On a related topic, we use Illy beans. Some of the shops have better tasting espresso but I've found mere mortals can not order the beans. Does anyone have suggestions for bulk (20lbs.. we drink a lot of coffee around here) bean supply for good quality coffee?
I used to buy 5lbs bags of 'Shock Coffee' (hypercaffinated), but lately it tastes awful. Shock Coffee (Caffeinated), Whole Bean Coffee, 5-Pound Bag: Amazon.com: Grocery Gourmet Food I've switched to buying individual smaller bags to keep the coffee more fresh. Though its more expensive.
So the last month I've switched to these two:
Café Britt Coffee
- 2 packs of Britt's Organic Gourmet Coffee
- 100% Costa Rican Arabica Coffee; Organic certified; Kosher; High-mountain grown
- Dark roasted; USDA Organic Certified; Kosher certified; High-mountain grown SHB (Strictly Hard Bean); Gluten Free
- Premium three layered aluminum packaging and a one-way freshness valve to guarantee maximum freshness
- We combine coffees from four key growing regions to craft this remarkable blend: The Central Valley, West Valley, Orosi valley and Brunca region
- Cafe Britt Costa Rica Organic Bajo Sombra Whole Bean Coffee, 12-Ounce Bags (Pack of 2): Amazon.com: Grocery Gourmet Food
That coffee is pretty good. But my new favorite is this one:
Blue Horse Farm-direct: 100% Kona Coffee, Dark Roast, Whole Beans,
- Rare hand picked, rain water fermented, sundried Kona coffee beans
- State inspected & certified
- Herbicide & pesticide free
- From authentic family farm with 120+ year old trees
- Farm-direct: 100% Kona Coffee, Dark Roast, Whole Beans, 1 Lb: Amazon.com: Grocery Gourmet Food
I think that Blue Horse Kona is the best coffee I've ever made using my machine. It's so good that others have also commented on how good my coffee tastes. I think one of the reasons for this is that it's shipping direct from the farm. This is as opposed to something that Amazon has stocked in a warehouse. They package it and ship it directly when they receive the order so it's REALLY fresh. After I've had this, I'm convinced now that I only want to order farm-direct beans from now on. It really makes a significant difference. But go figure, this one's going to be a drain on the budget @ TOTAL $34.95 shipped for 1lb. 1lb lasts about 2 weeks here so unless I figure out something different that's going to be ~$70 per month in coffee beans. Well at least that's still cheaper than going to starbucks everyday. (I'm good at rationalizing everything).
I can't help you with the 5lb bags though. I no longer recommend that Shock coffee.