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Joined: 28 May 2009 Posts: 17 Location: Nevada, Iowa
Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 1:15 pm Post subject:
jbviau wrote:
In a serendipitous little turn of events, I managed to win a free sampler of the new Green Mountain Donut House line of k-cups last Friday. Today they arrived, and now comes the fun part, namely tasting!
First off, thanks very much to Kenoza, who sponsored the giveaway, and to Dean at the K-cup Exchange (a Yahoo group), who organized it.
I've tried the Donut House Extra Bold, and I have to say it's my least favorite of the donut-themed k-cups I've tried. The strength of the coffee is not bad, considering it's a light roast, but unfortunately the flavor is lacking.
A few notes: Passable light roast. Prefer the flavor of the Timothy's. Not weak but still feels thin. Better with cream. Lightly burnt finish throughout.
The combination of thin mouth feel and lightly burnt aftertaste pushed this k-cup to the bottom of the leaderboard for me in terms of donut house coffees, with Timothy's still in first place and Coffee People in second.
My ranking: Try before you buy.
I tried my free sample and both my wife and I commented on the acid after taste on the back of our tongues. Other then that not much stood out. I agree it's a try before you buy.
The Chocolate Glazed Donut was thin and watery with a slight taste of chocolate. Nothing a chocolate lover would get excited about.
Joined: 23 Aug 2008 Posts: 2866 Location: Baltimore
Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 4:07 pm Post subject:
Thanks for your reviews. What did you think of the other two GM Donut House k-cups? _________________ Grindmaster OPOD, Keurig B40, Nespresso D90, Clever Coffee Dripper + Hario Skerton mill
Josh's Pod Guide, K-cup Line-up, and Nespresso Encapsulation
Joined: 28 May 2009 Posts: 17 Location: Nevada, Iowa
Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 5:27 pm Post subject:
jbviau wrote:
Thanks for your reviews. What did you think of the other two GM Donut House k-cups?
I'm trying the GM's Donut House Cinnamon Roll. I used a 9.25 oz drop which I found to be acceptable.
While I wouldn't drink this coffee often, (I'm not a fan of flavored coffees) I was pleasantly surprised by the flavor. The "coffee" was smooth with no predominant flavor other then cinnamon and a nutty flavor standing out. The cinnamon does tend to leave a "burn" on my tongue' sort of like cinnamon candy does. If you like Cinnamon I think you will like this. I didn't try it with cream and sugar which might have improved the flavor and given it a little better mouth feel and richness.
Honestly...flavored coffees are meant to be used with sugar and cream to really get the intended taste. Going without is kind of like making Koolaid and not adding the sugar. That just doesn't work. LOL _________________ Keurig Platinum b70
Bunn My Cafe
Nespresso C100 Essenza
Tassimo T65
Joined: 23 Aug 2008 Posts: 2866 Location: Baltimore
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 2:23 am Post subject:
jmmather, I found the cinnamon flavor pretty subtle on a smaller drop. You seem to be more sensitive to that flavor than I am. Interesting.
rahl1972, I always try a new coffee (flavored or otherwise) black and also with cream. However, adding sugar is a last resort for me. No thanks! If that's really a *requirement*, it might explain why I enjoy so few flavored coffees. In my opinion, the coffee must be able to stand on its own merits.
This reminds me that I should really get around to starting a Kool-Aid review thread one of these days! _________________ Grindmaster OPOD, Keurig B40, Nespresso D90, Clever Coffee Dripper + Hario Skerton mill
Josh's Pod Guide, K-cup Line-up, and Nespresso Encapsulation
Try Kool-Aid without the sugar sometime.....NOT good!! I did it once as the result of a blonde moment.....I will never do that again. _________________ Keurig Platinum b70
Bunn My Cafe
Nespresso C100 Essenza
Tassimo T65
Try Kool-Aid without the sugar sometime.....NOT good!! I did it once as the result of a blonde moment.....I will never do that again.
I agree with you that some flavored coffees need sugar or any sweetener to get the flavor out. The coconut coffee that was a summer special went from being below average to well above average with splenda (my sweetener of choice). It doesnt take a lot, I use about a third of a plenda packet in a 5 oz and half a splenda packet in a 7 oz.
Joined: 23 Aug 2008 Posts: 2866 Location: Baltimore
Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 8:08 pm Post subject:
Hmm, maybe I should take a hint from you two in the future and give sweeteners another try in the next few flavored coffees I review. I'm a little hesitant because in the past I've noticed that adding sugar/Splenda/maple syrup can also sometimes make things worse. But I do like to keep an open mind. _________________ Grindmaster OPOD, Keurig B40, Nespresso D90, Clever Coffee Dripper + Hario Skerton mill
Josh's Pod Guide, K-cup Line-up, and Nespresso Encapsulation
Joined: 23 Aug 2008 Posts: 2866 Location: Baltimore
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 1:01 pm Post subject:
Add my name to the list of people around here who like Van Houtte's Costa Rica Tarrazu. I'm calling it Solid.
Nice light roast with refined acidity. Great aroma while brewing. Enjoyed this black. Seemed too delicate for cream.
It's been a while since I wanted to drink any k-cup black, but this one took me there. And I'm not usually drawn to light roasts either. Recommended. _________________ Grindmaster OPOD, Keurig B40, Nespresso D90, Clever Coffee Dripper + Hario Skerton mill
Josh's Pod Guide, K-cup Line-up, and Nespresso Encapsulation
Joined: 23 Aug 2008 Posts: 2866 Location: Baltimore
Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:52 pm Post subject:
Van Houtte's Winter Blend is another Solid.
"Woodsy" flavor, as described. Acidity is just right. Medium roast. Fine to drink black.
If I had to guess, I'd say the woodiness comes from either Sumatra or Kona in the blend. Since it's a winter blend, maybe Sumatra?
Either way, I won't have any trouble finishing the box of this that I bought. _________________ Grindmaster OPOD, Keurig B40, Nespresso D90, Clever Coffee Dripper + Hario Skerton mill
Josh's Pod Guide, K-cup Line-up, and Nespresso Encapsulation
Joined: 23 Aug 2008 Posts: 2866 Location: Baltimore
Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 9:03 pm Post subject:
Third Solid in a row: Green Mountain's Fair Trade Autumn Harvest.
From the main post: Smooth, well-balanced blend. Medium-bodied (borderline too lean). Bit of smoky wood. Sweet, somewhat astringent finish. Wet aroma reminds me of s'mores. Use cream sparingly.
When I say "a bit of smoky wood," I mean a *really tiny* bit. My wife loves this one, and she normally can't stand anything roasty or burnt-tasting in her cup.
I haven't had an unflavored seasonal from GM that I haven't liked so far. Is anyone else enjoying this one? _________________ Grindmaster OPOD, Keurig B40, Nespresso D90, Clever Coffee Dripper + Hario Skerton mill
Josh's Pod Guide, K-cup Line-up, and Nespresso Encapsulation
Joined: 23 Aug 2008 Posts: 2866 Location: Baltimore
Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:47 pm Post subject:
Pleasant surprise: Van Houtte's Macadamia Nut is a low Solid.
Aroma and subtle flavor are right on, complementing the coffee. Light-roast tang but not unpleasant. No need for cream. Thanks to the Johns Hopkins Hospital for the free sample.
As with all flavored coffees, I expected this one to need doctoring. It didn't. Pun intended.
My wife's recent hospital stay was actually miserable (she's fine...no worries). In retribution, I stole a few k-cups from the beverage station (including this VH). Take that, hospital administrators! _________________ Grindmaster OPOD, Keurig B40, Nespresso D90, Clever Coffee Dripper + Hario Skerton mill
Josh's Pod Guide, K-cup Line-up, and Nespresso Encapsulation
Joined: 18 Nov 2008 Posts: 898 Location: Sarnia, Ontario
Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:33 pm Post subject:
Quote:
Pleasant surprise: Van Houtte's Macadamia Nut is a low Solid.
Interesting! I had ordered a sample of that flavour awhile back when I had placed an order with Tweed & Hickory and for some reason they didn't send it but substituted something else. I've sampled some flavours that I like quite alot but it seems that the ones I dislike have some kind of nut in them. Van Houtte makes great coffee though. _________________ Keurig B66
Nespresso Le Cube----oui, oui
Bunn My Cafe (Refurb)
Joined: 23 Aug 2008 Posts: 2866 Location: Baltimore
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:58 pm Post subject:
starryeyes wrote:
I've sampled some flavours that I like quite alot but it seems that the ones I dislike have some kind of nut in them. Van Houtte makes great coffee though.
Sounds like Pat : nutty coffee :: Josh : custardy coffee!
This morning I reached for a Green Mountain Breakfast Blend with a certain amount of dread (which turned out to be unjustified). I'm calling it a low Solid as well.
Inviting aroma. Sweet, mellow cup without seeming overly dull. Better than the Timothy's Breakfast Blend. Cocoa notes with cream.
I see this k-cup in grocery stores all the time, and now I understand why.
p.s. I didn't actually have breakfast while drinking GM's breakfast blend. Honesty is the best policy, right? Please don't call the Keurig police. _________________ Grindmaster OPOD, Keurig B40, Nespresso D90, Clever Coffee Dripper + Hario Skerton mill
Josh's Pod Guide, K-cup Line-up, and Nespresso Encapsulation
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