Folgers is one of the most popular coffee brands in the US, but why is it so bad? There are several reasons why Folgers coffee is below average at best. Firstly, Folgers uses a blend of 60% lower and bitter-tasting robusta beans and 40% of the preferred arabica beans to balance the flavor. This mixture of beans is grown at low altitudes, resulting in an old, stale coffee with a low-quality taste. The company claims to be concerned about the sustainability and humane conditions of its workers, but makes no substantial efforts to ensure that its products are produced in a manner that meets fair trade guidelines or sustainability standards.
This means that there is no way of knowing if chemicals or mold may be present in your mixtures. Furthermore, Folgers coffee is pre-ground and packaged before your customers arrive to prepare their coffee, leading to a lack of freshness. When buying coffee, you should consider more than just the price and taste. There are some brands of “dirty” coffee out there and they may be doing harm not only to your body but also to our planet.
Unfortunately, Folgers rejects all common certifications to ensure sustainability and ethical working conditions. This means that your coffee may have chemicals and molds present. In comparison, other popular coffee brands such as Nescafé and Dunkin Donuts have partnered with the Rainforest Alliance, the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) and the Common Code for the Coffee Community (4C). They also offer certified organic coffees, ensuring that your coffee does not contain any chemicals or mold.
Another factor to consider when choosing a coffee brand is the method of preparation. The traditional way of making coffee produces very little waste, since coffee grounds are compostable and easily biodegradable. However, plastic capsules cannot be easily recycled in most cities and must therefore be discarded. Finally, Folgers contains more caffeine than most specialty coffees due to its slightly toasted beans and mixture of arabica and robusta beans.
Robusta has a lot more caffeine than arabica, often twice as much. When shopping for coffee, it is important to look for brands that offer organic varieties and use sustainable methods of preparation. Invest in a burr grinder and a pouring device or a French press so you can start brewing coffee with depth and character. With so many coffee brands actively selling their variety of coffee offline and online, people simply have plenty of options to choose from.
