How-To Guides & Tips

Making good coffee is both an art and a science. There's no shortage of advice on how to do it, on everything from roasting to brewing to storing coffee and more. Here are some tips worth knowing.

How to Store Coffee to Keep It Fresh

By Brian Lokker. Published February 15, 2013, last updated July 3, 2015.2 Comments

To enjoy the best possible cup of coffee at home, make sure your coffee is always fresh. Coffee is perishable. Coffee beans begin to lose their freshness soon after they are roasted. As coffee loses freshness, its natural flavors and aromas are diminished. So, all things being equal, the sooner the beans are used, the better the coffee. Properly stored, coffee beans will stay good for about a month after roasting. Ground coffee will last for one to two weeks after roasting. The key to preserving freshness as long as possible is to keep the coffee away from excessive air, moisture, heat, and light.

Brewing the Perfect Cup of Coffee, 1961 Style

By Brian Lokker. Published January 26, 2013, last updated July 3, 2015.Leave a Comment

“This Is Coffee!” This stylish 1961 film by the Coffee Brewing Institute is a guide to brewing the perfect cup of coffee. The key to successful coffee? Care, care, and more care. The opening of the 13-minute film sets a menacing mood. An alarm clock ticks and a kitchen faucet drips, over a jazzy film noir score. When the alarm goes off, a tired woman awakes, trudges downstairs, and goes through the motions of brewing a pot of coffee. Her coffee is weak and unappetizing. But with a little care, she can do so much better!