If you are a selective coffee drinker like myself, then most likely already know that whole bean coffee is definitely the way to go. Whole bean coffee stays fresh much longer, and if you brew it right after grinding it you get a flavor you simply cant get from pre-ground coffee thats been sitting around for a short time. Even only mediocre whole bean coffee brands taste pretty good if brewed right after grinding.
One can find some of the best whole bean coffee in Costa Rica. As an area well-known for its coffee, I was keen to try some genuine Costa Rican brews during my visit there last year and I was totally blown away when I did. Despite the fact that I wanted to make the experience last as long as possible, I obviously carried as much coffee back with me as I could fit in my suit case. Knowing for a fact that the freshness is much better preserved when the beans are yet to be ground, I only brought back whole bean coffee to make it last longer. When I got home, I quickly put three of the four bags I had bought into the freezer, and left the other out for immediate use. Whenever I crushed that whole bean coffee it transported me right back to Costa Rica, and I was in a...