We offer local pickup for online orders. Simply select \Pick-up at our location\ at checkout, and we’ll notify you as soon as your order is ready—typically within 2 to 4 business hours. As a perk, enjoy a complimentary coffee on us when you come to pick up your order!

Since 2021, we’ve shipped coffee across Alberta and throughout Canada. As of 2024, our focus is on serving rural Alberta, including the counties surrounding our café—Westlock, Barrhead, Woodlands, and Athabasca—while still shipping wherever our customers need us.

Orders are typically shipped within 24 to 48 business hours. Once processed, you’ll receive a confirmation with tracking details to follow your shipment. If there are any delays, we notify customers promptly after the order is placed.

We supply only whole beans because coffee begins to oxidize and lose flavor within 15 minutes of being ground. Grinding your coffee fresh ensures its full aroma and taste are preserved.

Every coffee is unique—light roasts, dark roasts, different origins, or brewing methods all bring distinct flavors. We’re often used to brewing every coffee the same, and while that might work sometimes, it rarely brings out the best in your cup—even with something as forgiving as drip coffee. At Gems, we add value by including tailored brewing guidelines with every coffee and taking the time to understand your setup to help you fine-tune your brew for the perfect experience.

To maintain optimal freshness, store coffee in an airtight container at room temperature, away from heat, light, and moisture.

We cannot accept returns or offer refunds for opened bags. However, we’re happy to provide a full refund for any quality concerns or defects. Customer satisfaction is a priority.

Specialty coffee stands apart from the commercial coffee often found in supermarkets. While commercial coffee is typically mass-produced using mechanized harvesting and lower-grade beans, specialty coffee begins with meticulous care. Farmers handpick only the ripest cherries, focusing on quality over quantity. Unlike large-scale operations, specialty coffee is small-batch roasted, allowing for greater precision and flavor development. Alberta is home to over 100 nano and micro-roasters, each crafting less than 1,000 lbs annually. This approach ensures a coffee experience that is rich, nuanced, and rooted in craftsmanship—something commercial coffee simply can’t replicate.

Specialty coffee often comes from small-scale farms that can’t afford certifications like Organic or Fair Trade. These farms grow high-quality beans without pesticides, relying on sustainable methods out of necessity. Direct trade, a common practice among Alberta’s roasters, often provides farmers with higher earnings compared to Fair Trade certification standards. This practice also fosters closer relationships between farmers and roasters, ensuring higher-quality coffee for consumers.