Q: Do your dark chocolate espresso beans contain dairy or gluten?
A: They are naturally gluten-free, containing only roasted coffee beans and dark chocolate (cocoa, sugar, cocoa butter, and lecithin). Hill Country Chocolate processes all products in a facility that handles tree nuts and peanuts.
Q: How should I store chocolate covered espresso beans to keep them fresh?
A: Store your espresso beans in a cool, dry place between 60-70°F in their resealable pouch or an airtight container. Avoid refrigeration—the humidity causes condensation that makes the chocolate coating sticky and the coffee beans lose their crunch. Properly stored, they maintain peak quality for 3-4 months.
Q: Can I include chocolate espresso beans in a gift box or ship them to someone?
A: Yes, our espresso beans ship well year-round and make excellent additions to custom gift boxes. During Texas summers (May-September), we recommend selecting expedited shipping to prevent melting. Each 4 oz bag contains approximately 80-90 beans, perfect for sharing or single-serving gift additions.
Q: What's the best way to enjoy dark chocolate espresso beans?
A: Eat 3-5 beans as an afternoon energy boost or after-dinner treat with coffee or port wine. The combination of caffeine from the roasted coffee bean and theobromine from the dark chocolate provides sustained energy without the crash. Many customers in Fredericksburg enjoy them during wine tastings to cleanse the palate between reds.
Q: How much caffeine is in each chocolate covered espresso bean?
A: Each dark chocolate covered espresso bean contains approximately 6-8mg of caffeine—about 1/12th of a cup of coffee. A typical serving of 5 beans equals roughly half a cup of coffee's caffeine content. The dark chocolate adds minimal caffeine (1-2mg per bean), making these a moderate energy snack rather than a coffee replacement.
Q: What type of coffee beans does Hill Country Chocolate use?
A: We use Tanzanian peaberry beans chosen for their natural sweetness and low acidity that complements our 70% dark chocolate. The beans are roasted locally in Texas Hill Country, then coated within 48 hours to preserve their fresh-roasted flavor and satisfying crunch.
