Some bonus money went to a fancy coffeemaker that grinds its own beans. Since then, I've tried a lot of fancy beans to get just the right taste. I'm a coffee-lover, but I have to admit: there hasn't been a huge difference to me from bean to bean.
But I just finished about the best cup I've had so far. Maybe it's my palate, mood, whatever. It's hard to believe it's the bean. Yet... it really is the best, yummiest, most robustly-flavorful I've had. But I never would have bought it for myself. I wouldn't even have considered it. Someone gave it to me. Frankly, I used it mainly because, well, it was next. But it was great.
Brand?
Don't laugh.
Dunkin' Donuts.
LATER: Update.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
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Anyone that would think that a grinder/maker combination is as good as separate components would probably not appreciate the difference in beans ... but I'll cut you some slack.
I am hooked on Lavazza because of the hint of cocoa - a perfect blend for my Cohiba Siglo VI if I'm not in the mood for Lagavulin.
I also find Black Cat Expresso Blend by Intelligentsia to be pretty good.
I've heard it's good coffee.
I'll have to give it a go. Right now, I'm enjoying Caribou's Obsidian.
For what it's worth, I've always purchased coffee from online roasters, at humongous discounts from what I find in the local stores (3.60 a pound online vs. 8.00 or more a pound, even at the local Wal-Mart). The roaster I currently patronize tosses in free shipping on orders of 25 pounds or more.
A 25 pound sack (it makes the UPS truck redolent of coffee, according to the drivers who deliver it) last two to three months in the freezer.
Thanks for the taste-test analysis. I saw it stocked at Walmart the other day, but thought it a little too pricey. For the last couple of years or so, I've been using "8 o'clock coffee" pretty consistently. I'll have to give Dunkin a try.
JDK
Hey, any coffee that's good enough for cops is good enough for me.
Starbucks "Africa Mitamu".
Yeah,
I was sort of shocked by that Dunkin Donut coffee too. Some friends of ours back east had it mailed to them monthly so they shared with us at the Bible study. I was blown away - and I am an extreme coffee snob.
When he told me he was making Dunkin Donuts coffee, I rolled my eyes and said something smug like, just pour me a glass of tasters choice or something. Needless to say I was silenced.
Whole Foods has some good coffee, but its a tad expensive. Like you have been given some Christmas money to spend on anything you want and you can spare 30 bucks expensive.
Its the kind of coffee I think where they have to send out expert trained servant boys to climb into deep mountain gorges and then repel down to the tree to harvest the beans. I am telling you, I just finished this pound bag of coffee from Guatemala...dang. I started weeping the other morning when I realized I had only enough to make a couple of cups.
And to that Bill fellow up above, link us to some recommended on line places you frequent. I would like to check them out.
I am a Peet's Coffe fan myself and almost fell over when you said that it was Dunkin Donuts. I've never even seen them sold at the stores. Growing up in MN I used to frequent Dunkin Donuts but never tried their coffee. Where might I find a place that sells it? My wife just went to the store tonight to get groceries and coffee and I hate that I can't tell her where to go now. Bummer. Oh well. Thanks for the recommendation. I'm scared.
That's a great (if sad) story, Fred.
Puritan Man, click on Dunkin' Donuts in the post. It links to their web site.
I love Peet's, too; SO much better than Star$$$. The latter is like a boutique that also has some (burnt) coffee; Peet's DOES coffee, KNOWS coffee, LOVES coffee.
But now I'll be looking for DD when I need some Joe on the road, too.
Dan, I just talked to Mindy about Dunkin Donuts and she said that she has also heard that they have great coffee. You really have my interest peaked.
BTW, I really appreciate your latest blog at Pyro. I would say so over there but I'm not sure how often you guys check the comments section after your blog has been posted for a few days.
Dunkin Donut's coffee is okaaaay. I know a few people that think it's a Tony the Tiger, GREAAAT. I wouldn't call it great. (The donuts on the other hand that's a different story).
The downside of coffee bean grinders for me is that I just sort of fill the grinder with a whole bunch of beans to make a really strong cup of coffee so that when I drink regular coffee it doesn't phase me. I gotta remember, two table spoons of grounded coffee beans (not a half cup of grounded coffee beans) makes one cup of coffee. It tastes real good though that strong cup and I'm still saving a bunch of money.
Try WALMART!!! I saw it at our local store just the other day.
Puritan Man, we try to check for a few days; then we are supposed to close comments when it gets near the bottom of the page.
Now a caveat: I don't know about DD coffee in their stores. I've had Starbucks beans that make fine coffee, but in the store it's nasty. I'm only talking about the bag of beans I got.
It's a critical issue, and I'd never want to steer anyone wrong.
(c;
As a long time drinker of Dunkin' Donuts coffee (and consumer of their donuts since I was born in CT) and a coffee afficionado I can truly say it is the best mass market coffee available. You can get it at Wal-Mart or Safeway stores but only ground. A better option is the automatic delivery from their coffee club online where you can get whole beans as low as about $5 a pound in 5 pound bags. My wife and I have had it shipped to us in Washington State for over three years.
Of course, the coffee alone isn't enough...you have to have the right brewing equipment. DD stores use Bunn brewers so we bought their thermal brewer about 2 1/2 years ago and our brew tastes virtually as good as the DD stores. We also have a grinder that grinds precisely the amount we desire each morning (from 2 to 12 cups). The Bunn produces 12 cups of great coffee in less than 3 minutes!
My husband is from NH and is a huge DD fan. He saw some at the local Target store and bought it. He felt very nostalgic with a cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee. I just can't stand the taste myself. I buy Dark French roast from Trader Joes.
Two online roasters I recommend are Coffee Fool and Branson Bean. I've been purchasing beans from both and always been happy.
I am personally surrounded by naturally caffeinated children all day long and don't feel that I should be drugged with coffee while I am feeding their young minds! However, I enjoy the smell of coffee brewing and when my parents are here for a visit, we cannot be without Tim Horton's coffee - really. We are Canadian and the addiction is very real. Maybe it will be your cup of coffee too - you can buy the beans or ground coffee in large and small tins right at your local Tim's - and in Canada you can even buy it in most grocery stores. Enjoy your brewing bliss!
I've never had Dunkin Donuts, but when my dad was alive, he would visit me and bring donuts, and coffee for himself. I didn't drink it back then. He died when my oldest daughter was 5, and she has fond memories of that. It's too bad my younger daughter was only 6 months old when he passed away, she's the donut girl, lol.
My favorite coffee is Seattle's Best Blend (Bright). I will have to try Dunkin Donuts. I saw it at the grocery store last night.
Thanks for sharing that, Diane. My Dad knew my two older children, but neither of my younger — which saddens me every time I think of it. They'd have loved him, and vice-versa.
I found a page that says that DD beans are in grocery stores, but not which stores. What kind of store did you see it in?
Dan, sorry to hear about that with your father to.
The grocery store I saw it in is called Bi-Lo, here in South Carolina. That's the store I usually shop in, but I'll be sure to look for them in other stores as well. I hope you find a store that carries it in your area.
Dan we found DD at a Target store.
Thanks, Candy, but darn: I hate Target.
How much? I found it at Safeway yesterday, but they jacked it up to $9+ (!) for like 12oz. I'm about to sign up for DD's mail-delivery program if I don't find a better deal in stores.
Hey Dan, I was in Bi-Lo today, and they had DD on sale for $6.99. I don't know if you have Bi-Lo grocery stores in your area, but I thought I'd let you know.
The good news is that's a great price.
The bad news is I've never heard of Bi-Lo.
)c:
Oh well that's a bummer. Based on what you've said, I'm going to try it out.
I can't remember the price Dan. We rarely go to Target. Do you have Trader Joe's in your area? They have a really good dark French Roast. Very good prices too.
Thanks Candy. I finally got in the hated Target, went (as always) to the far side of the store, found it — and at least our Target only has ground DD coffee. Found it at Safeway, but it was grossly overpriced. So I've subscribed to DD's timed shipments.
The Joe's joe -- is it their brand French Roast? They sure do have good stuff.
Yep. Trader Joe's ultra dark forest blend. We like our coffee strong! By the way. Justin Taylor mentioned our pastor on his blog the other day. Our pastor did a series of sermons on emotions. His desire was to put them into a book, and Crossway books is going to publish his book! I want to once again invite you, if you are on the east side of the mountains, to visit our church. I think you would like it. It is Reformed Baptist, very conservative, good teaching. No charismatic stuff :), except some people raising their hands during worship. Another cool thing. Noel Piper is going to be our Women's Conference speaker up at Tahoe in late May/June. So...maybe you guys should come and visit and maybe God will get you guys over on the RIGHT side of the mountains someday.
I'd love if He did that.
Gardnerville? It is conceivable; thanks.
www.gracenevada.com is our website. One of the elders actually lives in Bridgeport and drives an HOUR and a half to church. We just talked last night about hiking down in the Bridgeport area next summer.
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