How do I select the right roast?

The lighter the roast, the more caffeine; and the darker the roast the least caffeine. Coffee cupping contests use a very light roast, lighter than medium, to taste the coffee. A lighter roast will have less carbonization and more of a true coffee taste. Our dark roast is not bitter though since the beans are not burnt. Experiment until you find the perfect combination of beans and roast for your personal taste.

How much coffee should I grind at once time, and how fine should I grind it?

Grind only as much coffee as you will use right away. After grinding, stored coffee will begin to lose its flavor when exposed to air. The coarseness of the grind depends on how long it takes your coffeemaker to brew it. The longer the brewing time, the coarser the grind.

Does it matter what kind of coffee maker I use?

We use a "superautomatica" Italian Espresso machine to make Café Americanos (a shot of espresso and hot water; resembles regular coffee, but way better). The pressure method of shooting hot water into the grounds extracts the most flavor of coffee. When traveling we use a French Press (use coarse ground coffee) or a Melitta Cone and paper filter (regular grind). Just boil your water, pour it into the papered cone, and have one fresh cup of coffee at a time. Drip brew is the most common method in the United States so use whichever method suits your situation. ). By the way, you can make espresso with even medium roasted coffee; coffee does not have to be dark roast to make a great cup of espresso!

No matter what type of equipment you use to brew your coffee, clean it regularly and thoroughly. Residues accumulating over time can add bitterness to your coffee.

What is the ideal ratio of coffee grounds to water?

Always use fresh water to brew your coffee. Most people will say that distilled water or natural spring water makes the perfect cup. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of grounds per 6 ounces of water. If your coffee turns out stronger than you like, try a lighter roast.

How should I store my BwanaBob's Kona coffee?

To keep your Kona coffee beans fresh, we recommend storing them in their resealable airtight pouch in your freezer (not your refrigerator). Some customers prefer to store their coffee in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, which is fine if it's not going to be sitting out longer than 5 days. The enemy of roasted coffee is air and moisture; refrigerators are too moist which is why we store ours in the freezer.