FAQ — Specialty Coffee, Shipping & Returns
What does an SCA score mean?
The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) grades coffee on a 100-point cupping scale. Anything scoring 80 or above qualifies as specialty coffee. At Tosco Fino we only buy lots scoring SCA 85 or higher — you'll find each coffee's exact score printed on its bag and product page, together with the producer, varietals, process and growing altitude.
What's the difference between washed, natural, honey and anaerobic processing?
Process is how the fruit is removed from the coffee seed after harvest. Washed coffees are de-pulped and washed before drying, generally giving cleaner, brighter cups. Natural coffees dry inside the whole cherry, absorbing fruit sugars for sweeter, fruitier cups. Honey process keeps part of the sticky fruit on the seed while drying — between the two in body and sweetness. Anaerobic lots ferment first in sealed, oxygen-free tanks, which intensifies flavour. Every Tosco Fino bag states its process on the front label.
When was my coffee roasted?
We roast in small batches every Tuesday and Thursday in Barcelona, and orders are packed and shipped on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Your coffee ships days — not months — after roasting.
Which grind should I choose?
Choose Whole Bean if you have a grinder at home — it keeps the coffee freshest. Otherwise pick the option that matches your brewer: Espresso, Moka Pot, Filter / V60 (pour-over and drip), French Press, AeroPress or Cold Brew. We grind to order.
How soon after roasting should the coffee be drank?
Often customers see fresher, as better, and with most things this is true, even coffee. However, it is adviseable to let freshly roasted coffee rest. The process of resting (simply leaving it in the bag) for a period of time is generally advisable. Most coffees genuinely benefit from a short resting period. While their is some debate in the coffee world as to how much, we at Tosco Fino prefer to wait 10-20 days at a minimium for the CO2 torelease, and the flavours to further develop. That said, please do brew the coffee within 3 months. It will be drinkable after, but in diminishing returns.
How much does shipping cost, and when is it free?
Shipping is free over €40 to the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands (not yet the Canary Islands, Ceuta or Melilla). Coffee orders over €80 ship free to most EU countries. Within Spain delivery typically takes 24–72 hours with Suer or Correos; international orders travel with UPS or DHL in roughly 48–96 hours. Orders outside the EU may owe local duties and taxes on arrival. See our shipping policy for the full details.
Can I pick up my order in Barcelona?
Yes — local pickup at Carrer de l'Arc del Teatre 18 bis, local 4, 08001 Barcelona. Orders are usually ready in 2–4 days and we'll notify you when yours is waiting and the times we are normally available to great you.
Can I return coffee?
Ground coffee is ground to order for your brewer, so it can't be returned. Unopened whole-bean coffee can be returned within the EU cooling-off period as long as the packaging is intact. Email hola@redthreadfoodgroup.com before sending anything back — and if an order arrives damaged or wrong, contact us right away and we'll make it right.
Who makes the artwork?
We collaborate with independent artists whose work you'll see around Tosco Fino — meet them on our Artists page and shop their limited prints in the Art collection. Please do join us in supporting the artists who make our community a more vibrant, and lovely place to live.