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.
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.
