Trader Joe’s 100% Hawaiian Coffee, reviewed

I am a big fan of Kona coffee, and while not many coffees will beat out a perfectly roasted and brewed cup of Kona in my book, it is well worth noting that there is a lot of coffee grown in Hawaii outside of Kona and a lot of it is really excellent – and more affordable than pure Kona. Trader Joe’s 100% Hawaiian Coffee is one of these. This coffee is a single-plantation coffee grown in Hawaii but outside of the Kona area. Trader Joe’s won’t say exactly which plantation produces the beans, but at less than half the price of Kona beans, it’s worth a little mystery.

This coffee is a very dark roast with strong earthy flavors and a hint of smokiness. It does not have the berry overtones than some of my favorite dark roasts have, and instead has a woodsy and slightly spicy finish to it that reminds me of cloves. TJ’s says it makes good espresso, and I can see that because it’s clear that this is an all around coffee. It blends very well with milk and would stand up to the other flavors in something like a mocha or vanilla latte.

Starbucks Tribute Blend, reviewed

The worst thing about a limited edition coffee – blend or otherwise – is that it is only going to be available for a short period of time. Actually, this can be a great thing when you’re interested in trying new coffees and don’t want to get hung up on one brew. But when the limited edition hits all the right notes, all you can think about is the fact that you want to get in as much as you can before it is gone. I have to say that this last statement describes the way I feel about the Starbucks Tribute Blend. I heard that Howard Shultz said it was one of the best cups of coffee he has ever had and I believe it.

The coffee is a blend of Aged Sumatra, naturally processed Ethiopia, Colombia and Papua New Guinea beans. They are all roasted before being blended. Aged Sumatra is one of my very favorite coffee, with its rich and deep flavor, and I was very pleased to taste how strongly that coffee influences the Tribute Blend. The coffee is a bold, dark coffee with great berry, pepper and hazelnut tones. There is a some smokiness to the coffee, as well, but it is very smooth and has almost no bitterness to it. You’re hit with the berries with the first slurp, they fade into spicy nuttiness, and come back for a very long lasting and fruity finish.

This coffee is available as whole beans and as Via at Starbucks stores. The Via version is very close to the whole bean version, but I didn’t think that you got quite the same lasting berry flavor with the Via. Some stores will brew it as their bold offering in the next couple of weeks, too. If you have time, get the baristas to make a french press for you so you can really enjoy its flavor to the fullest – and can savor it without just taking it in a to-go cup.

Nescafe Taster’s Choice Sticks, reviewed

From the look of Nescafe Taster’s Choice Sticks, you might assume that they want to compete with Starbucks Via by offering sleek single-serve packets of various different flavors of coffee. And they probably do, so I picked up a sample pack to try and compare it to Via, which is now my go-to instant coffee.

The problem with Nescafe Taster’s Choice Sticks is immediately obvious: the packets are filled with instant coffee. Like most freeze dried coffee, the overall flavor is very weak and far too easy to water down with too much liquid in your cup. Unlike instant coffee from a jar, there is no real way to adjust the strength of your coffee by simply adding more; the amount you can use is limited by the amount in the packet. The coffees are, across the board, weak and not very satisfying even for a quick fix. Doubling them up helps some, but they don’t have the robust flavor of something like Starbucks Via no matter what you do.

If you do like your coffee on the (very) mild side, there is one thing to look forward to here. The flavored coffee sticks, like the vanilla and hazelnut, have a very nice (mild) flavor and aroma to them. I will keep some on hand for emergencies – not a bad idea for an actual emergency kit, actually, because they last almost forever! – but I doubt that I’ll be buying these to use on a regular basis.

Greenwell Estate Kona Coffee, reviewed

One of the most memorable coffee experiences I’ve had was going out to visit the Greenwell Plantation on the big island of Hawaii. Not only did I get to taste coffee cherries right off the tree, but I got to taste some of my favorite Kona coffee in one of the freshest batches you can get. I got this batch of Greenwell Estate Private Reserve Kona Coffee from Sea Island and I have to say that they make very quick work of the shipping and – aside from the lovely Hawaiian weather – you’re not missing anything by making the coffee at home and not traveling out to the plantation.

The Greenwell Estate coffee is earthy, sweet and tangy. It is really rich tasting and full bodied, and actually reminds me a lot of red wine, although probably better. I’d make this a daily brew if only I could pick it up at my local store, instead of having to have it shipped!

For other fans of Kona coffee, I previously bought green beans from Greenwell Estate and roasted them at home with good results. A fun project if you have the time and outdoor space!

Trader Joe’s Joe Coffee

Trader Joe’s Joe Coffee appears to be the supermarket chain’s new house blend. It’s not a stretch to guess this, given the name, but another tell-tell factor is the price. This 14-oz can was just $3.99 (at my local TJs, prices may vary). Their coffees are usually a good deal, but this is easily the most affordable option on the shelf. As the house blend, Joe’s is designed to appeal to as many coffee drinkers as possible. It’s a medium-roast coffee, with a medium-low acidity and a medium body. There are notes of  chocolate and some woodsiness, but it’s overall just a very smooth and drinkable cup that isn’t entirely remarkable. That’s not a bad thing! It means that it hits its mark as an everyday coffee that will appeal to a wide audience  – and at the price point it’s at, the potential audience is pretty big.