Tip From The Hearth: Don't Let Your Coffee Beans Breathe

It sounds cruel, but it's a fact of life. Air and moisture are the enemy of your coffee beans, so if you're looking to make that perfect cup of coffee:

• Store your coffee beans in an airtight container. I'm a fan of canning jars.
• Grind the beans only as you need them.
• Don't freeze your coffee if you want it to keep it's maximum flavor.
• Buy only what you'll use within a week or two; coffee goes stale quickly.

Don't forget, you can use coffee for more than just a morning pick-me-up: It's a great ingredient too, and pairs especially well with chocolate.