Top Coffee Choices from Retail Supermarkets: An Insiders Guide
Exploring the Best Coffee Options at Your Local Supermarket
Choosing the right coffee at your local supermarket can be a delightful endeavor, especially when you want to get that perfect blend for both hot and iced drips. One of my personal favorites, Great Value Dark Roast, from Walmart, stands out. It's affordably priced at about C$6.99 for a 907 gram can, making it around C$3.50 per pound. One of my unique tweaks involves adding a quarter teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa to the ground coffee before brewing. This little flout not only enhances the richness but also brings a subtle flavor that complements the robustness of the dark roast.
For those who prefer espresso, I recommend purchasing small batches of freshly roasted beans from nearby gourmet stores. The hands-on approach of grinding the beans myself ensures the freshest possible flavor. Though the cost might be higher, the quality justifies the investment. However, for regular drip coffee, the Great Value brand remains a standout choice, delivering exceptional taste at a fraction of the cost of premium blends.
When it comes to cold brew, I tend to go for specific brands that suit my taste buds. Stok Plain Unsweetened green bottles and Starbucks Blonde Roast are personal favorites, depending on what's available during my shopping trips. These options provide a smooth and slightly more subdued flavor that pairs well with my preference for a more relaxed coffee experience.
For a darker, robust coffee that has become part of my daily routine, I rely on Gevalia French Roast. This type of coffee, characterized by its intense flavor and smooth finish, is a result of the chicory that subtly balances the boldness. Discovering this coffee while working in Africa and the Middle East, where coffee is often exceedingly strong, helped shape my taste for this particular blend. Because of the unique packaging, it’s a bit trickier to find, but it’s well worth the search.
Cafe du Monde remains the clear winner when it comes to mass-produced coffee. This coffee offers a rich, dark roast with a smooth, non-bitter finish. The chicory content ensures that the coffee isn't overly bitter, providing a smooth, refreshing taste that can be enjoyed straight or with a bit of cream and sweetener. Its pricing can be a bit peculiar, with the 15 oz (425g) vacuum-sealed can often found at an Asian market, offering a deal at around C$6.25 per can. Whether I'm looking for something else on a busy day, a coffee-flavored Monster Energy Drink provides a quick energy boost.
In summary, whether you're seeking a smooth, rich coffee for your daily routine or a bold, espresso-inspired blend for your espressso machine, the local supermarket offers a variety of options that can satisfy any coffee lover. Experimenting with different brands and methods can help you find the perfect cup that suits your taste and budget.