Central Perk Coffee Enjoyed Best With Friends

Good Taste

MBE partnered with Central Perk for this post, opinions are my own

New Artisan Coffee, Inspired by Friends TV Series

I am writing this review now, under the influence of Central Perk "Oh. My. Gawd!" Cold Brew Blend ground coffee. I received this to facilitate a coffee tasting for this review, along with two other varieties of the brand's newest java offerings including "Gunther!" Espresso whole beans and "Moo Point" ground decaf. 

Central Perk Coffee

Fans of the iconic TV series Friends from Warner Bros. which ran for 10 seasons from 1994-2004 are familiar with the show's fictional Central Perk coffee shop where New Yorkers Ross, Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Gunther and the rest of the gang like to hang out. Earlier this month the first-ever real life Central Perk coffeehouse opened its doors to the public in Boston; additional coffee shops are planned for around the country during 2023.

But don't worry coffee lovers, if you're outside of Boston: you are not missing out because Central Perk's artisan coffees are available right now nationwide for delivery in 10 oz bags (as well as in single serve pods in a box) to your doorstep for you to brew at home.  

In fact, after trying this trio of new coffees myself, which were all so good, I decided to include them among our top picks for MBE's 2023 Father's Day Gift Guide.

 

The Newest Central Perk Coffees

Joining existing Friends inspired varieties "How You Doin," "Pivot Blend," and "We Were on a Coffee Break," are three all-new Central Perk coffees -- each created with the expertise and know-how of NYC resident and famed Chef Tom Colicchio. The newest three are featured in this review.

"Oh.My.Gawd!" ground coffee may be billed by the brand as a medium roast with butterscotch and cocoa notes as a cold brew blend. Admittedly, I've tried this both iced and hot, and either way this coarse grind choice is my hands-down favorite of the new Central Perk coffees sent to me to experience. This is particularly good for summer which starts tomorrow, served as an ice blended style drink by adding milk and a tablespoon of chocolate milk powder to ice cubes and brewed coffee, then frothing it up in a blender before pouring into a tall glass.

"Gunther!" Espresso whole beans is a dark roast producing dark cocoa, sweet caramel, and smoky notes. Full-bodied, bold and rich tasting, this is a great choice for those of you who appreciate the strong taste when sipping a good espresso like I do. To make a delicious cup of espresso, simply grind the whole beans immediately before brewing, then use 1-2 tablespoons of ground coffee for each 6 oz cup of cold filtered water which should be properly heated to a piping hot 197-205 degrees for ideal extraction and best results.

"Moo Point" decaf coffee is an essential to have on hand, as an alternative to the caffeinated varieties, especially if you are entertaining for Sunday brunch, serving with dessert, or just about anytime you are offering your guests coffee. As a medium roast, with its delightful light hints of cocoa and subtle honey, savoring this brew I had a hard time telling that this coffee variety, as flavorful and good tasting as it was, was actually decaffeinated.

 

What is Artisan Coffee Anyway?

Artisan coffee, which has become extremely popular among discerning coffee drinkers, is defined as a high quality coffee that has been crafted with great attention to details by skilled individuals like Chef Colicchio. It is a term often used to describe coffee, typically sourced from specialty coffee farms growing an exceptional quality of beans, then prepared in small batches by small-scale coffee roasters.

About Central Perk Coffee

Central Perk responsibly sources coffee from 20 countries of origin -- including many of the best growing regions around the world. Products are available for ordering exclusively online, shipping in the US and internationally through CentralPerk.com. Coffee product packaging options including single serve pods, whole beans, and ground coffee for $16.99 each. There is also a coffee subscription program to receive products shipped to you regularly. Always fresh, free US shipping is provided with orders of $40+. As the company's mantra says, this coffee collection is "Enjoyed best with FRIENDS." Stay up to date on all the news and learn more by visiting CentralPerk.com, also by following them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.