Casteel Coffee provides coffee and related products to coffeehouses, espresso bars, fine dining restaurants and other establishments interested in providing an excellent experience for their patrons.

Often we are asked what is the "best way" to brew coffee. Our answer is always the same, "The way you like it best." There is no right or wrong way to brew coffee only guidelines. Don’t let the coffee snobs tell you otherwise. Here are a few suggestions:

• Use quality beans that are fresh. Please ask at the counter when the beans were roasted. We roast in small batches; our coffee is never older than 1 week. Buying less coffee more often is the best way to maintain fresh coffee at home.
• If you can, buy whole bean coffee and grind at home just before brewing a pot of coffee.
• Make sure the grind (in the store or at home) matches the filter or method of brewing. Espresso-fine and French Press-coarse.
• Coffee should be stored in an airtight container and in a cool, dark place. Don’t store coffee in a refrigerator!
• Keep coffee in freezer only if you plan on not using it for quite a while. This will preserve the beans, but try not to keep taking it out of the freezer as moisture will build up.
• Keep the temperature of the brew water between 194 - 204 degrees F. This may be impossible to achieve with some automatic drip machines. If you boil your water, let it sit for half a minute or so, boiling water is too hot.
• Use about two level tablespoons of ground coffee per six ounces of water. This may seem like a lot, but if prepared properly most people will find this "brewing formula" will make an enjoyable full flavored cup without being overpowering.
• Keep your equipment clean. The build up of coffee oils and mineral deposits will ruin the taste of your coffee, as well as damage your equipment.
• Take the time to enjoy! Good coffee is really about treating ourselves. Allow yourself the time too appreciate your carefully prepared coffee. YOU DESERVE IT!

One pound of specialty grade coffee contains about 2,000 hand picked beans.

Coffee is second only to oil as a commodity on world markets.

A proper shot of espresso will range from 90 to 120 mg of caffeine. In most cases, less than an 8oz cup of coffee. Five fluid ounces of coffee contains 60 to 180 mg of caffeine depending on the type of bean, strength of the brewed coffee and the way the coffee was roasted.

There are about 500 coffeehouses in Vienna today.

Coffee was first cultivated in Yemen in the 6th century. Nearly 1000 years later, Dutch traders brought coffee to Indonesia and by the 17th century coffee was available in Europe and the New World.

Coffeehouses were called "Penny Universities" in 17th century London. They were great schools of conversation for a penny’s admission.

In Tokyo, patrons take baths in ground coffee for therapeutic reasons –wearing only paper bikinis!

Coffee legend Voltaire consumed over 40 cups of coffee a day!