Coffee is best consumed fresh. Unfortunately, supermarket beans are likely months old at best, and even those vacuum-sealed bags can't really stop the staling process. So look for a roast date — not a "use by" date — on packaging, says Todd Goldsworthy, Klatch Coffee brewing instructor and two-time U.S. Brewer's Cup winner. "It's best to buy beans within a week of the roast date," he says. And then use them within two weeks of purchase. Oh, and avoid shiny beans. That oil is flavor seeping out, a sign of age. To find reliable coffee, we tested the subscription delivery services that ship fresh beans nationwide. Here are the best.
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