Brewing & Storage

Brewing Tips

It is best to grind your coffee fresh if you own a grinder. Keep the remainder of the whole beans stored in an air-tight container.

Select the correct grind. Different coffee brewing methods require different grinds. The grind type is critically important to making good coffee! Coffee ground too fine will produce a bitter cup. Coffee ground too coarse will produce a watery cup.

Always add fresh, cold water to your kettle and avoid chemically treated water. Use the correct ratio of coffee to water:

  • By volume: 2 level tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces of brewing water
  • By weight: 1 gram of coffee per 16 grams of brewing water

Be sure your coffee brewer heats to the proper temperature (200 degrees F). This temperature is referred to as "off-boil" (just below boiling). To achieve this temperature when boiling your water, remove the kettle once the water has reached a boil and wait 20-30 seconds before pouring.

Brewing fair trade coffee


Storage Tips

At Grounds for Change, we pride ourselves in providing you with the freshest coffee possible. All of our coffee is roasted to-order and is shipped in foil-lined bags that preserve freshness.

Our coffee bags have a built-in zipper or tin-tie for in-bag coffee storage of up to 30 days after opening. If you plan on storing your coffee for longer than this, a vacuum canister is highly recommended. Regardless of how you store your coffee, you will experience the best flavor if you re-order on a monthly basis (or more regularly if possible) so that you are always brewing fresh coffee.

The freezer and the refrigerator are not recommended places to store your coffee beans - a dark indoor location is best. Coffee absorbs moisture and other odors so ensure it is either kept in the original packaging or in tightly sealed containers.

Vacuum storage coffee container