Some of the best coffee projects we know of got their start on Kickstarter. From...
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!
Some posts on our site may contain amazon affiliate links. We may earn affiliate commission from amazon when you purchase through those links.
sylvie says
Did Maxwell House ever make a blend called “Island Blend”?
terri says
There’s nothing like STARBUCKS – from the MILD to EXTRA BOLD Roast – by far the best in Toronto.
Also NABOB NEW YORK Roast is 2nd best and 1/2 the price.
bikobas says
Illy makes me happy to be alive.
00Billy says
Whats a good coffee for my new cuisinart grinder/brewer. Been drinking Maxwell house for 15 years. Are there Toronto roasters?
RON COLLINS/CANADA says
going back to previous note coffee cream should not be more than 10% other wise cooffee will be to cremeay taste– about max coffee this was the best we could find and a large can cost under ten dollars .on sale some times 1/2 price makes about 24 pots amonth of coffee
tom says
Maxwell house is the worse coffee there is. It’s sour water. Best coffee by far is Chock full of nuts.
Wickett says
Not to sound like I’m just trying to defend Starbucks here, but the French Roast is wonderful. Sure, it is strong and dark, but it is French Roast after all. It’s supposed to be.
Richard Cook says
Community Coffee with chicory is my hands down favorite. Beautiful, black and smooth! Going to order some Du Monde coffee from amazon today and I am sure it will be just as good based on the reviews.
Geni says
Of the brands mentioned I prefer Chock Full O’Nuts. Never makes a bad cup of coffee. Second to that I enjoy Yuban which has a similar flavor. Third, which isn’t on your list is Chase & Sanborn. I can’t wait to try these in a percolator now that I know how!
Susan says
My favorite is Bisbee Roasters, in Arizona, they also deliver in 2 days. When they can get it, the Ethiopian blend is the BEST!
Norma Smith says
Our local stores have stopped stocking decaf Chock Full O’ Nuts coffee. Are there other stores in this area (North Carolina) that stock it?
bonnie says
I have ADHD and have tried every Med. out there very bad side effects. My doctor told me to drink 2 cups coffee in the morning and at noon it has helped me and family have some peace. Careful not to drink to much as it will put you to sleep if you have ADHD.
BJK says
The sad truth about the bulk of readily available mass-market brands of ground coffee (for drip coffee makers) is that they almost universally suck.
I made a discovery upon returning to NYC a few years ago that I wanted to share.
If you live anywhere near where Dominicans, Mexicans, or other Caribean/S. American people live, check out the coffee aisle of their local supermarket.
I bought a vacuum brick (~9 oz) of ‘Cafe Supremo’, labelled ‘Espresso’.
It is a dark roast coffee, but not that finely ground as the ‘Espresso’ designation would imply.
It’s perfect for any simple drip coffee maker, and yields, hands-down, the best coffee I’ve had anywhere.
They charge $3.00 for 2 bricks; I usually buy 10 at a time, keep them in a freezer.
Perhaps they distribute beyond the NYC-metro area.
The company is ‘Coffee Holding Co’: coffeeholding.com.
Similar roasts may be available under different names: investigate, and be rewarded!
Deb says
I’d agree with DN909, drinking freshly made coffee brewed in a good machine makes a difference. Nabob has a darn good Full City Dark coffee that is not only sustainably grown, not as strong and burnt tasting as Starbuck’s French Roast and 1/2 the price! Nabob is getting into organics too. Check out http://www.nabob.ca
DN909 says
For most coffee lovers (who aren’t coffee connoisseurs) most of the major store brands are more than sufficient, providng one brews their coffee properly (clean machine, quality paper filter, cold tap water, etc) and doesn’t leave it sitting on the hotplate. My favorite is Chock Full O’Nuts New York Roast (arabica, dark roast) as well as their French Roast Decaf which is much tastier than most other decafs.