Dear Coffee Companies...
Oct. 5th, 2010 01:19 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
fantastic_jackieAs an average American citizen, I have my daily coffee needs.
I consider myself a moderate fanatic of coffee: I became infatuated with it at age 9, and when I was 17, I discovered Starbucks. Since then, I've tried just about every kind of cold coffee drink out there and had a fairly decent sampling of many hot varieties, as well. Especially this month, when people, as if set on timers, freak out about the Market, coffee is extremely important to me: how else will I make it through all the over time?
At home, I have my preferences when I want to save money or can't make it to Seattle's Best. I've learned how to make many drinks, even if I don't have all the proper appliances. Like most folks, I've even figured out how to brew each various cup of coffee perfectly, whatever my ultimate purposes for it may be.
But lately, It has come to my attention that once you stray into the realm of flavored coffees, the coffee flavor all but vanishes from the bag!
And so, Coffee Corporations, I have a simple question: Is it too much to ask for flavored coffee to actually taste like coffee?
Depending on the Starbucks or, in the case of Seattle's Best, the barista, this seemingly impossible feat of perfect balance is achieved on a daily basis! Conversely at Dunkin' Donuts, the coffee is so strong it utterly annihilates all extra flavors, sweetener, and creamer. But purchase the coffee beans of any of these brands and more, from Dunkin' Donuts to Gevalia, and suddenly all bets are off. The flavored coffee is so weak, it barely even carries the rich scent!
I'm not a fan of robust coffee; I just like coffee to taste like coffee, and I like to change it up every day.
Is there such a thing as decent flavored brew-at-home coffee that still tastes like coffee anymore? I remember the good old days when it wasn't so rare... Could y'all maybe bring that back?
Please and thank you,
A Loyal Customer
I consider myself a moderate fanatic of coffee: I became infatuated with it at age 9, and when I was 17, I discovered Starbucks. Since then, I've tried just about every kind of cold coffee drink out there and had a fairly decent sampling of many hot varieties, as well. Especially this month, when people, as if set on timers, freak out about the Market, coffee is extremely important to me: how else will I make it through all the over time?
At home, I have my preferences when I want to save money or can't make it to Seattle's Best. I've learned how to make many drinks, even if I don't have all the proper appliances. Like most folks, I've even figured out how to brew each various cup of coffee perfectly, whatever my ultimate purposes for it may be.
But lately, It has come to my attention that once you stray into the realm of flavored coffees, the coffee flavor all but vanishes from the bag!
And so, Coffee Corporations, I have a simple question: Is it too much to ask for flavored coffee to actually taste like coffee?
Depending on the Starbucks or, in the case of Seattle's Best, the barista, this seemingly impossible feat of perfect balance is achieved on a daily basis! Conversely at Dunkin' Donuts, the coffee is so strong it utterly annihilates all extra flavors, sweetener, and creamer. But purchase the coffee beans of any of these brands and more, from Dunkin' Donuts to Gevalia, and suddenly all bets are off. The flavored coffee is so weak, it barely even carries the rich scent!
I'm not a fan of robust coffee; I just like coffee to taste like coffee, and I like to change it up every day.
Is there such a thing as decent flavored brew-at-home coffee that still tastes like coffee anymore? I remember the good old days when it wasn't so rare... Could y'all maybe bring that back?
Please and thank you,
A Loyal Customer
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no subject
Date: 2010-10-06 06:52 pm (UTC)I do want to figure out how to make the flavored blends myself, because they're usually not quite right no matter who you buy from. - Like Pumpkin Spice coffee; I'm not too sure how to really do it since they don't sell something like Pumpkin Extract. Vanilla Extract works well, though... I do wonder what would happen if I put some pumpkin in with the coffee grinds.... although my mother would kill me if she ever found out about my experimentation. XD
A superior coffee machine that does all is definitely one of my ultimate goals one day; I can't stand how much I spend on coffee! Although it did occur to me that I spend absolutely no money on alcohol, so... I'm kind of entitled, right? lol
no subject
Date: 2010-10-05 09:02 am (UTC)There's a really good one that you can get at Spanish markets, but I can't remember the name. It has a big rooster on the can.
Costco house blends are surprisingly good and not overwhelming. I think that Starbucks tastes like burnt toast.
no subject
Date: 2010-10-06 06:56 pm (UTC)Costco's blends I think I've tried once... But I don't remember whether I liked it. My favorite coffee brewers are Gevalia & Seattle's Best, although the brew-at-home Seattle's Best can often be burnt-tasting. Gevalia is ridiculously smooth, but they're also kind of pricey since you can only order them online. I completely agree about Starbucks, although it tastes really good cold!
no subject
Date: 2010-10-06 11:50 pm (UTC)Other good ones to try are Tully's, Peet's and City People's. Again, do a search for their distributors.
If you want to try some really awesome coffee, check out the Israeli brand "Elite". You can find it in the kosher section, and in some delis. Even the instant is good, and they make an amazing turkish coffee as well. The regular drip is nice, but not really exceptional.
The nice thing about Elite is that they are in a city that is rocket distance from Lebanon, and you're supporting a small, family based industry that employs people from several towns on the northern border. Elite also makes some really yummy chocolates that can be ordered from www.OhNuts.com.
Chocolate, coffee and anti-terrorism: Three great tastes that taste great together! :-D