Colombia is known far and wide for its coffee. The coffees produced here are some of the highest quality coffees in the world, thanks to the nation's unique geography. The coffee can be grown on the slopes of the Andes mountains, where it receives just enough sunshine, and where the well-drained, fertile soil makes for a bountiful crop. So, when you buy Colombian whole bean coffee, you really want to honor it and enjoy it to the fullest. Here are some tips to help you bring out its best.

Grind the Beans Fresh Each Day.

All coffee tends to go stale quickly after it is ground. And while it may be a few days before your coffee actually tastes stale, the lighter and more aromatic notes start disappearing right away after the coffee is ground, because they are so volatile. Colombian coffee has a lot of these lighter, aromatic notes. So, to get the most from it and truly experience its full flavor, you really need to grind it fresh each day. If you have a good grinder, then grinding your daily beans should take less than a minute.

Use a Pour-Over Method.

The aromatic compounds that start leeching out of Colombian beans once they are ground are also quite sensitive to temperature. They may evaporate if you brew the coffee with water that is too hot. So, if you want to get the most out of your Colombian coffee, you should never brew it with a drip coffee maker or percolator. The water can easily get too hot with these methods. Instead, brew your coffee using a pour-over method. This way, you can take the temperature of your water beforehand and ensure it's between 195 an 205 degrees F — the ideal range for brewing coffee.

Try It With Honey and Cream.

While adding sugar and cream to coffee is traditional, there's something a little different you may want to try with your Colombian beans. Instead of stirring in sugar, add a little honey. Most people like between 1/2 and 1 teaspoon of honey per cup. Stir in some cream, too. The honey's floral notes are a really amazing complement to the Colombian coffee's fruity, aromatic flavors. The cream rounds things out and adds a nice mouthfeel.

With the tips above, you can truly bring out the best in your Colombian whole bean coffee. You're going to want a second cup!