It's not magic—but it might as well be!
Here’s Why McDonald’s Coffee Tastes So Good
Published on Apr. 07, 2025
Breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, but the first sip of coffee is the most important moment of the day. If you’re a coffee drinker, there’s very possibly nothing better than drinking a fresh, delicious, expertly brewed cup of joe first thing in the morning. It hits the spot, gets your brain going and makes sure you start your day right.
While it’s true that there are plenty of coffee chains and restaurants that offer a decent cup of coffee, there’s one that reigns supreme: McDonald’s. That piping-hot cup from McDonald’s is the crème de la crème of coffee on the go. Sure, Starbucks is great and there’s a lot to love about Dunkin’, but when you break it down to beans vs. beans, and add in a price comparison, McDonald’s comes out on top. But why is that, exactly? Why is McDonald’s coffee so darn good?!
Keep reading to find out the answer to this coffee mystery, plus where it comes from and whether you can stock your kitchen with these coffee beans.
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more fast-food news, humor, cleaning, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.
Where does McDonald’s coffee come from?
McDonald’s coffee is sourced almost entirely from a family business based in California: Gaviña Gourmet Coffee. Don Francisco Gaviña was born on his family’s coffee estate in Cuba, and he went on to found Gaviña Gourmet coffee in 1967 after he relocated to Southern California. Today, the company owns a top-tier roasting facility that’s only a few blocks away from the original building where Don Francisco started it all. The company started its partnership with McDonald’s in 1983, but over the years, Gaviña has gone from one of many of McDonald’s suppliers to its No. 1 coffee supplier.
Gaviña sources its beans around the world—everywhere from Central and South America to Southeast Asia and East Africa. The company is also focused on sustainability, so when you order a coffee from McDonald’s, it is always certified as Rainforest Alliance, Fair Trade USA or USDA Organic. Plus, Gaviña strives to be low waste and helps support small coffee farmers.
Why does McDonald’s coffee taste so good?
It’s no accident! Here are the reasons for the deliciousness in your cup.
The beans arrive “green”
When whole coffee beans arrive at the Gaviña roasting facility, they’re green. That doesn’t mean they’re literally green in color—it means that the beans arrive cleaned but not roasted. Once at Gaviña, they’re cleaned for a second time.
Gaviña has perfected the roasting process
How beans are roasted is the most important part of the entire coffee-making process because it makes the biggest impact on how your coffee will taste. Gaviña has figured out the right temperatures for roasting different types of beans, and employees monitor the process closely. Believe it or not, Gaviña’s in-house roasting expert, nicknamed the Roastmaster, has been with the company for more than 25 years!
The packaging process seals in freshness
After coffee beans have been roasted, they can quickly lose their flavor, or essence, once they’re exposed to air. But Gaviña has a fool-proof system for packaging beans right away, keeping oxygen out to help the coffee stay fresh for as long as possible.
Gaviña educates McDonald’s employees
Great beans are only part of the coffee-making process, which is why Gaviña has a training program for McDonald’s employees. Through the program, Gaviña educates team members about the best methods for making the perfect brew every time.
How can you make McDonald’s coffee taste even better?
While McDonald’s McCafé offers plenty of coffee options—from plain black coffee to fun frappé flavors—there are still plenty of delicious hacks to make your coffee taste even better. Here are a few ideas, courtesy of TikTok, that you can customize at any McDonald’s.
- Order a vanilla cone, and dip the cone into a black iced coffee for a “Korean” iced coffee.
- Create a “Snickers” iced coffee by ordering a hazelnut iced coffee, then adding chocolate syrup, chocolate caramel syrup, caramel drizzle and whipped cream.
- Order a vanilla shake and a double shot of espresso, and stir them together for a “coffee shake.”
- Ask for a side of maple syrup, and stir it into your black coffee for a subtly sweet maple flavor.
Can you get McDonald’s coffee at home?
To get a cup of the stuff you’re used to from McDonald’s, you’re going to have to head to the nearest restaurant. (Sorry!) The brew McDonald’s uses is sold only through Gaviña’s wholesale division, so the average person can’t simply hop onto the company’s website and buy it.
However, you can order similar coffee from Don Francisco’s Coffee, the retail arm of Gaviña. On the website, you can find whole beans, ground coffee, espresso capsules, coffee pods and cold brew. And while we’re not exactly sure which blend Mickey D’s uses, you can certainly sample to your heart’s delight and do your best to find the closest match. Think of it as the ultimate McDonald’s coffee challenge—and let us know when you find the magic beans!
Why trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- McDonald’s: “The Gaviña Gourmet Coffee Story”
- Gaviña Gourmet Coffee
