Where do you buy coffee beans?

[lazydavid]

I've been eyeing the Bullet for quite a while... when my Behmor dies I will have a decision to make. It's been a very good dependable roaster and I have learned quite a bit in the process. It would be nice if there were a few more roaster options to choose from without the price jump to the Bullet .

I had been reading about it for about two years, waffling back and forth about whether I wanted to spend the money on it. Finally decided I wanted to pull the trigger, so got pre-approval from the wife (definitely better to ask permission than forgiveness in this case ) and set up a monitor on VisualPing to watch the page for changes.

I went in the opposite direction, building the “Turbo-Crazy” roaster from a Stircrazy popcorn popper and a convection oven for about $75. I’ve been roasting with this setup for about eight years. I can roast a pound at a time. I did have to replace the convection oven twice when they failed for about $40 each.

Before that I just used hot air poppers from Goodwill for about nine years, but the Turbo-Crazy is better. You don’t need to spend thousands to roast delicious coffee.

All true. But I still love my bullet. I like the logging so I can see what's actually happening with the beans, I love the control over the process and repeatability. But perhaps most of all I love that I can turn out 11 lbs of perfectly roasted beans in about 90 minutes.

[johan_s]

I used to live down the street from PT Coffee in Topeka, KS. During the pandemic, I began reordering From them online. The beans arrive two days after they are roasted. Similar price point with Stumptown, which is also excellent.

[Nicolas]

All true. But I still love my bullet.

I’d love to have one of those, don’t get me wrong, I just don’t want to spend the money!

By the way, thanks for the tip about VisualPing, I didn’t know that existed!

[Chrono Triggered]

Counter Culture. Excellent quality and I live somewhat close to it so the shipping time is minimal.
https://counterculturecoffee.com/

I would say if you have a great roaster in your area, get beans from them. If you don't, then find a great roaster that ideally isn't clear across the country to reduce shipping days, which means fresher coffee for you.

[shariq1989]

Costco

[heartwood]

... much editing ...


And, that is why you should buy coffee from someone like coffeeam.com that freshly roasted their coffee and then ship them directly to you. It takes about 3 days to reach most people and the timing is perfect for the coffee.

https://www.coffeeam.com/

<<Our coffee beans are fresh roasted daily and shipped in heat-sealed valve bags for maximum freshness.>>


KlangFool

I took your recommend a couple of months ago and ordered from coffeeAM in November. I just did my 3rd fairly large order from them this morning.
I'm very pleased with their coffees. Thanks!

[helloeveryone]

I just recently got a coffeemaker (prior to this I would drink coke zero in the morning, but am trying to get off soda).
I have a grinder and have been buying whole beans.
So far I've tried Amazon (found some really good beans, not too pricey), and Whole Foods. Whole Foods beans were ok; I felt the Valhala Java I found on Amazon was better.

Are there any other places I should check out for buying whole coffee beans?

Costco for me - kirkland signature is good but also the Ruta Maya is good. Haven't tried the other ones they sell at costco yet because I'm happy with those two.

Although I also buy occasionally from local roasters - but the price per pound is way more from local roasters and the flavor is about equivalent for me. (I use a Jura ENA Micro 90 Silver nowadays - also purchased at costco when they had a $300 off discount, prior to that used aeropress and moka pot)

[02nz]

I just bought a few bags of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Papua New Guinea Organic at Costco. I think around $13 for a 2-pound bag. Of the "cheap" whole-bean coffees I've bought it's my favorite, by a lot.

[eric321]

Costco as well. They have different types of toasts and varies by region.

Starbucks French roast is my go to. Dark and smokey, my reference, but not others. $4-5 a pound. I grind my coffee before I brew which makes a big difference compared to roasting.

At the $8-10/lb range there are a variety of smaller coffee companies and varies by region. I mix it up from time to time and it's great.

Airtight storage for beans is important, in a cool dark place.

For something different, give the kona coffee company a try. Different soil, mostly volcanic which gives a unique taste. It comes at a premium but well worth it.

[four7s]

You can have a lot of fun trying different roasters and you’ll probably be happy with 75% of the ones you try. No matter which one tops your list you’ll after awhile get the urge for something new and different. Right now we’re drinking Peerless coffee from Oakland.

[Bogle7]

https://novocoffee.com
We love the founders and the coffee.

[jlawrence01]

Let me be contrarian.

ALDI.

The German dark roast from ALDI is quite excellent.

[Marseille07]

Costco. Really happy with Peet's or Pleasant Hill Farms coffee.

[familythriftmd]

Let me be contrarian.

ALDI.

The German dark roast from ALDI is quite excellent.

I'll have to look again! I've only seen German regular and German mild, but those are good, too.

[Marseille07]

This thread made me want to have another cup of coffee. I usually just have one in the morning.

[GG1273]

When I was going into NYC for work, I'd stop at Porto Rico on Bleeker Street
They have a Vienna Roast, which is medium to dark. The store is tiny, burlap bags everywhere
https://www.portorico.com/store/

McNulty's Tea & Coffee Co on Christopher Street is good as well
https://mcnultys.com/

And Joe Coffee - they'll roast and ship next day
https://joecoffeecompany.com/

Someone mentioned Seattle Best which is decent.
Starbucks - agree that if I get a cup of coffee, way too burnt. Their beans, though are decent, can get them to grind the bag for you too if you want. Their Guatemala Antigua is good and almost always available.
We do have one of their specialty stores near us too - if they have Peruvian beans, I'll get those. Very tasty.

[Northern Flicker]

Costco tends to over-roasted their own coffee beans and produce a burned taste.

That's because--with the exception of the few lucky locations that have an in-store roastery--Costco outsources their coffee roasting to Starbucks. And unfortunately, despite decades of experience, Starbucks still has no clue how to properly roast coffee beans.

I won't make presumptions on what beans are purchased by starbucks for their standard offerings or what their roasting strategy might be, but will say that lower quality beans typically are roasted darker to eliminate their bitterness under the assumption that a burnt toast flavor is preferred to an objectionably bitter flavor. Starbucks does offer a blonde roast that is lighter roasted than their norm, but there is no shortage of local roasters where I live that offer better roasted, better quality beans.

Some of the local starbucks where I live offer brewed Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee at $5.50 for a 12oz cup, and it is properly roasted for a premium coffee bean. I pass on the beans at $48/lb, but pre-pandemic would occasionally treat myself to a cup in one of the cafes. I used to buy Jamaican coffee beans in the 1980's, but they have become too expensive these days.

[Agapostemon]

In the Boston area, it's tough to beat George Howell Coffee. GH was the founder of the late lamented Coffee Connection, which was bought out by Starbucks. As you know, SB proceeded to immolate the beautiful beans. Fortunately, GH founded a new chain of roasters. Their house coffee is a very nice Tarrazu.
https://www.georgehowellcoffee.com/

That said, my absolute favorite coffee right now is the Ethiopian Misty Valley available from New Harvest. They sell online, and are also carried by WF in the area.
https://newharvestcoffee.com/

Fazenda also produces a close second of the Misty Valley.
https://www.fazendacoffee.com/

Speedwell and Coffeeam.com do sound interesting. I'll have to check them out.

[Theseus]

What specific brand, bean and roast do those of you with a superautomatic use?
I love dark, robust coffee, and have been very happy with the Mayorga Cafe Cubano from Costco for the last several years. However, I understand you cannot use oily beans in a superautomatic, so I'm seeking a suitable replacement. I also read that the oils only come out of the beans when the beans are over-roasted (burned?).

Are any of the Costco blends appropriate for a Superautomatic?

Before I started roasting my own I used their Colombia supremo for several years. Excellent coffee.

[Grasshopper]

I love my coffee, for about a year now I have been using Costco's, Jose's Gourmet organic Mayan Blend. I find it to be softer in acid, and milder in flavor. Whole beans in a burr grinder, and ceramic pour over brewer.

[praxis]

Costco

me too, but I buy their Ruta Maya one kilo dark roast whole bean.

[kacang]

We go through 1lb a week. For mud to open our eyes in the morning, Kirkland Sumatra is good enough, it's 6lb per order from Costco online. We supplement a few lbs from local roasters (Philz, Blue bottle) for variety. Also some Ruta Maya dark roast decaf for after dinner coffee, also from Costco online.

[Sandtrap]

Ka'u Coffee Mill: Big Island, Hawaii. Shipped to me.
https://kaucoffeemill.com/
Koa Coffee Mill: Big Island, Hawaii. Shipped to me.
https://www.koacoffee.com/
Whole Bean Premium Peaberry Medium Roast.

My "fallback" when I run out are the "Original 8 O'clock" beans at Walmart.
j

[Pete12]

Costco Kirkland Signature Columbian Supremo, under $6/pound. Grind the beans fine in the burr grinder, then brew using the pour over method. Can’t function in the morning until I have had my life-giving brew

[Vanguard Fan 1367]

I like the 2 Aldi flavors/types of whole coffee beans. Wal Mart has Eight O Clock Whole bean coffee which I also like.

[FandangoDave5010]

After 20 years we stopped buying Peets Major Dickinson ground coffee at Costco at $16/2lbs. We now go through the gourmet food section at Tuesday Morning, TJ Maxx and sometimes Marshalls for discounted foreign coffee bean and pay from $5 to $8 for 8 ounces. The variety of flavors and strengths is what we look for. We have never been disappointed since we buy the small 8 ounce size.

We also buy discounted tea and French Chantaine Jams at the above stores. The jam is dynamite in plain yogurt.

[Saving$]

We go through 1lb a week. For mud to open our eyes in the morning, Kirkland Sumatra is good enough, it's 6lb per order from Costco online. We supplement a few lbs from local roasters (Philz, Blue bottle) for variety. Also some Ruta Maya dark roast decaf for after dinner coffee, also from Costco online.

For some reason it never occurred to me to look at Costco online for coffee. Thank you for that idea...will probably be my new source of coffee...

[Saving$]

Costco for me - kirkland signature is good but also the Ruta Maya is good. Haven't tried the other ones they sell at costco yet because I'm happy with those two.

Although I also buy occasionally from local roasters - but the price per pound is way more from local roasters and the flavor is about equivalent for me. (I use a Jura ENA Micro 90 Silver nowadays - also purchased at costco when they had a $300 off discount, prior to that used aeropress and moka pot)

Please elaborate - does this mean you use the Kirkland Signature and / or Ruta Maya in your Superauto? Are the beans oily? Have you had any issues with your Superauto clogging?

[MrNo]

Lat year i started to make pour over coffee and i've been enjoying lately Organic Medium Good Morning Blend from Trader Joe's. 12ox for $15.

[helloeveryone]

Costco for me - kirkland signature is good but also the Ruta Maya is good. Haven't tried the other ones they sell at costco yet because I'm happy with those two.

Although I also buy occasionally from local roasters - but the price per pound is way more from local roasters and the flavor is about equivalent for me. (I use a Jura ENA Micro 90 Silver nowadays - also purchased at costco when they had a $300 off discount, prior to that used aeropress and moka pot)

Please elaborate - does this mean you use the Kirkland Signature and / or Ruta Maya in your Superauto? Are the beans oily? Have you had any issues with your Superauto clogging?

Yes. I use any bean I buy in the Superauto. The beans do look oily. No issues so far thankfully. I've only owned the Jura about 1 year. I use the cleaning tablets whenever the machine promps me to.

[chuckb84]

Ka'u Coffee Mill: Big Island, Hawaii. Shipped to me.
https://kaucoffeemill.com/
Koa Coffee Mill: Big Island, Hawaii. Shipped to me.
https://www.koacoffee.com/
Whole Bean Premium Peaberry Medium Roast.

My "fallback" when I run out are the "Original 8 O'clock" beans at Walmart.
j

I'm working my way through a variety of Hawaiian coffees. So good! This is one I really like, but in 4 tries, haven't had anything bad!

https://bigislandcoffeeroasters.com/col ... e-darkwood

[Sandtrap]

Ka'u Coffee Mill: Big Island, Hawaii. Shipped to me.
https://kaucoffeemill.com/
Koa Coffee Mill: Big Island, Hawaii. Shipped to me.
https://www.koacoffee.com/
Whole Bean Premium Peaberry Medium Roast.

My "fallback" when I run out are the "Original 8 O'clock" beans at Walmart.
j

I'm working my way through a variety of Hawaiian coffees. So good! This is one I really like, but in 4 tries, haven't had anything bad!

https://bigislandcoffeeroasters.com/col ... e-darkwood

I'll check the link out.
Thanks!!

Mahalo
j

[ChinchillaWhiplash]

Port of Mokha for the best quality Yemeni beans. Durango Coffee Roasters for 90+ cup rated beans from around the world. Free shipping if buying > $50 worth.

[GmanJeff]

Costco for me - kirkland signature is good but also the Ruta Maya is good. Haven't tried the other ones they sell at costco yet because I'm happy with those two.

Although I also buy occasionally from local roasters - but the price per pound is way more from local roasters and the flavor is about equivalent for me. (I use a Jura ENA Micro 90 Silver nowadays - also purchased at costco when they had a $300 off discount, prior to that used aeropress and moka pot)

Please elaborate - does this mean you use the Kirkland Signature and / or Ruta Maya in your Superauto? Are the beans oily? Have you had any issues with your Superauto clogging?

Yes. I use any bean I buy in the Superauto. The beans do look oily. No issues so far thankfully. I've only owned the Jura about 1 year. I use the cleaning tablets whenever the machine promps me to.

You're going to want to use Urnex SuperGrindz if you wish to avoid an expensive repair in the future. Cleaning tablets do not address the buildup of oil on the internal grinder.

see, e.g., https://espresso-experts.com/blogs/espr ... rautomatic
https://new.seattlecoffeegear.com/blog/ ... ee%20robot.

[Beensabu]

Trader Joe's Breakfast Blend. It's very reasonably priced and mellow with the best flavor for caffeine kick for us for drip pour-over coffee. We do the Melitta thing.

[Bungo]

I've been taking a break from home roasting the past couple of months and decided to try a weekly subscription, rotating every few months through several well regarded roasters around the US. Currently getting 12oz/week from Counter Culture Coffee in Durham, NC. The beans are good, but I'm a bit disappointed that they only change the selection monthly, so you get the same bean type/source/roast four weeks in a row before it changes. Will probably switch to another roaster shortly.

[LifeIsGood]

Counter Culture Coffee makes some awesome coffee. My local Whole Foods carries a couple of their varieties.

I've been taking a break from home roasting the past couple of months and decided to try a weekly subscription, rotating every few months through several well regarded roasters around the US. Currently getting 12oz/week from Counter Culture Coffee in Durham, NC. The beans are good, but I'm a bit disappointed that they only change the selection monthly, so you get the same bean type/source/roast four weeks in a row before it changes. Will probably switch to another roaster shortly.