Storing Coffee Beans

Keep a small notebook by the kettle and record dose, time and what you thought. Water that tastes good on its own usually makes good coffee, so start with filtered if you can.

We roast in small batches so every bag leaves the roastery within days of roasting. Grind just before you brew; ground coffee loses aroma within minutes of being opened.

Freshness is the single biggest difference you can taste between average and excellent coffee. If a cup tastes sour, try a finer grind or hotter water; if it tastes bitter, go coarser.

Start with a simple recipe, change one thing at a time, and write down what you notice. Store beans in an airtight container away from light, heat and the stove.

Next guide: Reading a Coffee Bag. Useful kit: Milk Pitcher.