If you want a stronger flavor, use a different variety of coffee. If you require a weaker coffee, make it regular strength and add hot water. How to Find Quality Beans - Specialty coffees require special care to ensure a rich, flavorful reward. One of the most important considerations in buying coffee beans is the length of time the beans have been stored after roasting. Find out what day the store you shop in gets shipments from its wholesale roasters, or better yet, if possible, buy direct from an experienced , discerning, specialty roaster.
Coffee begins to stale right after roasting and it really becomes noticeable after two weeks.
Stale beans will have a musty or dusty scent to them. Pay attention to how the beans are displayed. Coffee is best displayed in disposable containers. Stale oils left in re-usable containers will contaminate the next batch of coffee stored if not cleaned regularly. Air, dampness and foreign odors are the enemies of freshly roasted coffee.