The freshness of your coffee is very important when it comes to the quality and flavour of the cup you brew. Using old beans, or beans that have not been stored properly is a sure way to cause your beans to be stale.

As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for, and it couldn’t be truer when it comes to coffee. While bargain coffee might seem attractive to your wallet, your taste buds are likely to disagree. 

Just like roasting, the act of grinding coffee releases gases and oils that hold the best flavour. Pre-ground coffee may be convenient, but while it sits on the shelf all of those delicious flavours are gone by the time it reaches you. 

Oxygen and humidity are your coffee’s sworn enemies, so keeping them away from your precious beans is critical to coffee happiness. Store your whole-bean coffee in high-quality, airtight coffee canisters, in a cool, dry place, away from air, light, and extreme temperatures (hot or cold) for best results.

Your coffee maker needs a good scrubbing now and then. If you don’t clean it, you might be inviting in dirt, funky flavours, and a ton of bacteria and other contaminants that will ruin even the highest-quality coffee. Not to mention, possibly make you sick. No matter which kind you use, a regular and thorough cleaning will ensure your future brews are free of old grounds and contaminants.

Getting your water temperature juuuuuust right is essential to enjoying a quality cup of java. The ideal coffee brewing temp. is between 195°F (90.6°C) and 205°F (96.1°C). In this range, your coffee can release its compounds properly and imbue your water with coffee goodness.