Coffee

[bucolic_frolic]

I wanted to buy a low acid, medium roast, and I think Arabica bean coffee. My shopping trip was a fail.

Manufacturers don't label their products very often as to origin or type of beans. Especially with the flavorings, which are not listed either. I suspect we're getting a blend of beans of several origins laced with chemical flavorings. Some coffees are augmented with higher caffeine, we're not told if this is natural or added. Sometimes the caffeine level is stated, sometimes not.

There are many dozens of brands. I could not find one that was transparent so I didn't buy anything.

I have been using MaxBoost 1.25 which is pretty good, I usually like Chock Full O' Nuts regular blend.

I've had sample flavored packs that are gut-wrenching, I put them on my evergreen trees. Same thing with the nations doughnut chain coffee that I consider the worst I've ever had.

I've also had this problem in high quality restaurants. What do they use - coffee of the day? Once it's heavenly. The next time you feel like raging in to the kitchen and advising them to clean the coffee pot.

I am convinced the good coffees are shopped out. I saw nothing but junk on the shelves today. I'm sure some were good brands and coffee at $8 to 14 per 11 ounces, but the packaging did nothing to convince me to buy. Maybe it's just the COVID sellout.

By the way, my regional chain super hiked prices 15% on many items, including flour and margarine. Inflation is coming.

[fierywoman]

1. Are you anywhere near a Trader Joe's?

They have good, consistent organic fair market coffee for $7-8-ish for about 12 oz.

[bucolic_frolic]

7. I think there may be one or two but they're 50 miles away

I could have bought Chock Full 'o Nuts for $3.50, but I'm leery of such a low price and even though I was pleased with the last can, it's 3 years ago and I've read postings online - it's not the same flavor.

I prob would buy Newman's organic if low acid, but the number of his flavors/offerings have dwindled in shelf space.

I think people cover up the flavor with sugar and creamer.

Thanks for the idea, I will keep an eye out, even online.

[Wellstone ruled]

2. Sounds like you are in a need for

100% Columbian Medium Roast. Store shelf coffee brand to try is,Kirkland Colombian,Costco. Starbucks Colombian,look for dollar or two dollar off coupons. If you can find it,Seattles Best Pure Colombian was my go to for the lowest acidic coffee that I sold.

Just a side note,there are three grades when it comes to Coffee Beans and the Major Consumer brands are all blends of what their buyers get a deal on.

I mention the Kirkland brand because it used to be roasted and packed by Continental Coffee of San Francisco,Houston and Chicago which did our Private Label back in the day. Sara Lee owned this company for a few years and sold it to Farmer Brothers of California.

Good luck with your search,hope this helped.

[bucolic_frolic]

5. Yes, thanks for the info

A couple brands to add to my list. I may find a better selection from larger supers nearer to the city. I get kind of end of chain supply. Giant is building a warehouse, meanwhile ... the supply of everything has been a bit off.

[Wellstone ruled]

8. Ah ha,

try this,go to one of the Coffee shops,Starbucks,Seattle,Dunn Brothers and ask for Colombian regular of Supremo,Supremo is just a heavier Roast,then inquire to source of supply. Most Barista's love to talk Coffee and Coffee beans. Ask for a sample.

Good luck.

[dweller]

3. my parents drank Eight O'clock

so i did too, it was what we had... over the years i have gone with premium roasted local bean roasters, flavors and differing perking methods ...
i always went back to 8 o'clock, regular (arabica) whole bean that i grind daily
and perk in a funnel cone auto maker .. i'm 66yo so have had my share of my beverage of choice ..
i have a good friend who travels on business 2-3 times a year to Caribbean Islands for his business ... i'd drop/pickup him at airport and he'd always bring me a pack of local coffee from various areas, i kept them for special occasions for they were sooo good
but my goto is 8 o'clock ... about $10.66 for 36 oz at the local Walmart, or ~$7 for 12 oz in most grocery chains

you might like it

✌🏼

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Wow, was 8 o'clock the house brand of A&P way back in the 60s?

I remember small A&Ps with wooden floors and checkout platforms, high tin ceilings, dim lighting, and coffee you had to get an employee I think to grind the beans into a paper sack on the spot. Butcher in the rear of the store, about 8 foot wide display, cut what you want on the fly.

[dweller]

6. yes, that was the A&P brand way back then

which was probably the only grocer in our area. I worked there as a cashier 1 summer as did my brothers and friends, and then at a Winn-Dixie later ...
Kroger and Big Star came along at some point as did a few other chains, but when i graduated/ turned 18, left for college and never went back except to visit family ... been here in my small liberal enclave since 76ish ...

✌🏼

[eleny]

11. I second your suggestion of 8 o'clock

My family always had 8 o'clock in the red bag. The A&P store had a grinder and you'd grind the whole bag. The fragrance was the best.

We get the k-cups now. But I'm thinking of going with the bagged beans, grinding them a little at a time and using the reusable pod.

I can still remember how dad would brew a pot and I never needed an alarm clock because the coffee aroma got me out of bed immediately.

Btw, this brand in the red bag is arabica and pretty mild. But I don't think it's less acidic. To achieve that I read that a pinch of salt helps. Other work arounds are widely discussed on the web.

[dweller]

12. they also have a French roast which is nice

a Columbian which is robust and an Italian which to me is too bitter, almost burnt
tasting .. i've tried them all ... not sure if all are available in whole bean but may be ... my goto is the whole bean Arabica

available online direct from https://shop.eightoclock.com/Whole-Bean/c/EightOClock@WholeBean

also 2 decafs and a Central Highlands roast, new to me

✌🏼

[Lugnut]

13. I worked at an A&P in the 70s.

8 O'Clock is good coffee IMO.

[yellowdogintexas]

9. If you have a WINCO near by, they have a very nice selection all @ $6.99 a pound

I have found the best choice for low acid coffee is mild roast. WINCO has several unflavored mild roast coffees. These are whole bean coffees that you can grind according to your brewing equipment.

Not a fan of flavored coffee; the closest I get to it is a tsp of cinnamon in the brew basket. I don't like those godawful overly sweet flavored so called creams.

Gevalia has an excellent mild roast, which is now available in groceries.

Starbucks Blonde coffees are a lovely mild roast. There are three different ones; ;they do now have that overly roasted undertaste either.

[marble falls]

10. Buy fair trade coffee. Very good clear labeling and prices are seldom much higher than ...

the major brands, and you can feel good about who's doing the work is making the money, plus a a lot of it is "shade" coffee", saving the forests.

[Wawannabe]

14. I like Starbucks Pike Place

Medium, consistent, yummy!

IMO nothing compares in flavor for home brewing.

[PennyK]

15. Yes to Starbucks

But I buy their Verona. deep and almost chocolatey.