FAQ's
About the coffee
Why don't your bags have tasting notes?
Because three words can't honestly capture what a coffee is. We print what's factual — producer, region, variety, process — rather than a curated flavour script. If you want the full reasoning, we've written about it at length: [Why We Don't Have Flavour Notes]
How do I know if a coffee will suit how I usually drink coffee?
Ask us any questions, by email or in person, and we'll find you a coffee within will suit your needs!
When was my coffee roasted, and how long will it stay good?
We roast our coffees Monday-Thursday with each coffee being roasted twice per week, and we dispatch shortly after. That's a deliberate choice, not a logistics footnote — coffee changes fast after roasting, and freshness is one of the few things about a cup that's entirely in our control before it reaches you.
Generally we find our coffees benefit from 14 days rest, with them tasting good beforehand, but improving through weeks 3 and 4, and best enjoyed within 8 weeks.
Orders placed by 12:00 Monday to Friday are dispatched same day from our currently packed stock, but always shipped with a roast date of less than 7 days. The roast date is printed on the bag.
How should I store it?
Airtight containers are best for retaining freshness and flavour, though if within the 3-4 week period our bags do a pretty good job if rolled down and resealed.
Freezing beans in a sealed bag, or single doses, will retain freshness for a much longer time, but if using frozen coffee either grind from frozen or defrost within the sealed bag to prevent condensation damaging the coffee
Can I get it ground, or is it whole bean only?
All of our coffees can be purchased ground, in 250g bags, at 3 different grind settings. let us know how you intend to brew the coffee in your order notes or by e-mail and we can make a suggestion.
Freshly ground will always help maximise quality of extraction and flavour potential - If you'd like suggestions on best grinders for home, please get in touch.
Do you offer decaf?
We sure do, and we're really proud of the quality of decaf we've been able to source. You can find the current decaf offering in the coffee menu.
Ordering & delivery
UK delivery
Standard shipping is via Royal Mail 48hrs (tracking supplied at time of dispatch) and we expect you to receive your coffee within 3 working days of order, however we ask you to wait a full 7 days before chasing orders
Do you ship internationally?
We ship worldwide. Delivery times vary by destination — as a guide:
- Europe: 7-14 days
- Rest of world: 7-21 days
**Duties and import taxes**
For orders shipped outside the UK, your country may apply import duties, taxes, or customs fees on arrival. These are set by your local customs authority, not by us, and they're your responsibility to pay. We can't predict the amount in advance, and we won't undervalue a parcel or mark it as a gift to help you avoid them.
Delays and lost parcels
Once a parcel leaves us, it's in the hands of the courier, and delays do occasionally happen — particularly for international orders, or around customs. If your order hasn't arrived within the expected window, email us at hello@ithaka.coffee with your order number and we'll look into it. We'd rather help you sort it out than leave you guessing.
Something arrived damaged, or wrong.
Email us straight away at hello@ithaka.coffee with a photo and your order number. We'll sort it — see our [Refund Policy](/policies/refund-policy) for the full detail.
Can I return coffee if I don't like it?
Coffee is perishable, so we can't accept it back once it's opened. If something's genuinely gone wrong with your order — damage, a mistake on our part, a fault — get in touch and we'll make it right. Full detail in our [Refund Policy](/policies/refund-policy).
About Ithaka
Where are you based, and can I visit?
We're roasters and a tasting bar at 21 Gibb St, Digbeth, Birmingham B9 4BF. Details on hours and what to expect: [Tasting Bar](/pages/cafe).
Do you supply cafes, restaurants, or hotels?
Yes — we work with a small number of wholesale partners. More on how that works: [Wholesale](/pages/wholesale).
Who's behind Ithaka?
Ithaka is a coffee roastery and team being built by World Barista Champion Dale Harris. we're an independent company, proud to be doing something small but beautiful. More on that, and on why the name: [About](/pages/aboutithaka) and [Why Ithaka?](/blogs/news/why-ithaka)
Have a question that's not answered here? email hello@ithaka.coffee — a real person reads it, not a bot.