A legacy of great tasting coffee
Since its founding in 1850, Folgers® Coffee has continued its tradition of producing great-tasting coffee and leading the industry in product innovation. Folgers Coffee continues to be The Best Part of Wakin' Up®, with its perfectly balanced flavour and bold, eye-opening aroma.
1850 - Rich coffee rich history
In 1849, James and his two brothers left Nantucket for the West Coast to mine for gold. Along that journey, while his brothers left for mining camps, James stayed in San Francisco and came across a different type of fortune: coffee.
Although commercially roasted coffee was available in New York shortly before the beginning of the 19th century, it was still a luxury. Most coffee prepared in the home was purchased as green coffee beans and roasted at home. As for ground coffee, it was unheard of at the wholesale level.
Partnering with the owner of The Pioneer Steam Coffee and Spice Mills, which had inaugurated the production of ready-for-the-pot coffee, James eventually bought the company, naming it J.A. Folger & Co.
While many coffee importers previously bought and sold beans based on appearance, the idea of "cup-testing" was born in San Francisco. James implemented this technique and began cup-testing shipments of beans himself to develop a taste standard for his coffees. It quickly became apparent that mountain-grown beans had superior qualities when it came to taste and aroma.
1890 - Welcoming a new era
James' family grew, as did his budding business. Son James II helped usher in a new era of growth, producing bulk-roasted coffee, which was delivered to grocery stores in sacks and drums, and was stored in bins to be scooped out for customers. The company also continued to produce ground coffee, which was sold under various labels, depending upon the grade.
Folgers & Co. developed an entirely new vocabulary to describe the "cup" qualities of its various coffees. The company developed a "taste standard" for its best coffee, and each shipment of green coffee beans received the cup test so it could be assigned its proper role in producing Folgers® Coffee.
Into the 20th century
After 1900, Folgers & Co. experienced another period of growth, moving east with coffee roasting operations in Texas, and later Kansas City, as the convenience and superior quality of the ground coffee caught on. Folgers® quickly became America's number-one coffee brand, and continued its growth by launching in Canada in 1999.
Becoming an iconic coffee brand
Folgers® began a new advertising campaign in the mid-1980s and with their new slogan, consumers were reminded that The Best Part of Wakin’ Up® is Folgers in Your Cup. Many musical celebrities from various genres, including Randy Travis, Aretha Franklin, and Paul Stanley, participated in this campaign.
In 2002, Folgers® packaging experienced a major change. Consumers were introduced to the AromaSeal® canister: packaging that helped seal in the aroma and flavour of the Folgers that coffee drinkers had come to know and love. This new packaging received multiple awards and recognitions for its innovation in design.
Folgers today
For over 170 years, Folgers® has been perfecting the art of coffee making. Using advanced technology and precise roasting techniques, our skilled team produces high-quality coffee that millions count on to start their day. Our commitment to quality goes beyond just popularity, to us, it's about delivering exceptional coffee that goes beyond your expectations.
We offer a wide range of coffee flavours and products to suit every taste preference. From the bold and intense flavours of Intensely Dark to the consistently smooth taste of Black Silk® or Blonde Silk™. Each batch of coffee is roasted evenly, ground consistently, and tested by Master Cuppers to ensure the optimal flavour. With this level of dedication to the craft, it's no wonder that Folgers has become a trusted brand for coffee lovers in North America.