Every NOMO roast comes whole bean or ground. So which one should you pick? The short answer: whole bean if you own a grinder, ground if you don't. The longer answer depends on how you brew and how fast you go through a bag.
Why whole bean stays fresher
Coffee flavor lives in aromatic oils and gases trapped inside the bean. The moment you grind, you multiply the surface area exposed to air, and those aromas start fading fast — noticeably within minutes, and a lot over the following days. A whole bean protects its flavor until you grind it, which is why whole bean coffee tastes better for longer after you open the bag.
Why ground is still a great choice
Ground coffee wins on convenience: no grinder, no noise at 6 a.m., no extra step. If you finish a 12 oz bag in two or three weeks and store it well, a fresh, roasted-to-order ground coffee will still beat most supermarket cans by a mile. Freshness at the start matters more than anything — and every NOMO bag is roasted to order.
Match the grind to your brewer
- Drip machine: medium grind (like sand). Our ground coffee is made for this.
- Pour-over: medium-fine. See our pour-over guide.
- French press: coarse, like sea salt. Grinding at home gives you the most control — see our French press guide.
- Cold brew: extra coarse. See cold brew at home.
Quick decision guide
- You have a burr grinder → whole bean.
- You use a drip machine and want zero fuss → ground.
- You switch between French press and pour-over → whole bean, so you can change the grind.
- It's for the office → ground (nobody wants a grinder in the break room).
How to store either one
Keep coffee in an airtight container, away from light, heat and moisture. Skip the fridge — it adds moisture and absorbs odors. Buy an amount you'll finish in a few weeks rather than stocking up for months. A subscription every 2, 4 or 8 weeks keeps a fresh bag arriving right when you need it (and saves 15%).
Try it yourself
Not sure where to start? Our Medium Roast is a balanced everyday cup in either grind. Browse all nine roasts in the coffee lineup.