Let's cut through the marketing fluff. Best-by dates are a legal requirement, but they don't tell you much about flavor. Roast date, on the other hand, is the true freshness indicator. Once beans are roasted, they start losing volatile compounds that give coffee its aroma and taste. In Florida's humid climate, this process speeds up.

When you pick up a bag, flip it over. If you see a roast date within the last two weeks, you're golden. If it's over a month old, put it back. Some roasters even include a 'roasted on' date on their bags, which is what you want.