Storing and Grinding

4. Store well; grind as you go. Store beans in an airtight canister away from light, then grind just before brewing. Once ground, more of the bean's surface area is exposed to air, causing the oils (and the flavor) to evaporate faster. Ground coffee lasts just a day or two; whole beans, up to two weeks.

5. The blade vs. burr debate. Blade grinders chop beans into bits, yielding grounds of varying sizes, leading to an inconsistent brew. Burr grinders, little millstones, grind beans to a uniform size between two plates. And you can adjust grind size according to your own brewing method. Coffee aficionados like the more costly burrs for that reason.