Most Americans are less familiar with the Viennese, French, and Italian darker roasts that are typical of European coffee. When preparing a latte or a cappuccino, a dark roast is essential. Superior dark roast coffees are nearly black and glisten with the sheen of the natural coffee oils brought to the surface through a long roasting process. Preparation Essentials . Once you have the right type of coffee, preparing an excellent pot of it may be as simple as buying a good coffee maker, and it's no trouble to purchase a coffee maker that can prepare conventional coffee, usually through the drip method, as well as espresso and cappuccino.
Storage Needs .
The coffee purist will say that all beans must be used within a week of purchase. As most of us are unable or unwilling to drink the product of a pound of coffee a week, some storage tips are helpful. As soon as beans are ground, the flavor begins to deteriorate, so buying your coffee already ground will shorten its life. Unground beans can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to a month with no major adverse affects. Grinding Fundamentals .