a Quest

for Quality

Why We Cup

the art of importing coffee

Coffee is variable by nature, with enormous geographical and botanical diversity. The same plant can yield completely different-tasting coffee depending on a season’s climate, harvesting and processing, while the same bean can vary considerably when cupped depending on how it is roasted, ground and extracted.
Our job is managing this variability.

How We Cup

We evaluate green coffee on a scale that is much stricter than what traditional contracts dictate. Our quality department specializes in espresso sensory analysis, and our comprehensive roasting and cup-tasting protocol is applied to every single lot at least four times by the time a roaster receives it. On top of that, we draw samples regularly to verify quality consistency up to 3 months after the lot runs out.
An unconditional Sandalj quality guarantee.

Coffee Culture

By definition, quality falls along a spectrum. We modulate quality and price throughout our offerings to cater to a broad range of production and consumption profiles. Our Quality Department’s job varies accordingly.

specialty-grade coffee

We evaluate these lots with a focus on quality and diversity. These coffees are special because they are varied. We look for a wide range of aromas, terroirs, flavors, varietals, processes and extraction profiles, to satisfy roasters and consumers worldwide. Our experience allows us to only purchase lots that pass our quality evaluation, not those that are mere trends.
You can find these lots in our Traceability Project and Excellence lines, and often our conventional Arabica offerings will have a quality high enough to reach specialty grade.

explore specialty lots

commercial-grade coffee

These lots are the backbone of both producers and roasters, and are assessed relative to a terroir’s distinctive characteristics. True to place and profile, these coffees are quality-consistent through time, providing stable single origins or components for your blends. They are picked by our quality team to ensure you get the coffee you expect, harvest after harvest.

explore commercial lots

blends

Between our signature blends and clients’ customized solutions, our quality department works tirelessly to ensure they are all time and quality consistent. Purchase with peace of mind, knowing they will always taste the same.

explore blends

Looking after your coffee

every step of the way

Our logistics and quality departments make sure that what you order is what you get. Our lots are shipped from origin to Trieste, where they are stored and monitored meticulously. In our warehouses we can further clean, screen, select and blend.

A Sandalj quality guarantee in every bag.

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