Why doesn't Dunkin Donut coffee taste the same at home?

Coffee Makers & Grinders

Making Gourmet Coffee

Coffee Reviews, Questions, Videos & More

Bits & Pieces

Subscribe To This Site

Why doesn't Dunkin Donut coffee taste the same at home?

by Mario
(Centerport, NY USA)

QUESTION:

Why does store-bought coffee smell and taste better at their location than at my home? I use a French press coffee maker. I bought the grinds at the same location as I buy the coffee in a cup.

ANSWER:

Interesting question! I think there may be two reasons.

In part, perhaps it is the influence of the aroma and atmosphere in a coffee shop. There's something about the strong aroma of fresh-brewed coffee that just permeates the whole place. The environment of coffee-making, donuts and people likely combine to make the coffee taste a little bit better.

It's probably the same deal at Starbucks. You can buy their coffee too, and make it at home. But I bet it tastes better in a Starbucks store.

The second reason may be that the coffee beans being used in the store are almost certainly fresher. By the time you get that can of ground coffee home, it's probably quite a bit older, and a little staler, than the coffee used in the store.

Or, it's possible that the coffee they use in their stores is not exactly the same as the coffee they sell in their cans.

As for your coffee maker, a French press is an excellent way to make coffee. So I don't think you would have a problem with the brewing process itself.

Comments for
Why doesn't Dunkin Donut coffee taste the same at home?

Click here to add your own comments

Jan 27, 2012

the trick to at home DD coffee
by: Val

I agree with adding the soda, I thought it was wierd, but what the heck, I have a whole Costco sized bag of coffee. I just add a pinch and mix it into my grounds...What a difference! Thanks for sharing the fireman secret!!!

Jan 20, 2012

the scam
by: George Hayden

it's not the same beans. they're cheaper and scam the DD customers into thinking it's the same. & that the taste at home is our fault. Bullshit !!!

Jan 08, 2012

D&D Coffee
by: Capman911

I tried adding a sprinkle of salt to the coffee being brewed. It brought out the flavor but not the bitterness. So I remembered when I was a firefighter we would put a dash of soda in the tea we would make for lunch and dinner to take out the bitterness. So I tried a small sprinkle of soda on top of the fresh grounds in the filter and let the hot water pour over the fresh coffee. When I drank my first cup, then the whole pot I knew I had found my secret to a better cup of D&D coffee for me. There is not any bitterness only smooth flavorful coffee. I hope this works for those who want to try a small sprinkle of soda with their nixture.

Jan 07, 2012

If you want your Coffee to taste like Dunkin...
by: Anonymous

If you want your coffee to taste like Dunkin buy the coffee from the Dunkin Donuts store its the real deal. DO NOT buy the ORANGE labeled Dunkin Donuts coffee from your local grocery store or warehouse store as these are not the same beans/roast used in Dunkin Donuts coffee!!! Try it you will be surprised.

Dec 19, 2011

Simply Cheap Coffee
by: Jo Ann

I've never had coffee at a DD shop but I got suckered-in by the TV-commercial and bought a 40oz bag of DD Original Blend at Costco. The very first pot of coffee after opening the bag (1.5 tbsp : 6 oz purified water) was terrible!

I know that the problem is not the temperature of the water as my Cuisinart (Drip) makes terrific coffee when using freshly ground Peet's beans (which btw only requires 1 tbsp : 6 oz water)!

I can only conclude that the packaged (ground) DD coffee is the problem, pure and simple!

Dec 06, 2011

Capman911
by:

I have a commercial grade Bunn coffee maker in my kitchen thanks to a friend who owns a restaurant. I have tried different brands of coffee in it but I can't get the same taste as if I was at a DD or restaurant. I have adjusted the temp up higher and went by the directions on the bag, but to no avail. I haven't tried adding a dash of salt to the fresh coffee yet so that will be my next experiment. My friend gave me a bag of S&D coffee to try and that was the taste I was looking for. But the average joe (no pun intended) lol can't buy S&D coffee. Since S&D makes DD coffee I will have to keep trying for that wonderful eye opening cup of java.

Nov 11, 2011

Know what you're buying.
by: Anonymous

There are two different versions of the Dunkin Donuts Coffee which you can buy - there's the version made by Dunkin, which you can buy at Dunkin Donuts locations or on their website - the package looks like this:
http://media.lunch.com/d/d7/514718.jpg

Then there's the one that they sell at grocery store s- it comes in a bright orange package like this: http://www.globalgiants.com/archives/fotos3/PROCTER-GAMBLE-DONUTS.jpg

The ones in the orange package are made by J.M. Smucker Company. Don't buy these ones. You won't be able to get the real Dunkin taste out of them.

Nov 06, 2011

Not the same, but not bad
by: Me

Yeah, didn't taste quite the same at home, but not bad at all. It's not the environment, as someone suggested, because I always go through Dunkin Donuts drive thru and take their coffee to work. And believe me, work environment is no picnic. I do think it has a lot to do with the cream they use. Love it, but not worth the very high price for me. Back to Maxwell House at home and Dunkin Donuts when I get there before work!

Nov 01, 2011

Get a Bunn coffee maker
by: Anonymous

its your coffee maker and the cream you use,
get a bunn it put out water fast at 200 degrees like they do at the dunkin donuts, and at dunkin donuts they use 18% milk fat cream, Deans makes this cream it can be found in some stores, in illinois you can find this cream at jewel or dominicks, i asked dunkin donuts to sell me their cream a few have but normally they wont, but it says right on the label 18%. and if you dont use cream the bunn is all you need, it makes all coffees taste better,

Sep 30, 2011

Coffee Changed
by: Sybil Hilton

I bought you coffee after a few months and the aroma and taste definitly isn`t as good, My husband and I used to by your coffee at Sam`s and the grocery store and it was very good. I bought some yesterday and brewed it this morning and it wasn`t like it used to be. We never go to resturants where they serve your coffee, so it isn`t the same.

Aug 24, 2011

Why!
by: Anonymous

The real question is why would anyone want their coffee at home to taste as bad as Dunkin Donuts does???

Aug 17, 2011

DD coffee
by: Anonymous

If you add a little salt to the grinds before you brew it, it also brings out the flavor

Aug 07, 2011

What Blend?
by: Anonymous

Which Snd Coffee blend matches the DnD Original Medium Roast?

Aug 02, 2011

Dunkin Donut coffee from S&D Coffee, Inc.
by: Coffee Addict

Aug 2011: Dunkin Donuts coffee is manufactured by S&D Coffee, Inc. 300 Concord Parkway, So., Concord, NC 28027 Approved Supplier# 0094

See http://www.sndcoffee.com

I worked in a DD shop and this is printed on the label of every box that arrives with pre-packaged coffee in it.

Here's a photo of the shipping box label:
http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee497/Some1UDoKnow/IMG_0190.jpg

Jun 29, 2011

Hot Water!
by: Anonymous

I was told that it is a different brand so you will never be able to duplicate the taste. If customers stop coming to the shop to buy coffee they will go out of business.

Be careful some dunkin donuts dilute their coffee in the store to strech the dollar. So if you coffee has been tasting alot like hot water that's because it is .

Apr 26, 2011

Getting Dunkin Donuts Coffee taste exact at home
by: Buzz

The way to exact the Dunkin Donut Coffee is quite easy:
Here is how it is done.

1. Brewing Temperature - Must be 196 degrees
Get a Bunn VPR commercial Coffee maker.

2. Scoop (8) 1 and 1/2 scoops of Dunkin Donut coffee (Original blend)

Walaah!!! You will have it.

I transplanted from New England to Texas and had
to learn it myself. Been enjoying DD Coffee correctly for awhie now.

Feb 20, 2011

Duncan Donuts
by: friendlyman4349

I bought a Technivorm Moccamaster to brew my Duncan Donuts Coffee. First I tend to agree that even this machine does not reach the optimum temperature for brewing the coffee. I am intrigued that the coffee beans purchased are not even the same as the store used ones. Bottom line another mystery of life.

Feb 18, 2011

ADD MORE COFFEE
by: Amarial

Sorry to scream, but I just brewed a pot of DD with my old school Mr. Coffee coffeepot and when I (believe it or not, folks) followed the directions on the bag (ratio of 1.5 tablespoons to 6 oz of water), I made the best darn coffee I've ever made, and I may or may not be known in my family for my Midas touch with the ol' coffee pot.

Directions. They work... <-- you know the rest.

Jan 27, 2011

DD Store Brand not the same
by: Anonymous

The DD store brand is not the same bean origin as the Franchise shops brew. I have a friend in the wholesale coffee trade and he claims that Folgers grinds the store blend for them to their (DD)recipe. The Franchise store coffee is whole arabica bean and freshly ground, but much different than the grocery store bagged bean or grind coffee. All the nonsense about trying to duplicate franchise brewing is impossible with the grocery store recipe.

Jan 16, 2011

They are not the same beans
by: Derrick

http://www.dunkinathome.com/frequently-asked-questions.aspx

note the answer to question #3. it is neither a denial nor an affirmation, which of course means it is a denial. the coffee sold in stores is not the same. it is packaged and manufactured by a different company with the consent of dunkin donuts. they specifically say that it is blended to taste like the store version. if it was the store version, they wouldn't have to blend it to make it taste like itself.

if the answer to the question was "yes", they would have said so. their roundabout answer proves that they are not the same beans. since this question has been floating around for over a year on this site, i hope that this answer can put it to rest.

TLDR; stop trying all kinds of weird brewing processes to get your coffee to taste like the store version -- the beans are different.

Jan 06, 2011

prefer home brew
by: Anonymous

I actually think DD coffee tastes burnt every time I have ever had it. I have never had a commercial coffee that tastes as good as home brew. I worked at a small independant coffee shop for a year and we made a decent cup there. And my parents are regular DD drinkers on the go, always compliment my coffee I serve at home. taste is in balance of grounds to water and how fresh you serve it. DD is so hot coming over the counter that I feel that is what is making it taste bad, or the pre-measured packets they quickly toss in to mass produce all day may have a thing or two towards why i cant seam to enjoy a cup. will force it down for the caffine, but always look forward to my first cup at home.

Dec 25, 2010

I concur with WDL from Buffalo
by: Anonymous

WDL is right, read the post below; temp-full pot-bunn vp-17 (or similar bunn) Bunn's have thermostat so you can increase it if need be.

Dec 06, 2010

DD Coffee from an owner.
by: Mike

I used to own a Dunkin Donut Franchise about 10 years ago. Back then we used the same beans to make our coffee as what we would sell to the customer. We would actually take the beans and grind them for our customer from our own grinder. Dunkin has standards set in place for the grind...it has to be so coarse and the weight has to be exact. District managers go around and check to make sure the grind is to spec. Secondly, it has to be brewed at 210 degrees...they would check this as well. Most home brewers only heat the water to about 160 degrees. Thus you are not extracting all of the flavor from the beans. Nowadays, I even go to dunkin to buy their coffee. It now comes in a pre-sealed bag. It probably gets bought this way and sold this way...so it MAY not be the same...exactly....BUT...I still think it mainly has to do with the temperature. A french press or a perc. is probably the best bet to get the closest taste as possible.

Dec 05, 2010

Got " the way".
by: Anonymous

The beans and ground in super market chains are from a different than the ones you can get at Duncan donuts. I bought whole beans from dd and bought a inexpensive spice grinder, bout 10 dlr. I keep some in jar on counter at room temp and bag in fridge. I grind just prior to brewing and use 1 tbsp per 6 oz of water. I use coffeemate Italian sweet cream and sugar to taste and it comes remarkably close to dd. Ask your local dd store for tips. I have found this to be as close as possible. Good luck and happy brewing.

Nov 29, 2010

DD We Love You!
by: CoffeePro

It's all about water temperature! Want to make good DD coffee? I bought a $130 coffee maker with thermal carafe and the coffee was just not hot enough and it tasted bad. I whipped out my old camping percolator and cooked up a batch of DD on the stove and its damn near perfect! I use sweet n low for the sugar and mini moos half and half for the cream. Also using the DD from the grocery store in the 12oz bag and its pretty much identical to what I get at the local DD. The trick is, once the water starts to perk turn the heat down to low...like #3 or so and let it perk for about 6 mins like that. This way the coffee doesnt get burnt but its piping hot. A decent percolator is probably $15!!! Pour and enjoy!

Oct 06, 2010

NOT THE SAME
by: Anonymous

the DD coffee you buy is not the same.they are made from junk trade beans-they are not true arabica beans.a friend i know gave me some of the coffee she uses in the dd store she works in-i brewed it at home in my $20.00 mr coffee cheap machine and it taste just like the coffee i get at the dd counter.the coffee grounds i bought from the same store taste strong and bitter.try it - see if im not right.gotta be friendly with the person behind the counter,most regular customers are.oh and tip good.

Oct 05, 2010

Hot Water
by: Anonymous

I have heard this also, and would love to know how to make it hotter?

Sep 02, 2010

Here's what a DD store manager said about why their version tastes better than the home version...
by: Anonymous

I was told at one DD store that the difference was that they brew the coffee in hotter water than we are able to with our home coffee makers. Has anyone else heard or tried this?

Aug 11, 2010

I miss Dunks!
by: Anonymous

I moved from Boston to LA 7 months ago and have had MAJOR DD withdrawal. I've been using the bagged stuff but I just can't get it right either! However, I do believe the measurements suggested on the bag are a little stronger than the actual stuff in stores. And I've got to agree that some DDs make better coffee than others. Sorry, but Massachusetts makes the best! I went to college in CT in theirs wasn't very good and don't even get me started on Dunks in NYC!

Jul 22, 2010

What does the bag look like?
by: Anonymous

I used to get DD coffee from the drive thru in maine almost everyday. When I moved to the mid-west, I found out there were no dunkin donuts in the state. I bought a bag of ground coffee at target and found it was packaged in a different state than the coffee i used to get back home. I now get REAL DD coffee sent to me from maine. The real stuff comes in a 1lb brown colored bag. The FAKE stuff at target and grocery stores comes in a 12oz orange bag. Buyer Beware!

Jun 29, 2010

Bunn Commercial Coffee Brewer
by: WDL from Buffalo

The problem is the coffee brewer!
I have had the same problem trying to make the coffee the same as the donut shop and it never tasted the same until I bought a Bunn Commercial Coffee Brewer. Bunn also makes a home version that makes coffee taste better than most home brewers but the commercial brewer does the trick. The other thing is to make a full pot because the brewing process is different when you make a partial pot. I believe the coffee companies process there coffees to taste best with these type of coffee makers. Most of the restaurants use these type of coffee makers.
Mr Coffee brewers of years ago, made some of the best tasting coffee. When they changed the brewers to the cheap newer style heaters, they gave up a great coffee brewer. I know because I did an a/b comparison taste test at a party and everyone agreed that the older brewer won hands down over the new brewer with the cheaper newer heater. This newer style heater is used by most coffee brewers that are made for the home today because they are cheap to make and they are high volume affordable for the majority of people.
I hope this helps for your understanding and may you find your great taste at home.

Jun 07, 2010

it's different..
by: Stakeout

I've been saying this for many years...

just did a taste test at home.. went out and bought a cup of DD regular coffee.. black no sugar.. the way I always get it.. brewed some DD coffee we got in the bag... no comparison... the bagged coffee tastes like regular coffee .. no matter who bags it... the DD already made coffee in a cup I just bought smells and tastes totally different.. roasted... maybe some chicory added as my wife suggested..

all I'll say is... I consider myself a 'professional DD coffee' kinda guy.. used to be a cop and lived on that stuff for 20 years before I retired... DD rules :)

May 26, 2010

This may work for you:
by: Matt

Hi! For some reason I thought I was the only person who felt this way about store-bought Dunkin Donuts coffee. I remember the first time I brought it home from the store, I was so excited thinking "Yes! I don't have to run to DD down the street every morning now!" Well, as we all have discovered, I was wrong. It's just not the same. I tried the DD coffee in several different types of coffee makers, ranging from an expensive drip coffee maker to a french press to a perculator. I personally like the perculator the best- it makes the coffee very hot, but it does seem to "boil away" some of the taste. So, after what I would call "years" of trying to perfect my at-home coffee, here's my 3 tips for what I consider to be the best cup you can make:
1) Obviously, buy the beans, keep the bag air-tight, and grind just before you're going to make coffee.
2.) Use a starbucks coffee maker. (They don't have their own brand, but you can find their suggestions online.) I used to go to my one friend's house for brunch every week, and his coffee maker, by far, was the best I ever had at home.
3) Use half and half for sure! If you go into a Dunkin Donuts- they actually use a light creamer! I don't like to use that every day because it is fattening, but, if you really like the DD flavor, you may want to go with it! AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST- I don't use sugar in my coffee. Just cream. BUT, I started putting just a bit of BROWN SUGAR in my coffee- I mean less than half a teaspoon, and it works! It doesn't give it that extra-sweet taste like white sugar, but it gives the coffee just a bit of extra richness, and it takes away the bitter edge! Try it! You'll be surprised!

May 25, 2010

DUNKIN DISHWATER
by: Anonymous

Don't drink DD if you want to drink dishwater. Go to some place like Peets or Intelligentsia or another place that uses decent beans. Today I tried the dark roast iced and it tasted like weak stale water with a tiny bit of acrid aftertaste. YUCK

Apr 14, 2010

wouldnt it be just cheaper too....
by: Anonymous

Wouldn't just be cheaper in the long run just to buy the coffee made already thru DD drive thru ... Then wasting all your money on all the equipment.

Mar 13, 2010

to the pastry chef
by: Anonymous

not sure where you received your training, but coffee making and roasting was a part of my pastry training.... the first thing that we were taught....NEVER put your beans in the freezer.

having worked for the producer of the coffee that goes into the bags for dunkin donuts i can assure you that the recipe for the blend of various arabica beans and roasting time is a closely guarded formula, the beans are 100% arabica and no robusta is even near the processing plant.

the bags of coffee for use by the dunkin facility and smaller 1lb bags for sale in the dunkin shops are produced by the same company, while the dunkin coffee produced for retail grocery stores and warehouse clubs are produced by a competitor who is also a major player in the coffee industry. can't verify what the retail formula for roasting and blending is against the corporate recipe for the dunkin shops.

it's all about water temp, the freshness of the beans, the purity of the water to start with and the cleanliness of the brewing machine. the ratio of grounds to ounces of water is also a factor. instead of measuring with a scoop, weigh your coffee out and measure the water carefully. a coffee cup is a 6oz measure not 8oz measure, for those of you not brewing with a coffee maker.

it is also about when and how the beans are ground. a burr grinder is the prefered method, it pulverizes the beans as opposed to shredding & then turning the granuals into dust. the beans should be ground immediatly before use, as they begin to stale within 10 minutes of grinding unless vacuum packed into individual brewing sized packages. the finer the grind the faster the brewing method, ie drip needs a finer grind than a french press.

and yes finally, the freshness of the cream or half and half is also a factor... it's all about the butterfat content as well and the mouthfeel that comes from it.... that's why skim milk rarely satisfies a diehard "boston" drinker. the same with eating that ben and jerry's compared to the generic "ice milk" in the grocer's freezer... a small taste of ben and jerry's or any other premium ice cream is more than worth a large bowl of fluffed up air generic "ice cream" from the grocer... the mouth feel is missing and no matter how much generic you eat, it usually doesn't satisfy the craving like the premium stuff.

the cups, that's probably more in folks minds than anything else, a coffee taster will still use a bone china cup to slurp and taste before they spit it out.... have never seen anything else used.

Feb 24, 2010

brewing DD at home
by: Anonymous

I worked at (original Quincy,MA) Dunk's while in college (twenty years ago) and often tried to brew at home. Back then, we sold a bag of beans from the same bags we used in the shop, so I was positive there was no difference in the beans. It became an obsession, with family and friends-we tried different coffee pots, spring water, different filters, even the Dunk's cream and milk (and cups!). We never could do it. I really believe the styrofoam cup makes a difference in the taste (I prefer it even though it's probably from some chemical!). I think the person who said the water temperature makes a difference is probably right. I never tried this, but I know my mother claims it makes a big difference in brewing tea. I have also found that Dunk's coffee tastes much better if you leave it in the fridge overnight and reheat it in the microwave. Everyone thinks I'm crazy until they try it. I wish I could be more helpful, but I just wanted people to be assured that Dunk's isn't switching the beans around (or at least they weren't twenty years ago!-lol). Best of luck.
PS
Does anyone notice the difference in certain Dunk shops? I will drive out of my way to go to certain shops that have a smoother taste. My husband and kids think this is crazy, but I can taste the difference. I haven't ever been able to figure it out.

Dec 28, 2009

Tastes Like Dishwater
by: Wisedupinphilly

We've tried brewing this at home for years. We've also had discussions at work with others trying to achieve that in store taste. We all agree that the in store coffee tastes much different than anything any of us have achieved at home, no matter what methods we've tried. To me, this bagged coffee tastes like insipid brown dish water. My husband and I are convinced that this is a SCAM! Dunkin Donut's cannot possibly be selling the same coffee that you get brewed at the counter. It's like they put their name and reputation on a bag of dried cow dung.

Dec 21, 2009

It IS the water temp.
by: Ben

I brew my D&D coffee at work in a $15 Proctor Silex coffee maker, with standard cheapo filters. I use spring water from our cooler.

I've discovered that it tastes different when I use the COLD spring water vs the hot water from the hot tap on the spring water cooler. I had a great cup last night from the store, and then this morning had one that tasted exactly the same made from grounds from a one pound bag of D&D grounds purchased at the grocery store.

Dec 16, 2009

DUNKIN DONUTS COFFEE AT HOME
by: Anonymous

I've searched for 2 years for a coffmaker that duplicates the store flavor. I bought a technivorm first for $250, which was a waste. It totally ruined the taste. I just bought a BUNN NHXB for a 100 bucks. I was amazed. The flavor is almost identical in flavor and taste. The only real difference I see is that their coffee is a few degrees hotter. The Bunn makes it at 200 degrees which is plenty hot for the average consumer.

Dec 15, 2009

Dunkin Donuts Coffee bean smell changed
by: Anonymous

Does anyone else think DD ground coffee beans smell different than they did, say one year ago? To me, the ground DD coffee, in a bag, no matter where I buy it from, smells differently (almost burnt) than it used to smell. They sent me two free bags and they also smell burnt or much stronger. I believe it now smells like 8 O'Clock in the dark brown bag. Am I going nut's? Bruce

Dec 05, 2009

From the horse's mouth...
by: Karma

I asked a client of mine who owns a local DD.... she said that it's all about the temperature of the water. She said most home coffee makers don't make the water hot enough... the stores' water is usually between 204-215*F when brewing.

Dec 01, 2009

Coffee
by: Anonymous

I've been to a hundred Dunkin Donuts. They all have a variance in the taste. In other words, they all taste different. Sometimes the same DD will serve the same cup of coffee at different times of the day and it will invariably taste different.
Get over it. What do you want out of your coffee? I make mine the same way every time and it taste the same. Want it stronger? Add more coffee. Want it to taste like crap? Leave it on the burner for an hour.
Want it tpo taste like a cup from the local DD store? What does that taste like? Depends, doesn't it.

Dec 01, 2009

Try This
by: Anonymous

Try Bottle Water & Half/Half Creamer !

Nov 23, 2009

it's an enigma
by: Anonymous

I bought a bag one time from the grocery store that smelled adn tasted like a cup right from DD, but it was real expensive, so I tried going to tthe DD store and buying a bag from them cuz it was cheaper and it did't smell or taste like DD so I went back to the grocery store adn bought a bigger bag of the same kind that did taste like Dunkin adn the bigger bag doesn't either :(

Nov 16, 2009

they are arabica beans
by: Anonymous

I don't agree with the previous post... Dunkin Donuts is a legit and well run business... they have "100% arabica beans" marked on their retail coffee bags... they would be deceiving they're customers if they didn't put arabica beans in they're bag and could be sued. They are too smart to not back their word. The person who wrote the previous post should try different coffee brewing methods to get a better result.

Nov 15, 2009

Because
by: Anonymous

they are using the cheapest beans they can find for the coffee you purchase to brew at home.The beans they are buying and roasting are NOT ARABICA -they are what we used to call our TRADE blend of beans,they make the worst tasting bitter and brunt tasting coffee you will ever taste.And they are the cheapest to buy-as i dont buy there coffee brewed in the store i cant answer that,but the 16 oz bags i buy have been really bitter and burnt tasting and smelling coffee grounds.

Nov 03, 2009

Try a Chemex Pot!
by: Anonymous

the french press is good however use a chemex pot...the temp of the water is most important along with the freshness and all the other stuff people have added...french press messy and difficult...make sure to get the unbleached chemex filters as well as pour only a little water on the beans to have them bloom before you start brewing all with boiling water all in filter...if confused look up chemex coffee pots and see if you can find a long article about how to use...not the actual chemex instructions but the ones someone else wrote...follow it and you should have coffee snobs and dunkin donuts best pot of coffee ever!

Oct 25, 2009

Still trying
by: Bret

I LOVE DD, and in my quest to brew the perfect cup of DD coffee at home i have even gone as far as buying a Bunn VPR commercial coffee maker off of Ebay to sit in my kitchen so i absolutly know i am using the same equipment as they are. I got the bagged DD coffee at the store, ran it through the machine and while it was a great cup of coffee, it still did NOT taste like the coffee the store makes. I am convinced now they use something different in their machines, the stuff in the bag doesn't even smell right. Ill keep you all posted if i can improve it.

Oct 02, 2009

Brilliant!
by: Anonymous

Finally some very sound technical replies! Of course water temperature is predominantly responsible for succes or failure of the perfect cup. If you can buy your favorite bean fresh great. So with those two points established the only legitimate variables are the grind and actual brew technique

I'm going to try the french press and keep looking for a drip system that will provide the right water temp.

As for the "lame" notion that ambiance is the no one reason your SB or DD coffee at the store taste better. Come now. Most of us take our orders to go!

Sep 20, 2009

Don't forget the cup
by: Anonymous

I also have trouble making the same coffee I can buy at the DD. I discovered the paper cup that it comes in makes the difference.

Sep 14, 2009

Beans are different
by: Rob

The Beans they use at the store are not the beans they sell. The manger at my local DD would sell me a bag of the beans (3 lb bag if I remember correctly)) they use in the store. The roasting must be a little different. The color is different, they smell different and taste different. I've chewed on beans right from the bag before grinding and they are NOT the same.

Sep 04, 2009

It ain't the same coffee!
by: Greg

I honestly believe that the coffee in the shop is different. They refuse to sell it to me and it makes sense. They use a commercial brewer and their coffee is roasted for it. Most consumers use a different type of coffee maker so the coffee is taylored to taste the best given the style of the most popular coffee makers(no commercial dripmachines vs. commercial flow through machines.

Aug 08, 2009

Answer
by: Randy

I had the same problem. Found out it was the cream!
Around here DD uses Garelick farms cream. Now my coffee tastes as good, and often or not, better than some of the Dunkin Donuts!

Jul 16, 2009

Making great tasting coffee
by: Shuckapeafarms

With an education as a professional pastry chef I think I have a few things folks might want to consider.
First, fresh is always key! Never buy ground coffeee and expect much quality. Buy fresh beans and grind only what you need at the time. ALWAYS and I do emphasize, store coffee in the freezer!!
It greatly improves the store shelf time of coffee whether beans or ground for that matter.
Secondly, I am assuming the term "French Press" used in the article is referring to the "Bodum" coffee technique. Yes, I strongly agree with that! There is nothing like a cup of "Bodum" made coffee!
Last, I also believe the water temperature needs to be somewhere between the suggested 200F and I would even suggest upto 212F. I always used boiling water when making coffee-something I witnessed grandparents doing many years ago.
One last comment if I may- The best coffee bean in the world is said to be the Jamacian Blue Mountain Coffee Bean to which I can only say is my first choice! Nothing compares to a cup of Blue Mountain Coffee-Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks!!

Jul 13, 2009

Dunkin Fan Wants to give it a shot.
by: Anonymous

Ok.. So im going to take all the comments here consolidate and give this a try with a French Press (which I have no idea how to operate. Whats does it mean to "Strain your ground beans after grinding" though ?? Also any other tips welcome.. Dunkin Fan for years trying to duplicate with out going to Store ??

Jun 17, 2009

Mystery Even At The Top
by: Caffeinated

First - I agree with Ian and most of the replies - the official answer at the top of the page is not credible (aroma and freshness of beans). I don't drink DD coffee in a DD store and I get fresh beans from DD corporate.

I have questioned and talked to a friend in snr management at DD for years about this question and even he isn't sure ... all he has is an hypothesis, no firm conclusions. From my conversations with him and experimentation, it most certainly has to do with the temp of the water, the grind of the beans and possibly also the equipment used (but this really gets back to temp of water grind of beans). So, I suggest following the steps layed out here. It's the closest you can get (french press with temp 200 deg and strain your ground beans after grinding).

Mar 18, 2009

Dunkin Donuts Coffee
by: Anonymous

Dunkin Donuts coffee taste bad to me lately. Is it possible that they are using something else in their coffee to substitute the original blend?

Feb 21, 2009

The real reason...
by: Bruce

I was informed by a Dunkin Donuts shoppe owner that it is all in the temperature of the water.

Feb 03, 2009

I think I figured out how to get Dunkin Donut coffee to taste better at home
by: Jamy Kunjappu

I had the same problem... I was trying to get my home made dunkin donut coffee to taste just as good as fresh store made coffee, because it tastes great in the store! (most of the time)... after a few months and many tests I now believe I am making a better cup of coffee... (at least a more consistent good tasting cup of coffee)

Here are some tips:
#1 Buy whole bean Dunkin Donuts coffee

#2 Use the French press method like you are currently doing.

#3 Really Important! Grind your beans at a larger size with a quality burr mill grinder. If you have a blade grinder than you must use a metal strainer to "sift" or "beat" out the smaller dust like grind... (the small grind can really make your coffee taste bad because they will be over-extracted)

#4 Read this article and try and follow it to a "T".
http://www.coffeegeek.com/guides/presspot

#5 If you are brewing a smaller amount of coffee? try reducing your steeping time to within the 2 ? 3.5 minute range.

If you follow the above steps you should get a great tasting cup of dunkin donuts homemade coffee. I?ve been able to achieve what I believe is a better tasting, more robust cup since I?m using the French press method and the stores are not.

Let me know how it goes! :o)
http://www.noworrycurry.com

Jan 23, 2009

From what I have heard
by: Anonymous

I listened to a sports talk show one night and they were talking about DD coffee. A guy called in and said he used to own a DD and the reason you can't get it to taste the same at home is the temperature of a coffee maker wont get hot enough. He suggested boiling your own water to 190 to 220 degrees and then using a French Press. He said this will bring out the flavor in the coffee. I'm not sure if this will help, but that is what the caller said.

Jan 10, 2009

Lame Answer
by: Ian

I am from New England, the land of Dunkin Donuts, but I have now lived a few more places around the country. There are very limited to no Dunkin Donuts stores.

I have tried their store bought ground coffee, but I cannot get it to taste like a cup of coffee purchased from a Dunkin Donuts store. I don't know if it's the cream I use compared to theirs or the water used, etc. I do know that it's not due to the aroma of the Dunkin Donuts store. I know this, because I can't remember the last time I went into a Dunkin Donuts store due to the advent of the drive thru. I am not getting the aroma of anything but my car and the cup of coffee I purchase still tastes better than the one I make at home and eerily similar to what I remember from going in the store. Your response to this dilemma has not helped and I will now continue my search.

Click here to add your own comments

SBI!

Our most popular
pages.

How to Make Coffee

Best Coffee Makers

Single Cup Coffee Makers

Gift Ideas for Coffee Lovers

Sign Up for The
Coffee Detective
Newsletter.

Why doesn't Dunkin Donut coffee taste the same at home?

Comments for Why doesn't Dunkin Donut coffee taste the same at home?

Comments for
Why doesn't Dunkin Donut coffee taste the same at home?