Dunkin' Donuts: America's Most Popular Cup of Coffee

• Dunkin' Donuts was founded in 1950 in Quincy, Massachusetts by William Rosenberg.
• 100 stores are franchised by 1963.
• Fred the Baker becomes the mascot of Dunkin' Donuts, with the popular "Time to Make the Donuts" slogan appearing in commercials for about a decade.
• Bagels enter the product lineup in 1996.
• The 5000th store in opened in Bali, Indonesia in the year 2000.
• The American Runs on Dunkin ad campaign, their most recently recognized, is launched in 2007.

1. Always grind it fresh. Not grinding it up every time you brew? Start buying whole beans, and grinding it every time you brew your coffee. This makes for a much fresher taste and fuller aroma.
2. Make sure the coffee maker gets very hot. Even if you don't like your coffee the temperature of the surface of the sun, it's important for the taste of the coffee. A temperature between 196-200 degrees F will ensure the grinds are getting cooked enough during the coffee making process. Bunn coffee makers are a great choice for this.
3. Use the coffee quickly. Once you open the bag, it starts to deteriorate in taste quickly. Use the bag of coffee within a week for best results, or sooner. Technically, it will last longer, but it won't be at optimal taste unless you use the coffee immediately after purchasing.
4. Don't let the coffee sit on the burner more than 18 minutes. DD has the "18 minute rule" for pots on the burner. After that point, they dump the coffee. Turn the burner off, or make iced coffee with the rest.
5. Measure the coffee correctly. The coffee grinders at Dunkin' Donuts are calibrated to have the same amount in the grind basket every single time. Follow the directions on the bag using a coffee scoop, or experiment to find the perfect amount to match the in-store taste.

To the caffeine obsessed, decaf can seem like a sin. Thou shall not drink decaf with thy neighbor's wife. The perfect gift for coffee lovers and fanatics!