If you’re a coffee drinker, you’ve probably come across the two popular coffee brands, Maxwell House and Folgers. Both of these budget-friendly coffee corporations have been around for quite some time, providing American households with ready-to-brew, freshly roasted, and ground coffee. But what’s the difference between the two?
Maxwell House has been around since 1892 and was once the dominant coffee brand in the Eastern United States. On the other hand, Folgers started in the 1850s in San Francisco, where coffee drinkers had to buy green coffee beans and roast them at home.
Both brands have been in the market for a long time, promising and providing exceptional coffee. However, which of the two is better? When it comes to coffee, the taste is subjective. Some prefer a bold and strong flavor, while others like a more mellow and smooth taste.
Below, we’ll compare Maxwell House vs Folgers in terms of their taste, price, and quality. We’ll also take a closer look at their history and how they source their coffee beans to help you decide which brand is the best fit for you.
Key Takeaways:
- Maxwell House and Folgers are two popular budget-friendly coffee brands in the United States.
- Maxwell House was founded in 1892 by Joel Cheek in Nashville, while Folgers started in the 1850s in San Francisco.
- Both brands offer a variety of coffee products, including ground coffee, instant coffee, and K-Cup pods.
- Maxwell House is known for its smooth flavor and sweet aroma, made from 100% Arabica beans, while Folgers is a blend of Arabica and Robusta beans, resulting in a bolder taste.
- Both brands are affordable and widely available, with Folgers being the best-selling ground coffee brand since the 1990s.
- Maxwell House sources its coffee beans from Latin America, Africa, and Asia and uses a unique roasting process to lock in flavor and aroma.
- Folgers also sources its beans from around the world and employs a similar roasting process to create their distinct coffee blends.
History
Founding of Maxwell House
Maxwell House was founded in 1892 by Joel Cheek, a Tennessee coffee broker. Cheek was inspired to create his own blend of coffee after serving his own special blend to guests at the Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville. The hotel was known for its high-quality coffee, and Cheek’s blend quickly became popular in the area. Cheek began selling his coffee to local grocery stores, and the Maxwell House brand was born.
Founding of Folgers
Folgers coffee was founded in San Francisco in the 1850s by James Folger. The company was originally called the J.A. Folger Coffee Company, and it quickly became popular among gold rush miners who were looking for a good cup of coffee. Folger’s coffee was known for its rich, full-bodied flavor, and the company quickly grew to become one of the largest coffee roasters in California.
In the late 19th century, the company began selling pre-roasted coffee, which quickly became popular with consumers who were looking for a convenient and high-quality coffee option.
Today, both Maxwell House and Folgers are household names known for their affordable and convenient coffee options. While both brands have a long history of providing quality coffee to American consumers, there are some key differences between the two brands that are worth exploring.
Coffee Products
When it comes to coffee, both Maxwell House and Folgers offer a variety of products to suit different tastes and preferences. Let’s take a closer look at the coffee varieties each brand has to offer.
Maxwell House Coffee Varieties
Maxwell House offers a range of coffee products, including ground coffee, instant coffee, and K-Cup pods. Their classic roast and original roast are popular choices among coffee drinkers, but they also have a variety of other blends to choose from, such as their Perfect Blend and French Roast.
Maxwell House’s coffee blend typically consists of a mix of Arabica and Robusta beans, which creates a balanced flavor profile. They also offer decaf coffee for those who want to enjoy the taste of coffee without the caffeine.
Folgers Coffee Varieties
Folgers is known for its classic roast, which is a medium roast coffee made from 100% pure, high-quality coffee beans. However, they also offer a range of other coffee varieties, including decaffeinated coffee, flavored coffees, and K-Cup pods.
Folgers’ coffee blend typically consists of a mix of Arabica and Robusta beans, but they also offer 100% Colombian coffee for those who prefer a single-origin coffee. Their flavored coffees come in a variety of flavors, such as French Vanilla and Hazelnut, and are a great way to add some variety to your morning cup of coffee.
Taste and Aroma
When it comes to coffee, taste, and aroma are two of the most important factors to consider. In this section, we will take a closer look at the flavor of both Maxwell House and Folgers and how they differ.
Flavor of Maxwell House
Maxwell House is known for its smooth flavor and sweet aroma. It is made from 100% Arabica beans, which are known for their sweeter taste and lower acidity compared to Robusta beans. The coffee has a hazelnut-like flavor with notes of nuts and chocolate, making it a great choice for those who prefer a milder taste.
Flavor of Folgers
Folgers, on the other hand, is a blend of Arabica and Robusta coffee beans. This blend results in a lighter roast and consistency compared to Maxwell House. Folgers have a bolder taste and high caffeine content, which makes it a great choice for those who prefer a stronger cup of coffee. The flavor profile of Folgers is mostly mild and has a bit of bitterness to it.
When it comes to taste and aroma, the choice between Maxwell House and Folgers comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer the smoother taste of Maxwell House, while others enjoy the bolder taste of Folgers. It is worth noting that both brands offer a range of blends, so you can experiment with different flavors and find the one that suits your taste buds best.
Quality and Caffeine Content
Quality of Maxwell House
Maxwell House is a well-known name in the coffee industry and has been producing coffee for over 100 years. They use only 100% Arabica beans in their coffee, which is a high-quality coffee bean known for its rich flavor and aroma. Maxwell House coffee is known for its smooth and balanced taste, making it a popular choice for coffee lovers.
Quality of Folgers
Folgers is another popular coffee brand that has been around for over 150 years. They use a blend of Arabica and Robusta beans in their coffee, which gives it a unique taste. Folgers coffee is known for its bold and robust flavor, making it a favorite among coffee lovers who prefer a stronger taste.
Caffeine Content
When it comes to caffeine content, both Maxwell House and Folgers have similar levels. A 6-ounce cup of Maxwell House coffee contains around 60-80 milligrams of caffeine, while a 6-ounce cup of Folgers coffee contains around 70-90 milligrams of caffeine. However, it’s important to note that the caffeine content can vary depending on the type of coffee and brewing method used.
When it comes to quality, both Maxwell House and Folgers offer great-tasting coffee at an affordable price, making them popular budget coffee brands. However, if you’re a coffee connoisseur or prefer gourmet coffee, you may want to explore other options that use only the highest quality Arabica beans.
Popularity and Sales
Popularity of Maxwell House
Maxwell House is one of the most popular coffee brands in America. It was established in 1892 in Nashville, Tennessee, and has since become a household name. Maxwell House is known for its affordable and diner-style coffee, and it has been marketed as “good to the last drop.” The brand’s marketing campaigns have been successful in promoting its products, and its slogan is still recognized by many coffee lovers today.
Maxwell House has been one of the best-selling ground coffee brands in the United States for many years. It has a significant market share in the coffee industry, and its products are available in most grocery stores across the country. The brand has a loyal customer base, and its sales have remained steady over the years.
Popularity of Folgers
Folgers is another popular budget coffee brand in the United States. It was established in the 1850s in San Francisco, and it has since become one of the best-selling ground coffee brands in the country. Folgers is known for its mild and balanced flavor, which is a result of its blend of arabica and robusta coffee beans.
Folgers has been the best-selling ground coffee brand in the United States since the 1990s. The brand’s marketing campaigns have been successful in promoting its products, and its slogan, “the best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup,” is still recognized by many coffee lovers today. Folgers has a significant market share in the coffee industry, and its products are available in most grocery stores across the country.
Sales Comparison
While both Maxwell House and Folgers are popular budget coffee brands in the United States, Folgers has been the best-selling ground coffee brand since the 1990s. However, Maxwell House was the most popular American coffee brand from its inception until the late 1980s. Both brands have loyal customer bases, and their sales have remained steady over the years.
In terms of pricing, both brands are affordable and are priced similarly. They are marketed as budget brands, and their prices are lower than that of premium coffee brands. Overall, both brands are popular choices for coffee lovers who are looking for an affordable and decent-tasting cup of coffee.
Coffee Production
When it comes to coffee production, both Maxwell House and Folgers have their own unique methods. Here is a breakdown of how each brand produces their coffee.
Production of Maxwell House
Maxwell House uses 100% Arabica coffee beans for their roasts. These beans are sourced from coffee farms around the world, including Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Once the beans are harvested, they are roasted to perfection. Maxwell House offers a variety of roasts, including dark, medium, and light.
The company takes pride in their roasting process, which they claim is what sets them apart from other coffee brands. They use a unique roasting process that involves heating the beans to a precise temperature and then cooling them quickly. This process helps to lock in the flavor and aroma of the coffee.
Maxwell House coffee can be found in most grocery stores, and it is a popular choice for regular coffee drinkers.
Production of Folgers
Folgers, on the other hand, uses a blend of Arabica and Robusta beans for their roasts. These beans are also sourced from coffee farms around the world, including Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
Folgers offers a variety of roasts, including dark, medium, and light. They also offer flavored coffee, such as vanilla and hazelnut.
Like Maxwell House, Folgers takes pride in their roasting process. They use a unique method that involves heating the beans to a precise temperature and then cooling them quickly. This process helps to lock in the flavor and aroma of the coffee.
Folgers coffee can be found in most grocery stores, and it is a popular choice for regular coffee drinkers.
FAQ: Maxwell House vs Folgers
Which brand has a stronger taste, Maxwell House or Folgers?
Both Maxwell House and Folgers have a strong taste, but the strength of the coffee depends on the roast. Maxwell House offers a range of roasts, from mild to bold, while Folgers offers a medium roast. If you prefer a stronger taste, go for the bold roasts from Maxwell House.
Are there any significant differences between the taste of Maxwell House and Folgers coffee?
Yes, there are differences in taste between the two brands. Maxwell House has a smoother taste, while Folgers has a slightly bitter taste. The taste difference can be attributed to the type of beans used, the roasting process, and the blending process.
What is the price difference between Maxwell House and Folgers coffee?
The price difference between Maxwell House and Folgers coffee varies depending on the size and type of coffee. In general, Folgers is slightly more expensive than Maxwell House. However, both brands are affordable and offer good value for money.
Which brand has a better aroma, Maxwell House or Folgers?
Both Maxwell House and Folgers have a pleasant aroma. The aroma depends on the type of roast and the brewing method. Maxwell House has a slightly stronger aroma, while Folgers has a milder aroma.
Are there any notable variations in caffeine content between Maxwell House and Folgers coffee?
The caffeine content in coffee varies depending on the type of bean, the roast, and the brewing method. In general, Maxwell House has slightly more caffeine than Folgers. However, the difference is negligible and should not affect your choice of coffee.
Which brand has a better reputation among coffee drinkers, Maxwell House or Folgers?
Both Maxwell House and Folgers have a good reputation among coffee drinkers. Maxwell House has been around since 1892 and is known for its smooth taste. Folgers, on the other hand, is known for its catchy jingle and medium roast. Ultimately, the choice between the two brands is a matter of personal preference.
