Introduction
Folgers Coffee had been the largest-selling ground coffee in the United States since the 1990s. And the classic roast is one of Folger’s best-selling varieties.
So we decided to make this Folgers Classic Roast review to find out more about the brand.
“Folgers coffee tastes as rich as it looks”. “The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup”.
So goes the old taglines about this magnificent brand. But do you know that Folgers had been brewing coffee for the past 169 years?
The company was established in 1850, 11 years before the start of the American Civil War.
Folgers classic roast instant coffee are made from mountain-grown beans so most coffee drinkers find this blend more aromatic and has a rich and pure taste. Folgers usually get their coffee beans from all around the world (1).
Folgers uses coffee beans planted in remote mountains of Central America, Asia, the Caribbean, North America, Africa, Oceana, and other parts of the world. The company uses 100% pure coffee beans (Arabica and Robusta varieties) in making Folgers instant coffee.
Folgers’ coffee roasting is done in New Orleans, Louisiana, the company’s home since 1960 (2).
It is no wonder that Folgers continues to dominate the American market until now. But much of the world also prefers Folgers house blend coffees because of their unique taste.
Next to oil, coffee is the second most-consumed product in the world. Everybody loves coffee so much, including this writer, which is just proper that we know more about this legendary brew.
On this Folgers Classic roast review, we hope to inform coffee lovers on how this Folgers classic coffee is made. Moreover, we will give other info about this type of coffee that is currently sweeping America by storm.
Contents
- History of Folgers Coffee
- What are Folgers’ other coffee products?
- What’s there in Folgers classic roast?
- What are the benefits and risks of drinking coffee?
- How much coffee should you consume every day?
- Other uses of Folgers Classic Roast
- How is Folgers Classic Roast made?
- What are the good things about Folgers Classic Roast?
- Are there bad things about Folgers Classic Roast?
History of Folgers Coffee
In 1850, James A. Folger traveled to San Francisco, CA, from Nantucket (Massachusetts) at the tender age of 14 in search of gold after a fire devastated their family’s livelihood (3). He was accompanied by his two brothers.
Around the same time, the Pioneer Steam Coffee and Spice Mills were established by William H. Bovee. James, who was a trained carpenter, decided to stay behind in San Francisco while his two brothers headed to the gold mines.
It was the time of the California Gold Rush.
James got a job on Bovee’s company where he helped build the spice and coffee mills. Before, Californians had to purchase coffee beans while still green and do the roasting and grinding themselves.
Working for about a year at Bovee’s mills, James saved enough money and he was able to stake a claim to the company then headed to the gold mine to work. James agreed to carry some samples of coffee and spices where he takes orders from stores along the way.
In 1854, James returned to San Francisco and became a full partner of The Pioneer Steam Coffee and Spice Mills (3). By 1872, James was able to buy out the other partners’ share and renamed the company J.A. Folger & Co.
In 1953, Folgers Instant Coffee was released. But it was discontinued after a while because of poor response from consumers. In 1958, the new Instant Folgers was re-introduced to the market and it was a complete success!
In 1960, Folgers transferred its operation in New Orleans, Louisiana, where the company still roasts up to this day.
Three years later (1963), Folgers was acquired by Procter & Gamble and began the distribution of the product all over America. In 2008, Folgers merged with J.M. Smucker Company and continues to be America’s much-loved coffee brand.
What are Folgers’ other coffee products?
Folgers coffee price is one of the most affordable among its closest competitors. Folgers coffees come in different forms, roast, and types (4).
Forms
There are other forms of packaging developed by the company over the years. Here are just some of those:
- Ground coffee, in a canister
- Ground coffee, in bag
- K-Cup pods (used in coffee makers)
- Instant coffee in jars
- Ground coffee, in bricks
- Single-serve, in stick or sachet
Roast
There are 4 kinds of roast Folgers are using in their brews.
- Mild
- Medium
- Medium-dark
- Dark
Types
There are 6 types of flavors in Folgers product line. These are:
- Regular (such as the Classic Roast)
- Decaf (such as the Classic Decaf)
- Flavored (such as the Hazelnut cream)
- Simply Gourmet (such as the Natural Vanilla)
- Stomach Friendly (such as the Simply Smooth Coffee)
- Cappuccino Mix (such as the Folgers Cappuccino)
What’s there in Folgers classic roast?
The Folgers classic roast may not be the finest blend in town, but it is interesting to know what its secret recipe is.
Folgers classic roast is a blend of two of the major coffee bean varieties (5): Arabica and Robusta. The well-loved brew is a medium-roasted blend that is widely preferred by more coffee drinkers.
Folger’s coffees are mountain-grown and in warm climates across the globe. Higher altitude beans (like the Arabica) are considered more superior than coffee cherries grown in lowlands.
But to make it balanced in taste, Folgers mixed Arabica and Robusta beans. The result is a blend that is quite distinct to the taste.
Arabica used to moderate the roughness of the Robusta. However, Folgers haven’t stated how much Arabica is mixed with the Robusta.
What are the benefits and risks of drinking coffee?
It’s really great to have some caffeine in our body, especially when we have it hot firstly in the morning.
Caffeine is the active ingredient in coffee.
Health experts strongly agree that when taken in moderation, drinking coffee is energy-boosting and provide lots of antioxidants. Recent studies show that antioxidants (like hydroxycinnamic acids and polyphenols) are presented in coffees.
These antioxidants reduce the oxidative damage which may aid in preventing the risk of having Type II diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer (6).
Also, there had been reports that coffee can deliver other health benefits such as anti-inflammation, boosting metabolism, cutting the risk for stroke and Parkinson’s disease, cleansing the liver, and reduce the risk of heart failure (7).
However, an addiction to caffeine may also result in flu-like symptoms which may include fatigue, headache, dehydration, muscle soreness, and lack of mental focus (7). Coffee is not recommended in almost all patients who are suffering from kidney diseases, sensitivity to caffeine, and those with sleep problems. Luckily, decaf coffee can help them in this case.
How much coffee should you consume every day?
Did you know that more than 450 million cups of coffee are consumed every day in the United States alone? While the estimated worldwide consumption is 400 billion cups every day (8).
Moreover, about 107 million people in the United States aged 18 and above drink coffee every day. That’s roughly three and a half cups of coffee for every drinker.
But how much is too much?
Health professionals suggest that the most ideal amount that you should drink is up to 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine every day (9). A cup of coffee has an average caffeine content of 100 mg.
So, four cups of coffee every day seem to be safe. This amount is the same as 10 cans of soda drink and about 2 shots of energy drinks.
Additionally, children should not be drinking coffee as it is not a good idea.
Other uses of Folgers Classic Roast
Not only coffee lovers can enjoy the great taste of Folgers classic roast. Its versatility will benefit even non-coffee drinkers.
For one, you can bake cinnamon fudge mixed with this coffee. Just melt semi-sweet chocolate chips with 1 can of sweetened condensed milk, add salt, and 1 tablespoon of Folgers classic roast in a saucepan over low heat.
You can also make a very delicious and creamy instant iced-coffee with the classic roast. All you have to do is combine a can of evaporated milk (12 oz), 2 tablespoons of Folgers classic roast, and just a third of a cup of sugar.
Mixed all ingredients and put in a blender. You can serve the resulting concoction with ice topped with whip cream.
How is Folgers Classic Roast made?
As we have found from our research, Folgers make their coffee through a process called freeze-drying.
Instant coffee is typically made with this process. So basically they grind and brew the coffee, freeze-dry it, then crush it into tiny pieces.
Using the freeze-drying process, the liquid coffee is subjected to ultra-low temperatures to freeze the compound first (initially at 20F).
Then, the crystals are further cooled to about -40F (which is also about -40C). The resulting ice is then ground and dried into fine particles on which the water is evaporated.
What are the good things about Folgers Classic Roast?
Mountain-grown coffee beans are one of the best-tasting coffees in the world. With a rich pure taste and more aromatic flavor, Folgers coffee beans are a cut-above-the-rest.
We give credit to Folgers for having this type of beans which are grown in more than 50 countries in the world. But the company only selects the best among the best.
In this regard, we can say that Folgers is working hard to give the world the best coffee there is. It will not be one of the United States most iconic coffee brands for nothing!
Moreover, these are some of our comments (and we have lots to say) about the Folgers classic roast:
- Comes in crystal form so it is easy to dilute in hot water
- The classic taste is incredible
- No preservatives or additives to enhance the taste
- Comes in sealed packaging so the taste lasts
- No naturally occurring gluten
- More aromatic flavor
- Mixed of Arabica and Robusta beans
- medium-roasted blend
- Comparable in taste to more expensive brands
- Cheaper than Starbucks VIA
- Reusable container
- Ideal for diabetics, just don’t add sugar or creamer
- Can be used in other kitchen recipes
- A jar with 3 oz (85 grams) makes 45 servings (6 oz per serving)
- Easy to use
Are there bad things about Folgers Classic Roast?
There are some.
You can’t please everybody, as the saying goes. And it’s the truth about Folgers classic roast, just like any other coffee brands in the world.
Folgers’ more than 160 years of roasting and making coffee seems not enough to please everybody.
Here are some of the Folgers classic roast haters have to say:
- More caffeine than other instant coffee brands
- They don’t like mixed bean varieties
Conclusion
For most coffee lovers, having a cup of coffee every day is quite a relief and fulfilling. This Folgers Classic Roast review brings them closer to the brand.
Now, they know what’s in and out of their favorite brew. Moreover, since Folgers had been making coffee for the past 169 years, it is interesting to know how the old coffee maker fares with new brands.
The brand is, fortunately, at par with other premium coffees made with pure Arabica blend. Folgers classic roast’s addition of Robusta to the brew made a remarkable twist in taste and aroma.
Folgers Classic Roast coffee is one of America’s favorite coffee brands starting in 1963. Folgers’ sustainability in sourcing their coffee beans green and make their brew is quite a great feat for a company that “creates good coffee from the greens to the brew”.
Furthermore, using two of the world’s most sought-after coffee bean varieties (Arabica and Robusta) in their coffee blend is a unique experience for coffee drinkers.
As we go along with our research about Folgers Classic Roast, and after years of drinking this amazing flavor, we can humbly say that the brand stands out!
Leave a Reply