Water may be essential for human life, but coffee is even more critical for human functioning at 8 am. The fifth-largest retailer globally, Costco, knows what the people want, and it brings it to them in the form of its Kirkland brand coffee.
But what is Kirkland coffee? What types are there, and is it a good deal? Does it taste any good? I know you have questions, so I’ve researched all the answers. So, here are 15 things to know before buying Kirkland coffee!
Key Takeaways
15 Things To Know Before Buying Kirkland Coffee
1. Most Kirkland Coffee Sells Under The Signature Line
If you’re buying coffee at Costco from the Kirkland brand (Costco’s house brand), you’re more than likely getting its Kirkland Signature line.
With that, these include whole bean coffees, ground coffee, and K-Cups, so you have some decisions to make.
For example, Kirkland Signature whole bean coffees include:
- House Blend Medium Roast
- House Blend Medium Roast Decaf
- Dark Roast Espresso
- Colombian Supremo
- Rwandan
- Sumatran
- Guatemalan
- Costa Rica
- Panama Geisha
- Organic Nicaragua
- Organic Guatemalan
- Organic Columbian
- Organic Ethiopia
- Organic Peru
Also, Kirkland Signature ground coffee comes in two types:
- 100% Colombian coffee (dark roast)
- 100% Colombian coffee (decaf dark roast)
Additionally, there are four types of Kirkland Signature K-Cups:
- Organic Pacific Bold
- Organic Summit Medium Roast
- Breakfast Blend
- Organic House Decaf
2. The Source Of Some Costco Kirkland Coffee Is A Famous Name
Surprisingly, three of Costco’s whole bean coffees from the Kirkland Signature line are sourced from Starbucks.
Also, while the two West Coast companies aren’t advertising the partnership, they don’t try to hide it either.
For example, if your whole bean coffee was sourced from Starbucks, it will say so on the packaging; all you have to do is look for it.
Moreover, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters provides Costco’s K-Cups.
3. Some Kirkland Coffee Is 100% Arabica
If you’re buying Kirkland Signature House Blend Medium (decaf and regular) or Dark Roast Espresso, you are actually buying Starbucks coffee.
With that, Starbucks prides itself on its 100% Arabica beans, which the company predominantly sources from Asia.
4. Other Kirkland Coffees Comes From Georgian Roasters
While three coffee beans are sourced from Starbucks, many of the other Kirkland Signature whole bean coffees come from an Atlanta, Georgia-based operation.
For example, Called Rogers Family Coffee provides the beans for some Kirkland Signature products.
Further, the Kirkland Signature products that Called Rogers Family Coffee supply the beans for include:
- Colombian Supremo
- Costa Rica
- Sumatra
- Rwanda
- Guatemala
5. Costco’s Kirkland Coffee Is Good
For the most part, customers are big fans of Kirkland coffee, though now that we know from where it’s sourced, it’s not surprising.
With that, reviewer and coffee expert Kenneth Davids remarked the House Blend Medium Roast was “balanced, quiet and clean” with “a suggestion of dark chocolate.”
Further, the author of a piece for The Kitchn, a self-proclaimed coffee snob, said they would “totally vouch” for the Kirkland Signature coffees.
Moreover, they even remarked that customers shouldn’t be off-put by the size (two to three pounds of coffee) because the beans keep well either on the shelf or in the freezer.
Finally, another reviewer trying the Organic Ethiopian Light Roast had “pretty positive” first impressions.
At $7 per pound, they said it was an excellent budget buy for delicious coffee.
6. House Blend Kirkland Coffee Has A Dark Side
Interestingly, some note that the Kirkland Signature House Blend Medium can seem like it’s on the darker end of the roast spectrum.
With that, one reviewer claims that the Medium from Kirkland is actually a Starbucks dark roast, which would account for the deeper flavor.
However, some people comment that the Starbucks roasts are too dark and bitter, but the Medium for Kirkland Signature is neither.
7. Kirkland Coffee Is Ridiculously Affordable
Some of the price points for Costco’s Kirkland coffee will make your jaw drop in a good way.
For example, the popular Medium House Blend comes in a two-and-a-half-pound bag and costs $12.99.
In comparison, at Giant Eagle (a Mid-Atlantic chain based out of Pittsburgh), a 12-ounce bag (not even a full pound) of Starbucks French roast sells for $10.49.
At these prices, that breaks down to just 32 cents per ounce for the Kirkland coffee and 58 cents per ounce for Starbucks in the grocery store.
Further, anyone who loves their Keurig knows that K-Cups can be expensive. However, Kirkland’s K-Cups only cost $37.99 for a whopping 120!
On a per pod basis, that comes out to 32 cents per pod. On the other hand, Starbucks pods can sell for as much as $28.49 32 at Giant Eagle or 84 cents per pod.
8. You Don’t Need To Have Coffee Grinder With Kirkland Coffee
Many of the Kirkland coffees are whole beans, which have to be ground before brewing.
Luckily, several Costco warehouse stores have grinders on-premise, and it’ll let you grind your beans for free (and even choose the level).
That said, if you’re a true coffee lover, it never hurts to have your own grinder at home.
9. Some Types Of Kirkland Coffee Are Already Ground
There are a few pre-ground Kirkland coffee types, but the whole bean blends vastly outnumber them.
As mentioned above, Costco’s two ground coffees include 100% Columbian coffee and a decaf dark roast version.
10. You Can Also Find Kirkland Coffee K-Cups
As I mentioned, Kirkland Signature K-Cups are now exclusively manufactured for Costco by Green Mountain Coffee Roasters.
With that, this is the result of a 2012 partnership that began with just two K-Cup flavors but has expanded to four.
11. The Decaf Kirkland Coffee Is Probably Chemically Processed
There are two ways to decaffeinate coffee, naturally and chemically.
While the natural way is the preferable method, Kirkland coffee’s decaf blends are more likely processed the chemical way.
If you’d like, you can learn more about that on this page.
12. If Your Costco Is Out Of Kirkland Coffee, You Have Options
Costco isn’t the only seller of Kirkland coffee, as it happens.
So, if your local store is out of the coffee you were looking forward to buying, you can try Amazon or even eBay!
While you won’t find Kirkland in any other stores, these digital marketplaces can accommodate eCommerce sales of Kirkland coffee.
13. Costo Has Expanded Its Organic Kirkland Coffee Selection
In the past, Costco’s only organic coffee wasn’t even its Kirkland brand. However, now Costco offers a selection of Kirkland-brand organic coffees.
For example, these Kirkland Signature whole bean coffees are certified organic:
- Organic Nicaragua
- Organic Guatemalan
- Organic Columbian
- Organic Ethiopia
- Organic Peru
14. You Can Find Brand Name And Kirkland Coffee At Costco
While Costco’s Kirkland coffee label is hugely popular, if your store happens to be out of the kind you want, Costco does sell a lot of other name brands.
For example, these brands include:
- Dunkin’ Donuts
- Starbucks
- Folgers
- Green Mountain Coffee
- And many others!
15. If You’re Lucky, Your Costco Has A Kirkland Instant Coffee Machine
In some areas, you can go to Costco to drink coffee, not just buy it because the retailer has rolled out Kirkland Signature Coffee Machines in some stores.
With that, customers can get House Blend, Espresso Blend, Colombian Blend, Café Hazelnut, Café Mocha, Café Vanilla, and Hot Chocolate for under $1.25!
If you want to know more, you can also read our posts on things to know before buying pizza, Kirkland coffee, and bread from the Costco bakery.
Conclusion
Costco’s Kirkland coffee has been a popular choice for years with customers, and it’s easy to see why.
At sometimes half the price of other grocery stores, the beans still have excellent flavor and quality. After all, some of it is made by Starbucks.