clearlycoffee, Author at Clearly Coffee

What’s a Good Cheap Coffee Brand?

August 5, 2023June 12, 2023 by clearlycoffee

QUESTION: What’s a good cheap coffee brand? I’m not into fancy coffees. I just have a regular drip machine and I buy cheap ground coffee at the grocery store. – …

Folgers Vs. Maxwell House – What’s the Difference?

June 16, 2023June 12, 2023 by clearlycoffee

A blue canister of Maxwell House original roast coffee next to a red canister of Folgers classic roast coffee

by Matt Gibson

Folgers coffee has been on the market since the 1850’s, and Maxwell house has been around since 1892, so both of these budget coffee corporations have been around for quite some time, providing American household coffee drinkers with ready-to-brew, freshly roasted and ground coffee. Maxwell House has enjoyed superiority over Folgers as the number one coffee in America for nearly 100 years, but became the runner-up to Folgers in the 1990’s. Folgers has held the title of America’s number one budget coffee brand ever since.

In 2007, Maxwell House decided to use nothing but 100% arabica beans in their coffee blend, which gave them a noticeable edge over Folgers in taste, aroma, and overall quality. However, using 100% arabica beans is pricey, and in order to maintain competitive prices with Folgers and other budget brands, Maxwell House eventually had to go back to using a blend of both arabica and robusta beans to the detriment of their product.

What’s wrong with Folgers coffee?

June 26, 2023June 11, 2023 by clearlycoffee

QUESTION: What’s wrong with Folgers coffee? I think it’s good and a lot of those fancy coffees are just bitter and disgusting. – Bill B

ANSWER: There is nothing specifically wrong with Folgers coffee. Classic Folgers has a rich history in the United States and is an iconic American brand. It is one of the best selling brands of coffee in the country, and a staple in many households. Many coffee drinkers, especially in America, where Folgers originated and is still popular to this day, have been purchasing, brewing, and enjoying Folgers brand coffee for their entire lives. The brand’s slogan, “the best part of waking up, is Folgers in your cup,” is permanently etched into the memory of a large percentage of American families as is the timeless tradition of Folgers.

Which Coffee Has the Least Pesticides?

June 19, 2023June 10, 2023 by clearlycoffee

QUESTION: Which coffee has the least pesticides? I just learned about the pesticides some coffee can contain and want to avoid it. — Demetrius T.

ANSWER: In short, organic coffees will have no chemical pesticides. Conventional coffee, on the other hand, gets treated with more chemicals than most of the other foods in the world. It makes sense that you’d try to avoid consuming these chemicals and pesticides in your coffee. Nobody wants to worry about toxins and chemicals in their cup when they’re trying to enjoy their coffee. In this article, we’ll explain the difference between organic and conventional coffee, we’ll talk about shopping for organic coffee, and we’ll recommend some organic coffee brands that have no chemical coffee pesticides.

Hario V60 vs. Chemex for Making Pour Over Coffee – My Thoughts

June 9, 2023May 31, 2023 by clearlycoffee

By Darren Oliver

Among fans of pour-over coffees, the debate has been going on for years: the V60 or the Chemex, which method is better, which produces tastier coffee, and why one is better than the other. I am a person who has dealt with both methods, brewing dozens of liters of coffee with each. So I’d like to throw in my two cents and tell you why, of the two methods mentioned, I lean towards the former. My thoughts are the result of reflections after years of using both methods, but they are not definitive answers.

Perhaps Chemex is the method you enjoy brewing more. If so, great! That’s what the world of coffee is all about. So don’t take the arguments below as revealed truth, but more as a certain point of view that may make you think further.

Kopi (Civet) Coffee Is Fake and Cruel, So Don’t Ever Buy It

May 18, 2023 by clearlycoffee

by Darren Oliver

Entering the world of coffee, you’ve probably heard several times about Kopi Luwak, also known as “the most expensive coffee in the world”, which is produced with the help of the excrement of a small animal – the civet. This coffee is shrouded in many myths and half-truths, and the bubble of its prestige is artificially pumped with their help. Unfortunately, the reality is not as colorful as it might seem.

The production of Kopi Luwak is a process that is based on animal suffering, which is scrupulously concealed so as not to destroy the image of exclusivity, luxury, and uniqueness of this type of coffee, which has been promoted for years. But for us, the modern world of coffee is based on equality and justice – and this is what the coffee industry intends to fight for. So, let’s explore the myths that have grown up around the iconic Kopi Luwak and find out why they are half-truths at best.

What You’ll Learn

The history and myths surrounding Kopi Luwak, often referred to as “the most expensive coffee in the world”.
How the production process of Kopi Luwak often involves animal suffering and unethical practices.
The role of digestive enzymes in a civet’s stomach in influencing the taste of the coffee.
The issues with mass production of Kopi Luwak and the cruel conditions in civet farms.
The arguments for and against the use of wild civets in producing Kopi Luwak.
The common instances of falsely labeled Kopi Luwak and the reasons behind it.
The impact of Kopi Luwak’s popularity on other animals like bats, monkeys, and elephants.
The possibility and methods of producing ethical Kopi Luwak without animal exploitation.

Can you get an espresso shot at McDonald’s? (Sort of)

May 12, 2023 by clearlycoffee

Adding a shot of espresso to your drink with the app

QUESTION: Can you get just an espresso shot at McDonald’s? I heard their McCafe is pretty good, but I pretty much only drink plain espresso. – Alan H

CLEARLY COFFEE REPLIES: This is a good question and I didn’t know the answer, so I tried to order one and here’s what I found out.

What is Rainforest Alliance Certified Coffee

May 11, 2023 by clearlycoffee

Barissimo Rainforest Alliance Certified Coffee on the shelf — *Some Barissimo branded coffees from Aldi are Rainforest Alliance certified.*

QUESTION: What is Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee? The last time I was in Wholefoods my attention was drawn to a certain package of coffee. It had a “Rainforest Alliance” stamp on it. I had heard about shade-grown coffee and its impact on ecology, but this was the first time I came across this particular label: what does it mean?

DARREN OLIVER AT CLEARLY COFFEE REPLIES: The labels and certifications displayed on packages can often leave customers confused, but we’re here to help! Rainforest Alliance Certified Coffee can often be found in popular supermarkets today. What does this certification mean, exactly?

To answer this question, we first need to know what the Rainforest Alliance is. In a nutshell, it is an environmental non-governmental organization whose goal is to create a more sustainable world by using social and market forces to protect nature and improve the lives of farmers and forest communities (in their own words). Once a product meets the criteria imposed by the organization to ensure appropriate environmental as well as ethical standards, it can be certified by the Rainforest Alliance.

4 Common V60 Coffee Mistakes and Problems (and the Solutions!)

April 28, 2023April 27, 2023 by clearlycoffee

by Darren Oliver

Everyone desires a well-brewed V60. For many of us, this is our first contact with specialty coffee! It’s a simple, quick and inexpensive method. However, it can still cause minor problems. Here are common mistakes and problems when brewing a V60, as well as their solutions.

What is the meaning of blonde coffee?

April 23, 2023 by clearlycoffee

blonde roast coffee example — *Libertyville Coffee Company makes a “non-Starbucks” blonde roast coffee.*

QUESTION: What is the meaning of blonde coffee? I saw it at a coffee shop recently but I didn’t ask then. – Annie G

CLEARLY COFFEE REPLIES: “Blonde coffee” refers to a lighter roast of coffee beans, which is also sometimes called a light roast, or breakfast roast. Probably what you saw actually said blonde roast and not blonde coffee. Light roasting allows for a coffee’s natural flavors and characteristics to be more prominent, as opposed to a darker roast, which can overshadow some of these more delicate flavors.