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We want to know: Should Tim Hortons stick to the basics?

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young


For years, Tim Hortons has been a Canadian staple – go in, get your double double (and vanilla dip doughnut, naturally) and head to work. It’s always been fairly basic, with just one coffee roast. But could Timmy's be your new go-to stop for premium coffee?

Last year, the company expanded their coffee horizons when they introduced their dark brew blend in an effort to position themselves as more than just a one-stop shop.

And as of Wednesday, java fans in select Canadian cities will have even more options when picking up their morning cup at Tim’s. For the first time, Tim Hortons is serving a single-origin coffee brew as part of a five-city test run.

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The Three Peaks blend is sourced from Cauca, Colombia and is described by the brand as “a distinct medium-roast coffee with a hint of caramel and smooth finish.”

If it’s successful in the five test markets across Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick, it will be rolled out for consumers across Canada.

Sounds good, right?

There’s one catch: It’ll cost you extra. According to the Canadian Press, a spokeswoman for the company said the new brew will sell at “a 15 per cent premium to a regular cup of coffee.”

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So, for a medium size coffee that’s currently $1.67 before tax (prices vary across the country, we checked at our downtown Toronto headquarters), a 15 per cent increase on the premium roast brings the cost up to $1.92 before tax.

It’s not Tim Hortons’ first foray in to “premium” coffee products – in the past they’ve expanded their roster to include iced coffees, blended drinks and espresso-based beverages. But is it actually working?

We want to know: What do you think about Tim Hortons expanding its coffee offerings? Would you pay more for a premium cup? Or do you think they should stick to the basics? Let us know in the comments.