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1. Should at least put the effort to make it a blind test or sth to aviod perception. ad, ad, ad….

   November 16, 2011 at 12:22 pm | by Fair test

2. What a fun article! Did anybody expect good espresso from Tim Hortons??

   November 16, 2011 at 12:45 pm | by coffeelover

3. Stuart Ross, the owner of Bulldog Coffee – so you wouldn’t think he has a bit of a bias opinion? I’m surprised that the article didn’t have web ads promoting Bulldog coffee.

   November 16, 2011 at 3:37 pm | by Pecos Bill

4. Cute article… and right on the button considering that I’ve tried all of these coffees just before reading this. Let’s say that a “blind taste test” would be a disservice to the taster in my opinion.

   Blind test or not, try it yourself! I wish your taste buds the best of luck, and hope that Tim Hortons updates their offerings soon

   November 16, 2011 at 4:14 pm | by Coffee Lover2

5. I have to wonder who the target audience for Tim Horton’s espresso drinks is? Reluctant spouses/friends who get dragged there by Tim’s addicts? Airport patrons? Surely anyone who enjoys a true espresso drink will not consider Tim’s an equal substitute. However, I don’t go to McDonald’s and expect a Kobe beef filet. It doesn’t mean McDonald’s is bad, just that they don’t belong in that business. However, with regards to blind taste testing… are you kidding? “Sommelier, can you please identify the grape Kool-Aid among these Oregon Pinots… drum roll…. BLINDFOLDED?” … “Uh, yeah, I think I can.”

   November 16, 2011 at 4:36 pm | by eeffoc

6. A top chef can appreciate quality food other than their own as can a barista. Stuart is a top barista and has the knowledge to decifer quality coffee. Tim Hortons mass produced junk hits a sour note. So what! People will still line up like drones every morning to guzzle their double double.

   November 16, 2011 at 4:55 pm | by FireMarshallBill

7. First.
   Of course this isn’t a fair taste test: It was not blinded and Mr. Ross would obviously have a bias, owning his own cafe…

   Second.
   Of course Tim Horton’s espresso drinks are crap. Just like all espresso drinks made from industrial-sized super-automatic espresso machines are vastly inferior to what any moderately trained barista can do with a decent manual or semi-automatic machine, a fresh-roasted espresso-intended blend, and most importantly, a good espresso-grade grinder.

   While this may have been entertaining, it’s certainly not surprising that the article wasn’t informative. At all.

   November 16, 2011 at 5:40 pm | by D

8. D:
   I find the juxtaposition of your first and second comments puzzling.
   Why do you worry about the “bias” of the taste tester if it is manifest that “Tim Horton’s espresso drinks are crap”?

   Let’s face it: Everything – coffee, donuts, bagels, “lasagna” – at Tim Horton’s is revolting.

   November 16, 2011 at 9:20 pm | by Berry

9. Is this really news ppl?!

   November 16, 2011 at 10:17 pm | by Doug

10. Come on did anyone really expect a good espresso out of Tim’s? They have a specific market with their product and the espresso based coffee drinker just isn’t it. I suppose if you do like a good double double then their powdered milk latte could be a nice change.

    November 17, 2011 at 3:19 am | by Bob Taylor

11. I’ll have a medium coffee with cream. Thank You!

    I agree that it should have been a blind taste test.
    Anything other that a blind taste test without knowing the name of the company has no validity.

    However, I would never order an espresso from Tim Hortons, Starbucks or any other chain coffee store. It can never match the real thing.

    I challenge you to have a real blind taste test.

    November 17, 2011 at 5:59 am | by HeyRed

12. Blind taste taste!!!! How do u experience with your other senses the amazing latte art. An important aspect of experiencing the full pleasure of said drink. I dont know what says generic more that a happy face from double- double land.

    November 17, 2011 at 7:37 am | by Sharon

13. This taste tester probably doesn’t like Tim Horton’s coffee to begin with. Maybe you chould’ve also picked someone who represents those of us with less nuanced taste buds?

    November 17, 2011 at 9:15 am | by TL_Reader

14. I love Tim Horton’s. I also love Dark Horse. I’m lucky enough that I can afford a five or six dollar quality latte when I want one, but I also recognize that not everyone can. What exactly was everyone expecting from Tim’s anyway? I guess Toronto Life was having a slow day, needed some filler. I’m going to get a mass produced espresso now.

    November 17, 2011 at 9:17 am | by C

15. I love the latte at the Bull Dog, unfortunately I stopped going there when I observed that the same person pressing the coffee for the latte is the same person handling the money, I found that to be so unsanitary. At least for the most part at Tim Hortons the cashiers and food handlers different

    November 17, 2011 at 10:10 am | by Blossom

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