Caribou Coffee: Popular, Affordable, and Delicious

by Kenneth J. Dickson

Caribou Coffee is a popular coffee shop these days across many states. Do you have one near your home? If not, then why not buy Caribou Whole Bean & Ground Coffee and try the aromatic coffee at your home! This coffee is a popular brand that seems to inspire brand loyalty with lots of positive comments and feedback especially from its partnership with the Rainforest Alliance.

So how did this come about?

The story of Caribou is rather unique as it was not solely inspired by profit motives. In 1990, founders John and Kim Puckett reached the top of Sable Mountain in Alaska and were awed by the beauty of the landscape stretching out before them.

Visions in the Distance

In the distance a herd of caribou made their way across the plain, making their way around obstacles and pushing forward. This sight inspired the couple to start a business that would bring people simple pleasure, a business built on the conviction that excellence is the result of hard work, that life is too short for anything else.

The First Caribou Store

Caribou Cup of Coffee by mastermaq

And so Caribou Coffee was born. The first store opened in 1992 on the corner of 44th Street and France Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota. John and Kim made it clear to their staff that they were there to provide a good, simple product served in a way that made the customer feel good.

The idea was to inspire people to leave the shop feeling as if they'd like to do something beneficial for others. And to a large extent the Caribou stores seem airier and lighter in decor than many other coffee stores!

The Caribou Coffee Flavor

Caribou's coffee is generally smooth, fresh and moderately priced. Although the company does not roast its own beans they are constantly checked for quality, taste and appearance. If you have the chance to visit one of the U.S. stores, it is an experience you don't want to miss.

If not, you can get Caribou coffee in your local supermarket or specialty store. It has remained high quality coffee with a moderate price even after the Pucketts sold 60% of the company to Crescent Capital in 1998.

One feature that buyers particularly like is the roast meter on the front of the Caribou package that tells you how the flavor will be once it is brewed. If you like a milder coffee the meter will guide you to the right package, just as it will if you like your coffee bold and strong.

Featured Coffees from Caribou

Caribou Blend is medium roast, well-bodied, syrupy on the palate and crisp finish. Indonesian beans mixed with Central and South American beans provide lively fruit tones.

Columbia Timana is a Rainforest Alliance blend with caramel flavors, roasted nut notes and floral nuances. In contrast, Mahogany is bold and spicy; its bittersweet chocolate tones combined with aromatic woods and leather make it a rugged and robust cup that is very impressive.

Caribou's Daybreak Morning Blend combines coffees from the Americas with East African beans for a light and fruity cup with a nutty finish. The Sumatra has a pleasantly syrupy body, is sweet on the palate with cedar wood notes. The Honduras blend has a sweetness like honey with caramel tones and a great finish.

More Caribou Products

Caribou Starlight

Many customers have noted that Caribou Starlight coffee tastes great when served with cream or just black. Either way, it comes across as a smooth, sweet blend. Its light roasting level allows drinkers to taste the nuttiness of this particular blend of coffee. But if you like coffee with more body or a darker roast, you may find the flavor of this particular 'perfectly roasted coffee' a little lacking!

Caribou Daybreak (updated)

Also lightly roasted, the flavors of this particular coffee, as well as the aroma, were generally thought top quality, without any hint of excessive roasting. The resulting coffee was lighter, more delicate and noticeably easier on the stomach, but managed to produce a full body, non-acidic cup of coffee. You may even find slight notes of fruits and almonds in the final cup. What an excellent cup of smooth coffee to start the morning!

More Caribou Products' overview coming... especially the darker roasts, and the k cups which are very popular!

Caribou's Ethos for Coffee

Caribou Coffee partners with the Rainforest Alliance and a large portion of their beans come from RA certified producers of organic coffee.

The RA certification means that the farmers and laborers have good working conditions, help with paying for their education and some health benefits besides receiving a fair price for their beans.

It's also a company with a conscience that helps to build clinics, schools and water improvement programs in the areas where they buy beans.

Overall, Caribou Coffee offers Caribou Whole Bean & Ground Coffee that is good value, delicious and socially responsible. What do you think?

And finally...

Wherever you are, remember "Only Coffee Beans Make Great Coffee"! And enjoy that cup of coffee!

Return from Caribou Coffee to coffee brands.

Return from Caribou Coffee to coffee beans.