Stewart's Private Blend Ground Coffee (23 oz.)

Item Purchased: Stewart's Private Blend Ground Coffee (23 oz.)
Location Purchased: Dominick's / 3140 S. Ashland / Chicago, IL
Price: $7.55 + tax

Review: Stewart's coffee is a local Chicago coffee and tea company that has been in operation since 1913. For 93 years, the business has remained in the Stewart family, refusing to be bought out by the larger coffee companies in the Chicago area. If I had known all of this before buying this can of coffee grounds, this would have made me buy the coffee without further deliberation. I have a weakness for family owned businesses with stubbornness and a pride in their product.

This, however, was not the reason I bought a can of Stewart's private blend ground coffee. The reason I bought it was more of a test to see if Stewart's slogan, "It's Really Good," was simply hubris. After brewing a pot of this local pick-me-up, I decided that if I were on the team over at Stewart's, I would change the slogan to "It's Pretty Good."

Stewart's private blend is a medium roast coffee that has only a slightly unique flavor due to a faint earthy spice. Perhaps this was a new flavor sensation in 1933-34 when Stewart's private blend was chosen as the "Official World's Fair Coffee" but I'm a child of the eighties (you know... the decade with all of the horrible fashion and children's cartoons created by speed freaks) and I've tasted several coffees with this kind of flavor. Stewart's has a step up on other grocery-store brands of coffee such as Folgers, but is nothing to write home about. The price is reasonable for a can of grounds this size and there is no bitter aftertaste such as with other pre-ground coffees.

Though not the best cup of coffee I've brewed at home, I may default to Stewart's when I want a quick, pre-ground can of coffee. I'd really like to get a new coffee grinder so I can try a fresh-ground cup of this local caffeinated legend. Anyone who is passionate about their coffee knows this is the only way to experience it anyway.

Update (08/22/2006): Added bonus! I made a pot of this coffee this morning and only drank two cups. When I got home after work, I reheated the coffee pot with the morning brew still in it and it still tasted fresh. I've had specialty coffees that don't retain their flavor after they cool down. Stewart's may be on to something.

Rating: 3 / 5