Frequently Asked Questions

Orders, Freshness & Operations

Where are you located?
French Kiss Coffee Lab roasts in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California. Local pickup is available at checkout.

When will my order ship?
Orders are typically roasted and shipped within a few days. You’ll receive tracking information once your order is on the way.

Do you offer local pickup?
Yes. Local pickup is available at checkout. Details are provided after purchase.

Do you ship outside California?
At this point we only ship within California.

Coffee and Roasting

When should I drink the coffee after roasting?
Coffee can be enjoyed right away, but flavors usually peak between 3 and 7 days after roasting.

How fresh is the coffee?
Orders are typically roasted and shipped within a few days. You’ll receive tracking once it’s on the way.

How do you approach roasting?
We roast with a clear intent for each coffee. Roast profiles are designed to highlight origin character, sweetness, and balance rather than pushing intensity or roast flavor. While coffees rotate, each product line has a consistent flavor direction.

Do you offer espresso roasts?
Rather than roasting specifically for one brew method, we focus on versatility. Most of our coffees perform well across filter and espresso when dialed in appropriately.

Sourcing & Transparency

Where do you source your coffee?
We source single-origin coffees through trusted importers and partners who emphasize traceability, responsible environmental and social practices, and quality at origin. Origin details listed on each product reflect the current lot.

Why do coffees rotate?
Coffee is a seasonal product. Lots change based on harvest cycles, availability, and quality. While the specific coffee may rotate, the flavor intent of each line remains consistent.

Do you use cupping scores?
We rely on internal evaluation rather than marketing scores. Selection is driven by cup quality, clarity, and how well a coffee fits its intended profile.

Decaf

How is your decaf coffee processed?
Our decaffeinated coffees use either Swiss Water or naturally derived Ethyl Acetate (EA, sugarcane) processes. Both are water-based methods designed to remove caffeine while preserving sweetness and structure.

Does decaf taste different from regular coffee?
Decaf can taste excellent when sourced and roasted carefully. We select decaf coffees for cup quality first, then roast to maintain balance, softness, and clarity.

Proof of Roast & Bitcoin

What is Proof of Roast?
Proof of Roast is a limited coffee series selected for exploration and character. These coffees are released in small quantities and change as sourcing and roasting experiments evolve.

What makes Proof of Roast different?
In addition to the coffee itself, profits from this series are allocated to a long-term Bitcoin reserve. This reflects our commitment to long-term thinking and disciplined capital stewardship.
Proof of Roast remains coffee first—thoughtfully roasted and intentionally offered.

Can I pay with Bitcoin?
Yes. Customers may choose to pay with Bitcoin or traditional payment methods.

Compliance & Home Roasting

What does “Made in a Home Kitchen” mean?
French Kiss Coffee Lab operates under a California Class A Cottage Food registration. This allows us to roast and sell coffee directly to customers.

Does this affect quality or safety?
No. This designation reflects our current scale, not our standards. Coffees are roasted using professional equipment, documented processes, and strict attention to cleanliness and consistency.

Contact

Still have questions?
Feel free to reach out anytime. We’re always happy to talk coffee.

--> frenchkisscoffeelab@gmail.com