Comments on: Eight O’Clock Original Review

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:00:07 +0000

Melody – This coffee I bought for myself. I actually bought it because I was noticing that a lot of my reviews were higher end, so I purchased it in an attempt to even things out.

By: Melody

Melody — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:17:20 +0000

Mike – Wait. Did 8 OClock coffee send you that bag of coffee to review? As I read the comments I had that impression. That sort of cool that your blog has that kind of influence.
.-= Melody´s last blog ..Reader response: Starbucks gear =-.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:05:29 +0000

You’re definitely on to something. I am tainted because I have been able to taste some amazing coffees this year.

As far as the 8 O’Clock coffee, I don’t think it’s the same coffee that I remember.

My parents drink Maxwell House, I was thinking of doing a post of which coffees at the grocery store taste the best. Or which affordable coffees taste the best.

For me what bothers me is that I keep finding great coffees that are more expensive. Now, I wouldn’t hesitate throwing down $15 for a pound of quality coffee, but I know that’s not in everyones budget. That bothers me that a lot of coffees that I like are more expensive.

I’ve started planning the 2010 posts already and a lot of it includes searching out different places to get coffee (that aren’t coffee shops). I think I needed to extend that search to affordable coffee that has above average tastes.

Anyways, definitely appreciate and respect your opinion. This coffee blog has already been far more successful than I ever dreamed and I appreciate the guidance and direction.

By: Allen

Allen — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:46:21 +0000

I don’t mean any disrespect. I’ve enjoyed following your blog, watching you go from pensive coffee drinker to respectable coffee reviewer … but looking at how “far” you’ve come since this blog’s beginnings and observing your changing tone I can’t help but think that given another year or two you’ll have completely shifted target readership, “Average coffee drinkers” being the present target.

I guess it’s the nature of the beast. You can’t very well highly review anything in the grocery store–anything affordable, for that matter–when there are so many quality, four and five star beans out there. And I wouldn’t turn that stuff away if it was being sent to me, I don’t fault you that! But I don’t envy your new found revulsion at the things you once loved, either. I am lucky in that I can still enjoy 8 o’clock coffee or home-brewed dunkin donuts, even if it isn’t the best coffee in the world. Traveling, I can buy a cup of Joe at the gas station and, while not blown away by the particular blend can still take comfort in having coffee by my side. It’s not often I “Don’t want to finish the cup” — but I’m starting to get that feeling, around here.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:03:00 +0000

I wouldn’t even recommend their flavored coffees to you at this point.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:00:42 +0000

Anne,

I think you’re going to be my project! We’ll have you drinking good coffee somehow. Maxwell house just isn’t acceptable JK!

When I taste the coffees, I start with it just black. However, if it feels like it could taste better with sugar or milk, I’ll add something along those lines just to see.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:57:51 +0000

That’s interesting how you associate it as a gas station brand.

I’ll agree that flavor lock bags are better than nothing but a bag roasted two weeks ago has a huge difference in taste then one roasted two months ago.

The topics are the easy part! I literally have enough ideas to fill up next month already. I just wish I had more time to write.

By: Extreme John

Extreme John — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:23:28 +0000

As soon as I read "Original" I just had a feeling it wasn't going to be good, but than again you know me and the flavored coffee's. .-= Extreme John´s last blog ..10 Reasons I Wouldn’t Copy Your Article =-.

By: Anne

Anne — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:12:36 +0000

I’m way too cheap to buy eight o’clock coffee so I really can’t comment. Yet again, I drink Maxwell House on a regular basis ~ ‘nough said.

I did want to ask, when you taste test coffee do you add milk or non-flavored creamer or do you drink it black? Just curious. Thanks.

By: Melody

Melody — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:49:01 +0000

Hi Mike! That’s an interesting review. I have had 8 O’Clock coffee but not recently. Actually, I do kind of associate it as a gas station brand of coffee! I just don’t think it’s a true specialty coffee house – How could it be if they even sell Vanilla or Hazelnut coffee??

Though to be very fair here, I tend to think that the use by dates on Starbucks flavorlock bags are too far out from the roast date too. I really think the very maximum that coffee is okay from flavorlock packaging is like six months. I think those bags can do a lot of hold in aroma, flavor, and intensity, but it’s not perfect! One year from roast date is shockingly too long (I know precisely how the Starbucks dates work, and it is not one year).

Melody

PS: Always great to read your blog! I’m jealous! You do such a great job of finding good topics.
.-= Melody´s last blog ..Starbucks schwag: Episode 2-The Via Ready Brew cap OPEN THREAD =-.