While profiling roasting maestro Chris Chacko in the June issue of Chicago, we learned just how precise his taste buds can be—even detecting a 10-second-long roasting temperature variation just by drinking the final product.

So we asked this expert to do a blind tasting of seven store-bought coffees and rate them using the Specialty Coffee Association’s 100-point scoring system. The association deems anything above a 70 “very good” and above an 80 “excellent.” In his own coffee, Chacko won’t use any beans that get less than an 80.

Intelligentsia House Blend

Intelligentsia House Blend

$14 for 12 oz.
Score: 86

“A winy, beautiful coffee. I’m not keen on the aftertaste, but it’s wonderfully balanced.”

Starbucks Pike Place Roast

Starbucks Pike Place Roast

$13 for 16 oz.
Score: 82.25

“This is definitely a dark roast, but as dark roasts go, it’s OK. It hasn’t been totally carbonized. It might make a good espresso.”

 

Dark Matter A Love Supreme

Dark Matter A Love Supreme

$15 for 12 oz.
Score: 82

“The flavor is under-developed, but it’s well balanced.

 

Dunkin’ Donuts Original Blend

Dunkin’ Donuts Original Blend

$7 for 12 oz.
Score: 80.5

“There’s a nice light green note, but this roast is underdeveloped, too. These must be the oldest beans in the bunch.”

 

Allegro Organic Whole Foods Blend

Allegro Organic Whole Foods Blend

$12 for 12 oz.
Score: 79.25

“All you taste is darkness. There’s some lactic acid for a pleasant mouthfeel, but the aftertaste is not pleasant.”

 

Trader Joe’s Joe Blend

Trader Joe’s Joe Blend

$5 for 14 oz.
Score: 70

“There’s a subtle blueberry note here—you can tell these beans are Ethiopian. Unfortunately, they’re old, and the roaster they’re using is too full.”

La Colombe Corsica

La Colombe Corsica

$12 for 12 oz.
Score: 67

“It’s extremely old, and it’s carbonized. That’s all you can taste.”

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