Always start with fresh, quality, whole bean, Arabica coffees. Remember that your coffee beans will be at their best if used within two to ten days after roasting. The Arabica species of coffee beans possess superior flavor and aroma as compared to beans of the Robusta species. But less than 15 percent of Arabica production meets specialty coffee standards, so it is critical that you purchase your beans from a roaster who sources only the highest quality beans. Grind only as much whole bean coffee as you will need for immediate brewing purposes.
Coffee begins to loose flavor and aroma within one hour after being ground.
Match the grind to the specifications of the brewing method you will be using. For drip brewing, a grind similar to the consistency of granulated sugar will usually achieve a good result. The goal is to achieve the entire brew cycle within four to six minutes. If the brew cycle occurs in less than four minutes, adjust the grind to a finer consistency. If the brewing cycle takes longer than six minutes, adjust thegrind to a coarser consistency.