Coffee in Poland: cheap and undrinkable / expensive and good

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Sep 28, 11, 11:43 #1

What is your opinion about the coffee you can buy in Polish shops?
For me it falls into two categories:
1. The cheap and absolutely undrinkable ones: Tchibo, Jacobs and the even more horrible discounter labels
2. And then we have Lavazzo & co which charge unbelievable prices for their products.

Is there a decent alternative to all this? Until now I am always stocking up coffee whenever I go home to Belgium. For very decent coffee I pay at home the same for a 500 g tin cheaper as here for 250 g Lavazzo. Freaky.

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Sep 28, 11, 13:00 #2

Is there a decent alternative to all this? Until now I am always stocking up coffee whenever I go home to Belgium. For very decent coffee I pay at home the same for a 500 g tin cheaper as here for 250 g Lavazzo. Freaky.

economies of scale the other way round - how many Poles do you think ever consider buying Lavazza?? - Poles mostly are satisfied with Tchibos, Jacob's and the like - younger generations don't mind Nescafe instant

WedleThreads: 24 Posts: 786 Joined: Sep 27, 11 ♂	Sep 28, 11, 13:08 #3
younger generations don't mind Nescafe instant Most of the younger generation seem to be in " Coffee Heaven"

Sidliste_ChodovThreads: 2 Posts: 683 Joined: Jul 27, 11 ♂	Sep 28, 11, 13:10 #4
Nescafe instant Don't you mean Gold Blend? haha :) Most of the younger generation seem to be in " Coffee Heaven" True :)

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Sep 28, 11, 13:29 #5

Which coffeemaker type are you talking about? Italian moka or home espresso, I suppose, as using Lavazza for drip brewing wouldn't make sense.

As long as the coffee is of the right grind (moka or espresso for the respective machines), I haven't found much variation in quality between different brands. With a home espresso machine some brands tend to "clog" the machine and I avoid them. I haven't tried Tchibo yet though.

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Sep 28, 11, 14:34 #6

instant

- that's not even coffee! ;)

I suppose, as using Lavazza for drip brewing wouldn't make sense

of course it does, but the right kind - they offer about a dozen variations, some for cafetera brewers, french press, some for drip machine. I use Lavazza, but why limit yourself to thisonly? There's a very good Illy, Vergnano, Zino Davidoff is good.
Also, for more tastes I recommend this shop where I found an expert in coffee and lots of different coffees which can be ground according to what you'll be using them in.
You can order online or in other cities then Krakow I guess.

PWEIThreads: 5 Posts: 894 Joined: Jul 28, 11 ♂	Sep 28, 11, 14:39 #7
sobieski Is there a decent alternative to all this? Yes: local specialist shops. I use a little one halfway between San Lorenzo restaurant on Jana Pawla the McDonalds on the corner of Solidarnosci and Jana Pawla but there are lots dotted round the city. Another alternative is Green Coffee: they sell their coffee beans to go and it’s all freshly roasted too, not sure about the price though.

OlafThreads: 8 Posts: 1,369 Joined: Oct 29, 09 ♂	Sep 28, 11, 15:41 #8
price I have a general rule not to save on coffee. It works:). The quality in this case almost always goes together with the price, but it doesn't have to be very high to get decent one. BTW I am waiting for my first order of kopi luwak;). Not sure if I'll like it, especially considering the "unique" process it's made:)

PWEIThreads: 5 Posts: 894 Joined: Jul 28, 11 ♂	Sep 28, 11, 15:49 #9
Olaf BTW I am waiting for my first order of kopi luwak;). Was that the groupon offer at half price? I was tempted until I saw the courier charge was 20zl for a 50 gram package!

pipThreads: 11 Posts: 1,293 Joined: Jul 4, 11 ♀	Sep 28, 11, 15:50 #10
Piotr i Pawel have good coffee and so does Alma. I love my coffee. Every so often I have coffee heaven- it is ok. as Starbucks makes its invasion into the Polish market- I have to say I enjoy a starbucks now and again.

OlafThreads: 8 Posts: 1,369 Joined: Oct 29, 09 ♂	Sep 28, 11, 16:52 #11
groupon offer No idea - I am getting it as a present and it is not bought yet as far as I know so I doubt it.

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Sep 28, 11, 17:14 #12

Well, for me coffee is my "diesel" to get me started every day and I could not do without it...That said and done, I do not want to spend a fortune on Lavazzo & co, and neither on Jacobs.
By the way we have at home the standard coffeemaker (dripping as it is called here?). In the office it is the standard Nescafe-clones :(
I guess I will keep on stocking up whenever I go home I guess.
By the way, I think that Starbucks, Coffeeheaven & co are very expensive. Coffeeheaven service I find very slow. Maybe it is the way they are organized.

JonnyMThreads: 16 Posts: 4,487 Joined: Mar 9, 11 ♂	Edited by: JonnyM Sep 28, 11, 17:23 #13
I am waiting for my first order of kopi luwak;). Not sure if I'll like it, especially considering the "unique" process it's made:) That would be my ideal pet - a cat that sh1ts coffee! Almost as good as a monkey that sh1ts hashish. Try Pozegnanii z Afryki. They also sell beans retail, or if you happen to be near Metro Stoklosy theres a good shop just south-west of the north entrance.

Polonius3Threads: 1,005 Posts: 4,833 Joined: Apr 11, 08 ♂	Oct 1, 11, 02:18 #14
MK Premium isn't too bad. Costs 10-11 złots per 250 grammes in Poland and $3.99 in Michigan. I like to blend it with a bit a MK Sahara for added body. Funny thing, in Michigan all the Polish coffees are the same price. In Poland Mocca Gold and Maxwell House are amongst the cheapest and Tchibo Exquisite and MK Premium are pricier.

FUZZYWICKETSThreads: 12 Posts: 1,997 Joined: Nov 3, 09 ♂	Oct 1, 11, 02:35 #15
people in poland always used to tell me that coffee in the USA is too weak and generally not good, yet when my in laws came here this summer, they flew back with a stock pile of american coffee. strange. i flat out don't drink coffee so i can't attest to any of it.

TeffleThreads: 28 Posts: 2,105 Joined: Aug 26, 10 ♂	Edited by: Teffle Oct 1, 11, 03:05 #16
coffee in the USA is too weak Yes and no is my opinion. Go to an average ordinary café and it's like dishwater but go to somewhere "good" and it's really nice proper earthy stuff. It's odd for me that they can get away with the sh1tty stuff really. But maybe what i like is the sh1tty stuff in US terms - who knows? ; )

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Oct 1, 11, 03:17 #17

Well, for me coffee is my "diesel" to get me started every day and I could not do without it

Strange. You must be addicted to that stuff. I'm not a coffee drinker and never need a drink to stimulate me so it seems strange that people need that. Coffee is so bad and unhealthy. Some people must like the coffee you don't like because they are addicted to it in a greater or lesser degree. The more addicted ones need the stronger brew.

beckskiThreads: 19 Posts: 2,148 Joined: May 15, 07 MEMBER ♀	Oct 1, 11, 03:19 #18
i flat out don't drink coffee so i can't attest to any of it I'm not a coffee hound either. I tried being brave once at a local coffee house. I ordered an expresso. The damn thing kept me up all night. I think I'll stick with the hot cocoa instead. A sincere thanks PF, for putting up with me FIVE terrific years, muah!

FUZZYWICKETSThreads: 12 Posts: 1,997 Joined: Nov 3, 09 ♂	Oct 1, 11, 03:41 #19
sometimes i almost wish i was a coffee guy because i go to soda or energy drinks instead which is so loaded with sugar......but i simply can't get past the smell of coffee, the way it stains your teeth....coffee breath........i feel sick just typing that last one......i hate the stuff but man o man is it a popular drink in this world.

rybnikThreads: 29 Posts: 1,229 Joined: Jan 16, 11 ♂	Oct 1, 11, 03:57 #20
Would bringing coffee be a good present? Don't want to insult anyone.

a.k.	Oct 1, 11, 09:55 #21
Would bringing coffee be a good present? Don't want to insult anyone. I would rather buy a pack of real American donuts with the hole ;)

pammycatThreads: 2 Posts: 50 Joined: Nov 6, 10 ♀	Oct 1, 11, 11:22 #22
Would bringing coffee be a good present? Don't want to insult anyone. Not nowadays - there are plenty of specialised shops etc. Unless it's something really special, and even then maybe not.

SeanusThreads: 22 Posts: 30,158 Joined: Dec 25, 07 ♂	Oct 1, 11, 13:01 #23
A.k, they are called doughrings :) Jacobs is Kenco, I think. I usually drink that.

WroclawThreads: 77 Posts: 7,404 Joined: Apr 1, 06 ♂ [Moderator]	Oct 1, 11, 14:36 #24
Would bringing coffee be a good present? in the past it would be a popular gift, but not now.

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Oct 1, 11, 15:32 #25

Strange. You must be addicted to that stuff. I'm not a coffee drinker and never need a drink to stimulate me so it seems strange that people need that. Coffee is so bad and unhealthy. Some people must like the coffee you don't like because they are addicted to it in a greater or lesser degree. The more addicted ones need the stronger brew.

I came off of a coffee addiction in June. Apparently it is like coming off of crack- it was the hardest thing I went through. Now I only drink decaf and every so often I will have a regular coffee.
Coffee is not bad nor unhealthy- it actually contains antioxidents which help to fight off various illnesses- however, moderation is the key. If you drink 8 cups a day- clearly there is no benefit- one or two and you are golden.

tygrysThreads: 2 Posts: 404 Joined: Dec 28, 07 ♂	Oct 2, 11, 06:00 #26
Coffee is not bad nor unhealthy- it actually contains antioxidents which help to fight off various illnesses That's a first. Never heard it was healthy in any way. Even the decaf still stinks like reg coffee. But some people like yellow teeth and bad breath. Lol

Pinching PeteThreads: 1 Posts: 1,111 Joined: Feb 23, 08 ♂	Oct 2, 11, 06:07 #27
Coffee is not bad nor unhealthy- it actually contains antioxidents which help to fight off various illnesses- Actually, true.. http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/coffee-new-health-food It is the drink of drinks for me.

sobieskiThreads: 82 Posts: 1,141 Joined: Jun 1, 08 ♂	Oct 2, 11, 07:23 #28
I came off of a coffee addiction i How can you have a coffee addiction ? I am drinking coffee in the morning with my breakfast and later at work one or two cups until lunchtime but that's it.

bullfrogThreads: 4 Posts: 390 Joined: Apr 23, 09 ♂	Oct 2, 11, 08:35 #29
Is there a decent alternative to all this? i drink exclusively espresso (can't bear the other stuff.) and buy my stuff at the nespresso shops (in nowy swiat, or paris or zurich..) depending on the pln/eur/chf exchange rates of the moment..

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Oct 2, 11, 09:55 #30

I came off of a coffee addiction i
How can you have a coffee addiction ? I am drinking coffee in the morning with my breakfast and later at work one or two cups until lunchtime but that's it.

My body relied on the cafeine to get me going. I am not making it up- it is well documented. Basically if I didn't have a coffee before 9 am I would have a cafeine headache all day. Getting it out of my system was far worse- massive headache, shakes and sweats.
Don't believe me? Go until noon without a coffee and see what happens to your body.

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