I bought every single-origin and blend coffee bean available at my local Costco, spent $180, and taste-tested them all over two weeks. Here’s my honest ranking with photos of each bag and tasting notes.
This isn’t a list of “Costco sells coffee beans.” This is actual testing with my own money, my own grinder, and side-by-side comparisons. Some were shockingly good. Others? I’m still working through the bag months later.
Why Costco Coffee Beans?
Costco sells coffee beans at significantly lower prices than specialty roasters—often $0.30-0.50 per ounce versus $0.80-1.20 at coffee shops. But the real question: Is the quality there?
After testing 12 different options, I can tell you exactly which ones are worth buying and which ones you should skip, even at Costco prices.
My Testing Method
Here’s how I tested each coffee:
- Same grind setting: Used my Baratza Encore at setting 15 for all beans
- Same brew method: Pour over with Hario V60, 15:1 water-to-coffee ratio
- Fresh water: Filtered water at 200°F for every test
- Blind testing: Had my wife label cups A-L so I didn’t know which was which
- Tasting notes: Rated on brightness, body, sweetness, and aftertaste
I also checked roast dates on every bag (when available) to see how fresh Costco’s inventory actually is.
The Complete Ranking (Best to Worst)
#1: Kirkland Signature Organic Sumatra Dark Roast
Price: $13.99 for 2 lbs ($0.44/oz)
Roast Date: 3 weeks old (surprisingly fresh!)
Score: 9/10
Tasting Notes: Deep chocolate, earthy undertones, very low acidity, smooth finish. This tastes like coffee that should cost $18-20/lb. Zero bitterness despite being a dark roast.
Why it wins: Costco’s house-roasted organic beans are shockingly well-executed. The Sumatran origin gives it that rich, syrupy body that dark roast lovers crave. I genuinely prefer this to Starbucks’ Pike Place and most grocery store “premium” brands.
Best for: French press, cold brew, espresso
#2: San Francisco Bay OneCup French Roast
Price: $29.99 for 80 pods ($0.37/pod)
Roast Date: 5 weeks old
Score: 8.5/10
Tasting Notes: Bold, smoky, slight bitterness (in a good way), lingering dark chocolate finish. Tastes like actual French roast, not charcoal.
Why it’s great: If you use a Keurig, these are THE pods to buy. They’re significantly better than Green Mountain, Starbucks, or Dunkin’ K-Cups, and cheaper. The coffee actually has depth instead of that watery K-Cup taste.
Best for: Keurig machines, quick morning cups
#3: Mayorga Café Cubano Espresso Roast
Price: $14.99 for 2 lbs ($0.47/oz)
Roast Date: 6 weeks old
Score: 8/10
Tasting Notes: Caramel sweetness, medium body, hint of nuttiness, smooth with milk. Very balanced for an “espresso roast.”
Why it works: Despite being labeled “espresso,” this works great for drip coffee too. It’s not over-roasted like many espresso blends. The Café Cubano style brings natural sweetness without being acidic. Makes excellent lattes.
Best for: Espresso, moka pot, drip coffee with milk
#4: Kirkland Signature Colombian Supremo
Price: $15.99 for 3 lbs ($0.33/oz)
Roast Date: 8 weeks old
Score: 7.5/10
Tasting Notes: Bright acidity, clean finish, slight citrus notes, medium body. Classic Colombian profile.
Why it’s solid: This is your reliable daily driver. Nothing fancy, but consistent and well-roasted. At $0.33/oz, it’s hard to beat for everyday drinking. The 3-lb bag means you’re committed, but it stays fresh if you store it properly.
Best for: Drip coffee, pour over, everyday drinking
#5: Peet’s Coffee Big Bang Medium Roast
Price: $16.99 for 2 lbs ($0.53/oz)
Roast Date: 4 weeks old
Score: 7/10
Tasting Notes: Balanced, slight roastiness, hints of cocoa, smooth but not exciting.
Why it’s middle-tier: Peet’s quality is consistent, but you’re paying a premium for the brand name. It’s good, just not $0.20/oz better than Kirkland Colombian. If you love Peet’s from coffee shops, this delivers that same profile.
Best for: Drip coffee, automatic drip machines
#6: Starbucks Pike Place Medium Roast
Price: $19.99 for 2.5 lbs ($0.50/oz)
Roast Date: 10 weeks old (oof)
Score: 6.5/10
Tasting Notes: Roasty, slightly flat, cocoa notes, medium body but lacks brightness.
The problem: It tastes like Starbucks, which some people want. But it’s been sitting for 10 weeks, and you can tell. The freshness just isn’t there. Also expensive for what you get. If you’re a Starbucks loyalist, buy it—but objectively, Kirkland beats it for half the price.
Best for: Starbucks fans who want that specific flavor profile
#7: Kirkland Signature House Blend
Price: $14.99 for 2.5 lbs ($0.37/oz)
Roast Date: 7 weeks old
Score: 6/10
Tasting Notes: Generic coffee flavor, medium roast, slightly flat, nothing offensive but nothing exciting.
The verdict: This is “coffee” in the most generic sense. It’s not bad, but there’s nothing memorable about it. Buy this if you need a massive quantity for a large household or office. Otherwise, spend $1 more for the Colombian or Sumatra.
Best for: Large gatherings, office coffee, guests who don’t care
#8: Lavazza Super Crema Espresso
Price: $17.99 for 2.2 lbs ($0.51/oz)
Roast Date: Unknown (no date printed)
Score: 5.5/10
Tasting Notes: Sweet, creamy, hazelnut, but lacks complexity. One-dimensional.
The issue: Lavazza is beloved in Italy, but this Costco version lacks the punch. It’s very sweet and creamy (which some love), but there’s no depth. Also, no roast date is a red flag—who knows how old this actually is?
Best for: Super-automatic espresso machines, people who want zero bitterness
#9: Don Francisco’s Kona Blend
Price: $19.99 for 2 lbs ($0.62/oz)
Roast Date: 9 weeks old
Score: 5/10
Tasting Notes: Smooth, mild, very little acidity, but also very little flavor.
The problem: “Kona Blend” means only 10% Kona beans—the rest is filler. You’re paying for the Kona name but getting mostly cheap Brazilian beans. It’s smooth because there’s no character. Hard pass unless you despise bold coffee.
Best for: People who think coffee is too strong
#10: Rogers Family Coffee Special Flake
Price: $12.99 for 2.5 lbs ($0.32/oz)
Roast Date: 11 weeks old
Score: 4.5/10
Tasting Notes: Flat, dusty, stale, slightly sour aftertaste.
The verdict: This is the cheapest option, and it shows. The “flake” grind is pre-ground, which means it’s been oxidizing for weeks (or months). It tastes stale out of the bag. Only buy this if you’re truly desperate and broke.
Best for: Budget emergencies only
#11: Eight O’Clock Original Whole Bean
Price: $13.99 for 2.5 lbs ($0.35/oz)
Roast Date: 12 weeks old
Score: 4/10
Tasting Notes: Bitter, over-roasted, cardboard finish, zero complexity.
The issue: Eight O’Clock used to be decent grocery store coffee. This Costco version tastes like it’s been sitting in a warehouse for three months (because it probably has). The roast is uneven—some beans are charred, others are underdone. Bitter and unpleasant.
Best for: Absolutely nothing. Skip this.
#12: Seattle’s Best Coffee Post Alley Blend
Price: $14.99 for 2 lbs ($0.47/oz)
Roast Date: 13 weeks old
Score: 3.5/10
Tasting Notes: Burnt rubber, harsh, acidic in a bad way, thin body.
The disaster: I don’t know what happened here, but this is genuinely bad coffee. It’s owned by Starbucks, but tastes like a failed experiment. The roast is too dark, the beans are ancient (13 weeks!), and the flavor is actively unpleasant. I couldn’t finish the cup.
Best for: Your enemies
Which Should You Actually Buy?
Best Overall Value: Kirkland Signature Organic Sumatra ($13.99/2lb) – Amazing quality for the price
Best Everyday Coffee: Kirkland Colombian Supremo ($15.99/3lb) – Reliable and cheap
Best for Espresso: Mayorga Café Cubano ($14.99/2lb) – Balanced and versatile
Best K-Cups: San Francisco Bay French Roast ($29.99/80ct) – Actually tastes like coffee
Avoid At All Costs: Seattle’s Best Post Alley, Eight O’Clock Original, Rogers Family Flake
Costco vs Specialty Roaster: The Real Comparison
| Factor | Costco (Top Picks) | Specialty Roaster |
|---|---|---|
| Price per oz | $0.33-0.47 | $0.80-1.20 |
| Freshness | 3-6 weeks old | 1-2 weeks old |
| Quality (Top tier) | 8-9/10 | 9-10/10 |
| Variety | 10-12 options | 50+ options |
| Traceability | Limited | Full origin details |
| Value for Money | Excellent | Good (if you care about nuance) |
Bottom line: Costco’s top 3-4 coffees punch way above their price point. You’re sacrificing peak freshness and variety, but gaining massive value. If you drink 2+ cups daily, Costco makes sense. If you’re chasing single-origin Ethiopian naturals with tasting notes of “bergamot and honeysuckle,” hit up a specialty roaster.
Freshness Tips When Buying Costco Coffee
- Check roast dates – They’re usually printed on the bottom or back of the bag. Avoid anything over 8 weeks.
- Buy from high-turnover locations – Busy Costcos restock faster, meaning fresher beans.
- Store properly immediately – Transfer to an airtight container as soon as you open the bag. Don’t leave a 3-lb bag open for months.
- Freeze extras – If you bought a huge bag, portion out 1-week amounts in freezer bags. Frozen beans stay fresh for months.
- Grind fresh – Don’t buy pre-ground unless absolutely necessary. Whole beans stay fresh 3-4x longer.
FAQ: Costco Coffee Beans
Does Costco coffee expire?
Whole beans stay good for 6-12 months if stored properly (sealed, cool, dry place). But they taste best within 2-3 months of roasting. Check the roast date, not the “best by” date.
Is Kirkland coffee actually good?
Yes. The Kirkland Organic Sumatra and Colombian Supremo are genuinely excellent. They’re roasted by well-known roasters (usually Starbucks or Rogers Family) and rebranded as Kirkland.
Which Costco coffee tastes like Starbucks?
Kirkland House Blend and Pike Place are both roasted with that darker Starbucks profile. But honestly, Kirkland Sumatra is better than most Starbucks offerings.
Can I return opened coffee to Costco?
Yes. Costco’s return policy covers everything, even if you tried it and didn’t like it. If Seattle’s Best tasted like burnt tires, take it back.
What’s the cheapest coffee at Costco?
Rogers Family Coffee Special Flake at $0.32/oz—but it’s pre-ground and tastes stale. The cheapest GOOD coffee is Kirkland Colombian at $0.33/oz.
The Bottom Line
After $180 and two weeks of testing, here’s the truth: Costco sells excellent coffee beans if you know which ones to buy. The top 4 (Kirkland Sumatra, San Francisco Bay pods, Mayorga Cubano, Kirkland Colombian) are genuinely great value and beat most grocery store options.
Skip the bottom tier entirely—they’re old, stale, or just poorly roasted. And if you’re serious about brewing great coffee, check roast dates and store beans properly.
My personal buy? The Kirkland Organic Sumatra for $13.99. It’s shockingly good, and I’ve been rebuying it monthly since this test. Your move, coffee snobs.
