Coffee people...what is a good brand?

[Cool-Beans]

DH and I don't drink the stuff.

I'm thinking Starbucks (it's really the only one I've heard of), but am wondering if that's all hype or if it is really good coffee. I know that "blends" or "flavors" or whatever are a matter of taste and plan to get a selection...but I just need a good brand.

It's a gift, not something I'm signing on for long term, so I'm not worried about finding something cheap, just something good.

Maybe I should just get a different gift...but I'd have no idea what to get other than coffee...so, please help!!

 

[singingpixie]

I might get one of the lighter roasts from Starbucks as a good general gift- their Breakfast Blend is a good choice. I prefer Starbucks darker roasts, but some people find them too strong.

 

[MNFootballMommy]

Check a local coffee shop. (It doesn't have to be Starbucks.) Most coffee shops and cafe's will sell whole bean coffee and will grind it fresh for you when you purchase it. They can also recommend a good blend for you. I usually go with a French Roast, but they may have a flavor/roast that they specialize in. It may make the gift even more personal.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I think a breakfast blend from Starbucks is a good choice. I also like Dunkin Donuts coffee (sold in grocery stores now).

 

[C.Ann]

Give me good old Folgers.. Anything else will eat a whole in my stomach as if I drank battery acid..

Also, their decaf is the only coffee that doesn't contain formaldahyde (embalming fluid)..

 

[ChristaDeVil]

I like the Folger's Gourmet Blends. They're a little cheaper than Starbucks, and just as good. There's a "breakfast blend" type that's good.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

In my opinion, the Holy Grail for any true coffee lover is 100% Kona Coffee. If you want something really special, order some Kona peaberry coffee. Only about 5% of the Kona coffe beans develop as peaberries. That results in a smooth and mellow, low acidic cup of coffee that's still nicely full-bodied. It's not cheap stuff - about $45 per pound - but you don't typically use as much Kona coffe to brew a pot as you would other coffees. If you go the Kona route, be sure to get 100% Kona, not a Kona blend. If someone were going to give me a coffee gift, Kona coffee is what I'd want.

My favorite:

www.konablueskycoffee.com

Also good:

www.royalkonacoffee.com

 

[Mickeyluver37]

DH got me some fancy coffee once as a gift and I didn't think it was worth the price. I'm happy with my Starbucks! I like Millstone, too, but it's actually more expensive than Starbucks in the grocery store.

I care more about the freshness than the brand, so if you know this person has a bean grinder, do NOT get the beans ground for them!

 

[#1hockeymom]

Gevalia
You can buy it at Gevalia.com. There are all types of gift baskets you can purchase.

 

[MNFootballMommy]

DH got me some fancy coffee once as a gift and I didn't think it was worth the price. I'm happy with my Starbucks! I like Millstone, too, but it's actually more expensive than Starbucks in the grocery store.

I care more about the freshness than the brand, so if you know this person has a bean grinder, do NOT get the beans ground for them!

Mickeyluver brings up a good point. I should have mentioned that in my earlier post. However, if you are unsure as to whether they have a grinder or not, have it ground.

Personally, I dislike Starbucks. I much prefer Caribou coffee--it has a fuller flavor. You can order from their site as well. Caribou coffee dot com (written out as a web address--thanks DIS filter. )

 

[MNFootballMommy]

Give me good old Folgers.. Anything else will eat a whole in my stomach as if I drank battery acid..

Also, their decaf is the only coffee that doesn't contain formaldahyde (embalming fluid)..

Formaldehyde is naturally produced in very small amounts in our bodies as a part of our normal, everyday metabolism and causes us no harm. It can also be found in the air that we breathe at home and at work, in the food we eat, and in some products that we put on our skin.

A major source of formaldehyde that we breathe everyday is found in smog in the lower atmosphere. Automobile exhaust from cars without catalytic converters or those using oxygenated gasoline also contain formaldehyde. At home, formaldehyde is produced by cigarettes and other tobacco products, gas cookers, and open fireplaces.

It is also used as a preservative in some foods, such as some types of Italian cheeses, dried foods, and fish. Formaldehyde is found in many products used every day around the house, such as antiseptics, medicines, cosmetics, dish-washing liquids, fabric softeners, shoe-care agents, carpet cleaners, glues and adhesives, lacquers, paper, plastics, and some types of wood products.

Some people are exposed to higher levels of formaldehyde if they live in a new mobile home, as formaldehyde is given off as a gas from the manufactured wood products used in these homes.
http://www.eco-usa.net/toxics/formald.shtml

Coffee is not the only thing we consume it in, FYI...

 

[Master Mason]

Mickeyluver brings up a good point. I should have mentioned that in my earlier post. However, if you are unsure as to whether they have a grinder or not, have it ground.

Personally, I dislike Starbucks. I much prefer Caribou coffee--it has a fuller flavor. You can order from their site as well. Caribou coffee dot com (written out as a web address--thanks DIS filter. )

If your unsure, buy them a grinder, they are only $15 bucks or so, if they already have one they can use the new one as a spice grinder.

 

[mikehn]

I used to be a starbucks drinker, but after a friend introduced me to Dunkin Donuts, I never looked back. And Costco carries it in bulk

 

[Cool-Beans]

Holy crap. So many responses...so many to pick from!

Thank you all so much.

I don't know about the grinder issue, but I'm doubting it. Maybe I could get that. Sounds like something a coffee drinker might like.

I always say that DISers know everything. No matter what you need to know, people on the DIS will have an answer. THANKS!!!!

 

[Sleepy]

Illy or Kimbo

 

[Cindy's Mom]

In my opinion, the Holy Grail for any true coffee lover is 100% Kona Coffee. If you want something really special, order some Kona peaberry coffee. Only about 5% of the Kona coffe beans develop as peaberries. That results in a smooth and mellow, low acidic cup of coffee that's still nicely full-bodied. It's not cheap stuff - about $45 per pound - but you don't typically use as much Kona coffe to brew a pot as you would other coffees. If you go the Kona route, be sure to get 100% Kona, not a Kona blend. If someone were going to give me a coffee gift, Kona coffee is what I'd want.

My favorite:

www.konablueskycoffee.com

Also good:

www.royalkonacoffee.com

My holy grail is Blue Jamaica. My boss would go to Jamaica every year and bring me back 2-3 bags of that stuff. The one in the blue foil bag. He's retired now - but every March I wish he was still here.

 

[C.Ann]

Formaldehyde is naturally produced in very small amounts in our bodies as a part of our normal, everyday metabolism and causes us no harm. It can also be found in the air that we breathe at home and at work, in the food we eat, and in some products that we put on our skin.

A major source of formaldehyde that we breathe everyday is found in smog in the lower atmosphere. Automobile exhaust from cars without catalytic converters or those using oxygenated gasoline also contain formaldehyde. At home, formaldehyde is produced by cigarettes and other tobacco products, gas cookers, and open fireplaces.

It is also used as a preservative in some foods, such as some types of Italian cheeses, dried foods, and fish. Formaldehyde is found in many products used every day around the house, such as antiseptics, medicines, cosmetics, dish-washing liquids, fabric softeners, shoe-care agents, carpet cleaners, glues and adhesives, lacquers, paper, plastics, and some types of wood products.

Some people are exposed to higher levels of formaldehyde if they live in a new mobile home, as formaldehyde is given off as a gas from the manufactured wood products used in these homes.
http://www.eco-usa.net/toxics/formald.shtml

Coffee is not the only thing we consume it in, FYI...

--------------------

Agreed.. But for me, it's a killer on my stomach - and for most people, that after-taste that they don't like in decaf is the formaldehyde (and thanks for the correct spelling )..

Just for the record, I don't drink decaf too often though.. I prefer the "high test".. LOL

 

[famofsix]

DH and I don't drink the stuff.

I'm thinking Starbucks (it's really the only one I've heard of), but am wondering if that's all hype or if it is really good coffee. I know that "blends" or "flavors" or whatever are a matter of taste and plan to get a selection...but I just need a good brand.

It's a gift, not something I'm signing on for long term, so I'm not worried about finding something cheap, just something good.

Maybe I should just get a different gift...but I'd have no idea what to get other than coffee...so, please help!!

if you have a local coffee shop that sells fresh beans just pick the house blend.

I have found great thrill gifting coffe by supporting the local shop and they usually put it in a fancy bag.

 

[Cool-Beans]

No decaf for him. I think the caf is the whole point. Needs a little before heading off to work or whatever.

 

[BellvilleDad]

If your lucky enough to have a local roaster (we have a couple here in Savannah), you'll probably find a better coffee there than anything Charbucks sells. I tend to lean toward a dark columbian.

As the others have said, whole bean ground at the time of brewing is best.