![\"ShopSmart](\"http:\/\/www.clarksvilleonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/11\/ShopSmart-logo.jpg\" "\\"ShopSmart"){kind=logo}
Yonkers, NY<\/strong> – When it comes to coffee, big names don\u2019t always deliver great flavor.<\/p>\nThe November 2014 issue of ShopSmart, from Consumer Reports, highlights results from its taste-tests of whole-bean, ground, and pod coffees in which brews from Folgers and Maxwell House didn\u2019t stand up to offerings from specialty brands including Allegro, Peet\u2019s, and Starbucks.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese \u2018old reliable\u2019 coffee brands also lost out to some of the money-saving store brands from Trader Joe\u2019s and Costco in our taste tests,\u201d said Lisa Lee Freeman, editor-in-chief of ShopSmart.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the price of coffee skyrocketing, that\u2019s great news for shoppers looking for a flavorful and affordable cup of joe,\u201d stated Freeman.<\/p>\n
The Best & Worst Coffees<\/h3>\n
For the best tasting cup, ShopSmart suggests using bottled or filtered water when brewing to cancel out any unsavory flavors tap water can leave behind. Below are some \u201cSmart Picks\u201d and misses based on taste tests of whole bean, ground bean and single-serve pod coffees.<\/p>\n
Whole-Bean Coffee<\/h4>\n\n- Smart Pick:<\/strong> Allegro Organic Continental Blend, $12.00 per package; 28 cents per cup. A darker roast with a bold flavor and berry and citrus flavors. It\u2019s made with organic beans and has the lowest cost per cup among the whole-bean Smart Picks. Where to find it: Whole Foods Markets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Ground Coffee<\/h4>\n\n- Smart Pick:<\/strong> Starbucks House Blend, $10.80 per package; 25 cents per cup. The overall flavor is strong, with hints of chocolate and fruit. Like most very dark roasts, this blend has a characteristic burnt note and some bitterness. Where to find it: Starbucks stores, supermarkets, online.<\/li>\n
- Not So Hot:<\/strong> Maxwell House Original Roast. Along with the other ground coffees that scored at the bottom of the list, this brew tended to be flat and lack the complexity of the higher-rated Smart Picks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Pod Coffee<\/h4>\n\n- Smart Pick:<\/strong> Peet\u2019s House Blend, $8.58 per package; 85 cents per cup. A darker roast with some sweetness, it has a fuller body than other pods sampled. Where to find it: Peet\u2019s Coffee stores, supermarkets, online.<\/li>\n
- Not So Hot:<\/strong> Folgers Gourmet Selections Classic Roast. The blah flavor and grainy notes of this pod blend put it dead last in ShopSmart\u2019s taste tests.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
For the full list of winners and losers from ShopSmart\u2019s coffee taste-tests, along with the best bargain brewers, pick up the November 2014 issue on newsstands now.<\/p>\n
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About Consumer Reports<\/h3>\n
![\"Consumer](\"http:\/\/www.clarksvilleonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/consumerreports-200x76.jpg\" "\\"Consumer")
Consumer Reports is the world\u2019s largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website, and other publications.<\/p>\n
Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.<\/p>\n
About ShopSmart Magazine<\/h3>\n
Launched in Fall 2006 by Consumer Reports, ShopSmart draws upon the publication\u2019s celebrated tradition of accepting no advertisements and providing unbiased product reviews. ShopSmart features product reviews, shopping tips on how to get the most out of products and \u201cbest of the best\u201d lists. It\u2019s ideal for busy shoppers who place a premium on time.<\/p>\n
Ground Coffee<\/h4>\n\n- Smart Pick:<\/strong> Starbucks House Blend, $10.80 per package; 25 cents per cup. The overall flavor is strong, with hints of chocolate and fruit. Like most very dark roasts, this blend has a characteristic burnt note and some bitterness. Where to find it: Starbucks stores, supermarkets, online.<\/li>\n
- Not So Hot:<\/strong> Maxwell House Original Roast. Along with the other ground coffees that scored at the bottom of the list, this brew tended to be flat and lack the complexity of the higher-rated Smart Picks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Pod Coffee<\/h4>\n\n- Smart Pick:<\/strong> Peet\u2019s House Blend, $8.58 per package; 85 cents per cup. A darker roast with some sweetness, it has a fuller body than other pods sampled. Where to find it: Peet\u2019s Coffee stores, supermarkets, online.<\/li>\n
- Not So Hot:<\/strong> Folgers Gourmet Selections Classic Roast. The blah flavor and grainy notes of this pod blend put it dead last in ShopSmart\u2019s taste tests.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
For the full list of winners and losers from ShopSmart\u2019s coffee taste-tests, along with the best bargain brewers, pick up the November 2014 issue on newsstands now.<\/p>\n
[320center]<\/p>\n
About Consumer Reports<\/h3>\n
Consumer Reports is the world\u2019s largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website, and other publications.<\/p>\n
Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.<\/p>\n
About ShopSmart Magazine<\/h3>\n
Launched in Fall 2006 by Consumer Reports, ShopSmart draws upon the publication\u2019s celebrated tradition of accepting no advertisements and providing unbiased product reviews. ShopSmart features product reviews, shopping tips on how to get the most out of products and \u201cbest of the best\u201d lists. It\u2019s ideal for busy shoppers who place a premium on time.<\/p>\n
Pod Coffee<\/h4>\n\n- Smart Pick:<\/strong> Peet\u2019s House Blend, $8.58 per package; 85 cents per cup. A darker roast with some sweetness, it has a fuller body than other pods sampled. Where to find it: Peet\u2019s Coffee stores, supermarkets, online.<\/li>\n
- Not So Hot:<\/strong> Folgers Gourmet Selections Classic Roast. The blah flavor and grainy notes of this pod blend put it dead last in ShopSmart\u2019s taste tests.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
For the full list of winners and losers from ShopSmart\u2019s coffee taste-tests, along with the best bargain brewers, pick up the November 2014 issue on newsstands now.<\/p>\n
[320center]<\/p>\n
About Consumer Reports<\/h3>\n
Consumer Reports is the world\u2019s largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website, and other publications.<\/p>\n
Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.<\/p>\n
About ShopSmart Magazine<\/h3>\n
Launched in Fall 2006 by Consumer Reports, ShopSmart draws upon the publication\u2019s celebrated tradition of accepting no advertisements and providing unbiased product reviews. ShopSmart features product reviews, shopping tips on how to get the most out of products and \u201cbest of the best\u201d lists. It\u2019s ideal for busy shoppers who place a premium on time.<\/p>\n
For the full list of winners and losers from ShopSmart\u2019s coffee taste-tests, along with the best bargain brewers, pick up the November 2014 issue on newsstands now.<\/p>\n
[320center]<\/p>\n
About Consumer Reports<\/h3>\n
Consumer Reports is the world\u2019s largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website, and other publications.<\/p>\n
Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.<\/p>\n
About ShopSmart Magazine<\/h3>\n
Launched in Fall 2006 by Consumer Reports, ShopSmart draws upon the publication\u2019s celebrated tradition of accepting no advertisements and providing unbiased product reviews. ShopSmart features product reviews, shopping tips on how to get the most out of products and \u201cbest of the best\u201d lists. It\u2019s ideal for busy shoppers who place a premium on time.<\/p>\n