When buying coffee merch in Georgia, look for a visible roast date (not just a best-by date) and aim for beans roasted within the last 2–4 weeks. Trust roasters who print the date on the bag, avoid bags with only a 'best by' far in the future, and check for whole beans that look oily but not sticky. If the roast date is missing or vague, it's a red flag—move on.