What's the Minimum Order for Wholesale Coffee Beans?

One of the most common worries we hear from smaller businesses is that they won't be "big enough" to buy coffee wholesale. That minimum orders will be huge, or that they'll be locked into volumes they can't realistically use. The good news is that this is rarely the case, especially with a supplier set up to work with businesses of all sizes.

Here's what you need to know about minimum orders before you commit.

Why minimum orders exist at all

Minimum orders aren't there to exclude smaller customers. They exist because freshly roasting, packing and delivering coffee carries a cost, and a sensible minimum keeps that process efficient for both sides. It also helps ensure your coffee arrives fresh — ordering a realistic quantity at sensible intervals means beans are used while they're at their best, rather than sitting open for weeks.

In other words, a minimum order is really about freshness and efficiency, not about turning small businesses away.

What a typical minimum looks like

Minimums vary between suppliers, but for specialty coffee they're usually far more accessible than people expect. Many roasters set a minimum of just a few kilograms per order, which suits everyone from a busy café to a small office kitchen.

At Hessian Coffee, our minimum order is 1 case (6x1kg), and we offer flexible delivery so you can reorder as often as your usage requires.

How to work out the right order size for you

A simple way to estimate your needs:

• A standard double shot uses roughly 18–20g of coffee.
• That means 1kg yields around 50 drinks.
• So if you serve, say, 40 coffees a day, you'll get through roughly 6kg a week.

From there you can choose a delivery frequency — weekly, fortnightly or monthly — that keeps your stock fresh without running out. If you're not sure, we're happy to help you calculate it based on your expected footfall.

Smaller venue? You're exactly who we work with

If you run a small café, a deli, an office, a pub or a restaurant that serves a modest number of coffees a day, you are absolutely the kind of customer we want. You don't need to commit to pallet-loads of beans to get excellent coffee, fair pricing and proper support.

Buying in sensible quantities actually works in your favour: fresher coffee, less waste, and the flexibility to adjust as your business grows.

Why choose Hessian Coffee?

At Hessian Coffee, we make wholesale genuinely accessible. Our low, flexible minimum order, and next day delivery schedules mean businesses of any size get the same premium, freshly roasted coffee and the same attentive support. As you grow, we grow with you. Order what you need, when you need it — and taste it first, with no pressure to commit.

Get in touch : sales@hessianvending.com

Part of our complete guide: How to Choose a Coffee Wholesaler for Your Business.

Hessian Coffee is a UK specialty coffee roaster and wholesaler, supplying premium freshly roasted beans and bean-to-cup machines to businesses across the country.