Q: How do I find the roast date on a coffee bag?

Look for a 'Roasted On' or 'Roast Date' label, often printed on the bottom or back of the bag. Some roasters use a 'best by' date, but that's not the same—roast date is when the beans were actually roasted.

Q: What if there's no roast date on the bag?

That's a warning sign. Reputable roasters almost always include it. If you can't find one, ask the seller directly—if they can't tell you, it's probably not fresh.

Q: How long does coffee stay fresh after roasting?

Ideally, you want to drink coffee within 2 to 4 weeks of the roast date. After that, the beans start losing flavor noticeably, especially if they're pre-ground.