Mornings can be hard! To make them better, we set out to find the best coffee brands for our daily routines. Find out which grocery store-bought option took the coffee crown.
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For most working folks, starting the day with a cup of coffee is as essential as brushing your teeth or combing your hair. It’s an absolute must before you walk out the door. But when it comes to the coffee itself, everyone has a preference. Some people love the bold taste of a dark roast while others like the brightness and acidity of a blonde roast. Others (myself included!) love a good cafe-style drink like these.
Roasts and caramel drizzles aside, some beans just taste better than others. But which beans are actually best? I grabbed a few java addicts and put seven popular brands to the test–the blind taste test, that is. Putting seven medium-roast ground coffees head-to-head, only a few things were sure: we’d get quite the caffeine buzz and maybe find a new favorite brew.
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We sampled Caribou Coffee, Dunkin’ Donuts, Eight O’Clock, Folgers, Maxwell House, Peet’s Coffee and Starbucks medium roast coffees, and opted to choose our top three (though we knew it would be difficult). Read on to find out which coffees came out on top.
3. Eight O’Clock The Original
Score: 5.3/10
“This coffee has a nice mild flavor but is still a bit bitter.”
Looking at the package of Eight O’Clock medium roast coffee, it promised a sweet, fruity and well-balanced flavor. Tasting it blindly, though, we had a slightly different experience–though not in a negative way! Instead of that advertised sweetness, we got a flavorful coffee that tasted like it had just came out of the roaster. We’d take that!
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2. Peet’s Coffee Cafe Domingo Medium Roast
Score: 6.5/10
“There’s a nice, consistent flavor here.”
After brewing a pot of Peet’s Coffee, testers commented on the nice, roasted aroma coming from the kitchen. This was the coffee smell many wanted to wake up to in the morning. When it came to taste, the coffee was super smooth with no bitter aftertaste. A few of us detected a slight nuttiness rounding out the full-bodied flavor. We’re buzzed about this!
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1. Starbucks Pike Place Roast
Score: 6.6/10
“It tastes fancy!”
Edging out Peet’s Coffee by one-tenth of a point was coffee classic Starbucks. Pouring the coffee chain’s popular Pike Place blend, we picked up on the fresh-roasted scent and subtle hint of sweetness. The taste of this brew lived up to its irresistible aroma. We tasted a strong, full-bodied coffee with notes of cocoa and even nuts–all in perfect balance. After the test, a few of us went back for a second cup of our winner.
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The Takeaways
You get what you pay for.
For the most part, this old saying held true. The less expensive brands, like Maxwell House, didn’t break into our top three favorite coffees. On the other hand, pricier brands, like Peet’s and Starbucks (costing $9.79 and $6.99 respectively), got high praise. These blends were smooth, full-bodied and just plain tasty. Of course, choosing your favorite coffee isn’t just about taste–sometimes you got to go with what you’re comfortable spending.
It depends on what you’re looking for.
We realize that not everyone is a coffee connoisseur. Some people drink coffee just for that daily jolt of caffeine, while others brew a pot to savor every single drop. If you’re in the first camp, the specifics might not be incredibly important. In that case, a good, inexpensive coffee like Folger’s or Maxwell House will serve you well. However, if you’re having company over for brunch, you might want to splurge on one of our higher ranking (and higher priced) choices.
Coffee picks are personal.
While our coffee testers generally agreed on our top and bottom picks, many of us also commented that we preferred the bean we already had stocked at home–whether they were locally roasted or national coffee brands. With so many great coffee roasters close to home and a seemingly infinite amount of varieties at our local grocer, we knew that we barely scratched the surface with this test.
One thing we know for sure, though: every single one of these cups of joe would have benefited from a generous slice of coffee cake.
I love the excellent texture of this easy coffee cake recipe. Always a crowd-pleaser, its pleasing vanilla flavor enriched by sour cream may remind you of breakfast at Grandma's! —Eleanor Harris, Cape Coral, Florida
Blueberries and Cream Coffee CakeThis blueberry coffee cake is my go-to recipe for all of our holiday get-togethers because it's perfect for breakfast or dessert. It's easy to make, and it's the most delicious coffee cake I've ever had. —Susan Ober, Franconia, New Hampshire
Apricot, Almond & Pineapple Sour Cream Coffee CakeI created this pineapple sour cream coffee cake recipe for a contest at the Los Angeles County Fair in the 1980s. My kids were very proud of me when my name was called out for first place. The coffee cake would be the perfect partner for your morning coffee or a delightful dessert with a scoop of ice cream. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
Berry-Topped Coffee CakeThis tasty, wholesome coffee cake is loaded with fresh berries. It's perfect for those with a sweet tooth. —Heather O'Neill, Troy, Ohio
Maple Bacon Walnut Coffee CakeWake up the sleepyheads in your household with this moist, tender coffee cake that’s both sweet and savory. Bacon and nuts in the crumbly topping blend with flavors of maple, nutmeg and cinnamon. Yum! —Angela Spengler, Clovis, New Mexico
Cream-Filled Cinnamon Coffee CakeRepeat guests often phone ahead to request my cinnamony coffee cake for breakfast. You can prepare it in advance and refrigerate, or welcome company with its fresh-baked aroma. —Arlene Wengerd, Millersburg, Ohio
Maple Twist Coffee CakeIf you like maple flavor, you will love this recipe. It is so pretty with all the twists and is always a hit at bake sales I have brought it too.—Deanna Richter, Elmore, Minnesota
Caramel-Pecan Monkey BreadThe kids will get a kick out of pulling off gooey pieces of this delectable monkey bread. It's hard to resist a caramel-coated treat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee CakeHoliday breakfasts would not be the same at our house without this delicious coffee cake. Whenever I take it anywhere, everyone raves about it and wants the recipe. —Susan Walschlager, Anderson, Indiana
Lemon Pull-Apart Coffee CakeI found this recipe in a newspaper and make it often. I like to bake this coffee cake when unexpected company stops in and I need something speedy to go with a cup of coffee. —Mary Tallman, Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin
Caramel Nut Breakfast CakeI first tasted this incredible coffee cake when a kind neighbor brought it by. It was so good that my brother-in-law tried hiding it from us so he wouldn’t have to share. —Arlene Isaac, Crooked Creek, Alberta
Chocolate Chip Coffee CakeI've been making this special breakfast treat since I was a teenager. With chocolate chips and cinnamon in the middle and on top, it never fails to please all ages. —Trish Quinn, Middletown, Pennsylvani
Raspberry Crumble Coffee CakeDon't be "intimidated" by the recipe directions for this coffee cake—it really isn't difficult to make. Try it sometime as a nice brunch item. Don't limit it to that, though...it's also a delicious dessert.—Shirley Boyken, Mesa, Arizona
Swedish Cream Apple RingsMy mother made this classic coffee cake for every important holiday... Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Now, I carry on the tradition. As I make them, I remember my mom, who was a lot like this recipe: soft and tasteful but full of surprises. The overnight rise let's you make the dough in advance so your morning won't be hectic.—Heather Hood, Hillsboro, Oregon
Make-Ahead Coffee CakeThis is a wonderful timesaver because it's assembled the night before. My kids think the nutty topping, sweet glaze and from-scratch cake make it the ultimate treat. —Cindy Harris, San Antonio, Texas
Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee CakeAlthough my coffee cake makes a large pan, it never lasts very long! It's great for a Sunday brunch after church and nice to bring to family reunions, too. —Dorothy Morehouse, Massena, New York
Poteca Cake“Rock Springs is home to 56 nationalities, and this recipe showcases its Slavic heritage. It’s one of my favorite ethnic holiday treats.”
—Rachelle Stratton
Rock Springs, Wyoming
Sour Cream Streusel Coffee CakeI like that I can use delicious Wisconsin sour cream in this recipe. This coffee cake tastes wonderful and feeds a crowd, so it's perfect for a morning meeting or for breakfast with overnight company. —Sandra Munyon, Watertown, Wisconsin
Cranberry Crumble Coffee CakePeople are delighted to find the ruby cranberry sauce swirled inside this tempting coffee cake. With the crumble topping, moist cake and tangy filling, it won't last long! —Jeani Robinson, Weirton, West Virginia
Rhubarb Sour Cream Coffee CakeWith a tart kick from fresh spring rhubarb, this coffee cake is an irresistible way to start the day—or end it! —Roberta Schauer, Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Caramel Bubble RingLots of caramel and ice cream topping make this quick pull-apart bread oh so gooey and delicious. It truly is a finger-lickin' good baked good.—Laura Clifton, Wenatchee, Washington
Creamy Cranberry Coffee CakeChopped cranberries and orange peel give this coffee cake bursts of tart flavor, but a cream cheese layer on top sweetens it nicely. It's so lovely, you'll want to serve it when company comes.
-Nancy Roper, Etobicoke, Ontario
Almond Apricot Coffee CakeThe nutty aroma and delicate fruit flavor make this cake special enough to serve to company. Strawberry or raspberry preserves can be used as a tasty variation. —Sharon Mensing, Greenfield, Iowa
Buttercup Squash Coffee CakeMy father grows a large buttercup squash patch, so each fall, I get an ample amount of his harvest. I make this treat to share with my co-workers. They rave about the moist cake, the crunchy streusel and the applesauce between the layers. —Mary Jones, Cumberland, Maine
Cinnamon Swirl Quick BreadWhile cinnamon swirl bread is a natural for breakfast, we love it so much we enjoy it all day long. This is a nice twist on traditional cinnamon swirl yeast breads. —Helen Richardson, Shelbyville, Michigan
Rich Chocolate Chip Coffee CakeWhen I was a teacher, this recipe was recommended by one of my student's parents. I've made it so many times, I can't imagine hosting a brunch without it. Chocolate chips add sweet bursts of flavor to the rich and tender coffee cake. —Michelle Krzmarzick
Torrance, California
Apple Pear Coffee CakeA friend gave me this apple pear coffee cake recipe to make for a breakfast I was hosting. The pan was empty before the breakfast was over! It's one of my most-requested recipes, probably because it's a bit different. —Joanne Hoschette, Paxton, Massachusetts
Blueberry Streusel Coffee CakeThis blueberry coffee cake smells wonderful as it bakes and tastes even better. The moist cake filled with juicy berries and crunchy pecans is a family favorite. It never lasts long at our house. —Lori Snedden, Sherman, Texas
Upside-Down Banana Monkey BreadEveryone digs in to monkey bread thanks to its pull-apart shape. We add banana slices and pecans to top this already scrumptious showpiece for a brunch or family gathering. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts
Maple Nut Coffee CakeEvery time I make this coffee cake for the holidays or church functions, the pan is emptied in a hurry. People rave about it. —Rosadene Herold, Lakeville, Indiana
Apple Coffee CakeTart sour cream flavors this moist apple cinnamon coffee cake covered with brown sugar and crunchy nuts. The yield is two pans, so you can serve one and freeze the other for a busy morning or unexpected company. —Dawn Fagerstrom, Warren, Minnesota
Cranberry Banana Coffee CakeI make this moist cake for Christmas morning every year. It tastes like banana bread but has a sweet golden topping with a nutty crunch. —Gloria Friesen, Casper, Wyoming
Apple Pull-Apart BreadFor a fun sweet treat that's certain to satisfy, try this recipe. Drizzled with icing, each finger-licking piece has a yummy surprise filling of apples and pecans. It's well worth the bit of extra effort. —Carolyn Gregory, Hendersonville, Tennessee
Rhubarb Berry Coffee CakeI rely on a cake mix to speed the prep for this moist streusel-topped dessert that pairs tart rhubarb with sweet strawberries. It's great all by itself, but feel free to add some frosting or ice cream. —Jackie Heyer, Cushing, Iowa
Overnight Cranberry-Eggnog Coffee CakeTo use up leftover eggnog, cranberries and pecans from the holiday season, I added them to a classic coffee cake recipe. Mix it all together the night before, and bake it in the morning. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
Lemon Pull-Apart Coffee CakeI found this recipe in a newspaper and make it often. I like to bake this coffee cake when unexpected company stops in and I need something speedy to go with a cup of coffee. —Mary Tallman, Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin
Blueberry KuchenIn the summer, we can get beautiful, plump blueberries, which I use in this easy-to-make coffee cake. I like to freeze extra blueberries so I have them available anytime I want this treat. —Anne Krueger, Richmond, British Columbia
Pretty Cranberry Coffee CakeCranberries make this coffee cake a beautiful quick bread that's perfect for the holidays. For extra shimmer, we add a drizzle of almond-flavored glaze. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Danish Coffee CakesI think that as long as I’m in the kitchen baking I might as well make enough to share. This traditional recipe gives me three cheese-filled coffee cakes drizzled with a sweet vanilla icing. —Sheri Kratcha, Avoca, Wisconsin
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