View Full Version : Trader Joe's coffee
Man does not live by DJ's coffee alone. Before you guys pointed out just how good a cuppa joe can be, I would buy my beans from Zabar's. It's a bit inconvenient (if you ever had to park in Manhatten, you know what I mean) and although they sell tons of the stuff, I was never really thrilled with it.
Enter Trader Joe's. This is a great place to buy inexpensive pantry items, and they offer a lot of different coffee. This is not, mind you, the high end, write home to mom sort of stuff; just basic, down to Earth, every day fare.
So far, I've enjoyed their-
Organic Sumatra
Nicaraguan
Ethiopian
Costa Rican Tarrazu
Kauai
Didn't like their Moka Java, Burundi, and a few others.
Any favorites, or suggestions of what else to try?
Jay, you have given me a reason to go to Trader Joes next week when I am in Annapolis, other than just to get some 2 Buck Chuck.
rmrdaddy
03-24-2008, 03:33 PM
I'm a fan of the Tanzanian (I think) Peaberry too.
Actually, I haven't any of their coffee that was not palatable. I still have some Volcano in the cabinet waiting to be opened.
YMMV
I've only had the Colombian Supremo. It's pretty good, but I've found better Colombian Supremo elsewhere.
yomuppet
03-24-2008, 05:54 PM
My wife really enjoys the "Volcano", which is supposedly grown in the volcanic soil of Guatemala.
J
castlecraver
03-24-2008, 06:41 PM
I rather like the Costa Rican Tarrazu. :)
Shame that my Trader Joe's is farther than I'd drive just for coffee.
crankymoose
03-24-2008, 08:18 PM
what are the price ranges per pound there?
deeppurple
03-24-2008, 08:19 PM
The TJ Bay Blend has been my staple for a decade now...
thirdeye
03-24-2008, 08:26 PM
I really like Trader Joe's but I have never tried the coffee. Looks like I have one more thig to add to the basket on my next visit.
Thanks for the tip Jay.
I've tried a couple of the Trader Joe's coffees. One was an organic and the other a somewhat oily medium roast. Wish I could remember the names, both were good.
ravkesef
03-24-2008, 08:44 PM
TJ's is ok, but that's about it.
Want to go higher?
Try Peets, a step above Starbucks (which is still pretty good, mind you.)
better? counterculturecoffee.com
even better? try intelligentsiacoffee.com.
even better, i.e. top of the line: terroircoffee.com. George Howell has done in this generation what Alfred Peet of blessed memory did in another.
By the way, don't overlook our own Din Johnson, coffee guru and owner of ristrettoroasters.com. There are numerous micro-roasters around the country producing top grade coffee, and Din is right at the top of that list.
BTW, if you're in Vancouver, a trip to Caffe Artigiano is a religious pilgrimage.
none of these are as inexpensive as TJ's, but then again, you will get precisely what you pay for.
Nancy Boy
03-25-2008, 11:07 AM
Trader Joe's is fantastic. There are very few things that I don't like from that place. I have to say, however, that I tried one of their coffees (whole bean -- can't remember what) and I didn't care for it.
rmrdaddy
03-25-2008, 11:46 AM
IIRC it's somewhere in th $5-$6 range for a 1 lb can...not too shabby.
I do roast some of my own coffee, but factoring in the labor savings, it's not a bad deal IMHO.
grayraven
03-25-2008, 01:10 PM
TJ's is ok, but that's about it.
Want to go higher?
Try Peets, a step above Starbucks (which is still pretty good, mind you.)
better? counterculturecoffee.com
even better? try intelligentsiacoffee.com.
even better, i.e. top of the line: terroircoffee.com. George Howell has done in this generation what Alfred Peet of blessed memory did in another.
By the way, don't overlook our own Din Johnson, coffee guru and owner of ristrettoroasters.com. There are numerous micro-roasters around the country producing top grade coffee, and Din is right at the top of that list.
BTW, if you're in Vancouver, a trip to Caffe Artigiano is a religious pilgrimage.
none of these are as inexpensive as TJ's, but then again, you will get precisely what you pay for.
Also, to add your fine list I would say if you are looking to try out great coffees and be a bit surprised try Sweet Maria's. They are more home roasting, but sell some roasted. The address is http://www.sweetmarias.com/.
adamjaskie
03-25-2008, 02:47 PM
what are the price ranges per pound there?
About $5/pound, which is half the price of the locally roasted stuff I usually buy.
It's decent stuff. Not great, but drinkable and inexpensive.
crankymoose
03-25-2008, 02:51 PM
About $5/pound, which is half the price of the locally roasted stuff I usually buy.
It's decent stuff. Not great, but drinkable and inexpensive.
thanks, that is as you stated about 1/2 what I normally pay so I think I will get some if it's 1/2 as good I can't complain right
what are the price ranges per pound there?
They're all in the $5-8 range, in tins of 13-16 ounces. I'm not going to try their $20 Kona (I'll buy the real thing first).
I believe the key to buying at TJ's (or anywhere else, for that matter) is to buy when they first display a new shipment. I know, I know- freshly roasted coffee is best within the first week, but what can you do?
By the way, don't overlook our own Din Johnson, coffee guru and owner of ristrettoroasters.com. .
I believe I credited him in the very first sentence of this thread.
TJ's is a minute's drive from my house. When I factor in the cost of gas to Vancouver, even at 50+mpg, it becomes cost prohibitive.
Mmm this thread brings back memories :-) I used to love TJ's kenya AA when I lived in long beach ... too bad there aren't any stores in Denmark.
If you visit london and get a chance, however, I'd highly recommend Fortnum and Mason's coffees ... All of those I've tried have been great, particularly the dark roasts... they must have a good roaster. I've tried roasting myself and it's quite good, but when I once in a while catch a fresh (few days old) batch at the supermarket (some brands tell on the label when they're produced) I have to admit my own roasting skills aren't quite up to par with a professional's ... I'm just using a regular oven so no doubt just getting a home roaster could improve my roasts.
Actually the 'markus' brand the sell in ALDI isn't bad for the price (the red, ground, vacuum packed bag), in case a fellow European happen to be reading this this :-)
My absolute Fav was (I can't find it anymore) From their Ultra Dark Series Yemen.
Ultra Dark Sumatra
Ultra Dark French
and their Italian Roast
My TJ has a new one (I like my coffee how I like my men Black and a touch bitter.)
Cafe Pajaro
My TJ has a new one (I like my coffee how I like my men Black and a touch bitter.)
Cafe Pajaro
You're just dying for a custom title, aren't you? :lol:
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