Who Makes Hills Brothers Coffee?
Quick answer
- Hills Bros. Coffee is currently owned by The J.M. Smucker Company.
- Smucker acquired the brand as part of a larger portfolio purchase.
- Hills Bros. has a long history, originating in the early 20th century.
- The brand is known for its wide range of coffee products, from ground beans to single-serve pods.
- You can find Hills Bros. Coffee in most major grocery stores across the United States.
- The J.M. Smucker Company also produces other popular coffee brands.
Hills Bros. Coffee offers a wide range of products, including convenient single-serve coffee pods. If you use a Keurig or similar machine, these pods are a great way to enjoy your favorite Hills Bros. blend.
- Contains 1 box of 80 pods of Victor Allen's Hazelnut Flavored Single Serve Coffee Pods (80 pods total)
- Roast and Flavor: Medium Roast. Full body, smooth and robust; a delicious full-flavored sweet and nutty hazelnut flavored coffee
- Victor Allen’s Coffee offers a wide selection of coffee choices from light, medium and dark roasts to everyday and seasonal flavors, in bagged, single serve and ready to drink.
- Brand Story: Since 1979 Victor Allen has been proud to bring you high quality, roaster fresh perfection. We source 100% Arabica beans from all over the world and use precision roasting techniques to guarantee the very best coffee
- This product is 100% Gluten Free, Non-GMO and certified Kosher-OU (Pareve).
Who this is for
- Consumers who enjoy Hills Bros. Coffee and are curious about its ownership.
- Shoppers looking to understand the brand’s history and its place in the market.
- Anyone interested in the business behind their daily cup of coffee.
What to check first
Brewer type and filter type
Before brewing, identify your coffee maker and the type of filter it uses. Drip coffee makers typically use cone or basket-shaped paper filters, while French presses use a metal mesh filter. Pour-over devices might use specialized paper filters. Using the correct filter type is crucial for proper extraction and to prevent grounds from entering your cup.
Water quality and temperature
The water you use significantly impacts coffee flavor. Filtered water is recommended to remove impurities that can cause off-tastes. For most brewing methods, water heated to around 195-205°F (90-96°C) is ideal. Water that’s too cool will result in under-extraction, leading to a weak and sour coffee, while water that’s too hot can scald the grounds, producing a bitter taste.
Grind size and coffee freshness
The grind size must match your brewing method. Coarse grinds are for French presses, medium grinds for drip machines, and fine grinds for espresso. Freshly ground coffee beans offer the best flavor. Look for beans with a roast date on the packaging; ideally, use them within a few weeks of roasting. Pre-ground coffee can lose its aroma and flavor more quickly.
Coffee-to-water ratio
A common starting point for brewing is a ratio of 1:15 to 1:18 (coffee to water by weight). For example, for 10 oz of water, you might use about 0.6 oz to 0.7 oz of coffee beans (around 17-20 grams). Adjusting this ratio can make your coffee stronger or weaker. It’s best to measure your coffee and water using a scale for consistency.
Cleanliness/descale status
A clean brewer is essential for good coffee. Coffee oils can build up over time, leading to stale flavors. Regularly clean your coffee maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If you have hard water, mineral deposits can accumulate, requiring periodic descaling. A descaled brewer ensures that water flows correctly and doesn’t impart metallic or chalky tastes to your coffee.
Step-by-step (brew workflow)
1. Gather your supplies: Have your Hills Bros. Coffee, grinder (if using whole beans), filtered water, brewing device, and filter ready.
- What “good” looks like: All necessary items are clean and within easy reach.
- Common mistake: Forgetting a crucial item like a filter or the coffee itself. Avoid this by laying everything out before you start.
2. Heat your water: Heat filtered water to the optimal brewing temperature, typically 195-205°F (90-96°C).
- What “good” looks like: Water is just off the boil, not actively boiling.
- Common mistake: Using boiling water directly from the kettle, which can burn the coffee. Let it sit for about 30-60 seconds after boiling.
3. Grind your coffee (if using whole beans): Grind your Hills Bros. Coffee beans to the appropriate size for your brewing method.
- What “good” looks like: The grounds have a consistent texture, matching your brewer’s requirements (e.g., coarse for French press, medium for drip).
- Common mistake: Inconsistent grind size, leading to uneven extraction. Use a burr grinder for better uniformity.
4. Prepare your brewer: Place the filter in your brewer and rinse it with hot water. Discard the rinse water.
- What “good” looks like: The filter is seated properly and warmed, and any paper taste from the filter is removed.
- Common mistake: Skipping the filter rinse, which can leave a papery taste in the coffee.
5. Add coffee grounds: Measure the correct amount of ground Hills Bros. Coffee and add it to the prepared filter.
- What “good” looks like: The coffee bed is level, providing an even surface for water to saturate.
- Common mistake: Not leveling the grounds, causing some areas to be over-extracted and others under-extracted. Gently tap the brewer to settle the grounds.
6. Bloom the coffee (optional but recommended): Pour just enough hot water over the grounds to saturate them evenly, then wait 30 seconds.
- What “good” looks like: The coffee grounds expand and release CO2, creating a bubbly surface.
- Common mistake: Pouring too much water during the bloom, which can lead to channeling. Use only about twice the weight of water as coffee.
7. Begin brewing: Slowly and steadily pour the remaining hot water over the coffee grounds, using a circular motion.
- What “good” looks like: The water is distributed evenly across the coffee bed, extracting flavor without agitation.
- Common mistake: Pouring too quickly or in a way that creates a “hole” in the coffee bed, leading to weak spots.
8. Allow to brew: Let the coffee finish dripping or steeping according to your brewer’s typical cycle.
- What “good” looks like: The brewing process completes within the expected timeframe for your method.
- Common mistake: Rushing the brew or letting it go too long, both affecting taste.
9. Serve immediately: Once brewing is complete, pour your Hills Bros. Coffee into a mug.
- What “good” looks like: The coffee is hot and ready to drink.
- Common mistake: Letting brewed coffee sit on a hot plate for extended periods, which can make it taste burnt or stale.
10. Clean your brewer: Rinse and clean your brewing equipment promptly after use.
- What “good” looks like: All parts are clean and dry, ready for the next brew.
- Common mistake: Leaving coffee grounds and oils in the brewer, which will affect the taste of future brews.
Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)
| Mistake | What it causes | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Using tap water with impurities | Off-flavors, metallic or chemical tastes, potential scale buildup | Use filtered or bottled water. |
| Water temperature too low | Under-extracted coffee: weak, sour, thin body | Heat water to 195-205°F (90-96°C). |
| Water temperature too high | Over-extracted coffee: bitter, burnt, harsh taste | Let boiling water cool for 30-60 seconds before brewing. |
| Incorrect grind size for brewer | Drip/Espresso: too fine grinds clog filter, cause over-extraction; French Press: too coarse grinds lead to weak coffee | Match grind size to brewing method (coarse for French press, medium for drip, fine for espresso). |
| Using stale or pre-ground coffee | Flat, dull, or stale flavor, lack of aroma | Use freshly roasted whole beans and grind them just before brewing. |
| Inconsistent coffee-to-water ratio | Coffee is too weak or too strong, unbalanced flavor | Use a scale to measure coffee and water for consistent ratios (e.g., 1:17). |
| Not rinsing paper filters | Papery or cardboard-like taste in the coffee | Rinse paper filters with hot water before adding grounds. |
| Brewing too quickly or too slowly | Under- or over-extraction, affecting taste complexity | Follow recommended brew times for your specific method. |
| Not cleaning the coffee maker | Rancid coffee oils build up, imparting bitter and stale flavors | Clean your brewer regularly according to manufacturer’s instructions. |
| Leaving coffee on a hot plate | “Cooked” or burnt taste, loss of delicate aromatics | Transfer brewed coffee to a thermal carafe or drink it immediately. |
Decision rules (simple if/then)
- If your coffee tastes sour, then increase the water temperature slightly or grind finer because these address under-extraction.
- If your coffee tastes bitter, then decrease the water temperature slightly or grind coarser because these address over-extraction.
- If your coffee tastes weak, then use more coffee grounds or grind finer because this increases extraction.
- If your coffee tastes too strong, then use fewer coffee grounds or grind coarser because this decreases extraction.
- If you are using a French press, then use a coarse grind because fine grinds will pass through the metal filter.
- If you are using a drip coffee maker, then use a medium grind because this is ideal for basket or cone filters.
- If your coffee has a papery taste, then you likely skipped rinsing the paper filter, so rinse it next time.
- If your coffee maker is brewing very slowly, then the grind might be too fine, or the machine needs descaling, so check both.
- If you want to taste more of the coffee’s origin characteristics, then use filtered water and ensure your beans are fresh.
- If you are brewing for multiple people, then measure your coffee and water accurately to ensure consistent taste for everyone.
- If you notice oily residue in your coffee pot, then it’s time to clean your brewer thoroughly because old coffee oils affect flavor.
- If your brewed coffee tastes stale after sitting for a while, then use a thermal carafe instead of leaving it on a warming plate.
FAQ
Who originally founded Hills Bros. Coffee?
Hills Bros. Coffee was founded by brothers Austin, Chester, and Ralph Hills in California in 1906. They aimed to create a premium coffee experience for consumers.
When was Hills Bros. Coffee acquired by J.M. Smucker?
The J.M. Smucker Company acquired the Hills Bros. Coffee brand, along with several other coffee brands, in 2010. This was part of a larger acquisition from Sara Lee Corporation.
Is Hills Bros. Coffee still made in the USA?
The J.M. Smucker Company, the current owner of Hills Bros. Coffee, is an American company with manufacturing facilities in the United States. The coffee is roasted and packaged domestically.
What types of coffee does Hills Bros. offer?
Hills Bros. offers a variety of coffee products, including ground coffee, whole bean coffee, and single-serve coffee pods compatible with popular brewing systems. They have options for different roast levels and flavor profiles.
Where can I buy Hills Bros. Coffee?
Hills Bros. Coffee is widely available in grocery stores across the United States. You can typically find it in the coffee aisle of major supermarkets and some discount retailers.
How can I get the best flavor from Hills Bros. Coffee?
To maximize flavor, use freshly ground beans, filtered water heated to the correct temperature (195-205°F or 90-96°C), and the appropriate grind size for your brewing method. Always ensure your coffee maker is clean.
Does Hills Bros. Coffee have decaf options?
Yes, Hills Bros. Coffee generally offers decaffeinated versions of some of their popular blends. Check the product packaging for specific availability of decaf options.
What is the roast profile of Hills Bros. Coffee?
Hills Bros. Coffee offers a range of roast profiles, from lighter roasts that highlight brighter, more acidic notes to darker roasts that emphasize bolder, more robust flavors. The specific roast level is usually indicated on the packaging.
What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)
- Specific details about the J.M. Smucker Company’s other coffee brands.
- Next: Research other coffee brands owned by The J.M. Smucker Company.
- In-depth historical timelines of the Hills brothers’ early business ventures.
- Next: Explore historical archives or coffee industry publications for detailed company histories.
- Detailed comparisons of Hills Bros. Coffee to other brands in its specific price category.
- Next: Look for independent coffee reviews and taste tests.
- Information on the ethical sourcing or sustainability practices of Hills Bros. Coffee.
- Next: Check the manufacturer’s website or sustainability reports for this information.