Coffee at Whole Foods

[Mister Moo]

Where are you at? What do they offer?

It changes from time to time here in Raleigh, NC.

A month or three back they had some Guatemalan Antigua that was priced right and tasted just great. I enjoyed several pounds of it as a break from roast-my-own. It was fresh - killer.

Last week they were offering four different brewed coffees from airpots by the brek-brek buffet/bar. One of them was from Counter Culture (Chapel Hill, NC) and it was on the remarkable side - slightly acidic, medium/full bodied, great aroma and very citrus/fruity tasting. It said "Ethiopia, and more" to me in a very nice way. It was tagged with some weird blend name that escapes me - but - great products from Counter Culture, again and again. Carolinas, take note. We have some outstanding talent over here.

[SmokeyJoe]

Thanks for the heads-up, Dan!

And I appreciate the fine review... Sounds tasty.

at whole foods the brand is called Ellys I think, I might be spelling it wrong. It is the same coffee they make at Casa Fuente

[floydpink]

I stop by at least once a week at the Whole Foods in Orlando.

They are always roasting and I try to pick up the day's roast and often get my beans still warm.

The staff is very friendly and normally glad to talk about what they're doing and what's good.

I normally end up buying something from South or Central America and was real happy with their house blend last week.

They also sell green beans, although I haven't taken the plunge into home roasting as of yet.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by floydpink

... They also sell green beans, although I haven't taken the plunge into home roasting as of yet.

Really? Out front or do you have to ask for them? What types/prices, fl'inks?

[floydpink]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

Really? Out front or do you have to ask for them? What types/prices, fl'inks?

On the back counter they have them, in plain sight.

I believe they are the same as the roasted beans, just not yet roasted.

They appear to be stored in 1 pound bags as well as larger portions, which lead me to believe they are sold retail in green.

I never bought them but could do some research for the sake of the thread if needed.

Your wish is my command Mr Moo.

On a side note, have you ever noticed how nice your car smells when you bring home roasted beans? I'm thinking of an air freshener of this aroma and would appreciate input.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by floydpink

On the back counter they have them, in plain sight.

I never bought them but could do some research for the sake of the thread if needed.

On a side note, have you ever noticed how nice your car smells when you bring home roasted beans? I'm thinking of an air freshener of this aroma and would appreciate input.

Research/price/type would be interesting, for sure.

Yes. Hard to beat the smell of freshly roasted coffee in the car - except with freshly roasted and just-ground coffee in the car. Love that smell.

[floydpink]

Stopped by today for some Guatamalan Antigua beans and on top of the green beans was a sign saying they are available for home roasters to buy.

I counted close to 20 different types and was in a little bit of a rush to get to work, so didn't get a price check. Some options were:

Organic El Salvador Adelaida
Guatamalan Antigua El Valle
Colombian La Cacica
Papua New Guinea
Red Sea Blend

And for Ron, I noticed some decaf options, including:

Swiss water decaf Colombian
Pure water decaf Sumatra

and a few others, all from Allegro Coffee

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by floydpink

Stopped by today for some Guatamalan Antigua beans and on top of the green beans was a sign saying they are available for home roasters to buy.

I counted close to 20 different types and was in a little bit of a rush to get to work, so didn't get a price check. Some options were:

Organic El Salvador Adelaida
Guatamalan Antigua El Valle
Colombian La Cacica
Papua New Guinea
Red Sea Blend

And for Ron, I noticed some decaf options, including:

Swiss water decaf Colombian
Pure water decaf Sumatra

and a few others, all from Allegro Coffee

Nice option. The nearest location is 30-minutes from Moo Acres but I'll be over that way tomorrow and will have a look see. Thx.

[ashtonlady]

I think I need to make a trip to Whole foods this weekend. Thank you for the information.

[omowasu]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

Research/price/type would be interesting, for sure.

Yes. Hard to beat the smell of freshly roasted coffee in the car - except with freshly roasted and just-ground coffee in the car. Love that smell.

Was at Whole Paycheck getting some of their frozen foods (my main reason for stopping there occasionally), and took a gander at the coffee section. They had a great selection of organics in various roasts, mostly South American / Colombian / Sumatran. Their selection of bulk beans was nice, too - and smelled great to boot! Only trouble was - as with most everything else there - they are expensive. 8oz-1lb bagged, roasted whole beans ranged from 9.99 - 13.99 (and up).

I am getting 2.5lb bags of Costco Kirkland house blend, 100% Arabica, for $9.95 - and loving it. Its a great coffee for the price - only issue being it is roasted by Starbucks, but at less than 1/2 of the price of comparable Starbucks whole bean, I aint complainin.

I dont mind paying more for quality, but I think Ill let some other lovers of the bean sample these and report back. If they are that good, Ill commit!

[floydpink]

I dunno, something about seeing the roasted date vs. wondering how long it's been on the shelf makes the choice easy for me.

I am known to piss my hard earned money away though, or so my wife claims.

I can say for certain, the beans I have gotten fresh roasted at Whole Foods are far superior to anything Starbucks puts out and find the price very acceptable until I get around to roasting.

[ashtonlady]

I love fresh roasted coffee. There is nothing like it. But I roast my own. I am always looking for a new place to get green beans.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by omowasu

...I am getting 2.5lb bags of Costco Kirkland house blend, 100% Arabica, for $9.95 - and loving it.

If the price overcomes any interest you have in variety (or if the price holds for different blends) then you have located the mother of all deals. Start a Costco thread. I keep hearing they regular, attractive coffee options.

[ToddziLLa]

Semi-related, semi-threadjack. Out of curiosity, I purchased a pound of organic FTO Guatemalan from Trader Joe's and it's not too bad!

[floydpink]

I'm really enjoying the Guatamalan Antigua from Whole Foods and am told TJ's is a similar type of store.

[mosesbotbol]

I ususally get their Northern Italian blend for espresso, called Bella Canto I think? I mix it 2/3's regular, 1/3 decaf into the bag... I know, I know- two different SKU's and prices, but f them... I spend thousands a year there.

I also like their Mocha Java for espresso. Every year I seem to get less picky about beans than I was previously... I have semi-high minimum expectation, but after that as long as it's not Sumatra, I am good.

[floydpink]

all this time I thought I was the only one mixing the sku's on the beans. Nice to know I'm not alone.

Do you also pull the chicken off the bone when filling up a takeout box that is price per pound?

I have a feeling I'm alone in that respect........

[Mister Moo]

Went by the Raleigh store yesterday; no green on hand (they tried in in the past but it flopped). They we open to discuss a special order.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by floydpink

Do you also pull the chicken off the bone when filling up a takeout box that is price per pound?

I have a feeling I'm alone in that respect........

I can't say I have ever bought prepared food there except for the salad bar or sushi. That is funny though. I do overstuff the Clementines into the wooden box.