French Vanilla - Tim Hortons Review
For as long as I’ve known Mr. Brew, he has loved French Vanilla. So it was a no-brainer when we walked by a French Vanilla from Tim Hortons – it had to come home with us. We have tried a few of Tim Hortons coffees and loved them, though we typically buy them in K-cups. With a reputation on the line, and a love of the flavor profile already established, let’s see how Tim Hortons French Vanilla brews!
But what is French Vanilla?
French Vanilla refers to the French technique of using egg yolks to create a custard-like ice cream base, and adding vanilla (of course). Other vanilla ice creams do not use egg yolks, focusing instead on the cream with accents of vanilla. The French technique is what creates a rich, creamy character with notes of caramel and butterscotch.
We brewed French Vanilla in our French press to our usual specs: 37g, 24 oz of 202℉ water, steep 4 minutes. This is a medium roast coffee so it can withstand a longer steep time, 5-6 minutes.
Right away, the vanilla aroma is powerful and mouth-watering. It smells on the sweeter side of vanilla and excites the palate. In flavors, the vanilla blends with the coffee to take on a roasted, rich flavor and is not overly sweet. It is followed by a malty character, which Mr. Brew also noted in all Tim Hortons coffees so far, though I found it to be more pronounced in this roast. This is not an overly acidic coffee, which is great! I often find vanilla flavored coffees to be too acidic to the point of astringent and medicinal or sickly sweet; luckily Tim Hortons French Vanilla does not pull out these less-than-desirable qualities.
With the flavors of butterscotch and caramel from the French vanilla technique in mind, it is easy to see where the roasted and malty flavors I noted come from. I can definitely taste the butterscotch hiding behind the coffee and vanilla flavors, pleasantly coating the palate.
Tim Hortons has been in the coffee world since 1964. With that many years of experience, it has definitely earned the title of Canada’s favorite coffee, and we have found yet another of their roasts we are happy to have tried.
If you are a fan of vanilla flavored coffees, or want to try a vanilla flavored coffee without the overly acidic or sweet flavors, Tim Hortons French Vanilla is the way to go. Brew on!
Cheers,
Mrs. Brew