Grinds Coffee Pouches Review
I’m always looking for a new smokeless alternative out there and I recently ran across Grinds Coffee Pouches. (In all fairness, I’ve been sitting on this review for a while now and I’m just now getting around to writing it…) Grinds Coffee Pouches are just that… coffee in a small pouch. Each can contains 20 pouches and there are currently 3 flavors available: Cinnamon Roll, Mocha & Mint Chocolate.
Each can of Grinds Coffee Pouches contains the same amount of caffeine as 4-5 cups of coffee making each pouch roughly 1/4 cup of coffee. I’m a 2-3 cup per day coffee drinker so this was right up my alley. In addition to the caffeine content, Grinds touts additional “B-Vitamins” and “Energy” when describing their product.
Initial Impressions – I was very impressed with the packaging from a relatively new player in the smokeless alternative market. I was pleasantly surprised at how moist the product was. I was anticipating something along the lines of a Skoal Bandit but this was MUCH moister. The can lid has a built in “pouch saver” (At least that’s what I think it is…) While the concept of re-dipping is super disgusting and completely foreign to a non-dipper, I think it’s safe to say that most of us have done it. If this is in fact a pouch saver then kudos to Grinds for getting it right.
Cinnamon Roll – Right away when I popped open the can I got a great smell. The “roll” flavor really coming through. This isn’t a typical cinnamon substitute. It’s really got that “bakery” flavor/smell to it which is nice. It reminds me of the cinnamon rolls that I used to get at Ikea back in the day. Outstanding spitability with this flavor and I caught a nice little caffeine buzz as well. This is the first of the “energy/caffeine” alternatives where I can say that. Good longevity – I kept it in for a good half hour or so with little/no flavor loss. This may be a little on the sweet side for those of you that like a more traditional chew but this is a very nice chew.
Mint Chocolate – A simply OUTSTANDING smell coming out of this package. Smell and taste really reminded me of those little green/brown chocolate mints with the silver wrapping that you find in restaurants. Just as with the Cinnamon Roll flavor this one had great spitibility with a long lasting flavor. However with this one I’d say the flavor profile left me wanting “more”. I really got the concept of a flavored coffee coming through here which, let’s face it, is what we’ve got here.
Mocha – I’d heard good things about this flavor before I tried it and I was in fact impressed. Got a good amount of chocolate smell & flavor coming through here which is nice. Like the others, good longevity, spitibility and caffeine buzz. No lack of flavor profile here as I’d consider this one the most “robust” of the bunch. This is THE coffee alternative product out there for serious coffee drinkers.
The Pros
- The concept of a “pouch” is very appealing to me these days. I was never a pouch guy (I never felt like I was getting enough nicotine… *slaps head*) but now that I’m looking for flavor and less of a mess, this is great.
- Nice moist product.
- Nice caffeine “pick me up” (IE, buzz) – great for late night cramming!
- Tremendous, long lasting coffee flavors.
The Cons
- If you’re not a coffee drinker this most likely isn’t for you.
- Pouch – this isn’t for everyone. If you’re looking for something that’s super close to loose smokeless tobacco you won’t get it here.
- Availability has been an issue and can only be purchased in a 3-pack.
Overall
I think it’s super cool that what you’re actually doing when you dip this product is “brewing” coffee in your mouth. The product IS coffee… no nicotine and no tobacco. If you don’t want caffeine and you don’t like coffee then this probably isn’t for you. Are you a late night dipper who has problems falling asleep to begin with? The caffeine in here probably makes this product out of your league. However, if you’re a coffee fan you’ll fall in love with Grinds from the word go. For all of my tests, I threw in 3 pouches at a time which made for outstanding flavor profiles, great spitibility and a long lasting chew. The pouch didn’t hold in all the product as much as I would have liked, but having coffee floating around in my mouth isn’t nearly as bad as tobacco bits. All 3 flavors tested offered a very strong coffee flavor with a nice lingering aftertaste.
I’d like to offer special thanks to Patrick Pezet for sending along samples for this review. You can find Grinds on the web at getgrinds.com or on Twitter you can follow user @getGRINDS.
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Have you tried Grinds yet? Let us know what you think and we’ll add your review to the site!
Have to do a call out here. This product has been amazing! As far as price and variety goes give them a second chance. I dont remember if it was a limited discount but they had a “try em all” pack. 10 Cans + a free bonus can (if they are still running) for $39.95 (at the time of writing). Thats $4 a can .27 per 1/4 cup of coffee! Take that expensive coffee companies. Great Customer service and free shipping on orders of $29 or more. If you have been considering it do it! The flavors are still going strong!
Dip free for 48hrs now, which for me is unheard of. It satisfies the rituals of dipping and physical feeling of having the pouch there. However, you will miss the “buzz” that nicotine provides. However, I still enjoy this product and it tastes way better than dip, and won’t kill you…..so, that’s a plus. Its moist and 1 pouch holds its flavor for a good 30-45 mins. I highly recommend for those looking to quit dipping, yet still needing the feel of a dip can in their pocket and a dip in their lip.
Amazing customer service. my first shipment from them the carrier cracked a can open on accident and they shipped me two back for the inconvenience. Taste is great too. Peppermint has a refreshing feel to it.
Something must be wrong with mine. I got cinnamon roll and peppermint. Not only do neither smell anything like what they are supposed to, they smell identical, and they both taste like dirt.
Do you guys think this is the best alternative to Copenhagen pouches? Any suggestions before I buy. Thanks. Thinking about getting an e-cigarette as well
Right after their Shark Tank episode, I actually got on their website and ordered some of the mint choco grinds (their best seller). I actually got it shipped to me pretty quickly. (And then I got an email apologizing for the delay and apparently I’m getting another order on the house!) So I too have tried it and will say, it is super moist and does have a great flavor to it. Being a die hard Cope wintergreen long cut dipper looking to quit- I was open to trying a new way to ‘kill the can’. I also like the fact that you dont need to spit. I wish these guys all the luck in the world!
ISB – this was just posted on the Grinds’ Facebook page (2/15/2013)
“Hey everybody! We have been dealing with extremely high volume following our appearance on Shark Tank! SHIPPING UPDATES: All orders from Feb 8 and 9 will be out within the next 48 hours. Halfway through Sunday Feb 10 we posted our BACKORDER notice that all other orders will be shipping Feb 25th! We are literally working day and night to get orders out ASAP and apologize for any inconvenience!”
Looking for a flavor close to skoal fine cut wintergreen
For a product that is supposed to help kick an addictive habit, they make it next to impossible to use as an available and viable alternative. I ordered three cans nearly a week ago to give them a try, and they have yet to ship, update, etc. I’d love for them to work out, but it appears that there is no sense of urgency or convenience behind the company and, therefore, no sense in relying on the product.
ISB – Thanks for the update. I know the guys at Grinds have been inundated with orders since their appearance on the Shark Tank recently. They put the following status update on their Facebook page:
“For everyone asking about shipping updates: we are filling orders as fast as possible but most orders will most likely be delayed about two weeks. Estimated ship date is Feb 25th. We will not rest until every order is shipped and will be posting all week to prove it! We’ll also post with answers to common questions like new flavors, new markets and spring training. Thanks and Grind It Out!”
That said, if you’re looking for something else, let us know what brand you’re trying to replicate and we’ll give you a suggestion!
Make sure to check out the Grinds guys tonight on ABC’s Shark Tank – 2/8/2013
No you aren’t the only one that thought it was a pouch saver in the lid. In fact I have used it for that myself. I have also used it to hold the last one or two pouches from another flavor so it doesn’t mix in side the can. The best thing I enjoy about Grinds is that I don’t have to carry around a spitoon and worry about knocking over the spit cup and making a mess because I can swallow this. It’s also better for other as they don’t have to see a spit cup sitting around. And lastly it is tobacco free and safe! Believe it or not, Grinds has actually helped me kick the nicotine habit cravings I got from chewing. I even have one of my co workers trying this stuff.
Great review. You mentioned spitability…can you swallow the coffee? I switched over to Camel Snus a year ago and I liked not spitting but want to get off the nicotine and though grinds might be a good alternative.
@Mark – Yes, you can swallow the coffee. You are quite literally “brewing” the coffee in your mouth. If you’re a Snus guy, you may also want to check out my Absolute Snus review here: http://wp.me/pvI1N-av
Do they cause gum recession?
great article. i ordered some today.. i drink about 1/4 to 1 cup of coffee every morning so one pouch should be perfect. the flavors sound very good.
@Pounds – thanks! Let us know what you think!
@Bowman – Thanks for the info. Apparently I’m the only one that thought that’s what it was. Guess I’m a sicko 😉 And a cheap one at that!
They make cans like this for swedish snus and like the other guy above, its for used ones when your in a meeting or a movie theatre, that kind of thing. That being said, Ive redipped snus if I have had to take it out prematurely, nothing wrong in my eyes with it.
Chewie,
The “pouch saver” is not a pouch saver. It’s an “ashtray” designed for holding your used pouches until you can get to a trash can (or toilet).
Thanks for the review!
do you have to be 18 to purchase them
No, I don’t believe so. They contain no nicotine and no tobacco – only coffee.