Is there a significant difference between generic coffee and expensive coffee?

1. 78

   Earl S. Wynnposted 13 years ago

   Is there a significant difference between generic coffee and expensive coffee?
   
   Is there a significant difference between generic coffee and more (for lack of a better term) designer coffee (like Starbucks?)
   
   

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2. 76

   CZCZCZposted 13 years ago

   Yes there is a big difference between the good coffees (more expensive) and the tin can coffee, that tastes old.  There is also a big difference in grinding your own beans each day and buying pre ground coffee.  Nothing like a French press and fresh ground coffee in the morning if you like a regular cup of joe.

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3. 72

   Windclimberposted 13 years ago

   Absolutely!  Think of other plant produce like tomatoes or strawberries.  There are different varieties, and the nutrients of whatever dirt they're grown in determine their taste.  Cocoa beans are used to make chocolate, and there's certainly a difference between the foil-wrapped, cheap holiday candy and Godiva or Toblerone.  And what about the quality continuum with wine, whiskey, and beer?  HOWEVER, do not let any of this deter you from enjoying - and being satisfied - with "generic" coffee.  As I've explained in my hub "The Coffee of a Lifetime", the enjoyment of coffee is about so much more than just the beans.  You wouldn't NOT enjoy a kiss unless it came from a supermodel, right?
   I love my coffee, and I can discern a respectable range of quality in the beans and the brew, but people who make a big fuss over their coffee - that it MUST be a certain brand or bean, or brewed a certain way - are just pretentious pains in the neck.
   Beyond the beans, the water makes a huge difference.  Starbucks stores have good filtration systems, which is the biggest reason why it tastes different from the store or made at home.
   Lastly, the practice of storing beans in the freezer is a misguided myth.  First, because of condensation inside the container, they'll absorb moisture, or because of being in the freezer, they'll get "freezer-burned", which is just cold temperature dehydration.  Secondly, people put the beans in the freezer to store them for "up to 6 months" - whoever heard of such a thing?  I mean, coffee beans, in MY house, not being used up within SIX MONTHS?  Pffffttt.
   Enjoy.

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4. 72

   giocatoreposted 13 years ago

   different kinds of beans
   
   http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archi … est/19780/

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5. 58

   Cassie Smithposted 13 years ago

   Yes, if you care about what you drink every day you should find out what's tasty to drink and pay full price for it.  For me, the regular stuff at the supermarket is fine with me and the price is right.

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6. 66

   Cara.Rposted 13 years ago

   In my town there is a chain of convenient stores that have been around forever, they brew there own coffee all day long. It's inexpensive but tastes pretty good, DD is good but it's greasy, Starbucks is more expensive then DD but, to me, DD tastes better. Then my sister took me to a coffee shop where the coffee was $100 dollars a pound. It didn't need any cream or sugar and tasted great. The downside is, I was jittery and my heart was racing over the caffeine like nothing I felt before. In the end I would rather drink the coffee at the convenient store.

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