Coffee Reviews

In my 1850 Black Gold Coffee Review, I will provide an honest analysis of the popular product to help you decide whether it’s a worthy addition to your daily coffee drinking routines.

About 1850 / Folger

There are no prizes for guessing which year James A. Folger started the company, but the fact Folger continues to go strong almost 170 years later paints a pretty clear picture. The 1850 brand is a relatively new addition to the company’s excellent range, hitting the shelves in 2018, and has quickly established itself as one of the biggest sellers in its arsenal.

The Folger company has a huge presence across North America, covering the Canadian and Mexican markets too. Given the strong reputation of the brand across three huge coffee-drinking countries, I expected nothing less than a great taste from the 1850 blend. Even so, the 1850 Black Gold Coffee left a very positive impact.

What Folger Says

It’s always worth reading what companies have to say about their products as it gives a clear indication of where it sits within their range. Folger says of the 1850 brand: |Made with a smooth blend of 100% Arabica beans, this dark roast coffee reveals notes of dark cocoa. 1850® Black Gold Coffee is crafted with fire-roasted, steel-cut coffee beans using time-honored techniques for a masterful taste.”

With this in mind, Folger promises that you will “strike gold every morning” with its 1850 blend. The company certainly sets the bar of expectation at a very high position.

1850 Black Gold Coffee Review

All true coffee lovers know that the experience starts long before putting the mug to your lips. In truth, I was a little excited before I’d even opened the packet. The blue pouch with gold and white design elements truly evokes feelings of luxury and tradition, instantly preparing you for what will be a coffee drinking experience.

Upon opening the packet, I was hit with the dark cocoa hints along with fruity and cherry aromas, which further underlines the idea that this is a premium product that should be enjoyed. The strong and intense black coffee flavor is supported by unique sweet flavor notes to truly delight the taste buds. It is a very special brew, especially considering you can have it at home.

At around $6.50 for a 12oz pouch, it’s very hard to argue with the value for money either. Just two cups compared to a morning trip to the coffee house will pay for the cost of the packet itself. Anything extra is a financial saving that will make your coffee taste all the sweeter.

What Other People Say

Like me, most coffee enthusiasts that have tried the 1850 brand have complimented the fact that Folger provides a coffee drinking experience rather than just a drink. They also support the opinion that the blend of smells and tastes are a winning combination, making it the new gem in Folger’s crown.

A lot of people seem to love every element from the design to the cost. Crucially, though, the taste is incredible. Folgers was late to the whole beans party but has set the new gold standard.

Who Will Enjoy It?

The 1850 Black Gold blend is unquestionably one of the top products of its kind. Nonetheless, no single coffee is loved by everyone. This is a deep, dark, and strong whole bean taste that is complemented by sweet tones that linger. If you just want a weak or bland coffee that won’t provide a major caffeine hit, this probably isn’t for you.

However, if you love the comforting hints and velvety feelings, the 1850 Black Gold Coffee is one of the best on the market. Whether it becomes your new morning coffee or one to be shared with friends or family on a Sunday afternoon, this is a winning solution in all situations.

Brewing Options

While the 1850 Black Gold blend can be brewed through instant methods, the best results are gained by using a coffee press or percolator. The cream can be added too, but the blend is equally perfect to be consumed as a black coffee. The clue is in the name.

1850 Black Gold Coffee Score

There are a lot of good and great coffees on the market, which is why I regularly hand out scores of 3 and 4 out of 5. However, it takes something special to secure the full 5 stars. The 1850 blend by Folger is faultless. It looks, smells, and tastes amazing while even the package prepares you for the dark whole bean chocolatey goodness. I have to give it 5 out of 5.

Coffee is my passion and I’m always excited to try new blends and roasts and rate them for your information. Follow my journey and check out my Caribou Coffee Mahogany review if you’re as enthusiastic about starting every morning with a mug of Joe as I am.

About Caribou Coffee

One of the fantastic things about this brand is that it hasn’t been around for a long time. The likes of Lavazza and Illy have an added advantage of being over 150-years-old, whereas Caribou Coffee was founded in 1992. I think it goes to show how far the business has come, as well as the quality of the product, that it now operates in over 600 locations.

In fact, it’s ranked as the second biggest coffee shop chain in the country behind the one and only Starbucks. Not bad to say it’s only 27-years-old.

What To Expect – My Thoughts Vs. The Description

As always, I find there is a struggle between what the packaging says and what I expect. Of course, the company always hypes its products and makes them seem otherworldly; however, it is a coffee chain. So, negative thoughts can creep into my head sometimes. For example, is this brand the same Starbucks? Do they treat their beans well? Is it based on the number of customers over the quality of the coffee?

The only way to find out is to try it. So, did the roast bring out the notes of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Sumatra? It’s a tough task, but I had no complaints after my first cup (and it wasn’t my last either).

Caribou Coffee Mahogany Review

What hit me straight away were the woodsy aromas that seeped out of the packet. There was a very rich, earthy smell which grabbed my attention and made me think “this coffee isn’t average.” And I wasn’t wrong.

As soon as the moist and super smooth grains had transformed into a dark liquid, I couldn’t wait to taste it. Again, the woodsy flavor was apparent and made my taste buds tingle, but there was more beneath the surface. As well as wood notes, I got a sense of vanilla and flowers too. It brought the flavors out even more and added to the terrific taste as there were sweetness and freshness mixed with a robust roast. There was a hint of chocolate also, which set the blend off perfectly.

Probably the biggest surprise was the spice count. Caribou Coffee Mahogany is famous for its spicy essence and it one-hundred percent came through in the tasting.

Overall, the Caribou Coffee Mahogany review is one of my more memorable because the blend is so complicated. There’s no doubt that too many cooks can spoil the broth, yet it’s a thing of beauty when it comes together. As you can tell, I loved this one and didn’t think there was too much, if anything, wrong. It’s another to add to my pantry.

How They Do It

It’s not easy for a coffee chain to focus on quality when they have thousands of customers to serve, so how does Caribou do it?

The roastery includes the best tech on the planet, yet that can be said about most coffee companies. In my opinion, a few things set them out from the rest. Firstly, they have dedicated employees who travel the world and try new beans to add to their recipes. Secondly, they only choose from the world’s top 1% of beans to maintain the quality, and they have small, handcrafted, 100% Arabica batches that are regularly tasted.

For me, there is always something extra in a cup of coffee that isn’t manufactured without care and attention.

The Environment

As well as the coffee itself, I loved the good feeling I got from drinking Caribou Coffee Mahogany. No, it wasn’t just down to the blend; it was the Rainforest Alliance, too. This product is 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified so that you and I don’t have to worry about the mistreatment of the natural habitat.

What does this mean? The simple answer is that Caribou helps to conserve water, limit logging and use sustainable farming practices. You might assume every coffee company is the same, yet I’m amazed at how many benefits from the environment and don’t give back.

Caribou Coffee Mahogany Rating

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that I rate this product as 5 out of 5. The flavors are incredible and the texture is super smooth and that makes it a must-buy, in my opinion.