Any Fans of Krispy Kreme, McCafe, or Dunkin' Donuts Coffee?

[frigilux]

While my go-to K-cups have been various offerings from Caribou, Starbucks, and Green Mountain, I kept reading user reviews from people who swear by coffee from Krispy Kreme, McCafe, and Dunkin' Donuts.

A recent sale at Keurig's website prompted curiosity-purchases of Krispy Kreme (Smooth) and Dunkin' Donuts (Original Blend). Although the site advertises McCafe, they do not sell it, so picked up a box (Premium Roast) at HyVee.

Krispy Kreme and Dunkin' Donuts are classic diner coffees. Of the two, I prefer KK, which is a bit less tangy.

I was impressed with McCafe's Premium Roast. Will probably add Krispy Kreme and McCafe to the daily rotation. I've tried McCafe's French Roast, but actually prefer the Premium Roast, which many users claim is closest in taste to the coffee served at McDonald's.

Anyone else like these coffees? I'll admit to snobbishly dismissing them up to this point; but upon trying them, they're actually pretty decent. Having said that, preferences for coffee are highly subjective. Reading the user reviews at Keurig is hilarious. Every single coffee has both ardent fans and strident haters.

One benefit of using K-Cups is the ease of keeping an assortment of coffees on hand. There are probably a dozen varieties on my shelf.[this post was last edited: 6/18/2015-03:24]

 

[gansky1]

I've had the Dunkin Donuts variety, but didn't know about the others. The DD coffee is very good, a bit sweeter than some others. I still have some of the "Donut Shop" cups from a too-big box from Sam's Club, I got bored with that and started making full pots again. I haven't been using my Keurig machine for some time now but it looks like these are available in bean/ground bags too.

Lately I've been buying some local roast coffee, mostly medium to stronger blends. I also really like the Starbucks Guatemala coffee.

 

[supersuds]

I don't drink coffee myself, but my mom likes the Krispy Kreme and McCafe K-cups. I don't think she's tried the Dunkin Donuts, which until recently seemed to be only sold in their stores. I see them in groceries now.

The Chock Full 'o Nuts 100% Columbian is also supposed to be good, I hear.

 

[nurdlinger]

I used to mail-order coffee beans...

...from Graffeo in San Rafael CA. The light blend. Imagine my surprise upon trying "Dunkin Donuts" bean coffee. To me, it is identical. Easier to get and probably cheaper than Graffeo.

 

[joeypete]

I've been buying the McCafe French Roast and I really like it. $5.99 a bag at Market Basket, plus $1 off coupon on the package.

I'm from New England but I think Dunkin coffee sucksssssss. It tastes so gross to me. I lived on the west coast for 11 years and I def prefer Starbucks to Dunkin. But I tend to like stronger coffee anyway.

 

[ovrphil]

I think McDonald's coffee is good, even though I know the pre-ground bag I bought isn't fresh. A few of my friends like McDonald's for taste and value. I bought a bag of McDonald's whole bean French Roast to blend with their usual medium roast.

Dunkin' Donuts used to have good coffee and occasionally I try a cup to look for that former enjoyment. Usually, it disappoints.

Side note: not that it was asked, but I like some Hawaiian Kona blends, Jamaican Blue Mt, Caribou's La Minita Peaberry when it's available soon, and McDonald's(whole beans next).

 

[bigalsf]

DD fan

I reallt like Dunkin Donuts, and another NY favorite Chock Full O'Nuts. I like the bright, bold flavor they both offer. I drink them both equally; I'm thrilled I can get them both in Utah!!

Anyone else a Chock Full fan?

 

[frigilux]

John and Alan-- Funny you should mention Chock Full 'O Nuts; they're releasing a fully compostable K-Cup in 2016. Chock isn't a Keurig-sanctioned brand, so their K-Cup won't work with Keurig 2.0 machines but they're compatible with older Keurigs and other makes.

Two brands which have a strong following are Eight 'O Clock and Peet's, both of which are sold in pod form at Keurig's website. I might have to give them a try, as well.[this post was last edited: 6/20/2015-07:20]

 

[warmsecondrinse]

My absolute favorite coffee in the world is Moka d'Oro, roasted in Brooklyn. I prefer it made in a Napoletana coffee maker. However, I cannot find Moka d'Oro ANYWHERE outside of Little Italy (Arthur Ave.) in the Bronx.

 

For everyday, grocery store coffee I prefer Chock Full o'Nuts by far. I like all their brands but the darker, the better in my book. I usually mix it with Bustelo and make it in The Scoop. I'm sipping that now as a matter of fact. 

 

See below for pics and links to all I mention here.

 

Jim

 

 

 

http://www.hamiltonbeach.com/single-cup-coffee-makers-the-scoop-single-serve-coffee-maker-49981.html

 

Neapolitan flip coffee pot - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?57561

 

[launderess]

Various online places sell Moka d'Oro. Amazon used to as well but they have been out of it for some time now.

https://www.partsforjoe.com/coffee-and-espresso/l/moka-d-oro.html

Actually had some Chock Full O Nuts "pod" coffee last week (nabbed a box on sale) in MidTown Manhattan roast and was very surprised. Very dark, smooth and robust, just what one likes in coffee. Gave my usual Eight O'clock "French Roast" a run for its money. Don't have a "K" machine so simply opened the single serve pods and measured out (by weight) the proper amount to use in my Silex stove top vacuum coffee maker.

Jim, cannot believe you like Bustelo! *LOL*. Tried it again early last week (another few boxes of K-pods nabbed on sale), and all one can say is when will I ever learn. *LOL*

Off and on have tried Café Bustelo (usually when the cans are on sale or closeout) and have never been happy. Think maybe it is too bitter/acidic for my tastes. It certainly acts on the stomach much like many Starbuck's coffees; that is causes cramping. In fact after one cup chucked the rest of the brew down the sink. The rest will remain unused until or if there is an "emergency". That is when have nothing else in the house and cannot or will not go out to get anything decent. *LOL*

 

[lordkenmore]

>The rest will remain unused until or if there is an "emergency". That is when have nothing else in the house and cannot or will not go out to get anything decent.

Or it can be saved to serve to someone you really don't want around. With luck, they will hate it, too, and cut their visit short!

(Yes, Lord Kenmore does have his anti-social moments. Which reminds him that it's time to go and raise the drawbridge over the moat for the evening.)

 

[frigilux]

Launderess-- I love your decontextualized technique with K-cups! Bustelo is available at Keurig's site, but I'd never heard of it, so thought it might be a pod-only rebadged brand. I've never checked them out, so read the user reivews and found many agree with your assessment of it. However, devotees claim it stands up well to the addition of cream. They also chided those who made standard 8-10 oz. cups with the Espresso version; that it was meant to be brewed on the 4-oz. setting.

Lord Kenmore-- Am listening to Wilde's 'The Importance Of Being Earnest' and Algernon's line 'What ideas you have of hospitality!" just went by. A perfect complement to your post above, LOL.

 

[launderess]

Waste not, want not. That is how I live.

*LOL*

Several months back local supermarket had a large store of "K-cups" on closeout which made them dirt cheap. Had always avoided the things since one does not own the machine, but the price was just that good so...

IIRC they were Yuban and several other brands but once one realized the things are no more than ground coffee in small containers.....

Yes, it is a bit more work first thing in the AM, but just. Already use a gram scale to weigh out coffee no matter the source. So instead of grinding beans just slice open the top of a K-pod.

For the various teas such as Irish Breakfast just put the contents into a tea strainer....

So am frugal, sue me. *LOL*

 

[ovrphil]

It's never-ending here. I could miss a few years of my life just reading all the comments in these coffee threads and thanks for the links, warmsecondrinse(Jim).

I have a box of Keurig from a Kroger's clearance area that I'm just going to brew
with hot water. When Keurig was offering free samples of many different varieties of their coffee earlier this year at the nearby Northpoint Mall, the employee told me he knew of customers who never owned a Keurig but purchased just the cups to brew with hot water and loved it.

There's always something of interest in aw.org, and coffee threads are nearly always some of the best(thanks everyone).

 

[launderess]

Personally Find These K Pods Or Whatever

Some of the most polluting things about.

In their most simple version you still have a bit of plastic topped off by a foil lid. But they come in box/packaging which adds to the landfill fodder.

On the extreme end you have those new Chock Full O' Nuts things that were like unwrapping a Christmas present. Several bits of plastic and foil all to get at coffee.

OTOH when you buy coffee in a can, bag or sack it is just that; one container to toss. You can also be really environmentally friendly and reuse say the cans for things as varied as holding cooking grease to gardening.

 

[lordkenmore]

Some of the most polluting things about

One of the things that I don't like about K Cups: the amount of packaging waste. Even with the cup mentioned above that I gather can be tossed on a compost pile is likely to be tossed into the nearest landfill much of the time. (How many people have compost piles?!? Yes, they are standard in gardening circles. But I bet the average American doesn't bother.) Meanwhile, plain coffee has little packaging waste, and sometimes the packaging might be recyclable. If one does compost, plain grounds probably work faster. (Side note: in my area, some coffee shops give away old grounds to gardening types. Apparently it's quite popular.)

The other thing I don't like about cups: the expense per serving (short of really good sales, of course). I suppose one can also make an argument that plain coffee gives a larger variety of possible choices, although I am thinking that the variety that's in place for K Cups is probably enough for most people to get by on.

Although I have to admit that may have real convenience in some situations that outweigh the disadvantages, such as the person who only occasionally makes coffee.

 

[lordkenmore]

Eugene--I've seen Bustello in regular small cans, so its more than K Cups. But it may not be available in all areas. "The Open Prairie" strikes me as perhaps not having as much brand diversity available as, say, Seattle or Portland. LOL

Apparently, the brand has a long history, and IIRC has or had strong sales to Hispanic people.

 

[washer111]

The coffee pod thing has reached a point where there are "Nespresso Stores" (like Apple Stores) dotted around the place. I mean, *seriously*, these pod things aren't that great!

My problem is similar to Launderess,' in that the cost per cup is quite significant compared to using a French Press, but also in the taste and quality of the brew, which I have found to be only just better than instant coffee at times.

To continue on my soapbox, I am also no fan of "espresso machines," as the black coffee they produce is beyond deplorable. Burnt, or bitter, strong or "ash-tray" like qualities adorn coffee brewed in this manner. You can see why people need to make "cappuccinos" and other concoctions to cover up such a taste!

For me, A French Press or a Technivorm Moccamaster are the absolute pinnacle. The coffee is rich and smooth. It is not, however, burnt tasting or even bitter. Its so good it has fostered a dreadful coffee habit (and they are hard to kick, m-kay?)
The other thing, in either case, using a coarser brew and a lighter roast a key to a good cup. I find those grit-like "espresso roasts" only clog the press, and result in coffee spattering here, there and everywhere.

*Gets off Soapbox*
Thank-you, I'm always lurking around somewhere. LOL

 

[launderess]

What It Really Has Come Down To

Is people have become sooo lazy that apparently using a drip pot or whatever to make one cup of coffee is too much bother. *LOL*

Back in the day Silex made a small vac pot system (stove top) for those making just one or two cups. You can make similar amounts in a Moka pot, French Press, smaller automatic drip machines, and yes even those old self pour Melitta coffee drip jobs. Ok so you have some washing up to do, much of it can go into the dishwasher or it is just a quick rinse and swish then into the dish drainer/dryer.

What one has heard about these K machines is they suffer from the same drawback as many other modern automatic coffee makers; temps do not reach the required just below boiling level to make proper coffee.

The above is why one loves range top vacuum coffee makers and my Sunbeam C-50. I want my coffee McDonald's lawsuit *HOT*.