Ever wonder why Tim Hortons coffee tastes like that? A behind-the-scenes tour of their roasting plant
(Images: Karolyne Ellacott)
We’re under no illusions that most Dish readers would rate Tim Hortons coffee up there with what one might expect from, say, a Sam James or Te Aro establishment. But when we were offered the chance to check out their previously closed-to-the-public Ancaster coffee plant, we simply couldn’t resist peeking inside the belly of the beast. The journey, last week, got off to a swanky start as a clutch of writers piled into a limo and, Timbits in hand, were whisked off to a factory tour and tasting.
The tour began only after we suited up. White lab coats were donned, hands were washed, and hair was tucked beneath oh-so-flattering blue caps. We were then led through the facility in a How It’s Made– style walk, passing through the various stages, starting with the green beans and ending with the ground goods. Thousands of bags of green beans arrive at the plant daily from the Southern Hemisphere, and every week up to 10,000 bags are processed into the brand’s love-it-or-loathe-it signature blend (the espresso beans are roasted elsewhere).
Check out our behind-the-scenes photos from our tour »
After we sussed out the lay of the land, it was time to taste—or, more accurately, cup —the freshly ground goods. Seated at a round table that resembled a giant lazy Susan, each cupper was presented with coffee made from Brazilian, Guatemalan, Kenyan, Indonesian and El Salvadorian beans, and from the top-secret Tim Hortons blend. The magic formula is hidden in the depths of their computer system, and officially only three people know the exact recipe—though our guide admitted that a couple others, including the CEO, are also in the know. Not all of the beans that arrive at the plant are destined for the blend, but the team of five tasters, led by Kevin West, need to keep their palates “calibrated” and remain aware of what’s on the market.
When the coffee was ready (205°F, five minutes), we were instructed to break the crust that had formed on the top, and take whiffs from each cup, noting the various aromas. The crust was then scooped right off, and it was tasting time. While the pros were able to viciously slurp the stuff with the fury of a thousand winds—they do cup over 75,000 brews a year—most of us were unable to muster up such strength. Like with wine tasting, the intent is to aerate the coffee, bringing out its flavour. A stale El Salvadorian Arabica had notes of, um, wood, while the Balinese brew was earthy and strong (the latter got our vote over the Timmies special blend). And with that, the peek behind the curtain was over. Back to Toronto we went with, if nothing else, this year’s Halloween coffee lab costume ready to go.
148385 Master tasters cup more than 75,000 cups per year; they spit most out, as at a wine tasting (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7190-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7190.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7190.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7190/ jul12timhortons_7190 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148384 Ready to be viciously slurped (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7185-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7185.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7185.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7185/ jul12timhortons_7185 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148383 Each cup is filled with seven ounces of 205°F water and left to steep for five minutes; note the crust that forms on top (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7182-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7182.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7182.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7182/ jul12timhortons_7182 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148382 Green vs. roasted beans from El Salvador (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7179-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7179.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7179.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7179/ jul12timhortons_7179 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148380 The roasting recipe is locked into a computer, and officially only three people can access the roster of 20 to 25 recipes that each make up the signature blend (though our guides admitted it’s really more like six) (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7175-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7175.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7175.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7175/ jul12timhortons_7175 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148379 Table-side spittoons (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7173-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7173.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7173.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7173/ jul12timhortons_7173 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148378 A team of five testers, led by Kevin West, is responsible for testing between 200 and 300 cups a day (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7170-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7170.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7170.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7170/ jul12timhortons_7170 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148381 A wall of green bean samples from the last four months in the cupping room (the beans are kept until they’ve been consumed at store level) (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7176-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7176.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7176.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7176/ jul12timhortons_7176 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148377 In the lab, the grounds are brewed, the colour is measured and the product is tested for CO2 levels (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7169-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7169.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7169.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7169/ jul12timhortons_7169 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148376 Customer complaints (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7167-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7167.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7167.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7167/ jul12timhortons_7167 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148375 Green beans weigh 15 per cent less and are 16 per cent bigger than roasted beans (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7164-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7164.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7164.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7164/ jul12timhortons_7164 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148374 Beans come up through chute and workers check for quality as they come out (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7161-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7161.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7161.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7161/ jul12timhortons_7161 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148373 Waiting for the just-roasted beans to whip up through the chute, Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory–style (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7157-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7157.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7157.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7157/ jul12timhortons_7157 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148372 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7155-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7155.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7155.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7155/ jul12timhortons_7155 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148371 The control room (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7154-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7154.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7154.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7154/ jul12timhortons_7154 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148369 Coffee packs are placed in water under pressure to check for holes (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7149-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7149.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7149.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7149/ jul12timhortons_7149 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148368 The weight is checked to ensure the taste always is exactly the same, no stronger, no weaker (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7146-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7146.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7146.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7146/ jul12timhortons_7146 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148367 Each pack of coffee is heat sealed, date coded and time stamped (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7144-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7144.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7144.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7144/ jul12timhortons_7144 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148366 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7139-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7139.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7139.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7139/ jul12timhortons_7139 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148365 In the “cloud,” the coffee’s in a nitrogen blanket—there’s no oxygen, so it won’t grow stale (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7136-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7136.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7136.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7136/ jul12timhortons_7136 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148363 Once the beans are roasted, the by-products are CO and CO2; the roast is stopped, water is added and they’re moved to a cooling area to degas (too much gas would make the pouch bloat and explode) (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7132-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7132.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7132.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7132/ jul12timhortons_7132 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148360 The burlap sacks are sliced open and the beans are sorted; workers have found jewellery and even bullets in the mix, though if anything they usually find stones (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7126-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7126.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7126.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7126/ jul12timhortons_7126 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148358 Tim Hortons recycles over 1,000 bags a year (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7114-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7114.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7114.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7114/ jul12timhortons_7114 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148357 Green (unroasted) beans come from half a dozen countries (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7112-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7112.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7112.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7112/ jul12timhortons_7112 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148355 After a sample is removed, the bag is closed using a pick to push the fibres together (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7099-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7099.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7099.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7099/ jul12timhortons_7099 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148356 A worker stabs a bag of green beans with a tryer stick to extract samples (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7102-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7102.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7102.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7102/ jul12timhortons_7102 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148354 Each bag is stamped with a code that details the origin, weight, date of receipt and cart number (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7095-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7095.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7095.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7095/ jul12timhortons_7095 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148352 Burlap sacks of unroasted green beans (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7092-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7092.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7092.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7092/ jul12timhortons_7092 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148351 Ground coffee: one bag is 135 pounds, which works out to about 4,000 cups of coffee (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7090-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7090.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7090.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7090/ jul12timhortons_7090 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148350 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7085-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7085.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7085.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7085/ jul12timhortons_7085 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148349 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7084-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7084.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7084.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7084/ jul12timhortons_7084 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148348 A thorough hand-washing is required before entering the floor (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7080-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7080.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7080.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7080/ jul12timhortons_7080 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148346 Ten to 15 per cent of all beans are rejected for being below standard. These beans made the cut (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7063-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7063.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7063.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7063/ jul12timhortons_7063 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148345 We’re told consistency is key to Tim Hortons—the same blend is used in both Canada and the U.S., and the same coffee taste profile has been maintained since 1964 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7061-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7061.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7061.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7061/ jul12timhortons_7061 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148344 Sixteen people run the plant; smoke stacks burn off all organic waste so there’s no tell-tale scent (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7059-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7059.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7059.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7059/ jul12timhortons_7059 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
148342 On the way to the Tim Hortons roasting facility in Ancaster, Ontario, outside Hamilton (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour Tim Hortons Roasting Facility Tour https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7045-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7045.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/jul12timhortons_7045.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/tim-hortons-roasting-plant/slide/jul12timhortons_7045/ jul12timhortons_7045 0 0
(Image: Karolyne Ellacott)
Would someone please reveal the point in this wasteful article by by Karolyne Ellacott. Maybe Karolyne could better use her talents elsewhere.
Gordon: Just because it’s not of interest to you doesn’t mean it’s “wasteful.”
What is wasteful is commenting on an article that does not interest you.
Dear Gordon. Or maybe Toronto Life editors thought readers would be interested in this story. Reporters don’t get to pick and choose their stories.
Still doesn’t explain why Tim Hortons coffee taste the way it does, you know, like dishwater.
Not sure why Tim Hortons needs to have their recipe be “Top Secret”. Who in their right mind would want to replicate that slop?
Dear Amit and Sparky,
Describing the coffee as “slop” and “dishwater” suggests that neither of you is a connoisseur of coffee or of words. Horton’s coffee is delicious,and its increase in stock profit indicates it appeals to many coffee lovers and investors.
I love Tim Hortons and I love all the fab local coffee shops around town just the same. I just love coffee!! That said, I wish the article had a little more substance (I’m not sure if that’s the correct word I’m looking for). It lacked excitement. Don’t put people who are not excited about how coffee is roasted, brewed, made into a coffee plant and tell them to write an article about it. This article lacks any form of excitement. You can tell the writers did not have a good time. Well maybe the tour was boring. But still, you must have learnt something about coffee that you didn’t know before. I would be so excited to visit the Tim Horton’s plant and learn from that experience. Can someone send me there next time please? :)
I am in Detroit, MI. I purchased a bag of fresh coffee grounds from Tim Hortons here. This is the 1st time out of multiple purchases that my coffee tastes like something else. Something else meaning, I cannot put my finger on it exactly. Either metallic tasting, aluminum, whatever. At first, I thought my coffee pot needed cleaning, so I cleaned it. Right after running diluted vinegar water thru it, twice, it broke. It began collecting grounds inside and not going down right. I just bought a new 4-cup Mr Coffee…and drank coffee made from a bag of Starbucks.
I was saving the “good stuff” Tim Hortons. Well today, I decided to use the good stuff….whaddya know!!?!?!!? It tastes like METAL again!! It wasnt the coffee pot!
So I google, and come across your article. And amazinging so, this article: http://www.afghanforums.com/showthread.php?11771-Coffee-tastes-like-aluminium
They have no f-ing idea what Tim Horton coffee is but GOSH DANGGIT!!! it is Very Interesting as it relates to the crappy taste that I am tasting right noW!!
Mind you, I think this bag was poisoned.
PS…I am throwing this cup out because I am seriously spooked now.
hello my friends i love timmy hortons u all eat popo
I’m guessing you stir in, two spoons of dish detergent to your coffee?
The writer is totally missing the point. The TH magicians are striving for an economical way to achieve the high level caffeine punch of ordinary robusta beans while minimizing the normal “yech” taste involved. If it was easy everyone would do it.
It is just plain bad coffee. Unless you enjoy the taste of cardboard. I see tim hortons as the nickelnack of coffee.
i ll find u vaggot and kill u
I love coffee. TH coffee seems to be a fair tasting coffee as well as all those other franchises. However, what I cannot understand is that why the blend you buy to brew it at home taste nothing like the one you buy brewed in the restaurant. I have come to the point that something either is missing or is added extra, in the ingredients of the stock to be brewed at home. Not only it tastes bad, and tastes nothing like coffee, but also, it makes me sick everytime I take a sip from it. First I thought my package was expired, but 3 or more occasions in various years proved that they were all the same.
As for this article, lacks the purpose. I was still waiting to read about the result of the looking at the belly of the beast, when I surprisingly reached the end. It was like, “Yea! I went to the mall yesterday, and visited the stores one by one and went back home. Bye! “
i wonder what the salvadoran coffee pickers are paid.
Flavoured water says a lot for Canadian taste- give me real coffee Starbucks rules
exactly
yeah good comment Nickelback sucks also- so does Bieber
Don’t mean to be negative but Tim Hortons coffee tastes like it came out of a can. Their donuts are full of sugar and small. Not crazy about Tim Hortons litter either.
I like Timmy’s, and cannot figure out why they are lined up down the street most of the day. It isn’t the greatest tasting, but there is something that keeps me coming back…. dunno..Drove past a TH at 10:30 am and the drive through was at least 10 deep. I also get the muchies after …. lol…………hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Wrong. I disagree with your opinion of the taste, which your entitled to. But you’re sorta extrapolating a bit above your pay scale. Tim Hortons increase in stock *price* indicates it has a solid, growing business and thus appeals to it’s investors.
This may or may not have to do with it’s coffee’s flavour (or more to do with it’s convenience, brand, etc) but to decide correlation (if you can call it that) equals causation is incorrect!
to me it taste like licorice
Yes! Tim Hortons coffee is not the best tasting. But that’s my taste buds talking. The one thing that is admirable from the coffee giant is they are consistent. Their coffee has tasted the same for decades I feel… Good or bad you get used to it.
Yeah, or truly good coffee, like Te Aro and others.
Or making futile comments on comments you don’t like.
[Edit: Or like me, commenting on two year old comments… Which I just realized I did… :) ]
starbucks is crap. for all you sheep out there.
buy 8 o clock coffee same blend and run it through a bunn machine not the plastic one but a real bunn add 18% cream (yup Timmy`s I take mine machine to Florida machine and all the good life
It taste like butter, if you’re getting the usual “regular”, it’s like liquid butter with a coffee aroma. (That kinda sounds gross but it’s really a wholesome feeling, like being hugged on a winter day) I suggest trying different variations to find your suitable taste. The great thing is that it’s very universal in their options. If you want it bitter then go black, if you want it moderate go regular (1 cream, 1 sugar) if you want it milky and a little more sweeter then go double double (2 creams, 2 sugar) a level above that is Triple Triple… and well that’s triple everything lol. I will agree that there is a hint of cardboard taste, that’s if your coffee sits in your cup for too long or that you microwaved it in the cup (which btw, warns you not to) but nonetheless, it’s still highly addictive, affordable and the one thing to complete your day. I am extremely content about Tim Horton’s coffee *Takes a sip of my regular*