The coffee equipments must be absolutely clean.

Nothing but nothing makes good coffee taste bad like a dirty brewer or thermos. Without proper cleaning, coffee sediment and oils will settle in your coffee-making device that will grow stale as they are left exposed to the air. This produces an unpleasant bitter taste in the cup.

Use the best quality water available.

Good-tasting water is the key to a great cup of coffee. Coffee is made of approximately 98-99% water. Therefore the water used must be free of any strange flavors, odors or textures. If you choose to use water from the faucet, be sure it is cold and runs for a few seconds to aerate the water for your machine or kettle. Consider using a water filtration device or use bottled water.  Don't use distilled water -- the absence of minerals in it will leave your coffee tasting flat.

Select freshly roasted, best quality beans available.

Coffee decays rapidly once it has been roasted, and even faster after it has been ground. Even a few hours can make a big taste difference. Don’t keep a stockpile of coffee.

Grind beans just before making coffee to retain freshness.

It would be a good investment if a coffee grinder is purchased.

Use the correct coffee grind size for the brewing device.

Brewing good coffee requires the right grind for the right coffee maker. Different coffee brewing techniques require different grinds. Coffee ground too fine will delay the brewing process and produce a bitter cup; conversely, coffee ground too coarse will speed up the brewing process and produce a watery, less robust beverage. Temperature and humidity will also affect the coffee brewing process. A grind that works well on a cold day may need to be adjusted when it's hot.

Use the recommend amount of coffee for the device.

The ratio of coffee to water determines the strength of brewed coffee and preferences here are highly individualized. One tablespoon of coffee to five ounces of water produces a great cup of coffee that will allow you to enjoy all the taste characteristics inherent in the coffee. Experiment with the ratios in accordance with your taste.

Store coffee in an airtight container if using quickly.

The less exposure to air and water, the better tasting is the coffee. If you do choose to store your coffee in the freezer, place it in an airtight container and use within 2-3 months.

Use only very hot but not boiling water for your drip coffee maker.

This would involve the French press, Neapolitan flip or a manual drip brewing method such as the well known Melitta.

Stir your coffee after it is made before serving.

This disperses the coffee particulates evenly instead of sitting at the bottom of the pot and therefore provides a consistent cup of coffee.

Store any freshly made coffee in a preheated air pot or thermos.

This will preserve the quality of your coffee and retain it's temperature.

The three enemies of coffee are: Air, Moisture and Light.

If you want your whole bean coffee to stay fresh longer you will take extra care to protect your precious beans from these three things. Follow the suggestions below and you will ensure a "fresh" coffee experience.

First store your coffee in an opaque (that means it should not allow in light- ceramic is a good choice) air tight container.

Store your container in a cool dry place. The pantry is a good spot. Do not store in the refrigerator. If it is too humid, the coffee will absorb other odors. Freeze coffee only if you are not consuming it within a month. While freezing slows oxidation, the extreme temperature change reduces the flavor of the beans.