FAQ
I've never had Saka's coffee -- what do you recommend?
You can't really go wrong with any of Saka's coffees, but the most popular blends are Gran Bar, Crema Bar, and Top Selection. If you're sensitive to caffeine, we recommend Top Selection (100% Arabica) or the wonderful decaf blend.
How fresh is this coffee?
Unlike most imported coffee, we order directly from the roaster, avoiding unnecessary delays with distributors. Also, unlike most imported coffee, we receive ours via express shipments that arrive in just a few days rather than traveling for weeks across the ocean on a boat. We also order small batches so that we're always getting the freshest coffee possible. Please note that the roast date on Italian coffee will typically be listed in the European style ...i.e day/month/year. So a roast date of 2/5/22 is May 2nd, 2022.
What's so special about Neapolitan coffee?
Coffee roasting is a bit of a dark art, and Italy has a rich history of producing some of the highest quality coffee in the world. Their roasting and blending techniques have been perfected over hundreds of years, and passed down over many generations. The secrets of great Neapolitan coffee are not well understood by the greater coffee community. As a result, much of the medium-dark to dark roasted coffee available in the USA tastes bitter and charred, with dominant flavors of smoke and ash. It tends to be 'one-note' and uninteresting. In contrast, high quality Neapolitan coffee is rich and complex with flavors ranging from delicate and subtle to bold and intense. True Neapolitan coffee is roasted in Naples, Italy.
Who is Saka Caffe?
Saka Caffe is a family owned roaster located in Naples, Italy. They've been roasting coffee for over 25 years, and they've perfected the Neapolitan style of coffee. Saka became a bit of an internet sensation thanks to the Home-Barista forum where many members were amazed to discover a coffee unlike any they had ever tried. Check out this link to read all about it: https://www.home-barista.com/coffees/saka-caffe-in-states-t70064.html
Cantina Coffee is currently the only place to purchase Saka Caffe coffee in the United States.
Can I purchase smaller amounts of coffee?
Most Saka Caffe coffee is only available in 1Kg bags, except for the decaf which is available in half kilogram bags. We recommend freezing coffee that you won't drink within a week. However, part of the magic of Saka's coffee is that it somehow maintains its freshness for far longer than the usual speciality coffee. Many report drinking months old Saka coffee with little to no discernible difference in taste.
What's up with Robusta coffee?
Over the past 20 years or so, Robusta coffee has been unfairly painted with a broad brush. In many parts of the world, poor quality Robusta coffee has been used in cheap canned coffee for decades. So, in an effort to differentiate themselves from cheap canned coffee, many coffee roasters began to market their coffee as '100% Arabica,' thus demonizing the poor Robusta bean. The truth is there are high and low quality variants of both Arabica and Robusta coffee. Go and buy some 100% Arabica Folgers if you don't believe me :)
High quality Robusta always been a vital component of many of the best Italian coffees. In adds a depth of flavor and a thick crema that isn't available with Arabica coffee alone. It also contains 1.5 - 2 times the amount of caffeine of Arabica coffee. We've listed the Robusta / Arabica percentage of each Saka coffee, so you can get idea of the caffeine content.