I think they use low quality beans and roast the living hell out of them to cover it up. Then they serve it crazy hot, so I have to let it cool forever and I always miss the Goldilocks sweet spot.
But those beans.... the next day if I pass gas, it smells like burned coffee beans.
I like instant better. The Juan Valdez crystals from Columbia. A 3.5 ounce jar 5.48 at Walmart that makes 64 cups (a little less I suppose if you want expresso). That’s 8.5 cents a cup! Beats Starbucks all to hell....
“I think they use low quality beans and roast the living hell out of them to cover it up.”
The burnt roasting probably lets them get a consistent flavor from a lower grade bean. They couldn’t buy enough high grade beans to satisfy the quantities they need for their stock items. But they do offer seasonal blends that are smoother. I just order plain black dark roast, nothing special. Compared to the vending machine “coffee” that once was my lone choice even burnt Starbucks is stellar.