After seeing the huge response we had from all of you readers about McDonald's new premium coffee, it is no surprise that others were curious about it as well as us here at Slashfood. USA Today decided to hold a taste test, pitting four widely available coffees against each other. Included in the test were the new premium blends from Burger King and McDonald's, as well as favorites from 7-11, Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks. Dunkin Donuts is the least available variety of coffee, as there are very few store locations on the west coast, but the test was held in Manhattan where there appear to be plenty of all of the above coffee-shop types.

According to the USA Today survey, as of the time I am writing this, Starbucks was still the most popular based on readers' opinion. And they must have good taste, since Starbucks also won the taste test. Out of possible scores of "5 slurps," Starbucks ranked at 4 1/2, while McDonald's followed with 3 1/2 , Burger King with 2 1/2 and Dunkin Donuts and 7-11 with 2 slurps each. While Starbucks was also the most expensive drink in the test, the "dead-serious brew with an intense bitter chocolate aroma, a silky texture and a complex, fruity, almost wine-like flavor" made it worth it to the tasters. The other stores' coffees had flavors that ranged from "watery" to having "tobacco notes."

On Monday, McDonald's will be rolling out their new "premium roast" coffee at stores across the country. You may have seen TV ads for the coffee, or even tasted it yourself, as it has been released in several markets already. It seems that the fast-food giant wants to capitalize on the love of the American public for gourmet coffee, following in the footsteps of chains like Dunkin Donuts and Burger King, which recently began to promote its coffee. Another reason for the new coffee is that McDonald's is trying to increase its share of the breakfast market, as consumers more frequently turn to specialty coffee retailers and grab a pastry with their lattes. White the coffee is unlikely to be up to the quality of the specialty retailers, it will certainly be a step up from the "coffee" previously sold at McDonald's. In keeping with the "premium" theme, the new coffees will be served in insulated cups with the same style of lid seen at places like Starbucks instead of the usual fast-food hot beverage lid, which has a punch-out flap for drinking from. According to the McDonald's website, you can get a coupon for a free coffee with any purchase by visiting a participating store between now and March 4th.