I'm interested in hearing opinions on which whole bean coffees we should try.

I'm not wanting to start a debate about Keurigs or Nespressos, or pods vs. beans...

We have a integrated coffee maker/grinder we love and intent to continue to use it.

I used to have great luck buying beans at Costco, but over the past few months they're dramatically reduced the options to the point where I want to explore other options.

I'm not really interested in joining a "club" where they send me beans months, but rather in something I can buy as needed. I also see no need to spend a fortune for beans that have been fed to mountain goats and then gathered after they emerge from the other end and other similar exoticities. Just good solid flavorable beans.

Deep flavor is critical, fair trade is great but not an absolute requirement.

What do you all like?

I really enjoy Zabars whole beans. You can order online as needed. The have many varieties so a good chance that one might appeal to you.

How about just getting a pound from your local Starbucks? That's what I do. Nothing fancy, but it's fine. I like their darker roasts.

Just noticed you're in Chicago. Ignore my Starbucks thought and run, do not walk, to either Intelligentsia (on Broadway at about Wellington, downtown, or in the Merchandise Mart) or Metropolis (on I think Granville by Sheridan). Metropolis roasts its beans on site, and Intelligentsia is similarly awesome. Another excellent option is Peet's Coffee on North and Sheffield (in the strip mall). Peets has a good selection and they will make you a taste of any kind you want.

All three are exclusively fair trade (or more).

http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/
http://www.metropoliscoffee.com/
http://www.peets.com

I more than second Metropolis and Intelligentsia, as well as Gaslight and Buzz Killer.

Gimme Coffee and Atomic Cafe

I use to roast green beans and blend my own for my Gaggia. I'm now an unapologetic fan of Nespresso. It is 90% as good as of the best I ever achieved .......

A local store (actually a couple of them) roasts in the store daily, so everything they have is usually no more than a couple days old. If you have a grocery store that does that, give them a shot.

Starbucks is burned, sorry. Peets however is a good choice, but I may do mail order since I'll kill myself if I need to go anywhere near North/ Sheffield.

I guess you missed my line about "I don't want to talk about Nespresso..."

Thanks for all the ideas - Intelligentsia is also a good option.

I think a taste test is in order.

Then try the Starbucks blonde roast. Peet's is worth the in person trip (just take the red line) because they have this handy wheel at the cash register that lets you choose taste characteristics (roast, acidity, body, origin) and recommends a few varieties. And they'll make you a taste in store.

If you really don't want to go there, and want to order Peet's, get Arabian Mocha Sanani and don't look back. If that's too spendy, get Mocha Java.

Agreed!

No need to be rude when others are trying to help.

Costco is limiting their fresh roast beans selection...

Last time they raised their price I went with CoffeeAM,com

Great selection, $5.95 on the ship, good fresh coffee beans.

Several years ago I saw a Cook's Illustrated review of coffees that rated Eight O'Clock coffee very highly. I've bought it ever since and have always enjoyed it. No need (for me, anyway) to buy anything more expensive.

We have recently been getting coffee from Justcoffee.coop in Madison, WI. Very good coffee, a variety of blends and I think all is fair trade. We particularly like "Bike Fuel" and "Cabin Fever" blends. Fast shipping also.

Buy freshly roasted from a local roaster , I find that after 6-8 weeks after roasting the taste goes downhill .

The beans you buy in supermarkets could have been roasted months if not years before you get them ..

Intelligentsia and Metropolis say that the flavor deteriorates after just a week or two.

Years seems excessive, but weeks or months is plausible.