Which brand of coffee is the Rolls Royce of all coffee?

[SecretCoffeeTv]

From my research, it's Starbucks but that's just my opinion.

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[shadow745]

So yet another that truly appreciates The King of Char...

[Randy G.]

From my research, it's Starbucks but that's just my opinion.

Starbucks isn't even the Geo Metro of coffee. There are a myriad of coffees out there which are far superior to Starbucks. Even considering that tastre is subjective, I still hold that popularity does not denote quality.

[Coffee Lover 1]

My current favorite coffee is the old stand Lavazza. It really has full body and smoothness, not acidic.

[shadow745]

I'm sure there are some great Italian grown/processed coffees available, such as Illy and others, but by the time you buy it here in the US anything great it had to offer is long gone.

I just can't understand why so many think coffees like these are so awesome when most haven't given their local roasters a shot. Nothing beats fresh.

[lachris]

TO original poster...I'd get out there and spend a little money and try as many different coffees and brewing methods as you can. I'm a roaster and I still like buying coffee from other roasters. I love trying coffee from just about everywhere. I love the coffee industry! There is no Rolls Royce in my opinion!

[Randy G.]

Indeed, lachris. Good advice to be sure. One may as well ask, "What is the most comfortable underwear?" as what is the best coffee. You have to try it yourself to find out.
A basic rule is that if the coffee does not specifically show the "Roasted On" date, do not buy it.
If the coffee packaging states, "Best if used by.." or similar wording, do not buy it.

Green coffee is best for about 12 months
Roasted coffee is good for about 12 days
Ground coffee is good for about 12 minutes

If coffee is very dark or oily, it most often is already stale. It is most likely old or was improperly stored between the roasting and when you got it. The dark, oily "espresso" beans seen the the supermarket are a good example of that. Some of these over-roasted blends are created from low-quality beans which are less expensive to purchase green, and over-roasting them burns out the poor flavor so that you taste the roast and not the coffee (in some cases, such as the cheap Robusta from Viet Nam, that's a good thing unless you like the taste of bicycle inner tubes).

If you like Lavazza or Illy, that is just fine, but all coffee drinkers owe it to themselves to try some real specialty coffee, properly roasted, and fresh. Open up the yellow pages or do a google search for coffee shops in your area. Many independent shops now roast for themselves and it may be possible to get some local, fresh coffee that way. It is also a great way to meet some serious coffee folks as well. Armed with some basic knowledge of teh roasting process, strike up a conversation with a ropaster. Most are glad to talk about the craft, and who knows? You may end up a home roaster! Download the Hottop owners manual from the HottopUSA website (I wrote it). It has some very good general information on coffee roasting in it.

I have read that Illy is the number one importer of Brazilian Arabica coffee. I have been using Brazilian as an espresso base for many years now and like it a lot. That coffee is not any more expensive than other coffees, so paying a premium price for Illy (particularly in the US where it is not fresh) does not make sense.

[Coffee Lover 1]

You made a great point. Coffee taste is so subjective, but if one has an educated palette their are many factors that do not go unnoticed. I can tell if the water that is used is fresh clean and pure.

[topher]

personally I do not like pods. I like to grind my coffee myself and keep it fresh. I suggest finding a local roaster or go online and find a roast to order company.

[tortillatree]

Randy, have you tried Tim Horton's coffee? Darn good coffee for a chain.

i wouldn't call their coffee darn good, but i have to agree that for a robusta-blend, they do manage to create a full-bodied cup that's not bitter, and that's impressive. but no undertones, no lingering aftertaste, no magic... plus it's not "responsible" coffee...it's cheap coffee --probably slave-labor type coffee-- that i try not to support. anyway...