Kirkland House Blend Coffee no longer Starbucks?

[Superchief]

We’ve been buying Costco starbucis coffee for at least 8 years and we really loved the coffee and price. It taste very much like Starbucks house blend. Not judging anyone for liking or disliking the coffee. We are very unhappy with the new coffee and will just buy pikes from Sam’s club.

I bought a bag and tried it. I agree and think it tastes terrible. It has bitterness of a cheap French Roast coffee. I plan to take it back for a refund. I hope many loyal customers let Costco know their disappointment and perhaps they will reconsider. I'll have to search for alternatives but don't want to pay $12 lb. for Starbucks.

 

[Cornell]

@Superchief You aren't alone.

 

[ScoopKona]

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

Water temperature makes even more of a difference. Since a cup of coffee is mostly H20, water quality does matter. Once a quality standard for water has been achieved, there will be no more improvement. Glacial water from Iceland isn't going to improve over clean tap water.

What matters? Brewing temperature, grind, roast, freshness and finally everything that happened prior to roasting -- quality of the plant, cherry uniformity, fermenting method, etc.

 

[Patri]

Glad I am not a coffee snob. I couldn’t handle all you folks’ peculiarities. Family knows two cups of coffee a day is my joy. So I receive it as gifts often. Some is delicious. The rest I add cream. My personal favorites are locally roasted with fruit flavors such as apricot and blueberry.

 

[Cornell]

Glad I am not a coffee snob. I couldn’t handle all you folks’ peculiarities. Family knows two cups of coffee a day is my joy. So I receive it as gifts often. Some is delicious. The rest I add cream. My personal favorites are locally roasted with fruit flavors such as apricot and blueberry.

I'm with you. I like a nice strong cup of coffee but I don't overthink it.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

everything that happened prior to roasting

I only drink coffee picked by virgins. They could have been driving an International Harvester, but they gotta be virgins.

 

[Cornell]

I only drink coffee picked by virgins. They could have been driving an International Harvester, but they gotta be virgins.

does their gender matter?

 

[WaikikiFirst]

does their gender matter?

I almost said whether or not, but ... slippery slope there. More slippery than high mountain coffee slopes.

 

[ScoopKona]

I only drink coffee picked by virgins. They could have been driving an International Harvester, but they gotta be virgins.

I prefer coffee that doesn't suffer from a child-labor problem.

Addressing Child Labor and Forced Labor in the Coffee Supply Chain in Honduras

www.dol.gov

 

[pedro47]

The new Kirkland House Blend Coffee even have a new difference color packing bag.

 

[pedro47]

I prefer coffee that doesn't suffer from a child-labor problem.

Addressing Child Labor and Forced Labor in the Coffee Supply Chain in Honduras

www.dol.gov

There are many manufactures in the borders of the USA that are still breaking child-labor laws. IMHO
Example: students working passed 11:00PM in fast food restaurants during school sessions and without taking a break.
Example: children cleaning meat processing plants after midnight.
Example: students working in manufactures without a student work permit.
Example: children working without social security numbers/cards and a valid USA picture ID.

 

[ScoopKona]

There are many manufactures in the borders of the USA that are still breaking child-labor laws.

Two wrongs don't make a right.

 

[Superchief]

@Superchief You aren't alone.

View attachment 89965

I actually took the bag I bought back to Costco today for a refund and expressed my disappointment about how bad it is. They said there are a lot of complaints. I took advantage of an Amex offer and joined Sam's. I ordered two bags of Starbucks house blend whole bean for $2 more per bag than the previous Kirkland (Starbucks) bags, so this is costing Costco business.

 

[PigsDad]

I prefer coffee that doesn't suffer from a child-labor problem.

Kurt

 

[Cornell]

I actually took the bag I bought back to Costco today for a refund and expressed my disappointment about how bad it is. They said there are a lot of complaints. I took advantage of an Amex offer and joined Sam's. I ordered two bags of Starbucks house blend whole bean for $2 more per bag than the previous Kirkland (Starbucks) bags, so this is costing Costco business.

I can no longer find my favorite make up wipes so I get it!

 

[Brett]

Kurt

.
so "child labor" problems goes (flies) over your head




Kona Koffee ... big island beanery !
(but no child labor)

 

[PigsDad]

.
so "child labor" problems goes (flies) over your head

Seriously? I guess that image applies to you as well. (Hint: go back and look at the message Scoop was replying to. At least @Cornell got it...)

Kurt

 

[ScoopKona]

.
so "child labor" problems goes (flies) over your head

WaikikiFirst inadvertently touched on one of coffee's dirty secrets. Since most coffee comes from the developing world; most coffee comes with developing-world problems. (It would be better if he said, "I only drink coffee flavored with unicorn tears" or similar. Because we don't have a unicorn-labor problem in the coffee industry.)

Most people don't want to think about it. I think it's more fair to say, most people willfully ignore the problems. Thinking about what we eat and drink is more difficult than going shopping. And once down that rabbit hole, it's never ending -- there is so much waste, fraud, organized crime, misery and blood in our food chain that the list of "what shouldn't you buy" is almost as long as "what should you buy."

In general, buying directly from farmers is the best bet. Supermarkets and Costco aren't going to notice the loss of business. But it can be a life-altering change for the farmer. And, it beats drinking floor sweepings and beetles -- which is in every cup of the "I don't care; I just want some coffee in the morning" blend.

 

[joestein]

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.

I dont even agree that. I might have 5 or 10 years ago, but not today. I feel that they are trying to hold back prices with lower quality across the board. I always see brands that I like being replaced by cheaper brands at the same or slightly lower price.

Coleman chicken fingers, Hebrew National Salami, etc.