For quite some time, I enjoyed imported coffee (I know, most all is ;), like Lavazza Super Crema, just as my regular daily driver. I would experiment with various other offshoots of blends, flavors, even quite a few other brands, and in the end, I found Lavazza Top Class Filtro (not regular Filtro, different) to be my favorite, edging out Super Crema.
To give some further information which I consider is really essential for a coffee review, is to describe the coffee of which I am most a fan. For me, that is a medium to medium-heavy blend, with nutty notes, maybe some chocolate hints, etc... That fall sort of rich and creamy blend is my all-around favorite.
I'll leave off a whole lot more detail than that. I'm no coffee expert, but surely like most, I know what I like.
I also well know what I don't. I won't go into too much detail here, but suffice it to say, that as far as US Store Brands go, I don't consider many to be very good at all. To me, the worst offender regarding store brand is all of it being pre-ground. I mean, as it is likely nitrogen filled in the bag to maintain that initial freshness, once opened, each passing hour is just killing that flavor.
My store brand go-to in this department, when necessary, has been Gevalia House Blend. Just as described earlier, nutty, smooth, good flavor, aroma and a decent kick, but not enough to have me zooming. Yet even this not inexpensive coffee won't pass 3-4 days when it simply is about as meh as most any other coffee out there. Truly it is a travesty that they don't sell the brand as whole bean, but that's another story.
Pretty much all else that is "lesser", i.e. Folgers, Melita, etc... They are all barely passable at all. Absolutely not very good, and that's being nice. Get the job done, but not there to be really enjoyed and savored.
All of that providing the groundwork from whence I offer my thoughts here, based on budget and really just taking a chance, I saw a bag here for a little over $6, and I pulled the trigger. I didn't expect much at all, but was really just grabbing myself a small bag while I waited out a bump in price hikes for my favorites. They had doubled in price for a small hitch, and while I expected it would pass, it was a n opportunity to try something new.
Ok, the end is actually fairly simple. This coffee did for me at about 50c an ounce, what $1-2 an ounce at times was through Lavazza and other like brands. It was very fresh. Aromatic. Quite nutty, and for the price, I don't think there is a coffee that can compare, not at least one I've tried.
I have now purchased 4 more bags in a row, and I don't know if I'll even change off, so long as they keep delivering this coffee at this price point. I mean, I even hesitated writing this review, lest I draw more attention to them and they begin raising their prices. C'est la vie. Credit and honor where it is due. (Timmy, remember this ole boy when your business picks up, and do me a solid! :D )
Having fun, of course. In the end, I am really quite happy with this product, and for the price. Just, wow. I suggest you give it a try if you haven't already. In truth, I wouldn't compare the store served coffee to this, as this is simply much better.
Oh, last tip, and a must if you really want the best coffee can offer. You absolutely must grind it fresh. Seriously. Grinders are so cheap, and the smell of fresh ground coffee alone is worth the bump in experience. Let alone the flavor incomparably better.
Hope this helps. Ps. Don't buy it all up!
Lates!
100% Arabica Coffee
