To keep your coffee beans as fresh as possible, the National Coffee Association has some simple tips to ensure the first cup is as good as the last. The biggest enemies of coffee beans are air, moisture, heat and light. Use airtight, opaque containers and store them in a cool, dark spot -- inside a cabinet away from the oven is ideal. If you buy pre-ground coffee, transfer it out of the bag and into a sealed container, and try to purchase smaller batches so it stays fresher longer. And when you're done brewing, don't toss those coffee grounds -- used grounds are great for composting and can help enrich soil while keeping waste out of landfills.
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