Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions? We've got answers. If you don't find what you're looking for below, reach out to us directly at southerngroundscoffee.contact@gmail.com — we're happy to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most coffee companies focus on coffee. We focus on the people drinking it.

Whether you’re choosing your first bag, wondering which roast is right for you, or have a question about an order, we’ve got you covered.

Jump to:

☕ About Southern Grounds
🌱 Freshness & Brewing
☕ Coffee Types
☕ Coffee Subscriptions
📦 Shipping & Processing
🔄 Returns & Refunds
👕 Southern Grounds Gear
📧 Contact & Support

☕ About Southern Grounds

What makes Southern Grounds different?

Southern Grounds Coffee Co. was built for hardworking people who start early, stay late, and appreciate a great cup of coffee along the way.

We’re a small, owner-operated business based in Cottonwood, Alabama. Every coffee we offer is carefully selected because it’s something we’d proudly drink ourselves.

We’re not trying to become the biggest coffee company on the internet.

We’re focused on good people, honest business, and damn good coffee.

Which Southern Grounds coffee should I try first?

Not sure where to begin? Here’s our recommendation:

☀️ Smooth & Easy

Cottonwood Sunrise
Southern Butter Pecan
Smooth Operator

💪 Bold & Rich

Shellback Reserve – Kenya AA
Seattle Blend
E-Line After Dark Espresso Roast
Espresso Noir

🍫 Flavored Favorites

Fireside Pecan
Butterscotch Toffee
Jamaican Me Crazy
Coconut Cream Dream
Blueberry Crumble
Homestead Carrot Cake Blend
Sweet Crumb Blend

☕ Espresso Lovers

E-Line After Dark Espresso Roast
Espresso Noir
Fair Trade Organic Italian Roast

🌱 Organic & Fair Trade

Brazil Bob-o-Link
Fair Trade Organic Italian Roast

Still can’t decide?

Start with Southern Butter Pecan. It’s one of our most-loved coffees for a reason.

Do you roast your own coffee?

We partner with experienced specialty coffee roasters to provide exceptional, freshly roasted coffee.

This allows us to focus on selecting outstanding coffees, creating memorable blends, and providing the customer experience we believe every coffee lover deserves.

🌱 Freshness & Brewing

How fresh is your coffee?

Every bag of Southern Grounds coffee is roasted after your order is placed—including subscription orders.

We don’t keep shelves full of pre-roasted coffee because we believe fresh coffee simply makes a better cup.

How should I store my coffee?

Store coffee in a cool, dry place away from heat, sunlight, and moisture.

Keep it in the original sealed bag or an airtight container.

Avoid refrigerators and freezers, as changing temperatures can introduce moisture.

How long does coffee stay fresh?

For the best flavor, enjoy your coffee within 2–4 weeks after opening.

Whole bean coffee stays fresh longer than pre-ground coffee.

What’s the difference between whole bean and ground coffee?

Whole Bean

Maximum freshness
Best for espresso, pour-over, French press, Moka pot, and home grinders

Ground Drip

Ready to brew
Perfect for standard drip coffee makers

Cold Brew

Coarse grind designed specifically for cold brew

Which grind should I choose?

Choose the grind that matches your brewing method.

If you’re unsure, Ground Drip is the most popular option.

If you own a grinder, choose Whole Bean for the freshest possible cup.

☕ Coffee Types

Which coffees are flavored?

Our flavored coffee collection includes favorites like:

Southern Butter Pecan
Fireside Pecan
Butterscotch Toffee
Jamaican Me Crazy
Coconut Cream Dream
Blueberry Crumble
Homestead Carrot Cake Blend
Sweet Crumb Blend
End of Hitch Blend

Which coffees are the strongest?

Our boldest coffees include:

Shellback Reserve – Kenya AA
Seattle Blend
E-Line After Dark Espresso Roast
Espresso Noir

For an even stronger cup, use a little more coffee and grind fresh if possible.

Which coffees work best for espresso?

We recommend:

E-Line After Dark Espresso Roast
Espresso Noir
Fair Trade Organic Italian Roast
Fair Trade Organic Café Bella

For espresso machines, Whole Bean is always the best choice.

Which coffees are Fair Trade Organic?

Our Fair Trade Organic collection includes coffees like:

Brazil Bob-o-Link
Italian Roast

Look for the Fair Trade Organic badge on individual product pages.

☕ Coffee Subscriptions

How do subscriptions work?

Choose your favorite coffee and your preferred delivery schedule.

Available options:

Every 2 weeks
Every 4 weeks
Every 6 weeks

We’ll roast your coffee fresh and ship it automatically.

Do subscribers save money?

Yes.

Subscribers automatically receive 10% off every recurring order.

Can I skip, pause, or cancel my subscription?

Absolutely.

You can manage your subscription anytime through your customer account.

You can:

Skip a shipment
Pause your subscription
Change your delivery schedule
Switch coffees
Cancel anytime

No contracts.

No hidden fees.

Will every subscription order be freshly roasted?

Yes.

Every subscription order is roasted fresh before it’s shipped.

📦 Shipping & Processing

How long does processing take?

Because every bag is roasted after you order, most coffee orders leave our roasting partner within 2–5 business days.

How much does shipping cost?

Standard U.S. shipping: $8
Orders over $70 ship FREE

Do you ship internationally?

At this time, we ship only within the United States.

What if my order is delayed?

Shipping carriers occasionally experience delays due to weather, holidays, or other events outside our control.

If your order seems unusually delayed, contact us and we’ll gladly help track it down.

What if I entered the wrong shipping address?

If your order hasn’t shipped yet, we’ll do everything we can to update the address.

🔄 Returns & Refunds

Can I return coffee?

Because coffee is a perishable food product, we’re unable to accept returns on opened coffee bags.

If your order arrives damaged or incorrect, contact us within 7 days, and we’ll make it right.

How long do refunds take?

Approved refunds are issued to your original payment method within 10 business days.

Can I exchange coffee?

We don’t offer direct exchanges on opened coffee.

If something isn’t right with your order, reach out—we’re always happy to help find a solution.

👕 Southern Grounds Gear

What kind of gear do you offer?

Southern Grounds Gear includes:

T-shirts
Hoodies
Trucker Hats
Mugs
Tumblers
Stickers
And more

Are apparel items true to size?

Yes.

Sizing charts are available on every product page.

If you’re between sizes, we recommend sizing up for a more relaxed fit.

Can I return apparel?

Because our apparel is produced specifically for your order, returns are accepted only for damaged, defective, or incorrect items.

If there’s a problem, contact us within 7 days of delivery.

How long does gear take to ship?

Most apparel and merchandise is produced within 2–5 business days before shipping.

📧 Contact & Support

How do I contact Southern Grounds?

The best way to reach us is by email:

southerngroundscoffee.contact@gmail.com

You can also use the Contact Us page on our website.

Where are you located?

Southern Grounds Coffee Co.

Cottonwood, Alabama, USA

How quickly do you respond?

Every email is read by a real person.

We do our best to respond within 1–2 business days, and often much sooner.

What should I include when contacting support?

To help us assist you as quickly as possible, please include:

Your order number
The email address used during checkout
A brief description of the issue
Photos (if your order arrived damaged)

❤️ Thank You

Whether this is your first bag of Southern Grounds or your fiftieth…

Thank you for supporting our small family business.

Every order helps us continue building something we’re incredibly proud of.

We hope every cup reminds you to slow down, breathe deeply, and enjoy the moment.

Welcome to Southern Grounds.

— Heather & David

Southern Grounds Coffee Co. — Good people. Honest business. Damn good coffee.
📧 southerngroundscoffee.contact@gmail.com | 🌐 southerngroundscoffeeco.com