Coffee: Reviews

In blind taste tests, Eight O'Clock 100% Colombian is praised for its smooth, bold flavor. Tasters appreciate its toasty aroma and nuttiness. It's neither too dark nor too light, with good body, especially considering its… low price. Eight O'Clock uses 100% Arabica beans, which are considered more flavorful than cheaper Robusta beans used in most supermarket coffee. However, one review comments that the taste can vary from batch to batch.

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If you like your coffee on the lighter side, Dunkin' Donuts pre-ground 100% Arabica coffee gets good scores from coffee drinkers for its smooth, "classic" taste. We did read some reports that Dunkin' Donuts coffee can… vary from batch to batch, but among ground coffee, it scores much higher than other supermarket brands like Folgers and Maxwell House. Today Show food editor Phil Lempert prefers Dunkin' Donuts coffee to Starbucks pre-ground coffee, which Lempert and others find to be too bitter.

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In blind taste tests, coffee drinkers generally find dark roast Starbucks coffee to be too bitter. Rather, we found better endorsements overall for Millstone Columbian Supremo. Although still considered a dark roast… coffee, Millstone is considered smoother and better balanced without the bitterness that's common of many French roast and dark roast supermarket coffees.

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We didn't find many reviews or taste tests of decaffeinated coffee, but Wal-Mart's Great Value house brand gets solid scores for value and taste in one major comparison test, along with a smattering of user reviews. We… also found decent scores for Eight O'Clock 100% Columbian decaf (*est. $5 per 12-ounce bag of whole beans), which costs a bit more, but is said to taste as good or better as some regular coffee.

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Certified Fair Trade coffee complies with guidelines set forth by U.S. and international organizations committed to advocating living wages, sustainable agriculture and democratically run farms. While there are many small… roasters specializing in Fair Trade and/or organic coffee (organic coffee is grown without the use of chemicals), few are available nationally in supermarkets. Green Mountain Roasters is easier to find than most, and its Fair Trade organic Yirgacheffe coffee wins taste tastes for its depth and balance. This is a medium-bodied coffee available as whole beans or pre-ground.

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