http://www.freegifts4kids.com/
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Celebrating an eco-friendly and organic Easter
Eco-friendly Easter Eggs
The best Easter egg is the one you can eat afterward! If you go the hard-boiled route, choose eggs that are cage-free and organic like Organic Valley Organic Eggs or Sparboe Farms Organic Eggs.
But what about the Easter egg dye or paint? You can actually make your own natural Easter egg dye from common foods, like grape juice, tea, lemon peels, and more.
If you don't think you'll eat the hard-boiled Easter egg, consider the Mexican tradition of cascarones (or confetti eggs). Here's how to make them:
1. Take your (organic, cage-free) egg and open the top of the egg. You can use a pin, a knife, or even a chopstick.
2. Empty out the inside of the egg into a bowl. (Tip: Sometimes it helps to make a very small hole at the other end of the egg and blow through to get the yolk and white out a little faster.)
3. Rinse out the inside of the egg.
4. Decorate with your natural egg dyes.
5. Fill the egg shell with a bit of confetti (if you can, try to find some made from recycled paper or make your own from junk mail).
6. Cover up the end with a bit of glue and tissue paper.
7. Make scrambled eggs! (Or your other favorite dish with eggs.)
If you're looking for fillable eggs, check out these crocheted Easter eggs from SalvagedExpression -- not only are they handmade, they're reusable, and you avoid any plastic.
But if you do already have the refillable plastic eggs, don't fret! Just make sure to keep them out of the trash and reuse them for as long as you can. And if you don't want yours any more, take them to Goodwill or Freecycle them.
Organic Easter candy
Easter candy is a tradition! You've got your chocolate bunnies ... chocolate eggs ... even jelly beans. Instead of grabbing the standard Hershey's stuff or marshmallow Peeps that have been sitting on the shelf for ages waiting for Easter day, opt for organic and natural candies.
For your organic chocolate bunnies and eggs, try: Allison's Gourmet Vegan Chocolates, Sjaak's Organic Chocolate, and Sweet Earth Organic Chocolates.
For organic jelly beans, try Surf Sweets organic jelly beans. Or if lollipops are more your thing, try Yummy Earth Organic Lollipops.
Eco-friendly Easter toys and gifts
If you love giving away (or getting) stuffed animals on Easter, there are tons of lovely eco-friendly toys.
For soft and snuggly organic cotton bunnies and more, check out:
* miYim plush toys made from organic and natural cotton
* Under the Nile toys for baby and infant toys made from 100% organic cotton
* Naturel by Kaloo soft toys made from organic cotton
* Sckoon organic cotton plush toys
Reusable Easter baskets
Whether you make Easter gift baskets or have baskets for your kids (or yourself) to partake in an Easter egg hunt, choose a reusable basket. Not only will your baskets get used over and over again, they can be put to good use during the rest of the year as napkin holders or even as fruit bowls.
And try to avoid the green "floss" grass in the bottom of your baskets -- the most common kind is made from plastic and usually ends up in landfills. If you really miss the look of grass in your basket,there's always natural raffia ribbon which you can reuse later for gift wrap. You could even try edible Easter grass -- and even if you choose not to eat it, it will at least biodegrade. Or use up some junk mail, magazines, or old newspapers. Just shred them up and you'll have a great nest for your Easter eggs.
Organic Easter menu
There are all sorts of great recipes for Easter. For an eco-friendly meal, the best rule of thumb is simply to get as many organic and local ingredients as possible, regardless of where you get your recipes.
Beyond that, if you're looking to lower your impact, try serving a vegetarian meal.
For ideas for vegetarian Easter recipes, check out:
* VegParadise.com
* About.com
* VegCooking.com
Eco-friendly Easter fun for the family
* Along with the Easter eggs and Easter candy, hunt for or give away packets of seeds. Not only are they super eco-friendly, you can have fun planting them together.
* Go for a walk. It's spring time! Get outside for a bit.
The best Easter egg is the one you can eat afterward! If you go the hard-boiled route, choose eggs that are cage-free and organic like Organic Valley Organic Eggs or Sparboe Farms Organic Eggs.
But what about the Easter egg dye or paint? You can actually make your own natural Easter egg dye from common foods, like grape juice, tea, lemon peels, and more.
If you don't think you'll eat the hard-boiled Easter egg, consider the Mexican tradition of cascarones (or confetti eggs). Here's how to make them:
1. Take your (organic, cage-free) egg and open the top of the egg. You can use a pin, a knife, or even a chopstick.
2. Empty out the inside of the egg into a bowl. (Tip: Sometimes it helps to make a very small hole at the other end of the egg and blow through to get the yolk and white out a little faster.)
3. Rinse out the inside of the egg.
4. Decorate with your natural egg dyes.
5. Fill the egg shell with a bit of confetti (if you can, try to find some made from recycled paper or make your own from junk mail).
6. Cover up the end with a bit of glue and tissue paper.
7. Make scrambled eggs! (Or your other favorite dish with eggs.)
If you're looking for fillable eggs, check out these crocheted Easter eggs from SalvagedExpression -- not only are they handmade, they're reusable, and you avoid any plastic.
But if you do already have the refillable plastic eggs, don't fret! Just make sure to keep them out of the trash and reuse them for as long as you can. And if you don't want yours any more, take them to Goodwill or Freecycle them.
Organic Easter candy
Easter candy is a tradition! You've got your chocolate bunnies ... chocolate eggs ... even jelly beans. Instead of grabbing the standard Hershey's stuff or marshmallow Peeps that have been sitting on the shelf for ages waiting for Easter day, opt for organic and natural candies.
For your organic chocolate bunnies and eggs, try: Allison's Gourmet Vegan Chocolates, Sjaak's Organic Chocolate, and Sweet Earth Organic Chocolates.
For organic jelly beans, try Surf Sweets organic jelly beans. Or if lollipops are more your thing, try Yummy Earth Organic Lollipops.
Eco-friendly Easter toys and gifts
If you love giving away (or getting) stuffed animals on Easter, there are tons of lovely eco-friendly toys.
For soft and snuggly organic cotton bunnies and more, check out:
* miYim plush toys made from organic and natural cotton
* Under the Nile toys for baby and infant toys made from 100% organic cotton
* Naturel by Kaloo soft toys made from organic cotton
* Sckoon organic cotton plush toys
Reusable Easter baskets
Whether you make Easter gift baskets or have baskets for your kids (or yourself) to partake in an Easter egg hunt, choose a reusable basket. Not only will your baskets get used over and over again, they can be put to good use during the rest of the year as napkin holders or even as fruit bowls.
And try to avoid the green "floss" grass in the bottom of your baskets -- the most common kind is made from plastic and usually ends up in landfills. If you really miss the look of grass in your basket,there's always natural raffia ribbon which you can reuse later for gift wrap. You could even try edible Easter grass -- and even if you choose not to eat it, it will at least biodegrade. Or use up some junk mail, magazines, or old newspapers. Just shred them up and you'll have a great nest for your Easter eggs.
Organic Easter menu
There are all sorts of great recipes for Easter. For an eco-friendly meal, the best rule of thumb is simply to get as many organic and local ingredients as possible, regardless of where you get your recipes.
Beyond that, if you're looking to lower your impact, try serving a vegetarian meal.
For ideas for vegetarian Easter recipes, check out:
* VegParadise.com
* About.com
* VegCooking.com
Eco-friendly Easter fun for the family
* Along with the Easter eggs and Easter candy, hunt for or give away packets of seeds. Not only are they super eco-friendly, you can have fun planting them together.
* Go for a walk. It's spring time! Get outside for a bit.
When to switch off your lights
Does switching the lights on and off use more energy than leaving them on? The answer is no, despite the common misperception that turning a light on creates a power surge. The thinking is that it's more economical to just leave a light on rather than pay the costs of flicking it back on.
In reality, that "surge" lasts for only a fraction of second, according to Francis Rubinstein, a staff scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Any "start-up" energy costs are minuscule at best and are more than offset by the money you save from turning your lights off, even if it's only for a short time.
So if you're strictly concerned about saving energy (and money), you should turn your lights out when you're not using them.
The bigger issue with turning lights on and off frequently, though, has to do with shortening the product's lifetime, says Christina Kielich at the Department of Energy.
It doesn't affect the lamp life of an incandescent bulb very much, says Rubinstein. So it makes sense to always turn them off when you a leave room, even if it's only for a few minutes.
Compact florescent light bulbs, on the other hand, are a somewhat different story. Flicking them on and off repeatedly will affect how long they last, although, Rubinstein points out that the impact is minimal for most households.
How much flicking on and off is too much? The general consensus is that it's best to turn off CFLs when you are leaving for 15 minutes or longer. In fact, Energy Star recommends installing florescent bulbs in fixtures that are used for at least 15 minutes at time. So it doesn't make sense to use them in places where you'd need to switch them on and off constantly.
The rule of thumb is a little different when you're at the office, according to Rubinstein. Turn out florescent lighting when you're leaving for at least 5 minutes. The reason? Full-size florescent systems aren't as sensitive to frequent cycling as CFLs and won't impact the life of the bulb as much.
In reality, that "surge" lasts for only a fraction of second, according to Francis Rubinstein, a staff scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Any "start-up" energy costs are minuscule at best and are more than offset by the money you save from turning your lights off, even if it's only for a short time.
So if you're strictly concerned about saving energy (and money), you should turn your lights out when you're not using them.
The bigger issue with turning lights on and off frequently, though, has to do with shortening the product's lifetime, says Christina Kielich at the Department of Energy.
It doesn't affect the lamp life of an incandescent bulb very much, says Rubinstein. So it makes sense to always turn them off when you a leave room, even if it's only for a few minutes.
Compact florescent light bulbs, on the other hand, are a somewhat different story. Flicking them on and off repeatedly will affect how long they last, although, Rubinstein points out that the impact is minimal for most households.
How much flicking on and off is too much? The general consensus is that it's best to turn off CFLs when you are leaving for 15 minutes or longer. In fact, Energy Star recommends installing florescent bulbs in fixtures that are used for at least 15 minutes at time. So it doesn't make sense to use them in places where you'd need to switch them on and off constantly.
The rule of thumb is a little different when you're at the office, according to Rubinstein. Turn out florescent lighting when you're leaving for at least 5 minutes. The reason? Full-size florescent systems aren't as sensitive to frequent cycling as CFLs and won't impact the life of the bulb as much.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
free is good
Find your local reuse group
http://green.yahoo.com/earth-day/find-a-group.html
just click on the link or copy and paste into your browser and then put in your zip code and hit enter to find a yahoo freecycle group local to you.
http://green.yahoo.com/earth-day/find-a-group.html
just click on the link or copy and paste into your browser and then put in your zip code and hit enter to find a yahoo freecycle group local to you.
Solving Global Warming
The Tipping Point
The time to put global warming solutions into place is now.
We can't wait any longer. Scientists say we need to turn the corner on global warming within 10 years to prevent very dangerous impacts from becoming inevitable. Each year that passes without tackling global warming head-on makes the problem more difficult and expensive to solve.
But at the same time, global warming has finally gotten our attention -- Americans are increasingly aware that a warming climate is a real threat to our way of life, and that we have a choice about how bad it will get.
The choice lies here: $16 trillion dollars will be invested in energy development over the next two decades. Will it be poured into polluting, obsolescent technologies that will bring on the worst of global warming? Or will these investments be shifted into to advanced, low-polluting technologies that will create the new energy economy that's needed to shut down global warming?
It's up to all of us to increase the heat on our elected officials: we need the right policies -- and we need them now -- to ensure that the technologies described here are deployed on the scale and timeframe that is needed to achieve deep reductions in global warming pollution by mid-century.
1. Boost Energy Efficiency
The cheapest and fastest way to cut global warming pollution is to make things that use electricity -- like appliances, industrial equipment and buildings -- more energy-efficient. We know this works -- most of us have bought an Energy Star appliance or two, and have seen firsthand how much money and energy they can save. But there's still much room for improvement, and we must continue to push for products that waste less energy. Likewise, "green building" design and construction can dramatically reduce the enormous amounts of energy that buildings consume in heating, cooling, lighting and water use.
2. Better Cars and Smart Growth
Our gasoline-burning cars are the second-largest source of U.S. global warming pollution. But Americans will put more than 300 million new cars on the road over the next 20 years -- if these cars are the best, most efficient vehicles Detroit can make, we'll take a big step toward solving global warming.
Using hybrid engines and other ready-to-go technologies in today's cars could nearly double the mileage they'd get from a gallon of gas, saving a lot of money at the pump. By 2050, fuel-cell technologies and other advancements could boost efficiency to 54 miles per gallon.
We can curb our appetite for oil even further by adopting "smart growth" principles in our cities and towns, encouraging developers to build compact, walkable communities that allow people to spend less time behind the wheel.
3. Biofuels and Renewable Energy
Business-friendly, cost-competitive and ready to meet a significant portion of America's energy needs, renewable energy has gone mainstream. Wind power is the fastest growing form of electricity generation in the United States, expanding at an average annual rate of more than 20 percent. Solar energy employs more than 20,000 Americans in high-tech, high-paying jobs. And clean-burning biofuels made from plants show great promise as a replacement for gasoline -- ethanol producers already make 4 billion gallons of fuel a year, and new methods for making ethanol from farm wastes or energy crops could compete with oil on a very large scale in addition to providing extra income for farmers. By 2050, renewable energy and biofuels could meet a significant chunk of our energy needs.
4. Return Carbon to the Ground
Coal is the most carbon-intense of fossil fuels. Reducing use of coal through energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies will be the cornerstones of the solution to global warming, but the plain truth is that hundreds of new coal-fired power plants will probably be constructed around the world in coming years. Coal generates more than half of the electricity we use today, and it is in plentiful supply in such countries as China, India and the United States.
A critical choice remains. Power plants have a long lifespan -- build the new coal plants with dirty, 19th-century technologies and we lock ourselves into high levels of global warming pollution for decades. We can instead choose a 21st-century alternative: Using existing technologies -- each in commercial operation today -- we can convert coal into a clean-burning gas and capture and dispose of the carbon dioxide deep underground, dramatically reducing air pollution from this dirtiest of fuels. If the United States doesn't invest in this technology, neither will China, India and other countries with large coal supplies.
The time to put global warming solutions into place is now.
We can't wait any longer. Scientists say we need to turn the corner on global warming within 10 years to prevent very dangerous impacts from becoming inevitable. Each year that passes without tackling global warming head-on makes the problem more difficult and expensive to solve.
But at the same time, global warming has finally gotten our attention -- Americans are increasingly aware that a warming climate is a real threat to our way of life, and that we have a choice about how bad it will get.
The choice lies here: $16 trillion dollars will be invested in energy development over the next two decades. Will it be poured into polluting, obsolescent technologies that will bring on the worst of global warming? Or will these investments be shifted into to advanced, low-polluting technologies that will create the new energy economy that's needed to shut down global warming?
It's up to all of us to increase the heat on our elected officials: we need the right policies -- and we need them now -- to ensure that the technologies described here are deployed on the scale and timeframe that is needed to achieve deep reductions in global warming pollution by mid-century.
1. Boost Energy Efficiency
The cheapest and fastest way to cut global warming pollution is to make things that use electricity -- like appliances, industrial equipment and buildings -- more energy-efficient. We know this works -- most of us have bought an Energy Star appliance or two, and have seen firsthand how much money and energy they can save. But there's still much room for improvement, and we must continue to push for products that waste less energy. Likewise, "green building" design and construction can dramatically reduce the enormous amounts of energy that buildings consume in heating, cooling, lighting and water use.
2. Better Cars and Smart Growth
Our gasoline-burning cars are the second-largest source of U.S. global warming pollution. But Americans will put more than 300 million new cars on the road over the next 20 years -- if these cars are the best, most efficient vehicles Detroit can make, we'll take a big step toward solving global warming.
Using hybrid engines and other ready-to-go technologies in today's cars could nearly double the mileage they'd get from a gallon of gas, saving a lot of money at the pump. By 2050, fuel-cell technologies and other advancements could boost efficiency to 54 miles per gallon.
We can curb our appetite for oil even further by adopting "smart growth" principles in our cities and towns, encouraging developers to build compact, walkable communities that allow people to spend less time behind the wheel.
3. Biofuels and Renewable Energy
Business-friendly, cost-competitive and ready to meet a significant portion of America's energy needs, renewable energy has gone mainstream. Wind power is the fastest growing form of electricity generation in the United States, expanding at an average annual rate of more than 20 percent. Solar energy employs more than 20,000 Americans in high-tech, high-paying jobs. And clean-burning biofuels made from plants show great promise as a replacement for gasoline -- ethanol producers already make 4 billion gallons of fuel a year, and new methods for making ethanol from farm wastes or energy crops could compete with oil on a very large scale in addition to providing extra income for farmers. By 2050, renewable energy and biofuels could meet a significant chunk of our energy needs.
4. Return Carbon to the Ground
Coal is the most carbon-intense of fossil fuels. Reducing use of coal through energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies will be the cornerstones of the solution to global warming, but the plain truth is that hundreds of new coal-fired power plants will probably be constructed around the world in coming years. Coal generates more than half of the electricity we use today, and it is in plentiful supply in such countries as China, India and the United States.
A critical choice remains. Power plants have a long lifespan -- build the new coal plants with dirty, 19th-century technologies and we lock ourselves into high levels of global warming pollution for decades. We can instead choose a 21st-century alternative: Using existing technologies -- each in commercial operation today -- we can convert coal into a clean-burning gas and capture and dispose of the carbon dioxide deep underground, dramatically reducing air pollution from this dirtiest of fuels. If the United States doesn't invest in this technology, neither will China, India and other countries with large coal supplies.
Five recycling mysteries solved!
Wondering what to do with your stash of old batteries or the cans of unneeded paint taking up space in your garage? You know you shouldn't throw them out, but it really is time to get rid of them.
Resist the temptation to toss them in the trash anyway. The reason: They (and everything on the list below) contain toxic chemicals capable of contaminating the environment if not disposed of properly.
Unlike items that are picked up at the curb, you'll have to make a special effort to unload these ones responsibly. But, with a little advance planning and some good info, you'll see that it's really quite simple to dispose of these seemingly mysterious items. Here's how:
* Batteries. Recycling rechargeable batteries is fairly easy. Home Depot, Staples, Radio Shack, Best Buy, and other retailers take them back free of charge. There are fewer options for single-use batteries, but look for bins at your local Whole Foods Market, Ikea, or library. Otherwise, your best bet is the local household hazardous waste drop-off site. Where is it and what are your closest drop-off options? Search here for answers.
* CFLs. These energy-efficient bulbs are becoming easier to get rid of. Just drop old bulbs off at any Home Depot or Ikea for free recycling. Or ask about CFL recycling at your local Ace Hardware or home improvement store. You can search for other nearby solutions.
* Electronics. Every retailer that takes back rechargeable batteries also accepts mobile phones, as do most wireless providers. For computers, cameras, televisions, and others it's worthwhile do a little homework because some stores charge fees depending on item and brand. Check out Best Buy, Staples, and Office Depot to see what's the best fit. Some places, like Radio Shack, have trade-in programs where you can receive store credit for your old gadgets.
* Motor Oil. In case you need some motivation, consider this factoid from Earth911: Every gallon of used motor oil that's improperly disposed of can contaminate one million gallons of drinking water. Bring it to Wal-Mart, Autozone, Jiffy Lube, or search online for more convenient choices.
* Paint. It's among the harder items in this group to dispose of, but it's worth it and totally doable. If the paint is still in good shape, consider donating it. As of now, there aren't any retailers that accept used paint so you'll need to make a special trip. Search Earth911 for a comprehensive list of options.
Resist the temptation to toss them in the trash anyway. The reason: They (and everything on the list below) contain toxic chemicals capable of contaminating the environment if not disposed of properly.
Unlike items that are picked up at the curb, you'll have to make a special effort to unload these ones responsibly. But, with a little advance planning and some good info, you'll see that it's really quite simple to dispose of these seemingly mysterious items. Here's how:
* Batteries. Recycling rechargeable batteries is fairly easy. Home Depot, Staples, Radio Shack, Best Buy, and other retailers take them back free of charge. There are fewer options for single-use batteries, but look for bins at your local Whole Foods Market, Ikea, or library. Otherwise, your best bet is the local household hazardous waste drop-off site. Where is it and what are your closest drop-off options? Search here for answers.
* CFLs. These energy-efficient bulbs are becoming easier to get rid of. Just drop old bulbs off at any Home Depot or Ikea for free recycling. Or ask about CFL recycling at your local Ace Hardware or home improvement store. You can search for other nearby solutions.
* Electronics. Every retailer that takes back rechargeable batteries also accepts mobile phones, as do most wireless providers. For computers, cameras, televisions, and others it's worthwhile do a little homework because some stores charge fees depending on item and brand. Check out Best Buy, Staples, and Office Depot to see what's the best fit. Some places, like Radio Shack, have trade-in programs where you can receive store credit for your old gadgets.
* Motor Oil. In case you need some motivation, consider this factoid from Earth911: Every gallon of used motor oil that's improperly disposed of can contaminate one million gallons of drinking water. Bring it to Wal-Mart, Autozone, Jiffy Lube, or search online for more convenient choices.
* Paint. It's among the harder items in this group to dispose of, but it's worth it and totally doable. If the paint is still in good shape, consider donating it. As of now, there aren't any retailers that accept used paint so you'll need to make a special trip. Search Earth911 for a comprehensive list of options.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Consumer Reports Picks the Best Cup o' Brew
Consumer Reports Picks the Best Cup o' Brew
Our top-rated Colombian coffee is also a CR Best Buy
By ConsumerReports.org
Folgers, Maxwell House, and Starbucks are America's best-selling ground coffees. But all three were iced by Eight O'Clock Colombian coffee in our taste tests. As for Starbucks, it didn't even place among the top regular coffees and trailed among decafs.
Photo: Courtesy
of Eight O'Clock Coffee
Our tests of 19 coffees also show that some of the best cost the least. At about $6 per pound, Eight O'Clock costs less than half the price of Gloria Jean's, Peet's, and other more expensive brands.
Like your joe without all the caffeine? Dunkin' Donuts and Millstone were the front runners among the decafs. But Folgers Gourmet Selection Lively Colombian came in close behind and costs up to $3 less per pound. But even the best decaffeinated coffees couldn't match the best regular brews in our taste tests.
What we tasted
Our coffee experts focused on 100 percent Colombian — a best-selling bean — for regular coffee. Most of our decaffeinated coffees are a blend of different beans.
What makes a great cup of Colombian? Lots of aroma and flavor, some floral notes and fruitiness, a touch of bitterness, and enough body to provide a feeling of fullness in the mouth. Woody, papery, or burnt tastes are off-notes.
Weeks of sipping and swirling confirmed that even 100 percent Colombian coffee and its Juan Valdez logo don't guarantee quality. Our trained testers unearthed other surprises:
Still so-so after all these years
Chock full o'Nuts and Maxwell House have pushed coffee that's "heavenly" and "good to the last drop" since 1932 and 1907, respectively. But off-notes, little complexity, and, for Chock full o' Nuts, variable quality put both behind Eight O'Clock.
When boutique isn't better
Midwest-based Caribou and Kickapoo beat an array of larger players among regular coffees. But Bucks County Coffee, from Langhorne, Penn., tasted only OK, and Peet's, from Berkeley, Calif., was burnt and bitter, despite costing $14 per pound. Peet's, Archer Farms, and Kickapoo also varied from batch to batch.
Caffeine differences
None of our decaffeinated coffees had more than 5 milligrams of caffeine per 6-ounce serving. But among regular coffees, Caribou and Bucks County had roughly four times the caffeine (195 milligrams) of some of the lowest-level brews. Medical experts say up to 600 milligrams per day is probably safe for most and can help keep you alert. But heart patients and women who are pregnant or nursing should stay below 200 milligrams, which might mean sidestepping those brands among the caffeinated coffees we tested.
How to choose
Several of our top coffees could save you $25 to $70 per year over pricier brands even if you drank just one 6-ounce cup per day. Here's what else to think about:
Consider how you take it
Coffees judged very good taste fine black. Milk and sugar can improve a mediocre coffee, but not even cream is likely to help the lowest-scoring decafs.
Choose a good coffeemaker
The best coffeemakers from our January report reached the 195º to 205º F required to get the best from the beans and avoid a weak or bitter brew. A top Michael Graves model costs just $40.
Consider grinding for fresher flavor
Even the best pre-ground coffee can't beat the best fresh-ground when it comes to taste. One top grinder from our January report, the Mr. Coffee IDS77, costs only $20.
Our top-rated Colombian coffee is also a CR Best Buy
By ConsumerReports.org
Folgers, Maxwell House, and Starbucks are America's best-selling ground coffees. But all three were iced by Eight O'Clock Colombian coffee in our taste tests. As for Starbucks, it didn't even place among the top regular coffees and trailed among decafs.
Photo: Courtesy
of Eight O'Clock Coffee
Our tests of 19 coffees also show that some of the best cost the least. At about $6 per pound, Eight O'Clock costs less than half the price of Gloria Jean's, Peet's, and other more expensive brands.
Like your joe without all the caffeine? Dunkin' Donuts and Millstone were the front runners among the decafs. But Folgers Gourmet Selection Lively Colombian came in close behind and costs up to $3 less per pound. But even the best decaffeinated coffees couldn't match the best regular brews in our taste tests.
What we tasted
Our coffee experts focused on 100 percent Colombian — a best-selling bean — for regular coffee. Most of our decaffeinated coffees are a blend of different beans.
What makes a great cup of Colombian? Lots of aroma and flavor, some floral notes and fruitiness, a touch of bitterness, and enough body to provide a feeling of fullness in the mouth. Woody, papery, or burnt tastes are off-notes.
Weeks of sipping and swirling confirmed that even 100 percent Colombian coffee and its Juan Valdez logo don't guarantee quality. Our trained testers unearthed other surprises:
Still so-so after all these years
Chock full o'Nuts and Maxwell House have pushed coffee that's "heavenly" and "good to the last drop" since 1932 and 1907, respectively. But off-notes, little complexity, and, for Chock full o' Nuts, variable quality put both behind Eight O'Clock.
When boutique isn't better
Midwest-based Caribou and Kickapoo beat an array of larger players among regular coffees. But Bucks County Coffee, from Langhorne, Penn., tasted only OK, and Peet's, from Berkeley, Calif., was burnt and bitter, despite costing $14 per pound. Peet's, Archer Farms, and Kickapoo also varied from batch to batch.
Caffeine differences
None of our decaffeinated coffees had more than 5 milligrams of caffeine per 6-ounce serving. But among regular coffees, Caribou and Bucks County had roughly four times the caffeine (195 milligrams) of some of the lowest-level brews. Medical experts say up to 600 milligrams per day is probably safe for most and can help keep you alert. But heart patients and women who are pregnant or nursing should stay below 200 milligrams, which might mean sidestepping those brands among the caffeinated coffees we tested.
How to choose
Several of our top coffees could save you $25 to $70 per year over pricier brands even if you drank just one 6-ounce cup per day. Here's what else to think about:
Consider how you take it
Coffees judged very good taste fine black. Milk and sugar can improve a mediocre coffee, but not even cream is likely to help the lowest-scoring decafs.
Choose a good coffeemaker
The best coffeemakers from our January report reached the 195º to 205º F required to get the best from the beans and avoid a weak or bitter brew. A top Michael Graves model costs just $40.
Consider grinding for fresher flavor
Even the best pre-ground coffee can't beat the best fresh-ground when it comes to taste. One top grinder from our January report, the Mr. Coffee IDS77, costs only $20.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
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