Coffee Recommendation?

Updated on August 24, 2010
K.R. asks from Gilbert, AZ
27 answers

Hi, all -
I'm a coffee lover and am having trouble finding a brand for home use that I like. We make coffee every day, and I make it pretty strong. I enjoy it, but not like the coffee I enjoy after dinner in a restaurant. Why is it that coffee in restaurants has more coffee flavor? Not overly strong or bitter, but just tasts more like coffee? Sounds ridiculous, I know. Does anyone have a brand they brew at home that they particularly enjoy? Something extremely coffee-ish??

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L.C.

answers from Dayton on

I have found that, for me, the blend is more important than the brand. I like my coffee strong, too, and go spoiled why my niece was a barrista at Starbucks. She got a free pound a week and I was the happy recipient of the leftovers.

I like a medium blend. I prefer the Serena Organic from Starbucks and Seattle's Best Blend from Seattle's Best. Seattle's Best owns Starbucks so I feel like I get the same quality for a cheaper price.

I love my french press, too.

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N.K.

answers from Madison on

I think it is very important that the beans are freshly ground. Otherwise, the coffee gets bitter.
I like Kona type beans, and also the brand Alterra. (Well, Alterra doesn't have Kona beans :-))

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M.S.

answers from Portland on

How are you brewing it? I find a french press produces the best results at home. I always make it stronger than suggested since I put milk in my coffee. To me, drip coffee makers are just not the same as french press. Also, I usually buy beans from a local roaster and they are awesome!

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M.K.

answers from Chicago on

The first step in identifying coffee quality is whether the beans are Robusta or Arabica. Lower quality and/or cheaper brands of coffee have some proportion, if not all, of Robusta beans. Robusta beans produce a more bitter brew with less body. High quality coffees are usually 100% Arabica beans. Check the bag/can of beans you are using. If it uses Arabica beans, it will definitely say so. Many people enjoy coffee made from Robusta beans -- and there's nothing wrong with those beans. However, restaurants generally stick with Arabica beans.

After that fact, the quality of your water and the "cleanliness" of your coffee maker are critical. Use fresh, filtered water when you brew. And make sure you clean your coffee maker on a regular basis with vinegar to remove hard water deposits. And, of course, always wash your filter and coffee pot with soap after each use to ensure that any remaining oils from the previous batch are removed. The residual oil becomes bitter over time.

Then it all becomes a matter of taste! Try different coffee beans from different places. The majority of people find that moderate blends of different beans (a "county blend" or "breakfast blend," with medium roast) are the most palatable. I prefer coffees that are roasted at higher altitudes -- this allows a deep, dark roast without any burnt flavor from the extended roasting process. (Starbucks is roasted in New York...which accounts for the burnt taste.)

Have fun!! Many, many years ago (life before Mommyhood), I was a barista at an independent coffee shop.

3 moms found this helpful

H.V.

answers from Cleveland on

Are you more of a Starbucks coffee or Dunkin Doughnuts Coffee fan??
I could recommend a few kinds, but need to know what you consider "strong' :)
I've been a barista for YEARS and LOVE LOVE LOVE coffee.
I seriously could drink it all day.

The reason is tastes so much better in a restaurant or so depends on a few factors.
Important things to remember when brewing coffee...
1.use GOOD water *water can & will change how good the coffee tastes*
2.Make sure the Grind is the right kind for the coffee maker you have
3. Make sure the proportion of coffee to water is correct for your pot.
4. freshly ground will ALWAYS taste better than the sealed stuff from the grocery store.

3 moms found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

We purchase a type of coffee not an actual Brand.

We love Sumatra Organic for regular cups of coffee.

For an espresso based drink, instead of espresso beans we like a French Roast.

I do special events and anytime I am in charge of the coffee, I purchase the
"Seattle Mountain" Brand from Costco. I literally get requests for the name of the coffee every time.

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T.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

I'm surprised no one mentioned 8 O'Clock coffee. I used to use a few different brands, but switched to 8 O'Clock after someone recommended trying it. Also, I switched to using a percolator, the taste improved 10 fold.
Enjoy your morning brew!

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D.W.

answers from Norfolk on

Dunkin donuts is the kind we use daily! YUMMY!

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T.C.

answers from Tucson on

I agree that coffee is better with freshly ground beans. I use the Cuisinart Grind and Brew coffeemaker that grinds the beans right before brewing the coffee. I buy my coffee from Costco. But the best cup of coffee I've ever had is from a place in Goodyear called Ground Control. They roast their own beans and you can order them online. Here is their website: http://www.groundxcontrol.com/store/ (And for the record, I am not affiliated with them in any way and never have been. They just have really good coffee!)

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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

My husband LOVES the 7-11 coffee. You can by it in bags at 7-11. He also likes Green Mountain.

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A.F.

answers from St. Cloud on

Ooooh! My favorite subject! Seriously.....I love coffee! And I have gone through dozens of brands and roasts trying to find the best.

My favorite....hands down, is Peace coffee. A-Ma-Zing stuff. I also like Whole Foods Great Lakes blend. Mmmmmm. Delicious! Nice and strong without the bitter taste.

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D.H.

answers from Indianapolis on

I would try Dunkin Donuts........go to one of the stores to check it out first.......or try Starbucks........you can both of those at a store now.....I prefer Dunkins........it's smooth......

Folgers also makes some special coffee now that isn't too bad either.........sometimes I combined the Folgers with the Dunkins for a different taste as well.......

Play around, you'll find something you like......good Luck and take care.

J.G.

answers from San Antonio on

I had no idea that the water will change the flavor of my coffee. Can't wait to pour filtered water into my coffee pot tomorrow morning! I THOUGHT it tasted better when I went to California - my MIL who we were visiting uses RO water. I've been using TAP water.

Thanks so much for posting this question. I learned a lot!

BTW I did not like the Dunkin Donuts nor the 8:00. My brother LOVES the 8:00, so I guess to each his/her own. I love he HEB brand (grocery store here in Texas). They have a "Texas Pecan" flavor I love. Also, I have started to add caramel to my coffee. Got it at Sonic and it was wonderful! Thought I'd try doing it myself for cheaper.

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H.F.

answers from Tucson on

We love Gevalia. My husband likes coffee much stronger than I do, and he finds he can't use as much of the Gevalia as other coffees because it gets too strong! It really is about personal preference though... hope you find one you like!

J.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

I buy Maxwell House or The Coffee Bean and Tea Co. (either whole beans or pre-ground). Love, love, love. Coffee is probably my addiction. =)

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J.J.

answers from Phoenix on

Ok, I'm not a big coffee drinker, but my husband and everyone at his office loves Anthony's coffee. www.anthonyscoffee.com It is a store in Paia, Maui. They have coffee grown right there in Maui that is fantastic. He usually gets the Anthony's Blend

T.N.

answers from Albany on

I use 8 oclock from the grocery store too, grind the beans at home every couple of days....I especially like the colombian in the brown bag, I agree with the perc suggestion but am too lazy in the morning to deal with it...use a regular kitchenaid drip machine

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C.V.

answers from Phoenix on

I like illy coffee. It's a little pricey, but good! They carry it at Williams Sonoma, AJ's and my favorite little coffe place, Seattle Expresso! They are located on Ray Road just west of the I-10 (by Target), on Val Vista and Guadalupe (ne corner) and Warner and McClintock (ne corner).

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M.H.

answers from Albuquerque on

Community Coffee DARK Roast!!! We are from Louisiana and moved to NM in 2001. We have had our coffee shipped to us since we moved here! It costs less than $6/lb and that's WITH shipping!!! Way less than the "ground it yourself" stuff in the grocery stores...plus it's delivered to your front door! Hope you try it!!
www.communitycoffee.com

C.S.

answers from Medford on

might sound wierd, but the coffee I like the best for home brew is the BEST VALUE from walmart. I have tried a lot a brands (I hate foldgers)...and they have the best "coffee" taste. Its cheap but its better than even safeway. :)

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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

Ditto.. ALWAYS use bottled water or filtered water... you'll be amazed at how it changes the flavor:

Espresso Machine
- ILLY (sooooo yummy... silver can, red lid. Got hooked on this espresso in Rome. )

For the french press my favorites are
- Starbucks Casi Ciello (only available a few time a year)
- Starbucks peaberry varieties (changes where they get them from)
- Starbucks Sulawesi

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C.L.

answers from Phoenix on

We like Gevalia. It's mail order and they are always running specials to start. They have several different flavors to choose from. Check out www.gevalia.com.

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B.A.

answers from Chicago on

Starbucks french roast. We get it at Target for $3 less per bag than the price at the grocery store. Strong and full flavored.

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T.L.

answers from Phoenix on

I tell every coffee lover about this delicious brew-Seattle's Best Organic French Roast. You have to get the organic, really makes a big difference.
Enjoy!

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C.O.

answers from Sacramento on

I am a Peet's person myself...and you can mail order and they have samplers. I also reccomend getting the whole bean, grinding it fresh at home and using a coffee press.

B.F.

answers from Phoenix on

I get my coffee at Trader Joe's or Sprouts. I love the Jamaican Blue Mountain, since I had it as 19 year old in Jamaica. Moving here from Europe, where there is the real gourmet coffee, I was disgusted with the way coffee was brewed. It tasted like ditch water to me.
Trader Joes's French Roast is a good option too.

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L.B.

answers from Stockton on

We use Yuban and it's funny but people always ask what coffee brand I use because they like it so much. I too like my coffee nice and strong. Keep it fresh and use filtered water.

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