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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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Russ says
Can someone recommend a good decaf coffee?
Diane DF says
I came upon this website during a Google search about why fair trade coffee is so hard to find in local groceries. Does anyone know? I feel so much better drinking fair trade, but don’t like to go to an expensive organic store.
RobbS says
Sue, in Canada, McD’s touted their new brand of coffee as from Higgins & Burke. That company is owned by Mother Parker’s and it is that name that is listed on the Canadian McD website. It may be how it is brewed, but i find my local McD’s coffee to be weak and very bland.
However, the US McD website lists Gavi?±a Gourmet Coffee, located in Southern California. Haven’t been stateside in a while and don’t remember McD coffee from way back then. Hope that helps…
coffeerama says
It seems like a dependable rule with coffee (and other things too for that matter) that you get what you pay for… a ten dollar can of Folgers won’t taste as good as freshly ground beans
Benhameen says
If anyone has been to Key West, they may be familiar with Baby’s Coffee. Best. Coffee. Ever. Ever since vacation down there, I have ordered about a pound of various varieties of their roasts every month. They roast it and I recieve it in the mail a few days later. Every morning I have a few cups of it in my french press. For good coffee, definitely worth the price. Check it out!
Sue says
Does anyone know what brand or kind of coffee McDonald’s uses?
Jerry Delince says
Freshness is always a concern with coffee and supermarket brands are notoriously stale. All that said, coffee is a matter of taste and even I have been known to pick up a tin of Chock Full of Nuts every now and then in a fit of nostalgia. My proffessional advice to every coffee newbie looking for an affordable first step is to establish a relationship with a local roaster or reputable online retailer. Many roasters (myself included) sell quite reasonably priced sample sizes (typically 8 oz – 4 oz) that allow you to cost effectively sample a variety of coffees until you find one that suits your tastes.
Ryan says
I do not particularly like the taste of bad coffee. I am kinda a coffee virgin looking to try some good coffee that will not scare me from coffee drinks. Any suggestions as far as cheap brands go? Based on the above reviews, Millstone and Maxwell House caught my eye.
John says
Was recently in southern Italy and they served a Sense Appeal coffee which is from Toronto. Sounds bizarre but the locals swore by it. The most ridiculous espresso i have ever had. Where can i get this i live in NYC.
Barbara says
Where can I buy Chock Full of Nuts Coffee in Northern California?
blue mountain coffee says
I agree with the reviews on this page. Every so often I will purchase supermarket coffees and conduct some informal tests. I have yet to drink more than a single cup each time. It’s a shame that the physics of coffee works so hard against store shelf coffees.
sam franko says
Thanks Eric, I checked out the torrefazione de luca website and ordered a case of their coffee de luca beens. They arrived in two days and really fresh and good. great tip.
Jersey says
Can someone who administers this site or at contributes try coffee from coffeefool.com and put their opinion of it on here? The best thing about their coffee is that their coffee, when you finally get it at your house, is only days old after roasting, not weeks or months old. :)
eric fultan says
My local coffee shop has Torrefazione De Luca which is one grade better than Palombino. you can check them out at torrefazionedeluca.com
Patrick says
I reside in Northern California and recently returned from a trip to Rome, Italy.
While there I had the best coffee ever and learned that it was Palombino.
Thus far, I have not even had the slightest luck in finding out where I can purchase
this coffee. Have you heard of it? Do you have any idea how I might go about
purchasing some? Thank you in advance.