6 Essential Things Every Coffee-Loving Runner Should Do

originally appeared on Rodales Organic Life, A Part of Hearst Digital Media—and there’s never been a better time to be a coffee-drinker. Craft coffee roasters have set up shop all over the country, and if you don’t happen to have a good roastery near you, many will ship shade-grown, organic, ethically-sourced beans to your doorstep: for instance, the marathon roast from our very own Runner’s World store. 

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It’s reported that the number of plastic K-Cups thrown away could circle the earth more than 10 times. If you’re using the popular coffee maker, opt for a compostable version instead, such as the ones from Cameron’s Coffee, whose offerings include a line of Best Energy Gels for Runners Best Energy Gels for Runners. 

Volatile flavor compounds and aromatics in coffee start to dissipate the moment you grind it, so for the best-tasting coffee, get whole beans and grind them at home right before you brew them. Invest in a sturdy burr grinder, which will evenly pulverize each bean to yield a consistent grind. It’s not a new notion; in fact, some of the best burr grinders are the low-tech, 19th-century cast-iron coffee mills made by Spong & Co. These hand-cranked grinders—which must be mounted on the wall or clamped to a counter—are beautiful, easy-to-use, and dependable. They can be found on Ebay and Etsy. Baraza Encore Conical Burr Grinder Baraza Encore Conical Burr Grinder. 

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in 90 days We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article from the RW Store. There’s a version for all your coffee-making methods: drip machines, pour-overs, or even cold-brew.

Related: 9 Ways To Be The Best Coffee Drinker You Can Be

Time to replace the Mr. Coffee? Don’t get another cheap, molded-plastic device that’ll break in a year. Chemex, a beautiful, one-piece coffee maker, is in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Smithsonian—and it’s Advertisement - Continue Reading Below. Made in Massachusetts since 1941, it contains just two elements: heat-proof (and dishwasher safe) glass and ethically harvested rubber wood. 

Just like ever runner should have a Health - Injuries for long runs, they should also invest in a portable travel mug—and use it while on the go. There are great designs, whether you want the sturdiness of stainless steel, the design of ceramic, or the easy-to-clean quality of glass, so there’s something for everyone.

The article 6 Essential Things Every Coffee Lover Should Do originally appeared on Rodale’s Organic Life.