Brewing up Some Smucker’s Secrets

When I hear the name Smucker’s, my thoughts and taste buds automatically travel back in time to the memories of spreading jam on warm toast for my kids before school. When I journeyed to Ohio for the Smucker’s “Gathering Round the Family Table” event, I envisioned a sea of such nostalgic jams and jellies that have been a part of American family breakfasts for generations.

While a wall of illuminated jars exceeded such expectations, the scene shined a light on the biggest eye opener of all – shelves of Folgers, Dunkin Donuts, Millstone, and Rowland coffee that added a new aroma to my sweet, Smucker’s scent associations. Intrigued by this new information that Smucker’s stands as the largest coffee roaster in America, questions flowed from my mind like the coffee that fills the cups of 8 out of 10 Americans every day.

From Coffee Bean to Morning Brew
Coming from the company that makes 1 out of 5 cups of coffee consumed in the US each day, learning about the business of the daily grind provided me an entirely new perspective.  Today, 95% of all coffee beans are harvested by hand. Once harvested, the roasting process begins when heat drives off moisture, changing the chemical composition of the bean. This process allows the flavor to develop – the more roasting, the sweeter the flavor. Interestingly, the darker the roast, the lower the caffeine content. Next time you see someone reaching for the dark blend in hopes of a greater energy boost, let them know that the lighter flavors actually deliver more bang for their buck.

Differentiating Between the Brands
Owning such diverse brands of coffee with individual tastes and target segments, Smucker’s shared the secrets to sourcing specific beans and roasting them to fit the taste profiles of loyal consumers. As one of the top five global coffee producers, Smucker’s market power allows the company to gain access to beans around the world. The key comes from knowing customer’s individual tastes and then transferring such insight into brand specific taste profiles. From the reliable Folgers brand to the fun personality of Dunkin Donuts to the high-end feel of Millstone, Smucker’s technology blends each coffee brand to its individualized target market – ensuring a consistent cup of coffee each time.

Tips of the Coffee Trade
One tip that I find necessary to now share with everyone due to its simplistic brilliance, came from a demonstration of how to make gourmet coffee at home. While the process of creating coconut coffee with Eagle Condensed Milk made for a delicious cup, what truly wowed me did not come from the coffee mixture itself but rather the ice cubes. The secret? Freezing coffee in an ice cube tray so that your iced coffee drinks never become diluted. Where was this tip a few months ago when the hot summer heat made iced coffee my drink of choice?

Smucker’s exceeded my expectations with every piece of compelling information I learned about its family of coffee brands. The company’s long-time slogan thus gained a new meaning: “With a name like Smucker’s, it has to be exceptionally good.”

Disclosure: Stacy DeBroff attended the Smucker’s Blogger Education event on behalf of Mom Central.

Stacy DeBroff

Stacy DeBroff, founder and CEO of Mom Central.com and social and digital consultancy, Influence Central, is a social media strategist, attorney, and best-selling parenting author. A sought-after expert for national media, she trend-spots regularly with national brands and speaks frequently to national and international audiences on a wide range of subjects, including influencer marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, and consumer trends. A passionate cook, gardener, reader, and tennis player, she adores this new chapter of post-college-age parenting.