Coffee beans online, on a budget. Recommendations?

January 29, 2016 6:30 AM

For the last few years we've had a subscription through Amazon for 8 O'Clock Columbian. We're bored with it, and last month the price inexplicably doubled so now I'm wondering what else is out there. If I can't get cheaper, can I at least get better?

I know variations on this question get asked here every so often, but I couldn't find anything recent. We prefer medium-to-dark roasts and go through about two and a half pounds a month. We got acclimated to the Subscribe-N-Save price of about $0.42/oz, which dipped to $0.35 in November and then spiked to $0.70 where it seems to be staying. I can do better than that at Trader Joe's, but I kinda liked the subscription model. Suggestions?

posted by jon1270 to Food & Drink (13 answers total)

At my house, we use Coffee Bean Direct Italian Roast Espresso, currently $0.45/oz. We vacuum seal and freeze the bulk of it.
posted by hollyholly at 6:37 AM on January 29, 2016 [3 favorites]

I've been ordering the same CBD Italian Roast Espresso for two years. A solid bag of beans at a great price.
posted by bendybendy at 7:03 AM on January 29, 2016 [1 favorite]

I'm loving Starbuck's Morning Joe (formerly Gold Coast Blend). I have an Amazon subscription for it. Hope the price works for you.
posted by JimN2TAW at 7:52 AM on January 29, 2016

Driftaway Coffee is not cheaper at $1.76 an oz but it is consistently the best coffee I have had. An 11oz bag typically lasts me 2-4 weeks depending on how much I drink in the mornings and lately I've had an overflow and paused my subscription. Customer service is amazing as well.
posted by Marinara at 7:54 AM on January 29, 2016

Cafe Bustelo, bought in bulk, costs 39 cents an ounce, or 35 cents an ounce for subscribe and save (but that is a ton of coffee). It's the best cheap coffee I've ever had, and IMO beats a lot of more expensive coffees.
posted by Itaxpica at 8:10 AM on January 29, 2016 [1 favorite]

I just love Coffee Bean Direct, Dark Brazilian Santos, about 55 cents/oz. if you get subscribe-and-save from Amazon.
posted by RRgal at 8:15 AM on January 29, 2016

Seconding Cafe Bustelo. It's fantastic!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 8:27 AM on January 29, 2016

I buy the San Francisco Bay Gourmet Coffee Organic Rainforest Blend.

It's a 3lb bag and Costco sells it for just under $10 which is about $0.21 / oz (did I math that right?).

Even on their website it $20 which is still in your neighborhood.

I use a Chemex with it and once I found the right grind setting, it's pretty good. I drink it every day.
posted by jeffamaphone at 9:12 AM on January 29, 2016

I love Caffe Appasionato's Espresso Blend, at 0.49/ounce. It's very smooth. Right now, the Organic, Shade Grown is even cheaper at 0.48/ounce. Like hollyholly, we split the bag into thirds and freeze 2/3, then pull the beans out when we need them.
posted by weeyin at 9:58 AM on January 29, 2016 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: I'm not going to pretend to know which answers are best, but it's great to have some options. Thanks to everyone!
posted by jon1270 at 12:33 PM on January 29, 2016

World Market has good (dark-roast) coffee for a good price, which becomes even cheaper if you take advantage of their World Market Explorer (frequent buyer) program--a free bag every six bags (or double your credit if you buy your coffee on a Weds., so just three bags to earn a free bag). And you can buy online (though I don't think you can subscribe).
posted by carrienation at 1:27 PM on January 29, 2016

Costco has coffees online, including the Kirkland Signature Colombian Supremo that we buy in the store.
posted by SemiSalt at 1:40 PM on January 29, 2016

Costco now has Coffee Bustello, $11.69 for a 36oz can. However it is ground.
posted by artdrectr at 11:05 PM on January 29, 2016