The best they could say was "Good." I just read the Consumer Report March 2010 Coffee Ratings. They got much of it right, but lacked the sophisticated cupping and chemical testing that are needed. Not mentioned either were the organic, environmental, fair trade or high altitude issues. A scientific cupping process would test coffee in a systematic way including source, composition of the beans and in some cases chemical analysis. Consumer Report concluded that blends are generally not good. The best rating they could give Starbucks and Green Mountain was “Good;” that sounds about right. One captioned insert suggested that ground coffee goes stale faster than whole beans. I think most Americans know that coffee is perishable. Time is of the essence. Starbucks gives it six months. I would say three and consider the fourth month questionable. Quality packaging and a good valve help extend shelf life. Vacuum pack and nitrogen extend freshness too. After the roast, coffee continue...
Retired physician and air taxi operator, science writer and part time assistant professor, these editorials cover a wide range of topics. Mostly non political, mostly true, I write more from a lifetime of experience and from research, more science than convention. Subjects cover medicine, Alaska aviation, economics, technology and an occasional book review. Globalization or Democracy documents the historical roots of Oligarchy, the road to colonialism and tyranny