10 Low Quality Coffee Brands Pushed By Grocers & 10 Better Options To Buy
Navigating the Coffee Aisle
Finding a decent bag of coffee at the grocery store can feel like a gamble when you are staring at a wall of bright labels and bold promises. Most of us have fallen for the trap of buying a massive tin of “mountain-grown” grounds only to realize it tastes more like burnt toast than a fresh brew. Grocers often push brands that offer them the best margins, which usually means the quality of the beans takes a backseat to corporate profits.
1. Folgers Classic Roast
This is the quintessential supermarket coffee. The problem is it really does not taste like anything. It usually has a high percentage of filler Robusta beans that have a harsh, rubbery aftertaste.
2. Maxwell House Original
Ever seen the iconic blue tin but never smelled or tasted the advertised “rich, bold coffee”? It is thin. Almost every Maxwell House coffee has an unpleasant sourness to it. They use pre-ground beans and roast them in bulk, which often means your coffee is stale before you crack the seal.
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3. Starbucks French Roast
Starbucks burns their beans into ash then sells it to people who do not know any better. When coffee is roasted that dark, all the delicious flavors that make each region unique are incinerated. You are just left with a bitter bean that smells like your backyard grill.
4. Great Value Classic Decaf
When store brands like Walmart’s Great Value offer coffee, they cut every corner possible to keep the price down, including using the worst beans they can find. And because their decaf process is so harsh, you are often left with a chemical-tasting cup of grounds. Expect to brew at least twice as much to get something that does not taste like water.
5. Nescafé Instant Blends
The plastic jars of powdered coffee do not have the same charm as a freshly ground cup. By turning brewed coffee into crystals that dissolve in hot water, you lose the coffee’s natural oils. Your cup will give you caffeine but none of the aromatics that make coffee smell amazing.
6. Tim Hortons At-Home
Tim Hortons is an institution in Canada. However, the bags of coffee you find in the grocery store do not compare to what you get at the local Timmy’s. There is little consistency to the coffee found at the supermarket, and many reviewers find it too acidic.
7. Dunkin' Original Blend
Much like Tim Hortons above, Dunkin’ mostly uses third-party roasters to produce grocery store coffee. You will probably end up with something that tastes stale or simply does not have the smooth finish you are used to. It will be drinkable with plenty of cream and sugar.
8. Chock Full o’Nuts
This is not your grandfather’s coffee. But “The Heavenly Coffee” tastes like it. Their coffee is pre-ground super early to extend shelf life. They also use “coffee checkers,” which are inferior beans to keep costs low.
9. Hills Bros. Coffee
Another heritage brand that cares more about your dollar than your palate. They roast huge batches of beans at a time, so quality control is nearly impossible. Expect to be met with bitterness and hardly any of that fresh-roasted nuttiness you crave.
10. Nabob Tradition
Their beans are usually older than you think and lack much strength. To compensate, they over-roast their beans, creating a coffee that tastes like they forgot to add water. If you are into tasting the differences between regional flavors, Nabob will taste like one big blur to you.
Now that we talked about some of the worst coffee brands, here are 10 of the best.
1. Stumptown Hair Bender
Stumptown was at the forefront of the specialty movement. The Hair Bender blend boasts notes of dark chocolate and citrus. You will know the second you open the bag. The roasted beans will smell fruity and oily.
2. Peet’s Major Dickason’s Blend
Peet’s has mastered doing dark roasts correctly. They manage to maintain the bean’s richness without incinerating it into a charcoal briquette. This particular blend is known for its smoky complexity and unbelievably smooth mouthfeel that does not vary much from bag to bag.
3. La Colombe Corsica
This brand has recently begun popping up in more mainstream supermarkets. La Colombe specializes in delivering café-quality beans to your home. The Corsica blend is full-bodied with rich chocolate notes.
4. Eight O’Clock Original
This is the best bet for bang for your buck if you are sticking to your basic grocery aisle. This brand has been known to rank high on expert lists time and time again. Not only is it great value, it is also 100% Arabica beans.
5. Kicking Horse
This Canadian coffee roaster has been earning its fans for years. Not only are their beans organic and fair-trade, but they really pack a flavorful punch. The coffee is surprisingly smooth for a dark roast.
6. Café Bustelo
This may be a coffee enthusiast elitist hack. If you like a strong, espresso-style cup of coffee but do not want to cough up $20, this bright yellow can is a wonderful medium.
7. Intelligentsia Black Cat
Yet another “specialty” brand that is becoming more commonly found on grocery shelves. Intelligentsia is one of the most detailed and specific with where their beans come from. The Black Cat espresso blend is sweet and almost syrupy.
8. Caribou Coffee Daybreak
Caribou is a fantastic option if you prefer a lighter roast. This coffee is bright and fruity, without falling into the pitfalls of most “breakfast blends”. It has a nice clean finish and hints of cherry and caramel.
9. Counter Culture Forty-Six
Counter Culture is another high-quality brand that prides itself on sustainable sourcing. They work directly with farmers to ensure they are fighting against unethical coffee production. The Forty-Six blend is dark and smoky, yet there is still a sweet undercurrent that makes it fantastic to drink black.
10. Lavazza Super Crema
Grab one of these blue bags if you want to make truly authentic Italian espresso at home. If your grocery store has an international aisle or an “Italian” section, you will likely find Lavazza there. The Super Crema is blended to create a thick, velvety crema on top.
