Bulk Coffee (By the Pound)

The most popular way to purchase coffee is in bulk. Bulk coffee comes in either cans (not recommended) or bags, ranging in size from less than 1 pound to 5 pounds or more. The best way to purchase coffee is in foil-type bags with one-way valves that allow the coffee to degas without allowing air and moisture in. For fresher coffee, buy whole beans from a reputable roaster that roasts coffee several times a week. Green coffee beans are usually imported in large burlap coffee bags.

Pillow Pack Coffee (Premeasured)

Some people prefer pillow pack coffee, which is ground coffee that is pre-measured and portioned into individually wrapped foil bags. Pillow packs are extremely convenient, since each pillow pack brews 1 pot of coffee, no grinding or measuring required. When packaging pillow pack coffee, roasters typically use the "nitrogen flushing" method to force air out of each bag and help preserve the coffee.

Filter Pack Coffee (Premeasured)

Another option is to buy filter pack coffee. Filter pack coffee is ground coffee that is pre-measured and sealed inside a "pouch" (usually rectangular or round) of filter paper. The main advantage here is that you won't need a filter to brew coffee! Just open the external packaging, place one filter pack in the brew basket of your coffee maker, and brew. Simple, fast, no messy clean up.

Coffee Pods (Single Cup)

Single cup coffee pods are a relatively new invention that lets you brew coffee one cup at a time. The idea is really simple. A coffee pod is made by sealing ground coffee inside a small round pouch of filter paper. Each pod makes one cup of coffee, but are designed exclusively for use with pod brewers. You cannot use coffee pods with your standard coffee maker.