Coffee snob!
The photo was taken at Caribou Coffee at MSP Airport
The picture was taken from Real Housemoms
I have tried all kinds of coffee; from the crap in the can from the grocery store to having a mailorder subscription, to an online one, chain coffee stores, and one-of-a-kind coffee places. Just in this one blog, I'm just going to cover coffee chains and online coffee subscriptions.
I first started with the grocery store type of coffee back in the early 80s. At that time I wasn't very good at making it, and at the time I was married. My in-laws came over to the house and I made some. My poor father-in-law spat it out as it was "battery acid."
I have gotten much better at making coffee, and thanks to my youngest sister Michelle, got better at what kind of coffee I wanted. She started my path to becoming a coffee snob.
I tried flavored coffee and liked it, and even got a coffee subscription to a now-defunct coffee company which was a bit expensive. I also got too much of it all the time and gave a lot away. I wasn't about to pay good money for coffee that I never could use fast enough.
Then the flavored creamers came out which were a hit-and-miss for me. There were some combinations that were good and others I hated. Then the coffee places and chain stores came around. I prefer the one-of-a-kind coffee places as they have their own take on coffee. I'll cover the individual coffee houses later in another post.
With subscriptions being a disappointment, I went another way. I tried the chain store coffee and even worked at a couple. Caribou Coffee is not everyone's cup of tea, but I happen to like it and have never been disappointed in any of the drinks, breakfast sandwiches, and other baked goods. It does cost a bit of money to go to Caribou, but if you are going to a coffee store, it's not going to be cheap. I applaud Caribou where once a year they come out with "Amy's Blend" (named after the original roastmaster, Amy Erickson) where 10 percent of the proceeds go to "Girls on the Run." They also have a special day where 100 percent of the proceeds go to the same organization. I realize that Caribou Coffee is not nationwide, but if you are ever this way, it's a pretty good place. The inside of most of the stores are decorated in a rustic cabin look. Very comfortable and scenic to enjoy your coffee or tea in.
Starbucks coffee is something I cannot drink. It is even more difficult when you are working there and part of the job is trying different coffees they offer and you get sick to your stomach every time you even have a sample of it. I didn't last long there. Lol. One thing I will say, the teas at Starbucks are great and I love the pink drink. I get it pretty much every time I am at Starbucks. I was happy to find out that not only do I like the taste, it is the drink lowest in carbs, besides the teas. Si uf tiy are diabetic, it is the best choice next to the different teas they serve.
Some Starbuck's locations are really cool like the one in downtown St. Paul, while others in a more suburb area is not. I'm not going to mention which Starbucks it is as it's a crap shoot which ones are better. Caribo is fairly consistent with their decor and furniture, while Starbucks doesn't seem to be. In that, Starbucks may stand out a bit more. As a Minnesota coffee shop (although it has extended in other states) the cabin decor is more fitting for Minnesota.
I have tried Dunn Brothers but I don't remember what the experience was like as it was so long ago back when my daughter, granddaughter and I lived in Minneapolis and that was over 13 years ago.
I never thought I would try another online coffee subscription, but I broke down and did. It is a bit more expensive than getting Caribou coffee beans, but it is so worth it in my opinion.
Death Wish coffee came out in 2012 by owner Mike Brown. I had seen it advertised online and I thought, "Why not?" I am so glad that I did. I started a subscription with Death Wish and the coffee is great. I normally don't enjoy a dark roast as it messes with my stomach. Funny thing, it goes down really smooth and I don't have issues with it. I will say, Death Wish states on their site that they have the strongest caffienated coffee in the world and I don't doubt it. I wouldn't drink it after 3PM unless you work a night shift, otherwise you are going to hear your eyelids shut and close from being wide awake. My niece loves it and stated that she could hear colors. Lol.
Death Wish is sold in stores, as I found it at Walmart. If you want to save money, then a bag of Death Wish costs (depending on which one you want) between $19 to $30 (if you buy the Death Wish and Valhalla Java together). It is not cheap, but it is worth the price if you can swing it. Personally, I prefer the subscription as you get deals and discounts from time to time, as well as there being clothing, mugs, and other merch to purchase. Some of the pottery mugs were created by Deneen Pottery in St. Paul, Minnesota. There are specialty mugs that sell out really fast, while the regular Death Wish mug is probably easier to get. One thing about getting a subscription to Death Wish beside the coffee, is that everytime I have ordered online from them, they have always thrown in something extra, like stickers, a stress hockey puck, patches, and even special coins. You can earn points which can put towards future orders.
I love the holiday flavors that have come out, like the pumpkin chai, pumpkin spice, and I am totally in love with the Irish cream barrel blend. If I get the pumpkin blend, I like to buy an vanilla/cinnamon creamer and it really kicks the flavor up a notch, but you don't need it if you prefer your coffee black.
Valhalla Java is part of the Death Wish family; created by Zakk Wylde (played with Ozzy Osbourne) as he wanted something that wasn't 'vanilla' but something he could be happy to put his name to. It is a great coffee, and I normally get the Death Wish Coffee and Valhalla Java together as it is a great deal. Death Wish does have a medium roast for those who prefer their coffee that way sinstead of the dark roast.
I would say this, if you have a heart condition, it might not be a good idea to drink this. Death Wish is NOT kidding when they brag about their caffiene content in their coffee. You will be up all night if you drink it after 3 or 4PM and if you suffer from insomnia, it will not help. Death Wish does not have a decaf blend, as they refuse to do it. Lol. You can't brag about caffiene content with decaf.
That's all for coffee chains and subscriptions. My next coffee post will be my favorite one-of-a-kind coffee shops.
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