Coffee Review: Caffe Ibis Vs Folgers

As any early morning riser would know, coffee is the key to getting yourself up, moving, and on your way. My coffee pot is the most important friend in the morning; as I listen to the timer go off, the grinder whirr, and the coffee drip. More often than not, people are not choosey about what type of coffee they use. One generic brand is no better than another, right? Wrong. To a real coffee consumer, a good, well-roasted cup of coffee is like art. It's not just the caffeine that matters, but the smell and taste as well. That being said, which brand do you choose? Is expensive really better than store bought? With that question in mind, I ventured out to the store and purchased a bag of Folgers Hazelnut Crème, whole bean of course, to compare to my usual, Caffé Ibis Highlander Grogg in order to put this idea to the test. I looked at each brand with a clinical eye, looking at smell, availability, and, of course, taste.

Folgers has come a long way from the instant coffee that my dad drank when I was a kid. Folgers has gourmet brands now, for the coffee snob in us all. It is easily accessible, being found in all grocery stores, and probably most convenience stores as well. That being said, Folgers does reflect its mass marketing appeal. The Folgers Hazelnut Crème does have a pleasant aroma, if a little strong. The hazelnut additive seems a little more like it should be in mom's hazelnut candle, than in a coffee bean. The sweet smell can be overpowering, yet not unpleasant. The more important feature, however, is the taste.

The taste of the Folgers Hazelnut Crème is actually good, but also a little overwhelming. The artificial flavoring is used a bit in overabundance, covering up too much of the actual coffee flavor, turning a regular cup of coffee into something resembling a flavored coffee drink from a coffee chain. This flavoring, however, can appeal to the majority of newer coffee drinkers, wishing to hide the taste in order to inhale the caffeine. Overall, this Folgers brand is pleasant and a good beginner coffee and backup for the veteran coffee drinker.

If you've never head of Caffé Ibis, you should take the time to look into it. Caffé Ibis Coffee Brewing Company is a fair trade coffee roaster based out of Loganå UT. The coffee is organic and shade grown, as the company seeks to maintain the ecosystem and integrity of the growers. They are a smaller coffee distributor, and, therefore, less accessible to the public. Caffe Ibis coffee can be found in various coffee houses in Utah and can also be ordered online at www.caffeibis.com. This may make some coffee consumers shy away, but for those of you willing to put forth the effort, this coffee is well worth it.

Caffe Ibis specializes in many different coffee varieties, but for the purpose of this article I used another flavored coffee: Highlander Grogg. Like the Folgers Hazelnut Crème, the Café Ibis Highlander Grogg has a strong and distinctive smell. It has a distinctive liqueur taste and fragrance, but it is not overpowering and does not seem too artificial. The liqueur flavor compliments the light roast flavor of the coffee and doesn't overpower the original coffee taste. The Café Ibis Highlander Grogg is a sweeter coffee, and so, like the Folgers, it is a great starter for newer coffee drinkers, but it also stands the test of time for even the most experienced coffee consumer. It is definitely a superior coffee that is worth looking into. All in all, Caffe Ibis Coffee Brewing Company is a great small company looking to do their part to make the world coffee industry fair and equal. So, while you enjoy your coffee, you can also feel the comfort of knowing that your coffee was roasted by those who care.

Coffee is a tricky thing to review. Most coffee drinkers have a certain coffee they like and stick to it loyally, but if you're willing to give it a shot, Caffe Ibis is a coffee roaster well worth looking into. The Folgers varieties are a great alternative in a pinch, but doesn't compare to the quality of fresh roasted beans from a smaller company.