Wednesday, December 2, 2009

The Butter-Nut Conspiracy


I'm a nut for Butter-Nut Coffee. I love the stuff and start every day with a couple cups along with my Star Tribune newspaper.

Now, I don't have many bad habits: I don't drink, smoke, gamble (other than an occasional lottery ticket) or even have any expensive hobbies. Just give me by Butter-Nut Coffee, my daily paper and my computer and I'm a contented gal.

So why is the Folger's Coffee Company messing with me?

I grew up in a Butter-Nut household. My folks drank it and my aunts and uncles drank it. (My cousin said that when her mom died some years ago, they hauled 40 empty Butter-Nut Coffee cans out of her basement.) It's a family tradition, for crying out loud!

Several years back, the Folger's Coffee Co. bought the Butter-Nut brand and has been marketing it under the "Maryland Club Butter-Nut" label. But--they are packaging it in Folger's red plastic canisters with the Folger's name on the can, the lid and the liner. I see an evil plot here!

Add to this the fact that Butter-Nut is getting harder and harder to find plus it keeps getting more expensive. They are trying to phase-out the best coffee I can buy!

Last week, several local grocery chains had really good specials on Folger's so (in a moment of weakness) I broke down and bought a can. I thought that if I combined the Folger's with the Butter-Nut, maybe I couldn't tell the difference. I was so wrong! Even when combined, the bitter Folger's flavor is overwhelming. UGH!

Right now, there's only one remaining grocery store selling my coffee. Wal-Mart used to carry it but no longer does. It's a conspiracy I tell you! If anyone knows of a campaign to get Folger's to preserve the Butter-Nut brand, please let me know. I may have to mount a campaign myself!

8 comments:

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

You could write to the Folgers people and tell them what a fan you are of Butter-Nut and how sad that you can't find it. Maybe they'd send you a lifetime supply!

^..^Corgidogmama said...

I've never heard of this brand!! It sounds delish. I'm going to explore online for it!

Kittie Howard said...

I'm not a coffee drinker but my friend Judy, also from your area, is just like you in the a.m...as is my husband, so there is sympathy...I'd call up the company and keep calling until they sent you some cans for being a loyal customer (and find out if it's a plot, cause it just might be, the way these companies gobble each other up.) Sorry!

Olde Dame Penniwig said...

Write them, Ms. Sparrow! Send them emails and start an online petition to Save The Butter-Nut Brand!

I can't stand those plastic canisters!!! Much less Folgers!!!

My gosh, I can take a lot of changes, but honestly, don't you think they should just leave Butter-nut alone? Is nothing sacred?!

Sparrow chic said...

They still sell Butternut around here mom. Say the word, I'll pick some up for you.

Morning Coffee said...

Hi Ms. Sparrow! I loved your post! and was looking for an image of the Butternut can I grew up seeing on the kitchen counter next to Mr. Coffee maker (for a class on consumer behavior) and stumbled upon your post. I have not had Butternut in years, perhaps because I have not seen it in stores. Sad! I could not find much information, did you ever contact the company? I'd be interested in what you found out. I drank it for years until I discovered (don't hate me) Folgers and then moved on to the coffee snob brands.

D.N. said...

Hi did you ever find the Maryland Club Butternut Coffee. I can't find it anywhere. I live in Florida. Thanks

Ms Sparrow said...

Fellow Butter-Nut coffee fans: My earlier fears were unfounded. The Butter-Nut brand is still available here in the Midwest. Although Walmart and Target don't carry it, Cub Foods and Hy-Vee both sell it in this region. I think the brand has always been especially popular with the Scandinavians that settled here so it still has a market. It was the only coffee my Norwegian mother ever bought. My cousin told me that years ago when her mother died, they cleaned out her basement and hauled out dozens of empty Butter-Nut coffee cans!