[ecuzzillo]

I don't know about circumventing the freshness problem, but I do know that if you introduce chicory to the brewing process and then add milk, it becomes fantastic. See iced coffee here:

http://www.bluebottlecoffee.net/coffee/preparation-guide/

That's also probably the best guide on the internet for coffee preparation, and one of the better places in the world to buy coffee in any form.