Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about our coffee, tea, brewing, and the rescue partners we support. Last updated August 2026.
About Cozy Sips
What is Cozy Sips?
Cozy Sips is a small online coffee and tea company specializing in single-origin coffee, ceremonial-grade matcha, and loose-leaf herbal teas. Every order is roasted or packed to order and shipped fresh from our roastery.
Where are you based?
We roast and ship from a small roastery in the Pacific Northwest. Our team works remotely across the US.
Who runs Cozy Sips?
Cozy Sips was founded by Seraphina (E) after years of buying stale bagged coffee and wondering why specialty coffee tasted different at cafés. We started as a side project roasting in a popcorn popper and grew into this.
Why should I buy from you instead of a grocery store?
We roast coffee on Wednesday and ship on Thursday. By the time it hits your kitchen, the coffee is days old, not months. Green coffee beans stay fresh for months; roasted coffee starts losing flavor in 2 weeks. Most coffee on grocery shelves was roasted weeks or months before you bought it — that's why bagged coffee tastes flat.
Products
Which of your teas have caffeine?
Our matcha contains caffeine — roughly 70mg per gram of powder, similar to a shot of espresso. Our other teas — hibiscus berry, rooibos, chamomile, peppermint — are all naturally caffeine-free.
What's the difference between ceremonial and culinary matcha?
Ceremonial matcha is stone-ground from first-harvest leaves, with a naturally sweet, umami flavor and vibrant green color. It's whisked and drunk on its own. Culinary matcha is a later harvest, more robust and slightly bitter, intended for lattes, smoothies, and baking. We carry ceremonial-grade for traditional preparation.
What does "single origin" coffee mean?
Single origin means the coffee comes from one specific place — a farm, a region, or a cooperative — rather than being blended from many sources. Single-origin coffees have distinct flavor profiles tied to their terroir: elevation, soil, varietal, and processing. Our Colombian coffee comes from Antioquia, our Costa Rica from Tarrazú.
Do you sell decaf coffee?
Not currently — we focus on small-batch lots and a decaf would mean committing to volume we can't justify yet. Our hibiscus berry tea and rooibos make excellent caffeine-free coffee alternatives for evenings.
What's in your gift sampler?
Our gift sampler includes one bag each of our bestselling coffee and tea, plus a hand-written tasting card with brew ratios. It's the easiest way to try the catalog without committing to a full bag of anything.
Brewing
What temperature should I use for green tea?
Green tea is best brewed at 170–185°F (77–85°C). Boiling water (212°F) burns the leaves and creates bitterness. If you don't have a variable-temperature kettle, let boiled water cool for 5–7 minutes before pouring over green tea leaves.
How do I brew matcha without it tasting bitter?
Use water at 170°F (not boiling) and sift 1–2 tsp of matcha powder into your bowl before adding water. Whisk briskly in a W or M motion for 15–20 seconds. The full method is in our matcha brewing guide.
How much coffee should I use per cup?
A standard ratio is 1:16 — 1 gram of coffee for every 16 grams (ml) of water. For a 12oz (350ml) cup, that's about 22g of coffee. Adjust up or down to taste.
Do I need special equipment to brew loose-leaf tea?
The simplest method: an infuser basket or reusable tea bag inside any mug. For better flavor, a small teapot with a built-in strainer works well. Matcha requires a bamboo whisk (chasen) and a bowl (chawan) for traditional preparation, but a small wire whisk works in a pinch.
Storage
How should I store loose-leaf tea?
Store in an airtight container away from light, moisture, heat, and strong odors. A sealed tin in a cool, dark cupboard is ideal. Properly stored, most loose-leaf teas stay fresh for 6–12 months.
How should I store coffee beans?
Keep beans in their original bag with the valve sealed, or transfer to an airtight container. Store at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Don't refrigerate — moisture and odors damage the beans. Use within 2–4 weeks of roasting for best flavor.
Cause & Sourcing
What does Cozy Sips do for animal rescue?
We donate a portion of monthly profits to animal welfare organizations, including the ASPCA, Best Friends Animal Society, and local shelters. Our impact page shows the monthly donation totals and what each partner funded.
What percentage of each order goes to charity?
The percentage varies month to month as our business grows. We publish the actual numbers on our impact page — no marketing fluff, just real dollar amounts and what each donation funded.
Can I donate directly to your rescue partners?
Yes — links to each organization's website are on our impact page. We'd rather you support them directly than feel obligated to buy from us.
Orders & Shipping
Do you ship internationally?
We ship to the US, Canada, the UK, EU, Australia, and New Zealand. International orders typically arrive in 7–14 business days. Customs duties and import taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.
How long does domestic shipping take?
Coffee is roasted on Wednesday and shipped on Thursday. Most US orders arrive in 2–5 business days via USPS or UPS.
What's your return policy?
If your order arrives damaged or you're unhappy with the product for any reason, reply to your order confirmation email within 14 days and we'll send a replacement or refund — your choice. We don't want you stuck with something you don't love.
Can I modify or cancel my order after placing it?
If your order hasn't shipped yet, reply to your confirmation email and we'll modify or cancel it. Once shipped, our standard return policy applies.
Subscriptions & Gifts
Do you offer a subscription?
Not yet — we're a small operation and want to nail the one-time purchase experience first. Subscriptions are on our roadmap for later in 2026.
Can I send a gift?
Yes — at checkout, enter the recipient's shipping address and your email as the billing contact. We never include price information in shipments. A handwritten gift note is available on the cart page at no charge.
Didn't see your question? Email hello@cozysipsstore.com — we read every message.