How To Buy Good Coffee Beans -

: Avoid brewing immediately; beans need at least 3 to 5 days to release carbon dioxide for optimal flavor extraction.

: Coffee is best brewed between 7 and 21 days after roasting.

Most commercial coffee comes from two main species, and for quality, one is vastly superior. Choosing Coffee Beans (with Pictures) - Instructables

The most critical piece of information on any coffee bag is the . Unlike supermarket "best before" dates, which can span up to 24 months, a roast date tells you exactly when the beans left the roaster.