<p>My H is Scandinavian & was raised on coffee that sat on the hot plate all day- he makes it so strong it really doesn’t matter what it is.</p>
<p>I hadn’t heard of Oblique roasters though, have to check it out when I head down to Portland.
( My youngest started drinking coffee when she was in Costa Rica this summer, it was so stormy , that I think half the time all they did was drink coffee & play cards- she says it is much better there though, which I thought was interesting, since my Colombian SIL makes horrible coffee and apparently likes it that way)</p>
<p>Don’t rule out Starbucks until you make it yourself at home. The stores just make it too strong. The Breakfast Blend is mild and even my 85 year old mother who thought only Maxwell House makes coffee likes it. You might even like some of the bolder blends if you control the amount of coffee you use. </p>
<p>I like the Wegman’s brand coffee - the Donut Shop blend when I have guests who like it mild and I like the Dutch blend otherwise. </p>
<p>I picked up some Peet’s recently that I like too.</p>
<p>Verona is my favorite Starbucks variety. DH likes Kenya best, but I think it’s too citrusy. If I am at the supermarket I usually make a mix of Columbian Supremo with some French Roast. But I am pretty sure I like a stronger, bolder coffee than the OP.</p>
<p>Yep. That’s pretty much my default coffee. Whole bean DD purchased by the bag at the drive-thru window. Grind it at home. They usually run a four-bag special around the holidays that’s a pretty good deal.</p>
<p>Starbucks is famous for over-roasting their beans, which gives it that dark, overpowering burned flavor. It’s their signature and a nice change of pace, but too much day in and day out. When, I find some of their over-roasted house blend on sale, I’ll often buy it and grind it in with the Dunkin Donuts beans at a 2:1 ratio (DD to Starbucks) for an “East/West blend” change of pace.</p>
<p>I just grabbed about six pounds of Starbucks Breakfast Blend (their mildest roast) at TJ Maxx. I’m about to grind up some for a fresh pot to see how I like it. Depending on that, I’ll either blend it with DD or just use it straight up. At TJ’s prices, and a coupon for a free cup of coffee at any Starbucks, it’s a decent value.</p>
<p>EmeraldKitty - I agree with your daughter. My husband never drank coffee until we went to Costa Rica on our honeymoon. Costa Rican coffee continues to be our favorite - especially Cafe Britt (can order online or buy at the Miami airport). If you buy in bulk, the prices are great.</p>
<p>I drank a lot of Dunkin Donuts coffee about a year ago and then I got tired of it. I don’t know whether they changed or I just got bored with it, but it just seemed bland. I find I have to use a lot more of it than Starbucks so it is not any cheaper for me.</p>
<p>OK. I would say that the Breakfast Blend Starbucks whole bean is very similar to Dunkin Donuts whole bean, maybe just a tad stronger roast, but very similar.</p>
<p>Interesteddad, now that I’m looking at buying coffee I realize why my oldest D always looks and buys if she can at TJ! She has found some great deals on coffee beans there and they do often have Starbucks and other well-known brands.</p>
<p>Will definitely be checking TJ/Home Goods for coffee now!</p>
<p>Unfortunately, TJ Maxx usually has a lot of flavored coffees and stuff (that I can’t stand). I have also found most of the “blue mountain” and “hawaian kona” and “ethiopian” and other exotic stuff mostly undrinkable. But, they do occasionally have good plain coffee at fairly attractive prices. The good thing about grinding your own beans is that the shelf life of the whole beans is quite lengthy, so I don’t mind stocking up when they have something like the Starbucks Breakfast Blend. That is $6 for a 12 ounce bag or $8 a pound, plus the free 12 ounce coffee coupon. Dunkin Donuts is currently $9 a pound at Dunkin Donuts here with no free cup of coffee.</p>
<p>I haven’t found anything in the grocery store that I like better than the Dunkin Donuts and that is less money.</p>
<p>If I don’t feel like grinding for every pot, I’ll grind enough for two or three days when I’ve got the grinder going. Kind of a compromise approach.</p>
<p>My favorite coffee of all time is the real Blue Mountain from Jamaica. I ask for it for Christmas now and then and then ration it. When I went to Jamaica, I took an empty bag to pack it in. </p>
<p>My second favorite was the Ethiopian Harrar that Starbucks had years ago. It was rare to find it and now they don’t get it at all any more.</p>
<p>I know I’m not a parent, but I saw this and felt like I had to respond. I work at a local coffee shop that buys and roasts their own beans, and I genuinely really like their coffee. There are so many different types, including flavored coffees and coffees from all around the world and different roasts. If anyone wants to know more the name of the company is Baltimore Coffee and Tea.</p>
<p>Actually, I’ve always liked McDonald’s coffee. And, Dudedad, thanks for reminding me about Swings! I haven’t thought about Swings in years! My father used to bring home Swings coffee when I was a kid. I see you can mail order it, though it’s pretty pricey.</p>
<p>Marinebio - I live in Baltimore and I need to go to Baltimore Coffee and Tea because it is one the places that has Ethiopian Harrar and Jamaican Blue Mountain (sometimes.) Thanks for reminding me.</p>
<p>You’re welcome! I work at the main store in timonium, but I won’t be starting up again until fall. But if you need any suggestions for trying something new, just send me a pm!</p>
<p>Ross Dress for Less had 3-lb bags of a couple varieties (forget which) of Starbucks whole-bean coffees the other day at a good price. I need to dash back there and buy some (was in too much of a rush the other day).</p>