I don’t have roasted coffee sitting around in bins waiting for someone to buy it. All coffee is roasted fresh when you place your order.

It’s important to let the coffee sit for at least 4 hours so the volatized oils have time to stabilize before it is bagged. Then it’s off to the Hingham post office where I’ve become very popular with the postal workers. They seem to enjoy the fragrance permeating the mail room. Hey, whatever it takes to make them smile.

People ask me all the time how should their coffee be stored. Put the beans in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, and take out only what you need to grind and brew.

Never store beans in the refrigerator. You can, however seal them in a freezer bag and put them in the freezer. Take out only what you need and let the beans thaw before using. If you drink your coffee within a week there is no need to do this.

Some cold, hard facts about the longevity of the coffee flavor after it’s roasted.

1. Roasted coffee begins to lose flavor after

a week

2. Ground coffee, an hour after grinding

3. Brewed coffee, in minutes