Knowledge Cafe

FAQs

Nutrition

Does coffee contain additives, like for example, preservatives?

No, coffee and instant coffee always are 100% coffee products; we have flavors and decaf which are not natural. Coffee is nothing else than the seed of the coffee plant, which has been roasted and ground.

By differences in origin of the coffee, the method of roasting and the blend, Hills Bros.® get different types of coffee. Nothing is added to decaffeinated, either. Decaf coffee is pure coffee, with the caffeine removed.

What is the nutritional content of coffee?

Regarding nutritional information for brewed coffee, there are no significant levels of carbohydrates, fats, protein, fiber, vitamins or minerals. There is no cholesterol and no calories. Adding a sweetener and/or a creamer may change the nutritional profile.

Quality

What is the best way to store coffee?

Once opened, store in a cool dry place.

When possible, keep your coffee in an airtight container.

For best results, brew coffee within 2 weeks of opening the package.

What is the shelf life of roasted and ground coffee?

The freshness of your coffee will depend on if you purchased canned, bagged or single-serve coffee. Canned coffee stays fresh for over two years, thanks in part to the strength of the seal. Bagged and single-serve coffee will stay fresh for up to one year after it was roasted.

Which Hills Bros.® products offer a money-back guarantee?

Hills Bros.® stands behind the excellent quality our coffees. For product questions or comments, you are encouraged to call our Consumer Hotline at 1-888-246-2598.

About Coffee

Why are our coffees a blend?

Coffee is a natural product and therefore, to ensure that every pack of coffee gives you consistent taste, flavor and quality, it needs to be blended and roasted. The blending and roasting process requires real craftsmanship and many years of experience to ensure that Hills Bros.® is the perfect cup of coffee every time.

How are coffee beans decaffeinated?

The green (unroasted) coffee beans are placed into a rotating drum and softened by steam and water. They are then repeatedly rinsed with a decaffeinating agent which removes the caffeine from the beans. Typically 97% or more of the caffeine contained in the green coffee is removed.

The caffeine-laden solution is drained away and the beans are steamed a second time to evaporate the remaining decaffeinating agent. Finally, the beans are dried to remove excess moisture from the decaffeinated coffee.

Where are coffee beans grown?

Coffee is grown in approximately eighty countries located on four continents between the geographical latitudes of the Tropic of Cancer (to the north) and the Tropic of Capricorn (to the south). Some major producing countries include Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Uganda, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines.

What are the different types of coffee?

There are about 25 major species of coffee beans within the Coffea genus, but the typical coffee drinker will probably be familiar with arabicas (species Coffea arabica) and robustas (species Coffea canephora var. robusta).

Arabica coffee is a high-grown coffee with medium body, good acidity and a mild taste; it is produced primarily in Central and South America. Robusta coffee has good body, moderate acidity and a more aggressive taste; it is grown in tropical regions around the world such as West and Central Africa, Southeast Asia and parts of South America.

About Cappuccino

Do I need a coffee pot or espresso machine for this product?

No, Hills Bros.® Cappuccinos are instant drink mixes and require only hot water to make. Simply add the mix to a mug and add hot water. Hills Bros.® Cappuccinos should not to be used in a coffee maker or espresso machine.

My container of Hills Bros.® had a “best by” date. Is it safe to drink after that date?

To ensure the most delicious experience, Hills Bros.® Cappuccino should be consumed by the date printed on the package. However, it is not harmful to consume after the printed date.

What happened to my favorite flavor? I can’t find it.

First, be sure to search for your item using our item finder which enables you to enter your zip code to look for nearby stores. Stores often change the varieties of Hills Bros.® Cappuccino they carry. It may be available at another retailer near you. Next, check our online store  for your item.

If Hills Bros.® Cappuccino is still selling the item anywhere in the country, it will be at our online store and available by the 6-pack case. Sadly, from time to time, Hills Bros.® Cappuccino has to retire a flavor from production.

Visit https://www.facebook.com/hillsbroscapp to share your thoughts and learn about any promotional programs or future plans for your flavor. Or even start your own Facebook petition like the fans of Irish Crème.

Are Hills Bros.® Cappuccino containers recyclable?

Yes, Hills Bros.® Cappuccino containers are made of HDPE plastic 2 and are easily recycled in most municipal programs and recycling centers. Lids for the containers are made up of PP plastic #5 and can be recycled where they are accepted.

About Frappés

What flavors do the Frappés come in?

We currently have four flavors:

Vanilla Cream, Chocolate Espresso, Toffee Butter Cake, and Salty Caramel.

How many servings are in one packet?

There is one serving in each packet.

Are your Frappés gluten-free?

Yes, all flavors are gluten-free.

How do you make Frappés?

You can make our Frappés with milk (of your choice), water, or ice cream. They can be made either frozen or hot.

To make them frozen, pour one packet of Hills Bros.®Frappés into a blender with a cup of milk along with 1 ½ cups of ice and blend until smooth.

To make them hot, mix one packet of Hills Bros.®Frappés with 10-12 ounces of hot milk or water. For a smaller cup, mix a ½ packet of Hills Bros.®Frappés with 5-6 ounces of hot milk or water.

Our favorite way to make them is frozen with milk or ice cream!

Where can I find Hills Bros.® Frappés?

You can visit our store locator or shop online.

Keurig K-Cup® Pods

What's new?

To enhance the coffee experience for our customers, we’ve decided to streamline our single-serve options and focus on Keurig K-Cup pods. Keurig pods allow us to deliver a richer, more consistent flavor profile, thanks to advanced packaging that seals in freshness. They’re also compatible with a broader range of single-serve machines, giving customers more brewing options.

What happens to the soft pods?

The soft pods are still currently available but will eventually be phased out as they run out of inventory. Any subscriptions for the soft pods will be automatically updated to the Keurig pods.

What are the benefits to the Keurig pods?

Switching to Keurig pods comes with several great benefits, including:

  • Enhanced flavor with each cup, thanks to improved freshness-sealing technology.
  • Quick and convenient brewing with more options to customize your cup size and strength.
  • Wider availability in stores and online, making it easy to stay stocked up on your favorite coffee.
Are these recyclable?

We understand that reducing waste is important, and we share your commitment to making sustainable choices. Keurig has made significant strides in recent years to make their pods recyclable. Many of their pods are designed to be recycled after use—just check for the recycling symbol. To recycle, simply peel off the lid, empty the coffee grounds, and place the pod in your recycling bin, where accepted. This way, you can continue to enjoy your coffee while also being mindful of the environment. To learn more, visit Keurig.com/recyclable.

How-To Guides

Brew your perfect cup

1. Clean your brewer regularly to prevent the build-up of mineral deposits from water.

2. Use filtered water for brewing coffee.

3. Always use the proper grind for the equipment that you’re using.

    Equipment

  • Toddy Brewer
  • French press
  • Chemex
  • Drip brewer
  • Pour over or coffee basket
  • Espresso brewer or machine
  • Turkish

    Grind recommendation

  • Extra-coarse grind
  • Coarse grind
  • Medium-coarse grind
  • Medium grind
  • Medium-fine grind
  • Fine grind
  • Extra-fine grind

How to brew coffee with a French press

How to make a pour over coffee

How to make cold brew coffee

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