

Why Maintenance Matters

Over time, coffee leaves behind more than just grounds. Proper upkeep prevents the two biggest enemies of great coffee:

  • Oil Buildup: Coffee beans contain natural oils. These oils can coat the internal burrs and chutes, eventually turning rancid and adding a bitter, "off" taste to your fresh brew.

  • Fine Dust & "Fines": Microscopic coffee dust can settle in the crevices of your grinder, causing the motor to work harder and potentially leading to mechanical failure or overheating.

  • The Rare Obstruction: While we do our best to remove all debris, a regular cleaning routine allows you to spot any foreign objects or unusual wear on your burrs before they cause a problem.

Quick Maintenance Tips

  1. The Weekly Brush-Out: Use a small, stiff-bristled brush to clear out the "chute" and the area around the burrs. This removes old grounds that would otherwise stale your next cup.

  2. Use Grinder Cleaning Tablets: Once a month, consider running food-safe grinder cleaning pellets through your machine. These are designed to absorb oils and dislodge stubborn dust without you having to take the entire machine apart.

  3. Deep Clean: Every few months (depending on use), unplug your grinder and carefully remove the top burr. Vacuum out the chamber and wipe the surfaces with a dry cloth. Never use water on your burrs, as this can cause rust.

Equipment Safety Note: If your grinder ever makes a sudden, high-pitched "jamming" sound, turn it off immediately. This is usually a sign that a small stone or a particularly hard light-roast bean is stuck. Clearing it quickly can prevent the motor from burning out.

Expert Care for Your Equipment

We know how much you value your daily ritual and the machinery that makes it possible. While regular home maintenance is key, sometimes your equipment needs the touch of a professional to keep it running at peak performance.

Recommended Servicing: Espresso Repair Specialists (ERS)

If you are in the Wellington region, we cannot recommend the team at Espresso Repair Specialists (ERS) highly enough. Based in Petone, they are widely regarded as the "go-to" experts for everything coffee-related.

Why they are awesome:

  • Decades of Expertise: With over 30 years of combined experience, they’ve seen it all—from high-end commercial setups to beloved home espresso machines and grinders.

  • Quality & Precision: Whether it's a routine service, a complex electrical repair, or a complete refurbishment, their attention to detail is second to none.

  • Local & Friendly: They aren't just technicians; they are part of the Wellington coffee community. They offer upfront pricing, transparent communication, and a genuine passion for getting you back to brewing as fast as possible.

  • Full Service: From fixing a jammed grinder (those pesky stones!) to replacing seals and dispersion screens, they ensure your machine runs "like new."

Contact Espresso Repair Specialists

If your machine is due for a service or needs a bit of TLC, visit their workshop or get in touch:

  • Location: 39 Victoria Street, Petone, Lower Hutt (Right beside Jetts Gym)

  • Website: www.espressorepairspecialists.co.nz

  • Phone: 04 830 7544

  • Hours: Mon–Fri: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Note: For home machines, you can usually drop them right into their Petone workshop. We recommend giving them a call first or using their handy online booking system to secure your spot in the queue!