CoffeeNate #27 :: CoffeeNate on Tim Hortons
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Canada…known for it’s passion for hockey, strong beer, Celine Dion, home of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, and %13 sales tax. When Americans think of Canada,
it typically involves snow, mountains, and igloos. I’ve lived in Canada for 12 years and I’ve yet to see a single igloo, but what I have noticed is that this country is absolutely bonkers for Tim Horton’s coffee. I live in a town of 75,000 people, and there are 7 Timmy’s Donut Shoppes…and they are always busy. There is seldom a time of day when there are fewer than 6 vehicles parked in the lot and 5 more in the drive thru! So what is the hubbub about? I had to see for myself.
Stealing a line from the Canadian National Anthem
At first glance when you enter a Tim Horton’s restaurant, it’s nothing special. There are smaller than average sized baked goods that taste mediocre at best, gas station type ‘cappuccino’ machines (aka liquid candy bar dispensers), and pots upon pots of Tim Horton’s preground coffee ready to serve. Right away the ‘coffee snob’ is alerted to what lies ahead when there is no espresso machine and a ‘cappuccino machine’. When I get cup of their coffee, I’m immediately put off by being able to see the bottom of the cup through its liquid contents. Timmy’s coffee is weak, lacking in desirable flavors, but packed with off-notes of wood and sweat sock. Mmmm Good!
So why is Tim Horton’s so successful in Canada? It certainly isn’t the coffee, baked goods, or sandwiches. You can’t even buy their coffee whole bean; the STORE doesn’t receive the coffee as whole bean. The only choice is preground! So again, why is Timmy’s revered in
Canada? The answer is simple; there is nicotine in the grounds. 
No, I’m not buying that one either. Some losers try to say goofy statements like that, but the real answ er is simple: ‘Marketing’ and ‘Culture’. Tim Horton’s coffee is woven into the culture of Canadian life. To remove it would be equivalent to the Canadian government reducing taxes…ain’t gunna happen! Seriously though, Tim Horton played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, started a coffee shop, and his legacy will live on even though the coffee tastes like day old truck stop java.
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21 Comments
January 13th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
whew… not as hard as I thought you'd be on them
Living in Buffalo, we only wish we were part of Canada, which is probably why there are so many here. Within 3 miles, I can think of 5 Tim Horton's, not to mention the Tim Horton's inside the gas stations (add another 3).
Side note: glad to see you're sporting the fur hood – my wife & I have an agreement: I can't complain about her Ugg(lies), and she can't complain about my fur-hooded jacket!
January 13th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
LOL…well I tried to be a little restrained. It just amazes me at how much the Tim Hortons chain is interwoven with Canadian culture. To the point that I'm afraid of offending Canadians by dissing their national beverage!
January 13th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
but the baby mini timy hohos (mini donuts) are delicious! it was the best i could do when i went to school in northern new york as there was not a starbucks near there (is now)
January 13th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
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January 13th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
My only guess as to the hype is the perceived value of Tim Hortons. It doesn't really appeal to people who want a quality cup of coffee and a comfortable atmosphere, but to those who want it at a cheap price. even though you could buy the same quality of coffee at a gas station, Tim Hortons is quick at delivering it with some variety of baked goods. They do a good job of appealing to the elderly or people who don't have the resources to buy coffee at upscale coffeehouses. There are Tim Hortons in southern ontario that offer espressos – haven't tried it yet though. Tim's corporate probably thinks that it'll take Northern Ontario to catch on that there is better coffee to drink…. We only have one starbucks in a grocery store; and another starbucks hidden in a hotel.
January 13th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
Hey D! Yeah, and the one 'hidden in a hotel' is a 'we proudly brew Starbucks coffee'…not even a real Starbucks
Your comment about the 'comfortable atmosphere' reminds me of their signs inside of the store…"Do not stay longer than 20 minutes!" Are you kidding me? Must be nice to be a business that can still make it and kick people out…lol Another thing that makes me say 'Hmmm'
Make your own coffee and save TONS of dough while drinking much better coffee!
January 13th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
I would think that McDonalds would be taking away Tim's market share now – since there aren't these dictatorial rules about kicking people out. Also, they have crazy discounts for seniors to purchase muffins with their morning coffee.
January 13th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Hi Nate,
I drink Tim Horton's coffee because it's readily available, tastes good and I can't get to the starbucks in Pino's. If Starbucks and Tim Horton's were right next to each other I would definitely be buying at Starbucks first. :O)
January 14th, 2010 at 3:39 am
Interesting answer, it wasn't what I was guessing you were going to say after our little conversation on Twitter the other day.
But anyways, I still want to try Tim Hortons. But then again I have this bad habit where I want to try every coffee.
January 14th, 2010 at 4:04 am
Sipping a Tim Hortons apple cider I say..Timmy’s coffee is weak? I hadn't noticed, but then I don't like a really strong cup of coffee.
January 14th, 2010 at 6:43 am
If it tastes good to you, then great! I can't stand it, but their tea isn't too bad…then again…I'm no tea expert either
January 14th, 2010 at 6:45 am
Filtered trough sweat socks wasn't negative enough? lol Sure, give it a try, has a nice tree bark quality to it
January 14th, 2010 at 6:46 am
Hi Rose! Weak and bland are the two words that first come to mind. If you personally like it, then great for you! If something tastes good to you, then don't worry about what people like me say
January 14th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
Is it un-Canadian to say I'm not a fan of Tim Horton's
January 14th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
Of course it is James, but why not start a revolution?!
January 16th, 2010 at 6:10 am
I have friends in Canada and I am going to ask them what they think. Feel free to send me a sample Nate. No, just send Snow instead. It's been cold as heck in FL w/o the benefit of making snowmen, snowangels & beaning someone in the head with a snowball.
Note to thompsond: I like McDonalds coffee when it fresh brewed, and also will drink it when it tastes like tar. I'm not a senior either, no discount for me. However you may think there is something wrong with my tastebuds.
January 19th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
Man you didn't hold back at all.
I have never tried Tim Horton's but given the chance I would. Maybe on my next road trip to Canada but that might be a while since my last one was back in 1998 for my cousin's wedding. I just googled it and it looks like the closest one is 12 hours away. So maybe for now I will just have to take your word for it.
Would you say this coffee is on the level of 7 Eleven/Mcdonalds coffee? better or worse?
January 22nd, 2010 at 5:51 am
Hi Nate!
I'm with ya on the TH coffee – not a good representation of our favorite beverage. They do have OK hot chocolate, though – haven't tried their tea, yet. I will say that as a corporation, Tim Horton's does great things for kids, especially "less fortunate" kids. They have what looks to be a fantastic summer camp that they sponsor for under privileged kids and they donate a lot of jerseys to instructional hockey programs throughout the US & Canada. For those things, I admire them.
By the way, GO USA HOCKEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 23rd, 2010 at 9:52 pm
It's definitely not worth a 12 hour trip, that's for sure! lol I would rate McDonald's coffee much better than Tim Hortons. I can speak on the 7/11 brew, but would be inclined to say that it is probably about the same, at least that's what I would expect the Slurpee blend to taste like.
January 23rd, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Thanks for the comments Anita! They do have some good programs, and that is great. I do think they could be more vigilant in their purchasing methods. They claim that they don't purchase Fair Trade Certified coffee because their isn't enough quality FTO coffee to meet their needs. That is simply a lie, and judging by the taste of their coffee, I'd say 'quality' isn't their top priority!
February 13th, 2010 at 1:04 am
Being a hockey fan is probably one of the reasons I don't mind their coffee. The other is it is better than gas station or fast food coffee. Or maybe its just that I don't drink it that often. I usually get it around Columbus, so maybe its better south of the border. You're right about the pastries, they just aren't that good. The coffee in your contest sounds pretty good. Thanks for the opportunity.