There are those of us who run out the door in the morning to purchase the perfect cup of coffee. Then there are those who pre-set the machine the night before so coffee aromas waft one awake. Somewhere there’s a middle ground: Purchasers and home drinkers. Depending on the time of day and the coffee budget, one can easily play both sports and score a winning TD. I apologize, but Super Bowl mania makes it into food thoughts this whole week as it is about more than just the game–it’s what makes the game palatable!

Back to coffee. Consumer Reports just came out with another coffee study and has disappointing news for many home brews: They tested 37 caffeinated and decaffeinated blended varieties and no bag scored higher than a good rating. Starbucks should have some degree of a smile as it at least scored a good caffeine rating for its House Blend. Green Mountain’s Signature Nantucket Blend Medium Roast matched it on the top of the Good Rating pile.

Small consolation for home coffee drinkers who want that perfect morning cup. I learned a long time ago that coffee comparisons are a little like restaurant reviews. Everyone has an opinion. Some you can even agree with! I have real trouble with the flavored coffee folks as I believe hazelnut or whatever is added to a mediocre bean in an attempt to improve the taste! Hey, that’s just my opinion after 1,000s of cups of coffee!

The Decaf column had a few brighter stars with Allegro, Peet’s, Caribou, and Buck’s County each having a product in the top scoring good column.

If you are only looking at price, you might benefit from knowing that Maxwell House and Folgers resided near the bottom of the list. If it’s a combination of finding a good cup of coffee and not breaking the bank, then Melitta Classic Blend Roast (11 cents a cup), and Seattle’s Best Breakfast Blend (15 cents) are good products to consider. In the decaf universe Seattle’s Best Blend Decaf Light Roast (15 cents) and Sam’s Choice Organic Blend Decaffeinated Medium Roast (18 cents) are the ones to purchase.

Note that this study is quite different from one they conducted two years ago as the focus this time was on blended coffees (beans from multiple regions or countries). Last time it was on 100% pure Arabica beans, the more expensive bean. This is by no means a conclusive study as there are so many coffee choices out there, and there is so much consolidation of companies, as in Seattle’s Best is really a Starbucks company.

So many other factors contribute to a good cup of coffee: Water plays a major role in its outcome. The machine that brews the coffee, the freshness of the beans, and the specific grind are additional factors. What does this study say about the coffee at restaurants or coffee shops that serve the various brands? If it’s a cup from your favorite coffee shop, concentrate on consistency. Does it come out the same every time? That’s critical.

I know; it’s about the balance, the delicate interconnectedness of what goes into the machine or the scooper. I know. It’s personal.

They don’t call me “all about coffee” for nothing!