I tried every Costco coffee I could find and found a clear winner

This article may contain affiliate links through which Yahoo and/or the publisher may receive a commission if you purchase a product or service through these links.

When Sabrina Carpenter said, “This is my espresso,” it gave me a deep feeling seen. I’ve been serious about coffee for a long time – right back to my Starbucks Java Chip Frappuccino days in middle school. It’s really what gets me out of bed in the morning. I even have the coffee bean (and coffee machine) collection to show for it.

After testing the taste of instant coffees (and finding that some were incredibly good), I decided to tackle the next frontier: Costco’s sprawling coffee department.

Similar to the impressive wine department, Costco’s coffee department also offers plenty of large bags at great prices. (Psst! You can sign up for a membership here.) I tried every whole bean coffee at my local warehouse store – 10 in total! These are the five you should check out on your next bulk purchase.

The best coffees at Costco at a glance

• Winner: Ruta Maya 100% organic coffee, medium roast

• Second: Peet’s Coffee Major Dickason’s Blend, Dark Roast

• Best Budget: Kirkland Signature Coffee House Blend, medium roast

• Best espresso: Lavazza Espresso

• Best decaf coffee: Mayorga Organic Café Cubano decaffeinated coffee, dark roast

Winner: Ruta Maya 100% organic coffee, medium roast, $44.99 for 5 pounds

Ruta Maya’s huge bag matches the boldness that lies within. Apart from the clear appeal for big budgets (the five pounds will last you a year). while), it’s roasty-roasty, slightly light, but still very rich. Both create a nice, light crema from my moka pot and have a chocolate note when brewed cold.

This medium roast quickly rose to the top of my list simply because after all my taste testing, I couldn’t wait to drink it again. May I never see the bottom of this fat bag! At least not for a while.

Runner-up: Peet’s Coffee Major Dickason’s Blend Coffee, Dark Roast, $18.99 for two pounds

I was a little skeptical about a blend from a coffee chain until a Costco employee pointed out that this blend from Peet’s Major Dickason is not only a customer favorite, but an employee favorite as well. Let me tell you: this person did not mislead me. A cup of this dark roast immediately got me thinking This is Christmas morning coffee.

Major Dickason caters to all types of guests: bean snobs, gas station coffee connoisseurs, and those who primarily drink caffeine. The roast level is “Just Dark Roasted Enough”; it’s rich and bold, yet lightly toasted just enough not to scare anyone who normally drinks a medium or light roast.

Best Budget Buy: Kirkland Signature House Blend, medium roast, $12.99 for 2.5 pounds

When you are at Costco, you must always consider Costco’s private label brand, Kirkland Signature. I asked the medium roast, “Can It Kirkland?” and sure enough, this coffee can. Plus, it’s the biggest bargain of all, because just $12.99 saves you 2.5 pounds of whole beans.

I had heard on Reddit that Starbucks was no longer roasting this blend and was curious to see if the taste of the new bags of Kirkland Signature House Blend had changed. As expected, I found one light Change, but certainly not for the worse. I would say that this is on the verge of becoming a dark roast on the roast spectrum (rather than a medium), but in the French press it produces a mild, burnt, sugar-infused cold brew.

Best espresso: Lavazza Espresso, $17.99 for 2.2 pounds

Fun fact: Just because a bag says “espresso” doesn’t mean the coffee has to be made espresso style! It simply refers to how the beans are roasted. So if you’re a fan of strong, bold espresso (but maybe don’t want to spend on a fancy machine), you should definitely grab a bag of Lavazza Espresso (just grind it to their specifications). your specific machine).

I first brewed mine in an Aeropress for an oat milk macchiato. It had a balance of fruitiness, nutty richness, and a bit of sweetness that made me feel like I was leaning my hip against the counter of an Italian cafe. It would also be a dream in a French press if you need more than just a small thimble of coffee.

Best Decaf: Mayorga Organic Café Cubano Decaf Coffee, Dark Roast, $44.99 for 2 bags (2 pounds).

Death from decaf, I know, I know. But! Sometimes I want some decaf when I’m enjoying an Irish coffee as a nightcap or to make myself a half cup of coffee in the afternoon. To be honest, I could hardly tell any discernible difference between the strength and flavor of Mayorga Decaf Café Cubano Roast and its fully caffeinated counterparts.

I grew up in Florida with plenty of Cuban coffee (and warning symbols on the cafecito) and was really impressed by the rich, smooth, caramelized sweetness of the decaf Mayorga. You certainly won’t feel like you’re missing out on anything—either in the flavor department or in the department where you’ll accidentally stay up all night.

How I tested Costco coffees

I typically brew my coffee with either a Bialetti Moka pot or my Aeropress, and both work best with medium-fine coffee grounds, like most drip coffee makers. I tested the 10 bean coffees in both coffee machines, with my favorites making it to the final round: the cold brew round (using my Stanley French Press). The winners brewed well in all three coffee makers (black, unsweetened), making them suitable for the drip, espresso and cold brew methods, respectively.

Was your favorite Costco coffee on the list? Tell us about it in the comments below.

Further reading

People buy the “gorgeous” $3 flower cups at Walmart 2 at a time

The only cookware brand Gordon Ramsay can talk about over and over again

Do water filters really work – and which ones are the best?

Sign up for The Kitchn’s Daily newsletter to get our best recipes, posts and shopping tips delivered to your inbox.