HOME COFFEE TIPS

Choosing fresh, top quality coffee is only the first step in a fab cup of coffee

We’ve set the stage in bean selection and roasting, and handed over the torch to you at home to store and brew the coffee to enjoy its fullest flavor potential.

 

Buy fresh coffee. Ideally, you have your coffee 1-3 days after roasting, and will use it within 1-2 weeks. Only buy what you need for 1-2 weeks. If you buy old coffee, you can’t expect it to knock your socks off no matter where it comes from.

 

Store at room temperature in an airtight, opaque container. Yes, right on your countertop or pantry! Light, air, moisture, and heat are coffee’s enemies. Never store your daily supplies in the refrigerator or freezer. If you’re off to a tropical vacation, and will be unable to use the coffee you have purchased in 2 weeks, immediately place the fresh portion that is unusable in an airtight container in the freezer. Once you're ready to consume it, remove the entire amount from freezer and store at room temperature as above. Avoid leaving coffee frozen for more than one month. And yes, you can absolutely store fresh coffee in the bag! Just be sure to roll and secure the top to keep away the coffee enemies.

 

Grind right before brewing. Only grind what you need. The minute you grind your coffee, it loses flavor. Purchasing pre-ground coffee, whether in a bag, can or pod, is not recommended, but sometimes the convenience outweighs the loss of flavor. You get to decide what works best for you! Adjust your grind for the type of coffee: Fine ground for short brew cycles (like espresso machines), medium ground for longer brew cycles (like drip machines), and coarser for press pots (like a French press). The best type of grinder to use is a burr grinder, as it produces the most consistent and exact grind.

 

Brew using fresh, clean, filtered water. If the water you use tastes like old tires, so will your coffee. You can adjust the amount of your coffee to affect the brewed strength in your cup. The grind degree will also change taste, so experiment a little if the coffee isn’t tasting how you like. Try a little finer, or a little coarser.

 

Drink while it's hot. Ideally, you only brew what you’ll be sipping right away. Pour your coffee into a warmed coffee cup so that it will maintain its temperature longer. The flavors of each coffee origin change during the cooling process, so you'll notice your coffee's characteristics evolving as it becomes cooler. If you want to brew more to have that extra cup ready, the best option is to pour the extra coffee into a warmed, insulated thermos and use within the next 45 minutes after brewing.