Frequently Asked Questions About CBC Roasters
Have questions about our Chicago specialty coffee roasting process, location, or products? Find answers to the most common questions below. Can't find what you're looking for? Contact us directly—we're always happy to help!
About Our Location & Hours
Where is CBC Roasters located in Chicago?
CBC Roasters is located at 541 West Golf Road in Arlington Heights, IL 60005, serving the greater Chicago area. We're conveniently accessible from major highways and serve coffee enthusiasts throughout Chicagoland.
What are your hours of operation?
We're open Tuesday through Friday from 12pm to 5pm. Our roasting typically happens between 10am and 3pm. You're welcome to visit during business hours to purchase coffee, ask questions, or tour our facility.
Can I visit your roasting facility?
Absolutely! We have an open-door policy and welcome coffee enthusiasts to visit our Arlington Heights facility. Stop by during our business hours to see our roasting process in action, meet our SCA-certified team, and learn about specialty coffee roasting. No appointment necessary!
Do you offer parking?
Yes, we have convenient parking available at our facility at 541 West Golf Road.
About Our Coffee
What makes CBC Roasters different from other Chicago coffee roasters?
We roast all coffee fresh to order—never pre-roasted. Unlike most roasters who maintain pre-roasted inventory, we only roast after you place your order. We're SCA-certified, source only specialty-grade beans scoring 83.5 or higher, work with five trusted importers, and maintain direct relationships with farms in Guatemala and Colombia. Our small-batch approach (15 lbs per batch) ensures maximum freshness and quality control.
How fresh is the coffee from CBC Roasters?
All our coffee is roasted to order, meaning we don't roast until you place your order. Your coffee is typically roasted within 2-3 days of shipping, ensuring you receive the freshest possible beans. Coffee is at its peak flavor between 3-14 days after roasting, and ours arrives at your door right in that sweet spot.
What is specialty-grade coffee?
Specialty-grade coffee scores 80 or higher on the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) scale out of 100 points. At CBC Roasters, we only source beans scoring 83.5 or higher, which represents the top 10% of coffee worldwide. These beans have unique flavor profiles, are free from defects, and are grown at high altitudes with careful processing.
How many coffee varieties do you offer?
We maintain 16+ single-origin coffees and 10+ specialty blends in rotation. Our selection includes beans from Central America, South America, Africa, and Asia-Pacific regions, offering a diverse range of flavor profiles from bright and fruity to rich and chocolatey.
Do you offer organic coffee?
Yes! We carry several organic certified single-origin coffees, including our Organic Ethiopian and Organic Mexican offerings. All our coffees are ethically sourced, and we prioritize sustainable farming practices.
What roast levels do you offer?
We offer medium-light, medium, and dark roasts across our selection. About 30% of our customers prefer medium-light, 30% prefer medium, and 40% prefer dark roasts. Each coffee is roasted to its optimal profile to highlight its unique characteristics.
Ordering & Shipping
How do I order coffee from CBC Roasters?
You can order directly through our website at cbcroasters.com, visit us in person at our Arlington Heights facility Tuesday-Friday 12-5pm, or call us at 1-800-311-5719.
Do you ship throughout Illinois and beyond?
Yes! We ship freshly roasted coffee throughout Illinois and across the United States. Orders are typically roasted within 2-3 business days and shipped immediately for maximum freshness.
What is your minimum order?
There is no minimum order for retail customers. Most customers order 2-3 bags at a time. For wholesale accounts, we have a 30 lb per month minimum.
Do you offer subscriptions?
Yes! We offer flexible coffee subscriptions so you never run out of fresh coffee. You can customize frequency, roast preferences, and quantities to match your consumption.
Wholesale & Business Accounts
Do you offer wholesale coffee for cafes and restaurants?
Yes! We partner with cafes, restaurants, and businesses throughout the Chicago area. We offer volume-based pricing, custom blends, white-label options, and flexible delivery schedules. Contact us to discuss wholesale partnership opportunities.
What are your wholesale prices?
Our wholesale pricing is competitive and tiered based on volume, with better rates for larger monthly commitments. We're confident our pricing offers excellent value for the quality and freshness we deliver. Contact us for a detailed wholesale quote tailored to your business needs.
Do you offer custom blends for businesses?
Absolutely! We create custom blends and white-label packaging for wholesale partners. Our team will work with you to develop a signature blend that matches your brand and customer preferences.
About Our Process
What does SCA-certified mean?
The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is the global authority on specialty coffee standards. Our lead roaster Isabel and associate roaster Daelynn are both SCA-certified, meaning they've completed rigorous training in coffee evaluation, roasting techniques, and quality control protocols.
What roasting equipment do you use?
We use two drum roasters: a 5kg and a 12kg. Our typical batch size is 15 lbs, which allows us to maintain precise control over each roast profile. Small-batch roasting ensures consistency and quality that's impossible to achieve with large commercial roasters.
Where do you source your green coffee beans?
We work with multiple trusted specialty coffee importers and maintain direct relationships with farms in Guatemala and Colombia. We carefully vet all our suppliers to ensure fair trade practices, sustainability, and consistent quality. Every bean we source must score 83.5 or higher on the SCA scale, ensuring traceability and exceptional quality for our customers.
Tea Selection
Do you sell tea as well as coffee?
Yes! We offer a curated selection of premium teas including black, green, herbal, and pu-erh varieties. All our teas are sustainably sourced from Adagio Wholesale and selected for quality and flavor.
Contact & Support
How can I contact CBC Roasters?
You can reach us:
- Phone: 1-800-311-5719
- Email: customerservice@cbcroasters.com
- Contact Form: Visit our contact page
- In Person: 541 West Golf Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005 (Tues-Fri, 12-5pm)
What if I'm not satisfied with my coffee?
We stand behind our quality. If you're not completely satisfied with your coffee, contact us and we'll make it right with a refund or replacement.
Do you offer coffee education or cupping sessions?
Yes! We love sharing our passion for specialty coffee. We welcome visitors to learn about our roasting process, and we occasionally host cupping sessions. Contact us to learn about upcoming events or schedule a private tour for your group.
Still have questions? We're here to help! Contact us or visit our facility Tuesday-Friday, 12-5pm. We love talking coffee!