1. Posted by Jerry on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 12:51 am PST

Never knew there were so many intricacies involved in judging a coffee, just thought taste was the criteria.....

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2. Posted by Mister X on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 11:15 am PST

Am just recently learning and enjoying coffee. Good article. I will become a coffee snob like I have become a beer snob! Educating myself.

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3. Posted by MiSsTrEsS_DaRkNeSs on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 11:20 am PST

Very well written. I would like to think of myself as a coffee connoisseur, as I have been working for a popular world class coffee house for 2 years now, and I am amazed by how many people can't tell the difference between maxwell house and a high end cup of coffee. It could also be because I am exposed to it on a daily basis, and have participated in many coffee tastings. But I suppose it would be the same to someone working in a restaurant who could tell the difference between fresh food, and that which has been sitting out for hours. It's all conditioning of the taste buds, and I beleive you acquire and perfect that skill over time.

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4. Posted by JD on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 11:34 am PST

"Can there be a universal right or wrong when it comes to determining personal taste? Aficionados who make tasting brews their business would like to think there is." Now someone is telling me i can be wrong when determining my PERSONAL taste??? OMG..and all these years potentially wasted not eating asparagus, before checking with someone to see if i can be trusted to decide i dont like it...

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5. Posted by itsallgoode1 on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 11:35 am PST

Love espresso lol

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6. Posted by Axel on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 11:39 am PST

This is what people worry about?

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7. Posted by Marcus H on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 11:40 am PST

Very true JD. I love how someone has created a standard for good coffee, seeing as how it's subjective and all based on personal taste. If you think the coffee from duncan donuts tastes good keep drinking it, nobody should think that they suddenly have to start buying highend coffee.

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8. Posted by Marcus H on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 11:44 am PST

Also I think people like fancy themselves on drinking highend coffee, beer, or wine. I'll admit I have tried loads and loads of beers and have come to love some that aren't exactly your typical grocercy store bought brands, but I drink them because they all have different unique flavors and bodies. Not because I think I haven't drink the most expensive beer or put down others for their poor taste.

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9. Posted by ourbirchwood on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 11:51 am PST

I live in Alaska. My coffee of choice comes from a small local company called Kaladi Brothers. It is not just the bean and where it came from but it is in the roasting process. Theirs is a unique process that enhances the natural flavor of the bean with out burning. Come to Alaska and check it out! My fav is French roast but they carry a multitude of coffee types and flavors. This company also supports the coffee farmers and local charities. LJA Anchorage,Ak

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10. Posted by Dinkus McFee on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 11:55 am PST

Guess what? this means a lot less of us will be drinking Starbuck$ OR Green Mountain for that matter. I personally don't see the reason for the "popularity" of GMCR. I think it's garbage. As with most things, make it @ home to your own liking and you'll never pay too much nor be displeased with it.

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11. Posted by nukular_strategery on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 11:57 am PST

Warning: Plastic drip coffee makers may release harmful estrogens that cause hormonally driven cancers. This is because water is heated in plastic.

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12. Posted by evilynb@att.net on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 12:01 pm PST

I love Peets and highly recommend their quality

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13. Posted by celtic313 on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 12:07 pm PST

A pretty good article with one exception. Over roasting completely masks the best coffee flavors. Starbucks is learning this the hard way. People tend to NEVER drink Starbucks w/o something added to cover the burnt/acid notes--so the expensive bad coffees are losing customers.

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14. Posted by GEORGE P on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 12:16 pm PST

Maxwell House is to bitter, Starbucks is to expensive !! I found a great alternative new roast ( Highland Estates ) offered at www.VarietyCoffee.com . My favorite is the 2 oz Columbian !!

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15. Posted by pap0618 on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 12:17 pm PST

DUNKIN DONUTS IS THE BEST!!! CASE CLOSED!!!!!

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16. Posted by Goddess on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 12:21 pm PST

Here in Portland (Or) we have our share of coffee houses, but the best by far is "Stumptown". They roast their own beans daily and the quality is second to none. Voted 2006 Coffee Roasters of the Year by Roasters Magazine.

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17. Posted by goofykgirl on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 12:24 pm PST

I agree with evilynb@att.net I LOVE Peet's. You can taste the difference anytime, in any cup. YUMMY

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18. Posted by Monica Salyer on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 12:49 pm PST

I agree completely with the author re: the importance of bean quality and roasting as the foundation for making a great cup of coffee. I don't have a very good sense of smell, but even I can tell the difference between those national brands (Folger's, etc.) and the smaller, specialty beans. No matter the quality of the bean, *how* the coffee is produced will make or break that cuppa. My preference is a French press, which seems to have the magical ability to brew great coffee from even a mediocre quality bean.

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19. Posted by fireincorporatedheat on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 12:49 pm PST

LOL Axel...really!

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20. Posted by Ange on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 12:51 pm PST

I agree with Goddess. We have Stumptown coffee all over Seattle, and my husband (a native of Italy) agrees that it's the best coffee in the city!

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21. Posted by Jennifer H on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 12:53 pm PST

I've developed a fondness for Gevalia brands, but they can get expensive especially if you are on an automatic shipment program. Their flavored coffees are excellent. I am a fan of Starbuck's for their special coffees. But for a good old reasonably cheap cup of coffee, I still stop nearly every morning for a good ol' cup of Joe from McDonald's! They're new premium coffee is the BEST, hot or cold, hands down!

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22. Posted by johnjamesfiore on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 12:57 pm PST

www.romelimousinebyjohn.com In Italy I run a car service so no drinking but coffe all day long to help the lang hours in the limo Mercedes Viano for touring clients inside Vatican from the port of Civitavecchia Port. In Italy we drink mostly espresso coffee thus the taste is strong always.

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23. Posted by vefthy on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 1:03 pm PST

I love dunkin donuts coffee. Can't stand starbucks

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24. Posted by gdog3gtb on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 1:06 pm PST

I enjoyed this article. I don't quite understand why there aren't more coffee and beer snobs around. The simple pleasures are much richer in their purest forms. Peche Lambic anyone?

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25. Posted by gdog3gtb on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 1:11 pm PST

Jennifer H, I wish I had the time to break it down to you. I don't know where you live. Thus, I can't suggest coffee spots. However, give your local coffee shops a try. Starbucks and McDonalds don't have good coffe. Starbucks is the fast food of coffee. Avoid McDonalds like the plague.

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26. Posted by Mitty2009 on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 1:13 pm PST

Well, I'm from PR and our coffee is the best since it's pure and no other beans or additives are in it. That's what I've been told of coffee all my life. I live in the states now and since it's hard to find real PRican coffee, I've gotten use to American coffees, but when a family member brings me that Cafe Yaucono or Cafe Crema my house fills with aromas so powerful that everyone wants a cup of coffee. :)

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27. Posted by randikash on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 1:17 pm PST

I read recently that McDonald's coffee is Seattle's Best Coffee, or SBC. This was my favorite when I used to travel in the Pacific Northwest. Although they have been bought by Starbucks, I still think it is a good coffee and a good bargain if you are on the go. Also, people I know in the Pacific Northwest used to call Seattle the Capital of Burnt Coffee, referring to Starbucks. I agree. I don't know why they don't realize that. It is also a testament to good advertising. Although it is better than drinking watery in-law kitchen coffee, it's still not the best. Here in N. Minnesota we have a local roastery (Duluth) called Alakef. Fantastic! I also love Caribou, a Minnesota chain. I used to think they should be jailed for high caffeine content, but now I am "hooked"!

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28. Posted by Beulah168 on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 1:26 pm PST

GO DUNKIN DONUTS!! DOUBLE D REPRESENT!

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29. Posted by Raza A on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 1:31 pm PST

This is just like all the wine and beer 'connoisseurs' thinking that everyone else is low class for drinking what they like. These people should be punched in the face. Can't people keep their snobbish opinions to themselves and leave us 'poor slobs' alone??

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30. Posted by amandank75 on Wed, Dec 17, 2008, 1:32 pm PST

The Thanksgiving Coffee Company has a fabulous selection of delicious coffees from small farms and cooperatives: "not just a cup, but a just cup." www.thanksgivingcoffee.com

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