Fresh Brews – Lazy Sunday Afternoon Edition

Ritual

I promised myself that this week I was going to avoid the “coffee wars” but it seems like week after week they continue to dominate the headlines of the coffee world.

Green Mountain Coffee’s hot stock won’t cool down
While McDonald’s, Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks continue to battle, Green Mountain Coffee is continuing to cash in and it looks like the trend is going to continue for a while. It’s going to be hard for Starbucks to get people back when the masses have discovered that they can make quality coffee for a whole lot less without leaving the house or the office with the help of companies like Green Mountain Coffee.

Is Starbucks Coffee Actually That Good?
According to the “experts,” McDonald’s isn’t just catching up in coffee cups sold, but they’re catching up in taste too. This report says that the McDonald’s drinks are just a step behind the Starbucks drinks. That’s along the lines of what I’ve tasted. I think the major difference that is still left is Starbucks offers a whole lot more on their coffee menu and the atmosphere is a whole lot more attractive.

Starbucks: Another day, another change
To improve sales, Starbucks is going back to the drawing board with their food menu. Last week, I tried something from their food menu and I’ll be writing about later this week, but I think if Starbucks wants to improve their food sales, they really need to be themselves and not try to compete with places like McDonald’s. I don’t want a premium version of a sausage egg and cheese on a croissant when it’s going to cost me double the price of a similar thing at a fast food place.

Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee Replaces Starbucks Along Turnpike
Dunkin Donuts is winning a small battle in Florida, they’ll be replacing Starbucks locations along the Florida Turnpike. That hurts not only Starbucks, but Florida drivers like me who’d rather have Starbucks.

7-Eleven Launches Marketing Campaign For Its New Iced Coffee
Not wanting to be left out, 7-11 is hoping to attract coffee drinkers with their new month long ad campaign. I tried one of their “coffees” last week and it’s going to take a lot more than a month long marketing campaign to get people to buy their so called coffee. Review coming later this week.

Beehouse ceramic dripper
A Coffee Lover’s Perfect Mate
I thought I knew about just every way possible to make coffee, but the ceramic dripper is something that I’ve never heard of before. It looks really simple, just put in a filter and the coffee grounds. The results sound delicious and eye opening. So, I think I might have to give it a shot at some point.

Make perfect coffee! Coffee tips for YOU from a world’s leading coffee expert
Tips for manual coffee brewing
This week, I came a couple of articles with some advice on making better coffee. Some of it I’ve seen before, but there is some new information that I’m sure can help some of us.

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Top photo by Brendan Wilkinson
Ceramic Dripper photo from the Washington Post

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Have you voted in this weeks poll? Should I end my Dunkin Donuts Boycott?

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Tagged as: 7-11, Dunkin Donuts, Fresh Brews, Green Mountain Coffee, McDonalds, Starbucks

{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

rose casanova June 8, 2009 at 1:52 pm: the lowfat egg and turkey bacon breakfast sandwich from Starbucks is a staple in my diet. It costs $2.95.
My mom used the plastic version of the ceramic dripper while I was growing up. My sister uses it as well because she drinks de-caf and husband drinks regular. It’s easier than running two pots every morning. It’s convenient if you want to brew one cup.

Mike June 8, 2009 at 3:41 pm: I got the unhealthy version of that sandwich, I liked it, but not enough to justify the $3.95 price.

I don’t understand this brewing just one cup thing, but I still wouldn’t mind trying it.

Craig June 9, 2009 at 11:48 pm: I keep trying to like McDonald’s coffee but its just so frigging inconsistent from store to store. I definitely notice a lack of regulars at my local coffee haunts. I tried not to like those little machines by Green Mountain, but they are so convenient and easy to clean.

Mike June 10, 2009 at 7:05 pm: I’ve noticed that too. It seems like wherever the service is worse, the coffee tastes better at McDonald’s. As far as those coffee machines from Green Mountain, they are very enticing. I’m very close to getting one, just for research purposes of course.