Route 66 Coffee - a Warning

[Oxx]

I recently bought a pack of Route 66 brand ground coffee.  The front label reads "Premium Arabica, Light French Medium Roast", "Ground Coffee", "Handcrafted Premium Coffee".  I tried one mouthful, and it was absolutely foul, with a weird chocolate taste.  Checking the blurb on the back of the packet I discover that it's not pure coffee, but has been flavoured.  It's also appears not to be 100% Arabica, though it doesn't state what percent Robusta beans.

 

If you like coffee, avoid.

 

(This'll be the second packet of coffee I've thrown out as undrinkable this month.  The other was Boncafe's Cafe Rama.)

[KittenKong]

Never heard of Route 66 coffee but I have bought Boncafe and found it OK.

 

Generally though I buy Thai Arabica from Benjamit in Pattaya (not a chain AFAIK) or indeed the Casino brand in a red pack imported by BigC. At 280B for two 250g packs it's quite acceptable.

 

I quite fancy trying this http://www.redcliffcoffee.com but I keep forgetting to order it.

[Gary A]

Oxx, you described the Route 66 coffee that I bought at Big C perfectly. Exactly the same description on the label. The strange chocolate taste was indeed there and it is a horrible taste. Waste of money for sure.

[ELL]

Boncafe - Cafe Crema - the best what they making.  Alti Coffee - very good Morning blend, 100% arabica, 500 g - 215 baht. Possible to buy directly from them.

[balo]

I also want to try that Red cliff coffee , but you have to order it online. 

My favourite is a local brand from Chiang Rai . It's all about the roasting really , it can be a hit or miss sometimes. 

 

[Lite Beer]

Ordering RedCliff online is no problem and always turns up.

Can pay by bank transfer or Paypal.

[Jessi]

Some Thai coffee is made up of 70% ground corn, (Anything to make extra money)

 

The best one for me that I have tried is "Moccona Blue Mountain"

They also have two different types in red boxes. Can be bought at Big C and Tesco.

The best coffee I have found anywhere is Laos coffee if you can get it.

Like many things coffee is a personal taste.

[tomwct]

Nescafe Red Cup is the way to go!

[Peterw42]

Personally, I think coffee should be subject to the same naming regulations as champagne, parmasan cheese etc, If its instant crap, its not coffee and there should be international laws against labeling it as such. Or at least the word instant should be in big bold letters. Thailand takes this to the extreme with whole aisles in the supermarket dedicated to collagen infused, hazelnut flavored, 3 in 1 coffee substitute, all labeled as coffee and the real coffee is hidden away on one shelf as an after thought.

Rant over, lol

[Oxx]

50 minutes ago, Jessi said:

Some Thai coffee is made up of 70% ground corn, (Anything to make extra money)

 

Ill-informed, unnecessary Thai-bashing.

 

What you are calling "Thai coffee" is known to Thai people as "oliang" - not "kaafae" (coffee) - and is usually served iced.  It's a traditional, and very popular drink.  Nothing to do with making extra money.

[Jessi]

3 minutes ago, Oxx said:

 

Ill-informed, unnecessary Thai-bashing.

 

What you are calling "Thai coffee" is known to Thai people as "oliang" - not "kaafae" (coffee) - and is usually served iced.  It's a traditional, and very popular drink.  Nothing to do with making extra money.

They are not putting the corn in to make it taste better.......Look at some of the labels.

[lemonjelly]

Same experience here, that gross chocolate flavor.... reminds me of Indo/Malay coffee.... I think they fry the beans in palm oil rather than roast..... maybe Route 66 are doing the same?

[stereolab]

Route 66 coffee is indeed a strange beast. When I opened my first packet I assumed I had bought the wrong product, maybe an ovaltine or cocoa drink. Once prepared, using an espresso machine,  it actually , to me, tastes quite pleasant, although the smell of chocolate is overbearing. Most Boncafe beans are excellent, as are the more limited production beans from Chiangmai etc. I notice that local outlets are reducing the stock of coffee beans, limiting ones choice. We are lucky to have a Boncafe shop in town.

[mogandave]

Red Cup


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[spikebkk]

 

 I like the route66 coffee because it's mild and taste like a mocha. Not bitter or burnt. I always smell the coffee before I buy them through the gas valve thing on the bag so I could already tell they smelt like chocolate. 

 

[SheungWan]

I cannot comment on Route 66 coffee. However I can say that a 'chocolatey' taste is quite normal with Vietnamese coffee, certainly the Vietnamese coffee purchased at Algerian Coffee Stores in London. It is not something 'strange' or 'off'. I  not only go out of my way to buy it, but bring some of it with me to Thailand! It is certainly an acquired taste and not everybody likes it.