Is there really a difference in the taste of Maxwell House and Folgers coffee?
You can check the answer of the people under the question at Quora “maxwell house coffee commercial 2020“
Is there really a difference in the taste of Maxwell House and Folgers coffee?
You can check the answer of the people under the question at Quora “maxwell house coffee commercial 2020“
Historically, yes. Maxwell House was a national brand but strongest in the east where the consumer was more inclined to use cream and sugar. The coffee was heavier, probably a bit darker, it had heavy Brazil component and not a little Robusta. Some centrals and counted on Colombian coffee to bring up the acidity.
Folgers came out of the west where the consumer was more inclined to fewer additives (cream/sugar). The roast was somewhat lighter and it had more of a Central character. Their Brazils were of a better quality and the blend probably had less Robusta. Individuals had preferences but overall the brands were considered to be at parity in terms of overall preference.
Then the world changed. The new (at the time early 90’s) Colombian arabica variety was not as distinctive and after a while Maxwell House started subbing for the Colombians. The Brazils and Centrals used were of lower quality as other higher quality products outbid them for coffee. Year after year the Robusta in both products increased to remain price competitive. Of course the one lb can became 13, 12, 11 ounces. Somewhere along the way these once proud brands became more focused on price than quality. While of course the coffee market went in the exact opposite direction.
I haven’t cupped them side by side in many years. I believe that Folgers has grown a rather substantial lead over Maxwell House in the market which leads me to believe their quality is probably better. But as always in coffee, YMMV.
Oh my goodness yes! I find Maxwell house (regular) coffee to be way too dark and bitter tasting. However, the Maxwell 100% Columbian is a decent substitute for Folger’s, which is my daily drink. However, I’m finding recently that Folger’s has gotten a bit boring? I may switch back to 8 O’clock coffee.
In short, not very different.
Most mass market coffee tastes the same because it is a blend of coffee beans sourced from different parts of the world and roasted dark enough to remove any variation in taste due to origin. Unless the coffee is whole bean, and the packaging says “100% Arabica” or provides the origin (something like Sumatra Mandheling), it is just coffee for the sake of caffeine… and that’s OK for most people. I choose what kind of coffee I drink at home (and it’s not Maxwell House or Folger’s), but when a restaurant serves me coffee, I have no clue of its origin. It’s probably Maxwell House or Folger’s. I’ve often savored it because it was freshly made.
To my taste not much. Their roasts and blends are basically the same and extremely similar to Farmer Bros and other restaurant supply house coffees. For people who don’t want to think about coffee but just want a made cup of a consistent quality that’s what they should get.
Of course. They are completely different. And both are completely awful. It actually takes a great deal of expertise and skill to consistently make large quantities of coffee taste the same. If only they could take that skill and expertise and also make it taste better…