Tim Hortons introduces dark roast coffee

Responding to what it calls the evolving tastes of its customers, Tim Hortons is introducing dark roast coffee to its menu.

The new addition, made from Arabica beans, marks the first time in the chains 50-year history its restaurants have offered any coffee apart from its usual blend.

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We know that our guests want choice when consuming their daily coffee, said Tim Hortons president and CEO Marc Caira, in a news release. The new blend goes on sale Friday in Canada and the U.S.

The company says, according to its research, roughly half of the coffee drinkers in Canada and the U.S. had a dark roast when they last had a cup of coffee.

The Oakville, Ont.-based doughnut giant marked its 50th anniversary earlier this year by erecting in Toronto a temporary recreation of its first store. It also partnered with CIBClast month to offer a Double Double Visa Card.