This is a sponsored review from BlogHer and Seattle’s Best.
One of the very first “grown up chores” I can remember having as a child was being in charge of making coffee for my parents’ guests. When I was around 9 or 10, Mama showed me how to fill the coffee pot with the right amount of water, insert the filter, and scoop out the proper amount of coffee. At the time I didn’t have any interest in drinking the coffee, but I loved to make it and serve it. Still do, in fact.
When I was in my mid-20s, my coffee-drinking gene finally kicked in. Oh, I’d flirted with coffee-drinking in college, but by the time I hit 24 or 25, I was ready to commit. I bought a small coffee pot, found a spot for it on my kitchen counter, and set about the business of figuring out how I liked my coffee. I grew up in a family where everybody drank their coffee black, but I wanted to explore my coffee-drinking options. I remember thinking that it was a little bit of a rite of passage, the decision to become a coffee drinker. Not that I was overthinking it or anything.
For the next few weeks I tried all sorts of coffee combinations: coffee with one packet of sweetener and whole milk, coffee with low-fat milk, coffee with sugar and a splash of whipping cream. And at some point I realized that I’d found my perfect coffee equation: a slightly oversized mug of coffee with two packets of sweetener and about a tablespoon of half and half. I’ve held tight to that ratio ever since. It’s like an old friend, really – and it makes the two cups of coffee I drink almost every morning of my life feel like time with an old friend.
But there’s one part of my coffee drinking routine that has changed pretty drastically since I made those first few pots in the kitchen of my little apartment: the strength of my coffee. I used to like a really mild coffee, but then I moved to south Louisiana, where people make their coffee so strong that if it had a mind to do so, it could stand up, stretch its legs, walk out of the kitchen and knock you over the head with a bag of chicory. Coffee doesn’t mess around in south Louisiana, and my time there completely transformed what I expect out of the first pot of the day. I want coffee with real, rich, deep flavor -something that’s so delicious I have to open my eyes a little wider when I take the first sip. South Louisiana taught me that I like coffee with an attitude – with some swagger – and I’ve never looked back.
Given all that, I was intrigued when I saw the new level system for Seattle’s Best Coffee. Their coffees are ranked from 1-5 according to their flavor and intensity, and when I first noticed the coffee on the shelves at my grocery store, I thought, “THIS IS THE ANSWER TO ALL OF MY FAMILY’S COFFEE DRINKING ISSUES.” Ever since I developed a taste for the strong stuff, my mama has very sweetly rejected my offers of coffee – unless I’m willing to make a pot that’s much weaker than what I’m accustomed to drinking. And even then she still struggles, mainly because I buy blends that are much more rich and intense than what’s she’s used to at home.
Now that I’ve had some time to study the level system a bit more, I know that, at least in the mornings, Mama would be a Level 2. And in the afternoons, when she just needs a slight coffee pick-me-up, she’d be a Level 1. I think she’d rejoice at the mere presence of Level 1 coffee in her life, honestly, because finally, FINALLY somebody understands the needs of a coffee drinker who likes a milder blend. I can’t wait to serve her a pot of Level 1 the next time she’s here.
And me? Oh, there’s no question. I’m a Level 5 girl. Maybe Level 4 if I used less water and more coffee. I like for coffee to taste nutty, chocolate-y – but never, ever bitter. I like a coffee with a strong enough flavor that it doesn’t get overtaken or overshadowed by the richness of half and half. I like a coffee that sort of screams “GOOD MORNING” instead of whispering politely.
So what about you? How do you like your coffee? Mild? Strong? Somewhere in between? Or are you still on the fence where coffee is concerned? Haven’t really incorporated it into your daily routine – yet? Leave a comment with your answer, and you’ll be entered to win a $100 Amazon gift card courtesy of BlogHer.
This giveaway will run from 4/1/11 – 4/17/11. If you’d like more chances to win through other participating blogs, please visit the Exclusive Offers section on BlogHer.com.
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tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/mrcheapo/status/57164598515744768
I am a level 5 girl, bold and intense!
http://twitter.com/#!/hbbs55/status/57206313310093312
I like my coffee light with cream and sugar! I think level 3 would be me as I do like to taste that coffee flavor. I drink it a lot, but I wouldnt say its a routine
shopgurl101 at gmail dot com
tweet http://twitter.com/shopgurl/status/57338867140927488
I like mine pretty strong, with a little milk in it.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I like my coffee medium strong and really strong if I’m tired.
smchester at gmail dot com
I’m a level 5 coffee-aholic. I prefer it rich and unflavored with just a touch of sugar, but every once in awhile, I absolutely love treating myself to hazelnut!! Iced coffee in the summer?? Nothing better!!~karen
The only coffee I drink is the Starbucks frappuccino drinks from the grocery store.
lazybones344 at gmail dot com
I am kinda in the middle. I also like my coffee to be sweet.
Blogged: http://insanityisforthelame.blogspot.com/2011/04/seattles-best-coffee-giveaway.html
I like my coffee flavorful but not so strong it tastes burnt. It looks like I’d be a level 2 or 3.
Love mine black and strong!
I can take it or leave it, but when I drink, I prefer it black.
Tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/chipdip2010/status/57634699400577024
MIld with cream and sugar
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I like it milk with lots of sugar and creamer
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Pls delete previous comment and add this tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/ChelleB36/status/57666311785938944
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I like my coffee strong and bold and with nothing in it.
rogsdock[at]gmail[dot]com
I am not currently a coffee drinker but I have a Keurig Coffee maker and we keep K cups from mild to Robust for coffee drinkers who visit
tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/Grandma3710/status/57850527597346816
I like strong coffee, and usually add some cream & Splenda in there. I always have a cup in the mornings, and maybe one later in the day sometimes.
I’m a wimp. Probably in the 1-2 range with lots of cream and sugar. Yes, I like some coffee with my cream. :)
I like my coffee kind of mellow, definitely decaf and light with rich (bad for me) flavored non-dairy creamers
Unbelievably I’ve never had a cup of coffee. I do love the smell, though. . .
The smell of coffee reminds me of breakfast at my dad’s house. But I don’t drink it myself.
I flirt with coffee. Sometimes I need it and other times I can leave it. But I am a bit of a wimp and like flavorings.
I like my coffee Mild flavored with cream.
I like bold coffee, but I like to temper it with sugar and cream (or milk, evaporated milk, and even powdered creamer).
I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/#!/holud/status/58161000662302720
I don’t like my coffee very bold. I sweeten it up with soy creamer and agave sweetener.
I usually like a little bit of coffee with my sugar and cream! :)
a level 1 or 2 with some splenda….several cups worth. I’m a mom to a newborn so my wagon is draggin most of the time!
I like a rich, full-bodied cup of coffee but not bitter. I like a small amount of Stevia and a small amount of 1% milk in it. I also like it VERY hot! ! ! Thanks!
I love coffee! I have to have 2 cups every morning before work. I like a medium-roast coffee with cream.
Tweet.
http://twitter.com/#!/mgoss123/status/58297885153951745
I love the aroma from coffee…otherwise I like to dunk donuts into black only coffee please. I never developed the taste for it, but my husband more than makes up for my uncoffee habit. I am definitely a tea drinker, though. Thank you!
mild flavored and sweet!
I do like mine kind of bold – I’m probably a level 4.
tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/KerryBishop/status/58358632449966080
I like lots of cream and sugar!
pestkaj@(YAHOO)DOT(com)
I’m not really a coffee drinker, so if I tried out Seattle’s Best, I’d have to go with the Level 1.
I’m not a coffee person, but my BFF is. She’s a cream & sugar with a touch of coffee kind of person.
Thanks for the giveaway >^..^<
I’m a level 4, although occasionally I’ll take a walk on the level 5 side :)
I like my coffee with sweetened with stevia, and with a touch of creamer (sometimes plain, sometimes flavored – at the moment, it’s Creme Brule)
I like my coffee mild and light so that makes me level 1.
http://twitter.com/bikeohio/status/58722156330233856
I wouldn’t care to try any level because I don’t like coffee (or even mocha flavoring).
I *do* like Amazon.
Thanks for the contest.
blogged: http://slehan.blogspot.com/2011/04/win-100-visa-blogher-seattles-best.html
For me it’s STRONG—as in Level 5.
I’m a level 5 with just a touch of half and half, no sugar.
I’m slowly but surely becoming a regular coffee drinker…I do like mine flavored with a little something and I have to have some kind of cream and sweetener but not too picky about either of those.
I like mine more mild, but smoothness is key. No bitterness!
I tried this coffee a few weeks ago, Level 4 has my heart! I like a strong, rich coffee.
in the middle, black with a sugar
I like my coffee mild with lots of cream and sugar. I’d be a Level One.
dchrisg3 @ gmail . com
Tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/DchrisG3/status/59052869860589568
dchrisg3 @ gmail . com
I like it strong….soupy almost. My mother keeps another coffee maker at her house when I visit as I can’t drink the super weak coffee they drink.
wolverina401 at gmail dot com
i like mild coffee, i like to add sugar and cream too.
songyueyu at gmail
i tweeted:https://twitter.com/#!/syytta/status/59062972319932416
I like my coffee as bold as it can get. I drink it every morning faithfully, with just a pinch of sugar.
Digicat {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I posted this giveaway on my blog. Here is where you can find it.
http://carolsbloggys.blogspot.com/p/blogher-and-seattles-best-coffee.html
Digicat {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I like my coffee mild with a lot of sugar.
I like my coffee to be middle of the road – nothing bitter, just as strong as it can get while still being smooth.
I like it strong, but toned down with a bit of creamer.
I like my coffee somewhere in the middle of strong and mild. I want enough a kick without any bitterness. And of course, I love lots of flavored creamers. But my favorite coffee is Seattle’s Best Cinnamon coffee! It is pure awesomeness and requires very little to enhance its delicious flavor! Yummy!
I love my coffee- but it has to be decaf. Many people have told me that makes no sense. They drink coffee for the caffeine, not for the taste. I think that’s a shame. I want the taste- rich, dark, bold, with some agave nectar and half and half. I don’t miss the caffeine but I do miss the taste when I don’t get it my way!
I’m in the middle – like a nice full-flavored coffee. Thanks!
ddenny20110 at gmail dot com
I like a mild coffee with cream and sugar
I like a lot of strong coffee flavor but without the burnt flavor that French Roasts have on my taste buds.
oinkmoobaa@yahoo.com
I like mild flavored coffee. I add 4 creams and 4 sugars!
pauleyd68 (at) yahoo (dot) com
I like my coffee strong with cream and a bit of sugar
I’m not a coffee drinker but my husband and oldest son are. They both like it black and strong.
Thanks for the giveaway!
eswright18 at gmail dot com
tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/eswright18/status/59372331340005376
I like it black!
I like mine mild
itsjustme62613 at gmail.com
tweet
http://twitter.com/MistySunrise/status/59384986297569280
itsjustme62613 at gmail.com
I’m pretty picky about my coffee. I prefer a nice medium roast or flavored blend. I do get in the mood for a full bodied blend sometimes, but nothing too bitter. I always enjoy my coffee with milk. Thank you for the lovely giveaway.
sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com
Tweet:
http://twitter.com/SewMuchStuff/status/59392739472715777
sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com
I’m not much of a coffee drinker, but my husband likes his “medium strength” and black.
I like my coffee bold, sometimes very bold, sometimes not so much. I have it regularly every morning.
CalifKitties {at} Aol {dot} com
I like my coffee strong and black
I like my coffee mild with Equal and fat free milk
I drink coffee every morning and sometimes in the evening as well. I like it black and medium roast (Level 3). I do sometimes take cream, but not usually.
Tweet
http://twitter.com/mail4rosey/status/59460543861362688
I like mine strong but with a little flavored creamer.
I don’t drink it, but my husband is addicted to dark coffee with vanilla creamer.
tweet http://twitter.com/#!/LuckyJinxy/status/59465950591856640
I like my coffee mild with lots of creamer and sugar!
I’m not a coffee drinker, my husband drinks enough for both of us and very, very strong.
I take my coffe medium strong, black
nblexp ( at ) gmail (dot) com
tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/c5519/status/59516899171639296
nblexp ( at ) gmail (dot) com
Im not a coffee drinker but like it in othe things, I know- wierd, my husband on the other hand makes up for that
I would like to try level 3 with lots of cream and sugar.
kakihararocks@gmail.com
I don’t drink coffee but make it all the time for my husband; he loves it.
http://twitter.com/#!/kittycardero/status/59529788385280000
I love a bold, dark roast (Level 5) with a splash of half-and-half and some sugar and cinnamon for added flavor. Thanks!
Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/guettel78/status/59583748857008128
I’m a level 3 straight up black
http://twitter.com/#!/dddiva/status/59625293136138240
I like it with peppermint and cream.