Since the March 2009 issue of Consumer Reports offers a coffee taste test, we at Consumer Obsession thought we’d take a look at some of our favorite (and not so favorite) coffees.
It may be fair to call coffee our favorite national addiction. It’s unthinkable for many of us not to fuel up on our chosen brew every morning. It wakes us up. It keeps us going. We need it. But, what actually tastes the best? Is it the $4.00 cup of Starbucks? Or, is it the Maxwell House that’s been served in your family for three or more generations?
Coffee, like anything, is highly subjective. We all respond to different elements of tastes. Something that isn’t so subjective is cost. Most of middle America doesn’t buy a steady supply of Starbucks for their home coffee makers, which is why, aside from Starbucks, Folgers and Maxwell House are America’s best-selling coffees. Let’s see how those and a few other coffees ranked with the Consumer Obsession crew.
While many in our group admitted to stopping by a Starbucks, most stated they often found themselves ordering a concoction other than straight up coffee and would not call themselves frequent purchasers for home brewing. A few said they found the Starbucks coffee a bit too strong and not a favored taste.
The standard Folgers (not the “Gourmet” series) coffees actually didn’t do too bad. While no one proclaimed it a “great” cup of coffee, most thought it to be pleasant enough that they would drink it. Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said about the Maxwell House coffee. In comparison to the others, our tasters didn’t seem to think it measured up. One taster said, “It was bland and seemed less flavorful.”
Up next was the Eight O’clock Coffee, which did very well. Sampling their standard 100% Columbian, nearly all gave it high marks considering the flavor and price. At the end of the day, we had to agree with the Consumer Reports piece, which proclaimed Eight O’clock Coffee the winner.
One coffee that Consumer Reports did not mention was the caffeinated version of the Dunkin’ Donuts blend. This was another coffee that did well in our tastings. Again, the higher price knocks its overall score down a bit, but for taste, it did well.
Tags: coffee, coffee taste test, columbian, consumer obsession, consumer reports, dunkin' donuts, eight o'clock coffee, folgers, maxwell house, starbucks, taste, test
Well, it also depends on how it’s brewed. That’s a big reason why I started grinding my own beans… I find the flavor is consistently better that way. But then again, Eight O’ Clock just may not be right for you, coffee drinker. I know there are a number of popular brands out there that I really do not like, no matter how they are prepared.
Thanks for the comment, Coffee Drinker. While no one complained of a “sour taste,” remember that the price figured into the overall recommendation, too.
I’m surprised Eight O’Clock coffee did so well… I’ve found that their coffee leaves a sour after-taste in my mouth
I have to agree. Eight O’ Clock makes a decent coffee at a reasonable price. I have bought the 100% Colombian, Whole Bean, and ground it myself each time I brewed it, and was happy with the results. If you like flavored coffees, Eight O’ Clock’s hazelnut coffee is pretty good too.