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Walking into your local grocery store, you can find a multitude of coffee brands to be consumed on an everyday basis. So, how do they rate against each other? Are there any that give you a bang for not a lot of buck? Of course, there are some folks that will drink anything strong or with half and half, so for them, I present some guidelines for choosing a better coffee along with which ones fall into that category.
If you like your coffee black and with a robust flavor, you can be sure that any darker roast will do. Avoid ones with flavor. If you like your coffee with lots of cream, then you should also pick a darker roast. Lighter roasts are for coffee drinkers that want to taste the different bean varieties – this is easier to do with a lighter roast, though they are harder to find. Beans are always best when you can grind them as you go, if not, then the most airtight packaging around will do on already ground coffees (read how best to store your coffee for tips).
A few of the common suspects:
This one offers sweet and mild tones for a mass produced blend. A bit of a bite at the finish of a sip and a good blend for those who like black coffee. Not overly bright and creamers can dull the overall taste.
Awful and monotone in taste. It’s like the bean was somewhat dirty when it was processed. Unbalanced in aroma and taste. Unevenness may be masked with cream and sweeteners, but black coffee drinkers will not be satisfied; Almost burnt taste and slightly nutty at times.
Sweet and tasty; light cocoa taste that is faint, but not lost; a good mild blend with a slightly roasted finish.
A sweet blend of coffee from Sara Lee with a pleasant tone; distinctly mild and well balanced, but almost loses its aroma in the brewing process.
Absolutely dreadful aroma – musty and mildewy; the tone is bland and distasteful; However, not all is lost, the Royal Signature Blend is a good coffee showing brighter tones and flavor when sipped.
A blend of classic Latin American flavors; a mild roast with bright, fruity tones when it first hits the palate and finishes with a spicy and tangy taste; almost citrus-y tones.
I personally find that Starbucks over-roasts most of their beans, and this one is no different. Slightly charred taste with chicory aftertaste, somewhat smoothed by cream and sweetener. But some folks love their coffee strong and this will certainly quench that desire.
Thanksgiving Coffee Fair Trade Light Roast
Smooth and bright flavored coffee with a flavor that is delightful; a good balance of acidity and roasted flavors while not overpowering the total effect
Although this coffee review list isn’t exhaustive by any means and everyone’s tastes differ, believe me when I say this: a good coffee is one that you should support. I’ve seen many good blends (although not in the grocery store necessarily) fade into oblivion because no one would buy the beans themselves. Support your blend!
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Spencer Hutson says
I love Starbucks French Roast and Seattle’s Best #5 is a favorite as well. Yes I like it dark and strong and my friend who is a coffee roaster says I like it burned. I am looking for other brands that are as good as Starbucks French Roads.
Johanna Lily HarrisDrain says
I found one better .. If you have facebook try this page .. it has info on it .. Smooth taste and good for you.. not over priced either ..
https://www.facebook.com/CrownJewelofCoffee/?fref=ts
Johanna Lily HarrisDrain says
Yes .. I found one
George Marshall says
Nothing compares with the European coffees of France and Germany. Is there an American coffee that comes close?
Johanna Lily HarrisDrain says
Yes .. I found one
sw2cam says
MAXWELL HOUSE Dark Roast. Just made a pot, 4 scoops for 12 cups. Weak and tasteless, not happy with this at all.
Kandace says
I am wondering why it is so hard to find a dark roast flavored coffee? Green Mountain used to make Bold Hazlenut but it has been discontinued. I am looking for an alternative.
Wilu says
I disagree with almost everything the author of this article says. I find all the Maxwell House varieties found in supermarkets to be among the worst I ever tasted: mediocre taste while drinking, muddy nasty aftertaste. I find Folgers to be the best of all the lower priced, off the shelf grocery store coffees. I find all varieties of Starbucks, especially the freshly ground, to be the most enjoyable, with an extra certain “lift” that other coffees don’t have, and which seems to be above and beyond caffeine.
I don’t see how this article’s author got to be considered an expert.
nyccoffeedrinker says
Not a fan of Starbucks. Out of nostalgia I recently picked up a can of Savarin, it’s what my parents drank back in the 1960s. It’s the first time I purchased coffee in a can. I have to say I liked it. I also tried like Gary above to research Savarin on the internet and found virtually nothing–interesting considering how long this brand has been around. The Rowland Coffee website says they go back to 1865, but doesn’t indicate whether that was always their name, nor whether they were the first to market Savarin. The site also says that Smucker’s (most famous for their jams & jellies) acquired Rowland Coffee.
Roger says
To Tony post #50. Try Kicking Horse 454 Horse Power. Great coffee, strong and bold but not bitter.
Rinzler says
Illy Coffee is the best coffee I’ve ever had. As it is fairly expensive, I tend to purchase Caribou’s medium roasts often. Other brands that frequent my coffee apparatuses are Trader Joe’s and Target’s “Archer Farms” blends.
Johanna Lily HarrisDrain says
I found one better .. If you have facebook try this page .. it has info on it .. Smooth taste and good for you.. not over priced either ..
https://www.facebook.com/CrownJewelofCoffee/?fref=ts
Tony says
What is the strongest coffee you can buy that is available in canada
RickH says
In answer to post #10, McDonald’s (at least in my state) buys their coffee from S&D Coffee Co,, Concord, NC. It is a blend made specifically for McDonald’s and isn’t sold directly to the public, except of course at Mickey D’s.
Angela W. says
I had purchased some instant gourmet coffee recently from a child in neighborhood raising money for a fundraiser. The coffee turned out to be very delicious. I orginally purchased it for my husband. I now drink almost as much as he does. It’s called Ganovia. I purchase it now at http://www.wezamzuudou.com try it for yourself.
vani says
Try luwak coffee from indonesia.. Robusta luwak,,and you’ll have diffrent experience..
talissa says
All i have to say is VIDA E CAFFE.
try it and you’ll never want another cup of anything else.