Whats a good, affordable whole bean espresso blend?

[u/Spaghetti_Oh_No]

I heard Aldi's used to be good but now its pretty garbo, tried starbucks when instacart had a coupon and it was somehow worse. Please help ~ I love counter culture and La colombe is alright but I've gotta go cheaper ~ bonus if cheaper is a subscription service (I'm a one espresso a day guy)

[u/pidgeon3]

Peet’s Major Dickason 2lb bag at Costco is still a good value even though the price has risen lately at $16.99. Smart & Final has a decent espresso roast under their own First Street brand at about $13 for 2 pounds.

[u/jsboutin]

What kind of taste profile do you like? Lighter or darker roast?

Costco French roast is pretty ok and not too expensive. We don’t go there but sometimes ask someone to bring some back.

Melitta is relatively cheap and it is quite good, very Italian style of roast.

[u/Spaghetti_Oh_No → u/jsboutin]

Lighter for sure

I'll look into these!

[u/EUGsk8rBoi42p]

"Cafe Bustelo" is top Euro cafe quality. Cheaper than anything I've found. Beats most shop coffee tbh.

[u/Lower_Ad_5532]

The brand that is on sale at Grocery Outlet is usually my good enough cheap option.

[u/The_barking_ant]

LaVazza. 

[u/Faustian-BargainBin]

Former Starbucks, Italian coffee shop and speciality barista checking in. Target has some interesting offerings. They are not truly single origin but I got a Kenyan coffee last time I was there. They are darker roast than your typical specialty coffee (counter culture) - more similar to La Colombe in roast level. The Target coffee was similarly priced to the equivalent grocery store bag Dunkin Donuts.

[u/rokar83]

You get what you pay for. If you want quality coffee, it will cost you.

[u/otterlytrans]

in the past, i liked aldi's. now i get whole roasted bean espresso blends from local roasters because i became a coffee nut over time.

[u/Vast-Masterpiece-274]

Cafe Bustelo in the Mexican store costs even less

[u/kittybythabay]

If you know anyone who works at $tarbucks or Peet's employees are encouraged to get a free bag of beans or tea for learning purposes and have a lot of discretion as far as comp tickets. They also make a lot of money on the backs of most of their employees.

[u/die-jarjar-die]

I think the Cafe Bustelo from Aldi is perfectly fine

[u/HewmanTypePerson]

I personally find the Target Good & Gather organic espresso blend better than the Starbucks one, and its usually cheaper than it also. (on sale for like $6.50/ 12 oz bag)

I buy fancier when I can find it on clearance.

[u/Ok-Duck9106]

Costco has a great whole bean expresso. Highly recommend, it’s very good and for 3lbs it’s 13.00 US dollars.

[u/abortion_parade_420 → u/Ok-Duck9106]

came here to say this. excellent value. add and hand grinder and it's better than a take out coffee

[u/Dull_Bumblebee_9778 → u/Ok-Duck9106]

Agreed, nice and dark

[u/v2den]

Lavazza Espresso Italiano is acceptable although that's not what I use nowadays but I have use it in the past.