Tim Horton's inconsistent coffee!

[shmoo2]

Why is it that the coffee tastes different, (sometimes disgusting) at different Tim Horton's locations???? You would think they would have the same measurement!

[rc51]

Why is it that the coffee tastes different, (sometimes disgusting) at different Tim Horton's locations???? You would think they would have the same measurement!

SOP's are standard (Standard Operating Procedures) but in the end it's still a human who has to execute the SOP. We all know the differences in GAF factor, attitude, skills when it comes to different people.

I just make a rule never to go to Tim's during really dead periods. You know the coffee will be 'old', some locations are better than others, but late night on a quiet night, the coffee is burnt tasting.

[davethegr8]

I noticed this as well. Sometimes a very strong burnt taste at a couple of the stores. I am actually starting to get quite irritated with Timmies. I always order an extra large and now 7 times out of ten they fill it and leave an inch at the top. I have sent it back and told them to top it up a couple of times. Kinda like a memo has been sent down to try and squeeze an extra cup out of each pot. Now I buy a Mickie D's coffee first with Timmies as a backup. For a $1.65 I expect my coffee to be filled to the top damn it. Rant over lol.

[lor74]

I find the problem to be their equipment. You can make the same order a dozen times, but you won't always get the same amount of sugar or milk/cream. Then there are the times when you pop the lid and find your coffee full of "floaters" because the equipment is not cleaned often or well enough......mmmmm...nothing like seeing old cream floating in your cup! I have also had a few occasions where the inner liner of the cup was peeling and there were cup "floaters" in the coffee. I made my life easier and switched to tea :)

[wszeto28]

As a previous Timmies employee, I can say that the inconsistency surrounding the taste of the coffee is most likely caused by how long it's been sitting on top of the burner. Most Timmies these days have automatic cream, sugar, and milk dispensers so it is consistent. As for the actual coffee, it is just a matter of opening the package, pouring it into the filter, and pushing a button. The amount of water added is all done by the actual machine and the employees arent involved with this.

Some things that I can recommend would be to make sure the coffee is well stirred. A lot of times, employees will not give the coffee a stir causing the sugar to be at the bottom. This is especially the case during peak periods. Also, all Timmies are supposed to write down a time on the coffee pot with a white chalk marker. The time on the pot is supposed to be 20 minutes after the coffee was finished brewing. So if the time says "4:30", then the coffee was finished brewing at 4:10. Timmies has a rule where coffee is only allowed to sit 20 minutes. It has to be dumped after that. Now, whether any franchises follow this rule is another story :razz:.

[Magoo]

Timmy's coffee is not that good actually... despite how successful they are.

I find McDonald's coffee to be far better ...and consistent.

[dunderwood]

I think it also has to do with the local water flavor.
I noticed big differences between Peterborough, Toronto, York, and Niagara regions.

There have been times I just couldn't stomach it (Peterborough).
I have also noticed the burnt taste as well and this is during a busy time so the sitting coffee theory doesn't cut it.

I guess I have a lot of issues with Tims

- The frigging leaking lids and cups.
- Inconsistant coffee flavour
- Pickup window where employees don't talk or even ackowledge you.
- 15 cars at a time in the drive through idling for over 10 minutes

My biggest issue with Tim Hortons is I can not recycle the fracking cup in-store and have to bring it home to my blue box. I was told I can only recycle plastic bottles and cans in-store. I guess this is why garage cans and streets are overflowing with Tim Horton cups!

[BAM]

Timmy's coffee is not that good actually... despite how successful they are.

I find McDonald's coffee to be far better ...and consistent.

McDonald's Coffee is very weak and tasteless. Not saying Tim's is much better but at least it has a taste. Much prefer just dropping into a cafe for a double expresso (Starbuck's if need be!).

[shannn]

McDonald's Coffee is very weak and tasteless. Not saying Tim's is much better but at least it has a taste. Much prefer just dropping into a cafe for a double expresso (Starbuck's if need be!).

that's funny
in a blind taste test, McDonald's ranked higher in terms of taste when compared to Starbucks, Second Cup (and I believe Timmothy's)

Now the question is when will McCafe be brought back???

[Salamander Pete]

I find it consistently bad.

[Engi-Nir]

I find McDonald's and Country style coffee to taste good, and mostly consistent quality.

Tim Hortons' is a hit or miss, and MORE MISSES, than hits. Consistency is long dead at timmies it seems :( I am more annoyed at their baked items, taste like crap, and COuntry style baked goods tastes a lot better, how Tim Hortons was before it became so popular.

[JAGpilot]

I find Tim Hortons' coffee gives me stomach aches (or maybe it's the 18% cream). I like their steeped tea though, black with sugar. It's always consistent.

[TheDarkRage]

My biggest issue with Tim Hortons is I can not recycle the fracking cup in-store and have to bring it home to my blue box. I was told I can only recycle plastic bottles and cans in-store. I guess this is why garage cans and streets are overflowing with Tim Horton cups!

Are you talking about the coffee cups or Ice Cap cups?

Those coffee cups can't be recycled though (in theory). The lids have a recycling symbol with 6, meaning that it costs too much money to recycle it, so nobody recycles them. And the paper cup is lined with wax.

I just hate it when I find my Medium double-double being too sweet or not sweet enough.

[CingKrab]

McDonald's Coffee is very weak and tasteless. Not saying Tim's is much better but at least it has a taste. Much prefer just dropping into a cafe for a double expresso (Starbuck's if need be!).

Are you sure you're talking about McDonald's "new" (introduced last year I think) coffee? It's much better than their old one, and IMO also way better than Timmie's. Their old coffee would definitely fit your description.

[EnGros]

\
I guess I have a lot of issues with Tims

- The frigging leaking lids and cups.
- Inconsistant coffee flavour
- Pickup window where employees don't talk or even ackowledge you.
- 15 cars at a time in the drive through idling for over 10 minutes


Choose one or the other. If they talked to every customer the lineup you complain about would be even longer.

[MoonDoggy]

I much prefer the old mcdonald's coffee as well (and the taste test was done for the old coffee). I think a lot of people will find the McD's coffee better because they don't like strong tasting coffee (I.e. Starbucks).

Since I drink black (or with one milk) coffee, I can't stand the taste of tim hortons. I always find them to be burnt regardless.

[joeyjoejoe]

I much prefer the old mcdonald's coffee as well (and the taste test was done for the old coffee). I think a lot of people will find the McD's coffee better because they don't like strong tasting coffee (I.e. Starbucks).

Since I drink black (or with one milk) coffee, I can't stand the taste of tim hortons. I always find them to be burnt regardless.

Do you have any proof of this? I thought the Arabica coffee came out in 2006 (possibly earlier) and the test was in 2007. Why would they switch their coffee after winning a blind taste test versus Starbucks?

[CingKrab]

Do you have any proof of this? I thought the Arabica coffee came out in 2006 (possibly earlier) and the test was in 2007. Why would they switch their coffee after winning a blind taste test versus Starbucks?

http://www2.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/canada_world/story.html?id=9af404dd-0e49-4fee-bc57-01be823174ff

Apparently the new coffee is way older than I thought it was -- introduced in 2003.

[S16]

mcd for the win.
1.46 taxes in for coffee + muffin

[CalgaryMan]

I have to agree that Tim Horton's coffee can be good or it can be bad. However, I would have to say that it is on the bad side at least 8/10. It is not what it used to be. Tim Horton's baked goods are also crap. The prices keep going up and up but the sizes have gone down, not to mention that they are all pre-baked anyways. Just the other day I got a Cherry Cheese Danish and geeze! it was short not to mention the cherry didnt even taste right. Tim Horton's Danishes cost $1.45 + Taxes. When I pay that ammount, I expect a huge ass danish made with the finest ingredients.

[congeetime]

I agree with the inconsistency. I got served cold coffee once...
Even the ice cap is inconsistent. I hate when they serve me the almost liquid ice caps. disgusting. Thats why i go to starbucks now, always consistent and if it isn't i get a free drink!

[doberman_baby]

Why is it that the coffee tastes different, (sometimes disgusting) at different Tim Horton's locations???? You would think they would have the same measurement!
All depends on the staff, sometimes too/less sugar or cream. I prefer my own condiment stand. OR McD's good cuz you can always get milk instead of cream and FREE REFILL at McD.

[The_One]

All depends on the staff, sometimes too/less sugar or cream. I prefer my own condiment stand. OR McD's good cuz you can always get milk instead of cream and FREE REFILL at McD.

A machine dispenses the sugar and cream. I don't think you can get that wrong. Its just really bad coffee.

[gordholio]

A machine dispenses the sugar and cream. I don't think you can get that wrong. Its just really bad coffee.

That's subjective. I go to Timmy's every day and I like it. Once in a while, somebody screws it up a bit, but overall quite good. Maybe it's not the best coffee, but far from being bad coffee. I've had really bad coffee (at a social club)! Now that was horrible coffee. :cheesygri

[xxgg]

I work at the airport and I'll tell you that...

Tim Horton's employees at the airport is the absolute laziest & slowest workers PERIOD.