Kirkland House Blend Coffee no longer Starbucks?

[Superchief]

We have been buying the Kirkland House Blend whole bean coffee for several years and it was actually Starbucks House Blend under the Kirkland label at half the price. I had noticed low inventory in the Costco stores around me and the store staff said they weren't receiving shipments. The price had risen from $11.99 for 2.5 lb pre-covid to $15.99, but this was still a relative bargain. Today, I noticed a new Kirkland House Blend today in similar packaging, but it didn't contain the 'Roasted by Starbucks' on the label. Has anyone tried this and is it no longer the same coffee? Costco has discontinued a lot of our favorite items in the past year and quality/prices aren't what they used to be. This is rather disappointing.

 

[geist1223]

We strongly dislike Starbucks Roasted Coffee. It always has a burnt taste.

 

[Superchief]

We strongly dislike Starbucks Roasted Coffee. It always has a burnt taste.

I actually like it, but it is definitely something you either like or don't. I think that people who bought the Kirkland brand expect it to taste like Starbucks, so a change will definitely not taste the same as people expected. I'm anxious to here from people who have regularly used it in the past to see whether they like the new version.

 

[TolmiePeak]

I actually like it, but it is definitely something you either like or don't. I think that people who bought the Kirkland brand expect it to taste like Starbucks, so a change will definitely not taste the same as people expected. I'm anxious to here from people who have regularly used it in the past to see whether they like the new version.

How is them dumping the White Castle of coffee roasters a disappointment? Dunkin would be a huge upgrade compared to Starbucks.

 

[emeryjre]

Costco is definitely changed their coffee offerings
They have brought in Mr. Peets and have been doing promotions on the brand
Nothing stays the same
Starbucks products sold outside the Starbucks location is now owned and wholesaled by Nestle
I am guessing that has changed the relationship with Costco

 

[Passepartout]

First World problems. . . .

 

[Superchief]

How is them dumping the White Castle of coffee roasters a disappointment? Dunkin would be a huge upgrade compared to Starbucks.

Coffee is a matter of personal preference. I have never liked Dunkin coffee and like Starbucks darker roasts, as do millions of Americans. I also don't really like Peets. I doubt that Peets or Dunkin coffee lovers have been buying Kirkland Whole Bean because it tastes just like Starbucks. The problem I have with this change is that Kirkland House Blend packaging appears to be the same as it was previously. People will buy it with the expectation that it will taste like Starbucks House Blend (like it has for the past 20 years), not like Peet's or any other coffee. The new package doesn't indicate who actually roasts and supplies these coffee beans. Costco should be more transparent regarding this change.

I posted on this thread to inform the Kirkland coffee buyers and to get their input regarding what they think of this change. I also hope that someone might have information regarding who now produces this coffee.

 

[TolmiePeak]

It makes sense for Costco to switch though. They cater to higher end consumers who have a preference for higher end products. Not mass market lower quality products. Walmart does way better catering to the mass market crowd.

 

[dioxide45]

Costco is definitely changed their coffee offerings
They have brought in Mr. Peets and have been doing promotions on the brand
Nothing stays the same
Starbucks products sold outside the Starbucks location is now owned and wholesaled by Nestle
I am guessing that has changed the relationship with Costco

Nestle has been selling Starbucks coffee in grocery stores since 2018. So it isn't anything new or now. I am sure that Costco is always looking for cheaper options in their Kirkland brands.

 

[dioxide45]

It makes sense for Costco to switch though. They cater to higher end consumers who have a preference for higher end products. Not mass market lower quality products. Walmart does way better catering to the mass market crowd.

You seem rather judgmental over someone's preference of coffee. I am not sure that Duncan is any less "mass market" than Starbucks.

 

[Cornell]

First World problems. . . .

That's what every single TUG post is.

 

[marmite]

I don't think it's even fair to say I don't like a particular brand unless I have tried damn-near all their offerings. Beans from different countries and regions taste different, as does their roast level. I don't like all Starbucks, but I do like some -- I had to taste a lot to figure out what I like and don't. Unfortunately the stuff I liked is seldom what they choose for their daily roast. I used to buy Peet's by mail-order when they didn't have presence like they do now in grocery stores, and it definitely could not be found in Canada. Loved the Peet's Major Dickason's dark-roast, which seemed very special to have in the morning, but now it's at Target. Maybe the snob in me wouldn't have even tried it if I first saw it at Target. Now that my taste has been shifting from dark-roast towards medium, maybe that Dunkin' needs a second look?

I just bought the Kirkland house blend for the first time. Giving it a chance. The beans are particularly glossy/oily and not sure my coffee machine is happy about that.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

We strongly dislike Starbucks Roasted Coffee. It always has a burnt taste.

oh my. There goes the thread. Won't give my opinion, but just recently I was retelling the story of the guy who founded Au Bon Pain & then Panera. I think it was him. 30 yrs ago, ABP was East Coast, SBUX was West Coast. Founder of ABP always derisively called SBUX "Charbucks". It was funny, but I guess once you get used to the taste, it becomes addictive and the non-SBUX tastes too bland. ALMOST AS IF THAT WAS THE STRATEGY FROM THE BEGINNING??????
PS: since SBUX stores seem to sell mostly coffee "drinks" loaded with who-knows-what, the stronger taste helps it stand up to who-knows-what. Drinking it black? other story

 

[WaikikiFirst]

Costco should be more transparent regarding this change.

I think they were transparent when they put the Starbucks name on the bag. Now it is gone. That is transparent too. They want you to buy a bag and see if you still like it.
minor benefit of living in NorCal = really low prices for Peets in Costco. (OK, OK, I prefer Peets)

 

[Big Matt]

People should try different beans from different geographies. Very different. Similarly, try using different brewing methods (drip, french press, etc.). Always grind your beans right before you brew. Coffee is like anything.....totally a matter of preference.

 

[Superchief]

I don't think it's even fair to say I don't like a particular brand unless I have tried damn-near all their offerings. Beans from different countries and regions taste different, as does their roast level. I don't like all Starbucks, but I do like some -- I had to taste a lot to figure out what I like and don't. Unfortunately the stuff I liked is seldom what they choose for their daily roast. I used to buy Peet's by mail-order when they didn't have presence like they do now in grocery stores, and it definitely could not be found in Canada. Loved the Peet's Major Dickason's dark-roast, which seemed very special to have in the morning, but now it's at Target. Maybe the snob in me wouldn't have even tried it if I first saw it at Target. Now that my taste has been shifting from dark-roast towards medium, maybe that Dunkin' needs a second look?

I just bought the Kirkland house blend for the first time. Giving it a chance. The beans are particularly glossy/oily and not sure my coffee machine is happy about that.

I agree. I primarily like the Starbucks Verona, Sumatra, and Expresso roasts, but also like the House Blend which was previously used for the Kirkland coffee. I don't like their French Roast. I didn't like the Peet's that was sold at Costco, but haven't tried their other varieties, including Major Dickason. My wife doesn't like the darker Starbucks roasts as much and prefers a lighter whole bean blend she buys bulk at Fresh Thyme. I usually make a blend of the two and it is pretty good. On a positive note, the Kirkland House Blend is back at $10.99 for 2.5 lb. down from the $15.99 when it had Starbucks on the label as the roaster. It would be interesting to know who now produces the Kirkland, and what how the taste compares to the previous.

 

[Superchief]

People should try different beans from different geographies. Very different. Similarly, try using different brewing methods (drip, french press, etc.). Always grind your beans right before you brew. Coffee is like anything.....totally a matter of preference.

The water also makes a big difference. We can't use the tap water in many Florida locations due to the salty taste.

 

[Superchief]

People should try different beans from different geographies. Very different. Similarly, try using different brewing methods (drip, french press, etc.). Always grind your beans right before you brew. Coffee is like anything.....totally a matter of preference.

The best coffee I ever had was in the small coffee shops in Italy many years ago prior to the Starbucks existence. It was common for the people in our Italian offices to take a break mid-afternoon for specialty coffee at these small shops that were similar to bars. The specialty was a delicious blend of full-bodied coffee with a rich chocolate syrup that wasn't too sweet or overpowering. This combination was unbelievably good. I think Starbucks may have gotten their business concept from these coffee shops in Italy.

 

[Big Matt]

The water also makes a big difference. We can't use the tap water in many Florida locations due to the salty taste.

Great point. I always use filtered water and our local water is really good to begin with.

 

[Luanne]

I discovered how bad Starbuck's coffee [to me] was when I had a plain latte (no flavor) at a small place in Jerome. I realized that the only way I was making the Starbuck's lattes drinkable was by adding flavoring.

What's odd is that I like Peet's coffee. And supposedly from a story I heard Starbucks ripped off Peet's roasting method.

 

[dagger1]

I’m on the Starbucks side. I have been drinking their Pikes Place blend for years and have yet to find anything I like better. But we buy the Kirkland Dark Roast k-cups for home use, it’s good too.
All personal preference, what makes the world go round.

 

[dioxide45]

The water also makes a big difference. We can't use the tap water in many Florida locations due to the salty taste.

Florida also has sulfur in the aquifer, thus it has a smell to it. We can't drink it. For years I have bought gallon jugs of spring water at the grocery store. I finally bought a countertop reverse osmosis system. Just need to figure out how to travel with it to take with us to Florida timeshares.

I was surprised to learn that the water we drank from the tap back in Ohio, that actually tasted better, has many more contaminants than the water here in Florida.

 

[DaveNV]

I discovered how bad Starbuck's coffee [to me] was when I had a plain latte (no flavor) at a small place in Jerome. I realized that the only way I was making the Starbuck's lattes drinkable was by adding flavoring.

What's odd is that I like Peet's coffee. And supposedly from a story I heard Starbucks ripped off Peet's roasting method.

Caroline, the friend of mine who used to own the Coffee Gallery in Haleiwa, on Oahu, always referred to Starbucks as "Charbucks."

We've seen Starbucks beans come and go at the various Costco warehouses here in Southern Nevada. When the beans are available, we buy them. (I grew up with "Charbucks" in Seattle, and I'm okay with the flavor, but I like other coffee, too.) When we can't get their beans, Peets is a good replacement. After 20 years in the Navy, I can drink just about any sort of coffee placed in front of me.

Currently, in our kitchen, we have a combination of Starbucks French Roast beans, Peets ground French Roast, Peets Major Dickinsen Blend coffee (it's like non-oily French Roast), and Angelino's Italian Roast Keurig pods. #CoffeeSnobs

Dave

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

We strongly dislike Starbucks Roasted Coffee. It always has a burnt taste.

In my experience this depends on the roast selected. I find Starbucks French Roast to be nigh undrinkable, largely because when brewed to recommended strength to me it tastes burnt, overly bitter and phenolic.

Brewed the same way, the Sumatra blend is very enjoyable. Years ago Starbucks sold a Sulawesi dark roast that was wonderful. I could brew that as strong as I liked without it turning bitter or burnt.

 

[Cornell]

So, going back to the original post....

I belong to a Facebook group called "Costco Products & Reviews" which has 691K members (not a typo) and it's a very active group. There has been no mention of of this coffee change which is odd b/c they discuss ANYTHING that changes to death*. Maybe you are the first to be a victim of this change?


* The switch from Kirkland paper towels to being UNWRAPPED within the larger outer packaging has generated multiple posts with lot of passionate commentary.