James, Taylor sniff out the goodness (Image: BNN)
We knew the country’s post-Olympic patriotism would settle down, but not like this. The Business News Network spent nearly 20 minutes analyzing every last drop of the McDonald’s–Tim Hortons coffee war, and, long story short, they believe McDonald’s coffee tastes better than Timmies’.
After two business school professors offered their take on McDonald’s move to give out free coffee, Toronto baristas Sam James and Matthew Taylor from Mercury were invited to offer their expertise, waxing poetic about coffee much like a wine connoisseur would.
On Tim Hortons:
JAMES: It’s fairly neutral. I can tell it’s been brewed fresh at least. It’s got liveliness to it.
TAYLOR: It has a nutty note to it. It’s probably a blend of beans so that you can cover up certain flaws.
On McDonald’s:
JAMES: I prefer this. It’s got more of a fruitier profile. To me, it tastes like it’s roasted fresher.
TAYLOR: It has a sweeter profile and a bitterness that balances it out. It’s not as flat as the other one.
Viewers also agreed with the baristas in a vote, but when it comes to deciding between cheap coffees, one viewer put it best: “It depends on the lineup.”
• Coffee War: Blind Taste Test [BNN]
McDonalds coffee is comparable to Tim Hortons. I find that Timmy’s makes a better cup than McD’s but they are not nearly as consistent. I have had some god awful cups from Tim’s in the past and cannot say the same about McDonalds…cheap coffee at its best
March 12, 2010 at 11:33 am | by The_FlashA number of factors go into my choice of a favorite coffee. Firstly, I like the 18% cream in my TH coffee. Then, I prefer the aroma of fresh donuts & muffins to burgers & fries and finally, it’s a patriotic thing to go to Tim’s. I feel like I’m burning the Maple Leaf when I drink coffee at McD’s.
March 12, 2010 at 3:31 pm | by GordMMcDonald’s coffee is definitely better than Tim’s now. And anyone who feels unpatriotic about buying McDonald’s should give their heads a shake – Tim’s was 100% wholly-owned by Wendy’s (a US company) for years until they went public a few years ago. McDonald’s Canada is a Canadian company and has been in Canada for almost as long as Tim’s (40 years+). So get off this whole “It’s a Canadian” thing. McDonald’s contributes millions to Ronald McDonald houses all across Canada and has been a big part of Canadian society for a long time. Just because it’s a global brand (which Tim’s is also trying to be) doesn’t mean they are not just as Canadian.
March 14, 2010 at 4:40 pm | by The_Truth_is_Out_ThereI think McDonalds coffee is waaaaaaaay better than Tim’s. Eh!
April 26, 2010 at 11:29 pm | by Dianawas always a loyal Timmie’s fan, but I must say McDs coffee, is better…I find when I go to Tims now…their sizes are smaller, their prices are higher and frankly either their coffee is worse than it used to be or McDs is just that much better….
November 8, 2011 at 3:24 pm | by ProudCanadianMCD’s beats Timmys day in and day out! Timmies has the pencil shavings taste I dont enjoy!.
November 14, 2011 at 1:14 pm | by CoffeeGuruTimmies is horrible. Hard to find to locations that have similar tasting coffee! McD’s is always consistant and tastes better!
November 14, 2011 at 1:16 pm | by PullMaOck