FAQ

Speciality (specialty) coffee is the highest qualiyu coffee from selected beans. These beans are rigorously checked for quality and are free from defects. Think beans that might smell funky or taste off. Speciality coffees come from specific farms, and the farmers behind them dish out the deets: where the coffee comes from, how it was grown, and how it was processed before shipping. Speciality coffee beans are meticulously roasted to bring out the best natural flavors and aromas. Note that terms like “premium,” “gourmet,” or even “super premium” don’t always cut it as speciality coffee. Also, labels like “Organic,” “Fair Trade,” or “Rainforest Alliance” don’t guarantee top-notch quality. These certs often focus more on eco-friendly and fair farming practices rather than ensuring the coffee tastes amazing. That’s why they might not always fall under the speciality category.

For me coffee is all about diversity – unique flavors, contrasts, different tastes, and sometimes even clashing opinions. I’m into short comics and wanted to create characters who could introduce us to the fascinating world of top-quality coffee. Sheep and Raven represent diverse personalities, coffee-drinking styles, and brewing rituals. Sometimes we’re like the wild, untamed Sheep; other times, like the calm, organized Raven, or somewhere in between.

Firstly, I hunt for the highest quality coffee that’s just delicious. Secondly, I look for intriguing beans that I can confidently recommend to others. Thirdly, I choose coffees that I personally enjoy drinking daily. Want to learn more about how I source my beans? Check out my blog post: No One Wants to Get Frustrated Over Morning Coffee: How I Choose Beans for Sheep and Raven

I often buy my standout coffees “White Raven” label, known as “competition coffees,” directly from producers. The rest I source from trusted importers within the European Union who provide a full backstory of the beans. Curious about our sourcing process? Dive into my blog post: No One Wants to Get Frustrated Over Morning Coffee: How I Choose Beans for Sheep and Raven

I only select top-quality coffees that are defect-free and have a clear origin story. Currently, we only offer 100% Arabicas. However, if we find high-quality Robusta beans, known as Fine Robusta, I’d happily introduce them, especially for espresso blends! Besides, the coffee must be delicious – something I’d gladly drink myself and recommend with confidence. We’ve got a great selection of filter coffees, each labeled with recommended brewing methods like Clever Dripper, Aeropress, French Press. These coffees are tagged as “Black Raven.” I also have beans for espresso and those who like milk in their coffee, labeled as “White Sheep.” I also pick interesting and unusual coffees, labeled as “Black Sheep.” For connoisseurs and the most demanding coffee enthusiasts, we offer “competition coffees” – specially selected beans that can even be used in coffee competitions, known for their rich flavor and complex aroma. And, of course, these are tagged as “White Ravens.” Want to know what lies behind each label? Check out my blog: Are you Sheep or Raven? A Guide to the flavors of coffee (podlinkowane)

Each product description on our site includes a taste profile and my recommended brewing methods, along with a sample coffee recipe. If you’re looking for filter or espresso coffees, use the filters on our site by origin country or processing method. For more tips, read my blog post: Are you Sheep or Raven? A Guide to the flavors of coffee

Our coffees can be brewed in various ways. We offer a wide selection of beans for alternative brewing methods, as well as for espresso and coffees that taste great with milk. Each coffee description suggests a brewing method and a precise recipe. If you want to learn which brewing accessories will maximize the potential of your beans, sign up for my newsletter and grab a free course on alternative coffee brewing methods.

We bring in coffees seasonally, aligned with harvest calendars, to ensure the freshest beans. Some batches are very limited, especially the “competition coffees,” which are quite unique. The best way to keep up is by following our newsletter, Instagramie and Facebook (@Sheepandraven), where we post updates. You can always contact us by e-mail: hello@sheepandraven.com

Yes, you can totally snag coffee in bulk! If you’re running a cafe, restaurant, or just need a big ol’ batch of coffee, contact me at hello@sheepandraven.com. I’ll get back fast with the latest B2B offer and the details on how we can team up.

Yep, you can totally buy your beans at our brick-and-mortar! Visit our shop and showroom in Warsaw at Siedmiogrodzka St, No. 3, Unit U8. We’re open Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM (closed on Tuesdays and Sundays). Always a good call to check Google Maps or catch our Stories on Instagram @sheepandraven first, as opening hours might shift when I’m off to coffee competitions. And hey, we’re gearing up to launch a roastery and a specialty coffee shop in a stunning historic barn in Mikołajów 16, in Kotlina Kłodzka, with an epic mountain view.

Yep, we can grind your beans for you. We use an EK43 grinder, and the right grind size really depends on how you brew your coffee. Generally, a coarse grind works great for French Press, medium grind is ideal for something like a Hario V60, and fine grind is best for espresso. However, we recommend not buying pre-ground coffee for espresso since espresso machines vary a lot, and it’s tough to nail the perfect grind without knowing your machine. Also, remember that pre-ground coffee loses its freshness faster. If possible, it’s worth investing in a grinder to freshly grind your coffee each time.

Most of the coffees on our site are shipped within a maximum of 2 business days. However, we usually ship faster, within 24 hours. Orders placed by 1:00 PM are often shipped the same day. White Raven category coffees are always roasted to order and may take up to 3 business days to process. From our experience, InPost usually delivers our packages the quickest, within 1-2 business days.

Yes, we ship both within the European Union and even to Asia – recently even to places like Hong Kong and Taiwan! We handle both wholesale (B2B) and individual orders for coffee enthusiasts. We ship using DHL and DHL Express.

In Poland, we send orders using InPost. Free delivery applies to orders over 150 PLN to a parcel locker within Poland. International orders are shipped via DHL or DHL Express.

Shipping costs and delivery times depend on the location and are calculated at checkout. DHL Express is more expensive, but it allows for coffee to be delivered within 24 hours of placing the order, which of course helps keep the coffee as fresh as possible.

Absolutely! You can pick up your coffee at our store/showroom located at Siedmiogrodzka 3, local U8 in Warsaw during our opening hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 4 PM to 7:00 PM and on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Opening hours can sometimes vary due to other commitments but are always updated in real-time on Google Maps

Our beans are roasted by my friend Felix Teiretzbacher, founder of Kaffeelix in St. Pölten, Austria, and the 2022 World Roasting Champion. So our beans are in good hands. We use a Dietrich roaster equipped with infrared burners that use less gas and emit fewer pollutants than other roasters on the market. Each coffee has its own roasting profile to fully extract its natural flavor, sweetness, consistency, and aroma. I don’t believe in “omniroast”— one roasting profile fits all for different brewing methods. That’s why we roast differently for espresso than for filter. After many tests, we found that our filter coffees taste best from the 5th day after roasting, and the beans for espresso from the 14th day. Every bag of Sheep and Raven coffee displays the roasting date – the day our roaster turned those green beans into magic.

This question doesn’t have a straightforward answer. When it comes to drinking coffee, it’s all about what tastes good to you. For us, coffee usually hits its prime between the 5th and 7th day after roasting. The flavor of roasted coffee changes daily – it’s a natural process. It’s most interesting typically within the first month, really good for the first three months, and can still be enjoyable up to six months from the roasting date. According to EU regulations, coffee is consumable for 24 months from the production date – meaning it won’t harm you for two years, but it might not taste as great. At Sheep and Raven, we keep small stock to ensure we sell beans no older than 2 months, and every package displays the roasting date. We recommend drinking espresso between the 3rd and 6th week after roasting, when it’s most stable. Our filter coffees taste best between the 7th and 30th day after roasting. It’s good to know that coffee freshness relates not only to the roasting date but also to the freshness of the green bean before it even hits the roaster. We only buy beans from the most recent harvests to maintain maximum freshness.

To keep your coffee fresh, store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight, moisture, and other odors. It’s best to keep it in its original packaging. If you like decorative tins or other containers for coffee, it’s best to put the beans in their original bag inside the container. Don’t store whole or ground coffee in the fridge as it can absorb other smells and moisture. If you want to extend the freshness of roasted coffee beans, you can freeze them.

So, you really wanna know… I’ve hit the official coffee comp scene 52 times, bagging wins in 20 of those. I’m the only one in the world who represented my country in 5 different coffee championships (World Barista Championships, World Latte Art Championship, World Coffee In Good Spirits, World Brewers Cup, and World Cezve/Ibrik). Scooped up 14 Polish Champion titles along the way. I’ve flown the flag at the World Championships 12 times, hit the finals 7 times, and snagged the world’s top spot twice. That means I nailed a win in 40% of my starts, and got to the finals in 58% of my world comp appearances. I’m the first woman to win the World Barista Championship and one of only 5 people globally who have clinched a double World Championship title. Here’s the full rundown of my titles:

• Polish Brewers Cup Champion – 2024 – Warsaw – 1st Place
• World Coffee in Good Spirits Champion – 2022 – Milan – 1st Place
• Finalist at the World Cezve/Ibrik Coffee – 2022 – Milan – 4th Place
• Polish Cezve/Ibrik Coffee Champion – 2022 – Warsaw – 1st Place
• Polish Coffee in Good Spirits Champion – 2022 – Warsaw – 1st Place
• Polish Brewers Cup Champion – 2022 – Lublin – 1st Place
• Polish Coffee in Good Spirits Champion – 2020 – Warsaw – 1st Place
• Polish Cezve/Ibrik Coffee Champion – 2020 – Warsaw – 1st Place
• Finalist at the World Coffee in Good Spirits – 2019 – Berlin – 3rd Place
• Polish Coffee in Good Spirits Champion – 2019 – Opole – 1st Place
• The Winner of Alpen Barista by Dallmayer – 2019 – Garmisch-Partenkirchen – 1st Place
• Finalist at the World Cocktail Battle – 2019 – Seoul – 2nd Place
• Finalist at the World Latte Art Championship – 2018 – Belo Horizonte – 5th Place
• World Barista Champion – 2018 – Amsterdam – 1st Place
• Polish Barista Champion – 2018 – Warsaw – 1st Place
• The Winner of London Coffee Masters – 2018 – London – 1st Place
• Polish Latte Art Champion – 2018 – Rumia – 1st Place
• Finalist at the World Latte Art Championship – 2017 – Budapest – 3rd Place
• Polish Latte Art Champion – 2017 – Rumia – 1st Place
• Polish Barista Champion – 2016 – Katowice – 1st Place
• Finalist at the World Latte Art Championship – 2016 – Shanghai – 5th Place
• Polish Latte Art Champion – 2016 – Rumia – 1st Place
• The Winner of Milano Latte Art Challenge – 2015 – Milan – 1st Place
• Polish Barista Championship – 2015 – Katowice – 1st Place
• Polish Latte Art Champion – 2014 – Krakow – 1st Place

Curious about what else you don’t know about me? Check out my blog for “10 things you definitely don’t know about me.”

Right now, I’m not offering any live indyvidual coffee trainings, apart from coaching for competitions. However, I’ve put together a free online video course on brewing pour-over coffee. In the course, you’ll learn about choosing the right equipment, avoiding common mistakes, and discover my personal coffee recipes. Find more about the course here. Meanwhile, I do offer individual coaching for coffee competition prep. Planning to compete and need a coach? Shoot me an email at hello@sheepandraven.com.

Every Sheep and Raven coffee comes with a tried-and-tested recipe from me, available in the product description. Sometimes these are recipes from other coffee champs who inspire me. But from my experience, the best recipe is the one that works for you, in your own setup. My brewing method is just one way among many. To learn more about my coffee brewing philosophy, sign up for our newsletter and check out my free course on alternative coffee brewing methods.

Yep! Catch us on Instagram @sheepandraven and on Facebooku. Follow us! Also, consider signing up for our newsletter, where I weekly tackle coffee-related questions.

We’re working on adding 20-gram coffee samples to our lineup for both business and individual clients. Currently, samples are available for selected coffees only.

Currently, we don’t offer tastings in the store. However, Sheep and Raven coffees can be tasted in selected specialty coffee shops. Occasionally, I host tastings in collaboration with other cafes or even guest shifts at their bars both in Poland and abroad. Ask your favorite cafe about Sheep and Raven coffees. I’d love to pop by your area! And soon, I’m opening my own specialty coffee shop in the Kłodzko Valley, Lower Silesia.

The best move is to contact us via the form or send an email at hello@sheepandraven.com, and we’ll sort it out in a way that works best for you.

Drop us an email at: hello@sheepandraven.com or swing by our store in Warsaw. We’re always here to help with your order, brewing tips, or any other coffee queries you might have.