This Is The Worst Coffee Blend In Costco's Kirkland Signature Lineup

Costco has earned some of retail's most dedicated customers with a combination of low prices, high-quality items, and unique features like the chain's iconic hot dog. One of the less discussed, but equally important, advantages is the availability of Kirkland Signature products, which offer a whole lot more than typical store brands. Although most are great buys, not every Kirkland choice is worth your money, including one of the brand's coffee options. In our ranking of Costco's Kirkland coffee blends, we found the decaf version is best left on the shelf.

Our reviewer's complaints came down to two key factors: flavor and aroma. He described the ground beans as smelling like barbecue, with hints of brown sugar and molasses. Alongside these notes, our taste tester noticed a fruity scent that clashed with the medium-dark character of the roast. The final result was disappointing and bland, with the reviewer saying, "Even almond milk, cinnamon, and brown sugar couldn't lift the mug out of its weak-flavor rut," landing it dead last out of Kirkland Signature's four coffee options.

However, it's worth noting, despite its last-place finish among its brand mates, it may still be worth grabbing if you're dead-set on caffeine-free coffee. The coffee beans are decaffeinated using what's known as the Swiss Water process, a technique that leaches out the caffeine without the use of harsh or potentially flavor-altering chemicals found with other methods.

As with other Kirkland Signature brand products, the truth about Costco's Kirkland brand is the wholesaler isn't typically the source growing, harvesting, or roasting the coffee beans that end up in its bags. In the past, coffee under the Kirkland Signature name was produced by big names like Starbucks, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, and Rogers Family Coffee, although customer and social media reports have suggested those brands may no longer be suppliers.

Even with the decaf disappointment, Costco shoppers have several other Kirkland Signature coffee options that may be a better buy for their dollars. The Espresso Blend won top honors, with our reviewer praising its flavor, stating, "Just like coffee should taste without deviating into either artisanal snootiness or bargain-bin bitterness." Even runner-up Organic Whole Bean Blend offers environmental and production improvements, with a taste that was a solid medium roast with rich flavor. With these options, plus numerous other bulk-sized, affordable choices from other companies, it's best for all but the extremely caffeine-averse to leave the Kirkland Signature Decaf Blend on the shelf.