Store Bought Coffee Brands Ranked Worst To Best
Starting your morning with a hot (or cold) cup of coffee is an everyday routine for millions in America, though this roasted bean almost certainly began its culinary life centuries ago in Ethiopia. Even today, it's a supremely useful and beloved drink. The jolt from the caffeine can help wake you up, while the complex flavors can titillate your taste buds and help you gain the motivation you need to tackle whatever life has in store for you that day. Even in the dreariest of mornings, coffee can make everything more bearable.
It's estimated that nearly two out of every three Americans drink coffee (via Deneen Pottery). Of those coffee drinkers, nearly 80 percent are brewing their own coffee at home as a way to save money and save time, yet hopefully without sacrificing any flavor.
However, before you go to the store and pick a brand of coffee to purchase, you should do some research. The gulf between the worst coffee brands and the best coffee brands on grocery store shelves is wide. To help you along, here are the brands of store-bought coffee from worst to first.
16. McCafé
If you're an ardent fan of McDonald's who can't get enough of their coffee, you may be tempted to buy the McCafé brand of coffee at your local grocery store. At McDonald's, you can get glorious coffees ranging from their dignified French Vanilla Cappuccino to the dessert-like Iced Caramel Mocha that's richly blessed with chocolatey goodness.
While McDonald's should be applauded for having some of the best coffee available from a fast food drive-thru window, the coffee they sell in stores is a complete and utter letdown. This stuff tastes nothing like what you can find at their restaurants. Instead of the sort of hot and fresh gloriousness, you might get from the drive-thru window, the McCafé brand from the grocery tastes like the burnt coffee you find at the bottom of a coffee pot. Everything from the premium roast to the lighter breakfast blend has the same burnt taste that will make the entire experience painfully disappointing from the moment it touches your lips.
If you want good McCafé coffee, go to McDonald's. Otherwise, stay away from this brand when you see it at the store.
15. Yuban
Generations of coffee lovers have trusted in the Yuban brand of coffee. To say this brand has a long and storied history would be an understatement. According to Leaf, the Yuban blend was invented by a man named John Arbuckle, who launched the first nationwide coffee brand all the way back in 1865. For more than one hundred years, Yuban was a brand that was known for being reasonably priced and reliably yummy.
Tragically, something has changed in recent times. Instead of offering the coffee that their loyal customers came to know and love, Yuban decided it was a good idea to mess with something that wasn't broken. The change to their formula has led to a flood of complaints (via Coffee Detective). Nowadays, Yuban coffee is extremely bland. All the excitement and taste of yesteryear that was enjoyed by cowboys has been replaced by a yawn-worthy brand that is no longer worth buying. Even if your parents and grandparents were loyal to Yuban, this brand isn't what it used to be. Honestly, you can pick something better.
14. Maxwell House
Back in the good old days, Maxwell House was undeniably the most popular brand of coffee. This stuff was widely available and the memorable jingles in their folksy commercials won the hearts of many. For decades upon decades, no other brand could touch Maxwell House, not even the rival Folgers. But then in the 1980s, their popularity dipped — and rightfully so. It took longer us it should have but, eventually, Americans realized that there's simply nothing special about Maxwell House. You don't have to look too hard to find something that is superior.
If your favorite color is beige, your favorite flavor of ice cream is vanilla, and your favorite shape is a square, then maybe Maxwell House is for you. But for everyone else on this planet, you can do better than a brand that tastes like standard diner coffee that's been sitting in the coffee pot for hours on end. If you're a Maxwell House customer, join the modern world and try any of the forthcoming coffee brands. It'll surely be an upgrade.
13. Seattle's Best
Seattle's Best is a weird coffee brand with a strange mission. According to Business Insider, this brand was bought by Starbucks back in 2003 and now the massive coffeehouse chain uses the Seattle's Best name to try to win over blue-collar workers. If Starbucks is too chic, too hipster, and too expensive for you, they want you to be comfortable with Seattle's Best.
In reality, Seattle's Best tastes like liquified disappointment. You can taste similarities to Starbucks coffee but they've added in more bitterness and have removed a hefty amount of enjoyment. Even if you can save money by going with Seattle's Best, the downgrade just isn't worth it. Every sip will make you painfully aware that you're drinking poor man's Starbucks coffee.
To be fair, Seattle's Best has a lot of different roasts, ranging from the super dark Post Alley Blend to the light and sweet Toasted Hazelnut blend. But no matter which one you pick, the bitterness will likely be off-putting enough for you to regret your purchase.
12. Death Wish Coffee
Death Wish Coffee doesn't beat around the bush. This brand of coffee is for those who want their coffee to be as caffeinated as possible, regardless of the jitter or other health consequences. If waking up in the morning is difficult for you and keeping your eyes open is a chore, a cup of Death Wish Coffee will surely change that. While the company doesn't say how much caffeine is in each cup, tests have found that one cup of Death Wish Coffee has as much caffeine as five to seven cups of normal coffee (via The Healthy).
While this stuff will wake you up, it's not worthy of a recommendation. First of all, the flavor of it is mediocre at best. You wouldn't drink this brand of coffee if it wasn't hyper-caffeinated, to be utterly frank. Secondly, the amount of caffeine in Death Wish Coffee could lead to some serious health issues. It turns out that the name of this brand is no joke. If you absolutely must drink this stuff, go slow and be careful.
11. Eight O'Clock
There are a host of reasons why you'll desperately want to love the Eight O'Clock brand of coffee. Firstly, the price tag is dependably low. You won't go broke drinking this coffee every day, to be certain. Second of all, their options are actually enthralling, at least when it comes to taste. The Original is surprisingly fruity with unmistakable sweet notes, while other flavors like Chocolate Mint and Texas Pecan Praline add a fair amount of flavor fun to the equation. Third of all, Eight O'Clock coffee smells absolutely outstanding. Your nostrils will be convinced that you have discovered the best coffee in all the land.
Sadly, Eight O'Clock has one drawback that keeps it from being higher in this ranking of store-bought coffee brands. Even though its aroma is impeccable, the flavor is ultimately pretty underwhelming. Your taste buds will pick up hints of flavor, sure, but you'll be left disappointed by the lack of depth. At the end of the day, while Eight O'Clock will tease your senses, it's best to keep your distance.
10. New England Coffee
Many people on the East Coast swear by New England Coffee. This brand has been around since 1916, reports New England Coffee itself. That's when the Papadopoulos brothers founded their company in Boston. At first, they sold directly to restaurants in the area. Eventually, their coffee got such a good reputation that customers from hundreds of miles away demanded it.
In 2013, as Daily Coffee News reports, New England Coffee was sold to a company based out of New Orleans. Today, this brand is primarily known for its Breakfast Blend, which falls somewhere between a light roast and a medium roast and is delightfully smooth and balanced. That said, it's mild and so uncomplicated that it can get boring after a couple of cups. Then again, if you're a fan of traditional breakfast blends that, as per MyRecipes, tend to be ho-hum by their very nature, you'll like this stuff.
Beyond their Breakfast Blend, New England Coffee has a lot of variety but nothing else is really worth writing home about. Stick to their most popular blend or, if you want something with more pizzazz, just pick another brand entirely.
9. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
Once upon a time, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters was one of the most hyped coffee brands in the country. Many coffee connoisseurs were impressed by this company's dedication to eco-friendly operations and its pledge to buy only fair trade coffee beans. According to BusinessWire, this eventually made Green Mountain Coffee Roasters one of the largest buyers of fair trade certified coffee beans. However, as this brand grew from humble beginnings in Vermont to a powerhouse worth billions of dollars, a lot of what made this brand so magical and admirable evaporated (via Buy/Don't Buy).
These days, BevNet reports that Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is part of the Keurig Dr. Pepper beverage conglomerate that also owns Snapple and Canada Dry. As for the actual quality, this brand makes average coffee but none of their blends will knock your socks off. Think of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters as an upgraded version of Maxwell House and you'll get an idea of their current state. If you want a perfectly okay cup of coffee, then feel free to go with this brand. If you desire more than that, it'd be best to look elsewhere.
8. Gevalia
Gevalia has an exotic name, their packaging is fancy, and they have a story that will make you believe in their coffee expertise. Unfortunately, despite all their entertaining and dreamy attributes, this brand is only average. It's just slightly better than Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, in fact.
The story of Gevalia began in Sweden in 1853. Fast forward more than 165 years and this brand has numerous offerings that they sell in their iconic gold packaging. Considering that Swedes have the second-highest rate of coffee consumption in the world, according to Weaver's Coffee & Tea, you would think that Gevalia would be one of the best brands — but that's just not the case. You won't be disappointed by any of their coffee options, sure, but the taste won't blow you away.
Furthermore, Gevalia has an annoying habit of discontinuing blends even if they're popular (via Gevalia). That means that even if you find something this brand sells that you really enjoy, there's a very real chance that it could disappear one day and never come back.
7. Dunkin'
The company formerly known as Dunkin' Donuts changed its name in part due to the fact that donuts aren't their best seller. As per Fortune, it's actually their coffee that reigns supreme. Instead of being a coffee shop masquerading as a donut joint, they leaned into their true identity by changing their name to Dunkin'. When it comes to Dunkin' coffee drinks available at their restaurants, there are a number of great possible choices.
Compared to McDonald's and the McCafé disaster, Dunkin' does a much better job of translating their greatness to their store-bought coffee. Whether you buy their coffee at the store or at the restaurant, the coffee is pretty similar. But, again, the edge clearly goes to the restaurant version. The main issue with their coffee available at stores is that it's cursed with a slightly sour aftertaste. It's not completely off-putting but it's just enough to convince you that you might as well go to a Dunkin' restaurant and get the real thing.
6. Caribou Coffee
Caribou Coffee is the first brand of coffee on this list that fully deserves an unconditional recommendation. This brand started life as a coffee shop in Edina, Minnesota, in 1992 (via Your Coffee Buzz). Today, they have more than 400 locations. More importantly, they have a wide selection of coffee that is available both online and in stores around the United States.
While this brand doesn't sell anything that you'd be disappointed with, their specialty is their unbelievable dark roast blends. If you prefer dark roasts, Caribou Coffee's blends will take you to coffee heaven. Their Fireside Blend adds a strong chocolate blast with each full-bodied, dark roasted sip. If you want to try a super-duper dark blend, their Obsidian Blend is better than you thought possible. Its boldness is off the charts but it remains oh-so-beautiful.
Though Caribou Coffee also has tasty light roast, medium roast, and flavored coffee, their dark roast offerings are what you'll want to try at least once in your life.
5. Folgers
Folgers is far and away the most popular store-bought coffee brand in America. Their sales are more than double those of any other brand (via Statista). With a history that dates back to the 19th century, according to Folgers, there's a decent chance that your parents and grandparents looked forward to Folgers coffee when they woke up in the morning. But it's not just the older generations that love this brand, as even millennials have grown fond of it.
Though Folgers isn't the absolute best brand of coffee you can find, it's still quite good and it's easy to understand why it's so popular. If you're looking for a coffee that everyone is sure to love, you can't go wrong with Folgers Classic Roast Coffee. For people new to the coffee world, its smoothness and its bright, cheery aroma make it very attractive from the first sip. For coffee aficionados, its richness and its surprisingly complex flavor profile reliably make for an enjoyable cup.
4. Lavazza
If you're searching for the best European coffee, it simply doesn't get better than Lavazza. The story of this coffee brand begins in 1895 in Italy, according to Eataly. A store owner named Luigi Lavazza began to study coffee and the science of creating the best possible cup of joe. Four generations later, it's safe to say that the Lavazza family has mastered their craft.
If you adore espresso, you owe it to yourself to try Lavazza Espresso Italiano. Sure, it's not the cheapest stuff around but it's so good that it will change your life for the better. It has the optimal amount of bitterness for espresso and the perfect mouthfeel. Beyond their stupendous espresso, Lavazza has a dark roast they call Intenso that is amazingly flavorful. It's as intense as the name suggests but it has unforgettable notes of chocolate that will have you coming back for more.
3. Peet's Coffee
Peet's Coffee was born when Alfred Peet opened a coffee shop in Berkeley, California, in 1966 (via Peet's Coffee). Peet made it his mission to bring higher quality coffee to America. Considering he's the man behind this phenomenal brand and also considering he aided the founders of Starbucks, according to The Seattle Times, he definitely accomplished that noble goal.
The main selling point for Peet's Coffee is its freshness. No other brand is as fresh-tasting as this brand and that's no accident. Peet's Coffee uses only top tier beans that are roasted by hand and then sealed immediately. The result of this dedication to freshness is a difference your taste buds will notice immediately. While all of the offerings of this brand are worth your hard-earned dollar bills, their Major Dickason's Blend is the most cherished by Peet's Coffee devotees. If you use a French press, you'll be astonished at how great the coffee will taste.
2. Cafe Bustelo
Gregorio Bustelo was born in Spain before moving to Cuba and Puerto Rico as a young adult (via The Tenement Museum). Eventually, he moved to East Harlem, New York, though he never forgot the unique Latin American coffee he had enjoyed during his travels. With help from his wife, he began roasting coffee at home and selling it to people in their neighborhood. By 1928, the Bustelos had their own store that proved to be a big hit with the local Latino community (via Café Bustelo). Soon, the Café Bustelo brand was thriving in New York City and beyond.
If you've never tried Latin-inspired coffee, you're in for a treat. First, the seductive aroma that fills the room is incredible and will be enough to cause your mouth to water. Then, once you take a sip and experience the indescribably rich, full-bodied flavors and the bold yet delightful aftertaste, your enjoyment level will be incalculable. This coffee brand deserves a permanent spot in your cupboard.
1. Starbucks
While there are now countless competitors, it's time to bow down and admit that Starbucks is the king of coffee. Not only do they have the best fast food coffee by a mile, but their store-bought coffee is also lapping the field. From the Starbucks Blonde Sunrise Blend that offers a light roast to comfortably start your day, to the dark-roasted Starbucks Sumatra that offers an unmatched flavor complexity, this brand has anything and everything you're looking for in a coffee.
The dependability of Starbucks store-bought coffee is one of its best qualities. You can be totally confident that each cup you drink will be just as excellent as the last. Also, you will find no unwanted sourness, no unwelcome bitterness, and no overpowering acidity with the Starbucks brand, which is a downfall of many of their competitors. If you're out and about and need your coffee fix, it's hard to go wrong with a Starbucks. If you're at the store, buy the Starbucks brand. It's really that simple. Either, the end result will be the best possible cup of coffee you can make with a grocery store brand.