You can use either, but freshly ground coffee will give you a better flavour. If using pre-ground, ensure it's specifically ground for Cafetière and make sure to keep the ground coffee bag closed to prevent oxidation.
If you have a grinder, we like to recommend grinding only what is needed.
To keep your coffee fresh, buy only what you need and store it in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. It's best to purchase freshly roasted whole beans and grind them just before brewing. Avoid storing coffee in the fridge, as it can absorb other flavours. If you have surplus coffee, you can store it in the freezer, but ensure it's only frozen once to prevent condensation issues.
Roasted coffee is at its peak anywhere from 3 days to 1 month after roasting. While it doesn't go 'off,' it loses sweetness and complexity as it ages. After around 3 months post-roast, there's a noticeable drop in flavour quality.
Here are some great tips and tricks to get the best out of your Cafetière using our coffee. Including a very handy step-by-step guide and video.