I like trying different coffees and thought I might do a little review from time to time. So let’s start off with a Waitrose French blend ground coffee review. Is the description full of pretentious twaddle? Is it bitter and harsh or perhaps a refreshing pick-me-up?
This is a reasonably priced coffee at £2.60 for 227 grams. It is pre-ground and described as being suitable for all coffee makers, strength 5 and “full bodied, rich and aromatic”.
Taste testing!
I wasn’t sure what to make of it so I tried it out on my friends Rosie and Dave, after we had done our Parkrun last Saturday. They both acknowledged it was something slightly different but also quite nice. I should say I wouldn’t expect them just to be polite, in fact I’d expect them to be honest and demand a cup of something else if they didn’t like it!
Happily there’s no description beyond being “full bodied, rich and aromatic”. No pretentious, pseudo intellectual waffle. Another positive feature is the coffee being Fairtrade and reasonably priced. The best before date is July 2020 so I think it it might be reasonably fresh, although there is no indication of the roasting date (this is a shame and it’s where independents can shine above even the best supermarkets). The packaging cannot be recycled in any way.
It is quite a strong coffee and there’s no mistaking it being a dark roast. Having it half strength is no good; you either need to drink it at the normal, full strength, or not al all. It is slightly bitter, which is okay to a point and certainly a bold tasting coffee.
Who would like it most of all?
An early morning person, who needs a kick to get going. Students? Homeworkers on a Monday morning?
Summing up
- Thankfully no pretentious twaddle about having notes of French onions and hints of dark, musty soils or anything like that. Phew
- Taste is okay, there’s no mistaking this is a serious coffee with a definite kick. Slightly bitter and smells quite nice
- The grind is too fine for our cafeteria, unless you fancy having a spoonful of sludge at the bottom. Made in a coffee filter machine is fine though
- Would I buy it again? Perhaps but not often.