Do these green beans look like Honduras Cerro Azul Red Catuai?

thusband

To me they look like my wife’s decaffeinated beans. I just roasted a batch and they look OK but I expected the greens to be much lighter and shaped better. I haven’t made my usual espresso yet which will truly give it away if they’re decaf.

These were purchased from a UK supplier but there weren’t any photos of the bean and my search hasn’t turned up a photo for comparison.

DavecUK

thusband These were purchased from a UK supplier but there weren’t any photos of the bean and my search hasn’t turned up a photo for comparison.

That’s probably because no roaster would usually want to send out beans that looked like that. it’s hard to believe it’s a single origin and there seems to be defects (huller nipped. shells, brokens) and as you say a very broad screen range of sizes???

Who was it from, could be a one off and might be worth contacting them?

MediumRoastSteam

I can see why you are questioning… All sorts of shapes and sizes.

It looks like a very uneven roast - which I am not surprised with such a variation of shapes!

thusband

MediumRoastSteam

These are green beans. Not even roasted yet. The roasted beans look better but I haven’t tasted them.

I’ve written asking to return them.

thusband

DavecUK

Thanks Dave, they’re from Coffee Compass. I’ve bought from them several times and have been pleased. I’ll drop them a note.

MediumRoastSteam

thusband Not even roasted yet.

Wow. The picture was quite deceptive, as some of the beans there (to the left) look black!

I once bought green decaf beans. They do look and smell different from their “normal” counterparts, potentially due to the decaffeination process.

So now knowing they are all green beans… Looks like someone forgot to screen and sort them, as Dave says…

thusband

MediumRoastSteam

Right. Coffee Compass said it was the bottom of the bag and they’re now out. I don’t think that’s much of an excuse really. They offered a refund if I return them. I guess I have to pay for the shipping. Not sure I’ll go with them again.

MediumRoastSteam

thusband They offered a refund if I return them.

it’s like they will do anything with it? hmmm…. Suspicious….

That’s a shame really, and unfortunately for them it seems they will lose your custom not only this time, but going forwards.

LMSC

thusband guess I have to pay for the shipping.

It’s unusual for a roaster to ask for a return of a defective bag, unless it’s a big order. In any case, you shouldn’t be asked to pay for the postage. They should refund the full cost + return postage cost. Otherwise, please ask them to generate a return label. It’s a shame, as I had liked some of their bags in the past.

Doram

thusband I guess I have to pay for the shipping.

I wouldn’t guess that, and I would certainly not expect to be charged return shipping on green beans that look like in your photo. Coffee Compass where always great from my experience, so I would hope you wouldn’t have a problem. Unless they make a surprisingly good coffee when you taste them, I would send a photo, ask for a refund and say that I’m happy to bin or send them back if they supply a return shipping label. I would be surprised and disappointed if they don’t tell you to bin or pay for the return themselves.

DavecUK

Doram Or better, the OP sends a photo to the roaster, explains that the look of the beans is concerning and why. Then ask for their opinion.

It a softer approach rather than immediate escalation, but it also requires some sort of explanation from the roaster. It might be that they all look like that (the whole sack), but make good coffee?

Doram

DavecUK It a softer approach rather than immediate escalation,

I said unless the coffee tastes good, and didn’t suggest any escalation. OP already contacted CC and got an explanation (it was the bottom of the bag) and an offer to send them back, but assumed they would be charged for the return. All I said is that based on my excellent experience with Coffee Compass, I wouldn’t assume they would ask the OP to pay for the return, that’s all.

thusband

DavecUK

Yes, that’s exactly what I did. Their reply was, "I think you’ve had the end of the bag which might explain things, we’re now out of the Honduras Cerro Azul. I can assure you though that they’re single origin.
Feel free to send it back & we’ll issue a refund."

I’m going to try them and go from there.

thusband

Doram

Yes, I’ve had excellent service from Coffee Compass. Their beans are good and their packaging is excellent. I just kind of felt they didn’t go far enough making a steady customer want to use them again.

DavecUK

thusband Don’t blame you…the bottom of the bag can have some of the rougher stuff (sometimes), but they shouldn’t have sent it out if it was like that.