Coffee Indulgence

Below is a compilation of the questions we’ve received related to coffee. Send us your question if it’s not already listed.

How long do coffee beans stay fresh?

• Whole beans are good for 6 months, while ground, 7 days TOPS. Whatever you do, do NOT freeze the beans. It will crystallize the water and rupture the cells, deteriorating the quality of said beans.

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How long do coffee makers last?

• A good quality coffee maker should last around 5 years. For the most part, a very cheap machine bought for a few dollars cannot be expected to last as long as a more expensive coffee maker which is better engineered and made from higher quality materials.

How many coffee beans in a cup of coffee?

• One Tbs of coffee beans yields 2 Tbs of ground coffee. Since 2 Tbs of ground coffee is the standard measurement for 1 cup of coffee (6oz), then all you need is 1 Tbs of coffee beans per cup of coffee.

How to clean a coffee pot?

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How to grind coffee beans without a grinder?

•  You can’t if you expect to get good coffee. A mortar and pestle  is probably the only alternative but it wont expose enough of the surfaces. A food processor will not grind it finely enough. Keep in mind that you don’t need an expensive electric model; they make basic manual grinders as well

How to roast coffee beans at home?

• One of the methods that I heard of, and currently use, is a popcorn popper. You must use the hot air, side blowing, type popcorn poppers. By side blowing, I mean the type that blows air in the chamber from the side not the bottom. Using a bottom blowing popper will result in burnt beans at the bottom and raw beans on the top.

• Another method is to do it in the microwave on a very low setting.

• Roasting times vary depending on the strength of the machine you are using, as well as how moist the seeds are. So keep your eye on them while roasting, and experience will allow you to know when they are roasted to your liking

How to keep coffee beans fresh?

• Keep coffee beans stored in an airtight container. Glass canisters with rubber seals are ideal for this purpose.

• Keep the coffee beans in a dark place that is not exposed to heat. Light and heat can quickly diminish the shelf life of coffee beans. Many people enjoy keeping their beans stored in the refrigerator.

• Avoid grinding the beans when you purchase them at the store. Many coffee grinders are both affordable and effective and take up little space in the kitchen. Keeping the beans intact and only grinding what you’ll need each time ensures a longer life for your coffee.

(Similar: How to store coffee beans?)