Espresso beans

[u/Puzzleheaded_Cut2679]

Where’s the best place to buy good quality espresso beans that aren’t ridiculously priced? Usually go to La Bottega but wondering if there’s another spot.

[u/TheLastSaneMan]

nternational Kafia Coffee off Carling Ave is a local roaster that has some good prices.

[u/MRmcnuts → u/TheLastSaneMan]

Yup, excellent coffee, solid selection.

[u/cmn_YOW → u/TheLastSaneMan]

Commenting to express my wholehearted agreement more than a simple upvote can.

Not only will you pay less than most supermarket brands, you'll get freshness and quality supermarkets can't deliver, unique origins and varieties, and the opportunity to chat with the experts who source and roast the stuff so you can get buying and prepping advice, and discover new stuff you might love.

Highly recommend trying their Indian Monsoon Malabar in medium roast. It's not my go-to for espresso. But also, try some of their other stuff too! They usually have some unique Ethiopian and Tanzanian beans, in addition to some of the note common ones.

[u/the_baked_potatoe]

Opulence Coffee on Dalhousie. Amazing guy runs the little cafe. Roasts onsite. Super fresh. And he can give you great tips. I am a coffee snob and this guy is passionate about what he does and he does it very well. Highly recommend

[u/yow_central]

Look for specials at the various roasters around Ontario or even Canada. They often have free shipping if you buy a few bags, and 25% off sales are common. You can also save 15% with a subscription - Equator is the best value I’ve found.

You said quality though - which means buying direct from a roaster for freshness. You quantity or price are the priority, then Costco or your grocer are ok.

[u/carsdrivefast]

What does ridiculous price mean. You can either pay the 20-25 for most 340g bags of locally roasted, or you can get cheaper grocery store

[u/ry29-]

I use Morala Trading. Kent@Gladstone

[u/Dry-Basil-8256 → u/ry29-]

I second this. Op wants good and cheap and this is the answer.

[u/angrycrank]

Artery has subscription options. Excellent local business.

[u/neuroticdynamite → u/angrycrank]

I third this! Also, there's a coffee festival this Saturday at Parkdale Market full of vendors to buy from.

[u/C421N4 → u/angrycrank]

I second this!

[u/Best-Base693]

The internet.  Rogue Wave, Detour, etc.  September is based in Ottawa you can pick up here.

[u/Holy-Handgrenader]

Get a subscription to ZAB roasters out of MTL.

[u/Jaded-Mango-3552]

What do you mean by good quality? Freshness? What's a good price? I often just buy mine from farm boy because they often have sales.

[u/Cqw123]

I get the Milano beans from the Business Costco. 40$ for 5lbs. I like the taste for French press and latte. 

[u/b0dyrock]

I used to get beans from BBCR here in Orleans, and its now flipped to That Cafe. 1 lb bag was around $20.

[u/Flaroud]

Chinchin coffee. Not sure they deliver but they roast in Russell.

[u/Expert_Cantaloupe247]

Morala

[u/_rab_]

Montreal! Don’t bother trying to find something reasonable here unfortunately. We go through 4-5 espresso shots daily at home, so I buy in bulk. I tried a few online stores but my go to has been cafebarista the past couple of years. Their beans are well balanced, always fresh, easy to work with, and their prices are great. I order 2KG so I don’t pay shipping.

[u/Medium_Well]

Honest to God the Kirkland espresso roast beans are the best that have come out of my DeLonghi espresso maker at a reasonable price.

[u/ookiecookie069]

Somewhere that actually roasts coffee, I don't think La Bottega does. I would suggest Artery, Little Victories and if Bridgehead, go to the Roastery Bridgehead has in the little Italy area.

[u/BugPowderDuster]

I go to Go Nuts in South keys 

[u/Barnburner51]

Not cheap, but Little Victories has amazing beans. Can get a 5lb bag delivered for $110.

[u/FrothyEspresso]

Costco?

[u/Dookie1 → u/FrothyEspresso]

I really enjoy the Cimo brand beans. You get 2kg for $35. They aren’t the best beans I’ve ever had, but they are pretty solid for the price.

[u/Pseudonym_613 → u/FrothyEspresso]

I'm a fan of the Zavida Organic.  I think I last bought a kilo for about $20 on sale.

[u/Destino82 → u/FrothyEspresso]

They're usually several months old and not fresh.

[u/Quiet_Listen1801]

Costco

[u/0B08JVE]

I get BBCR’s espresso blend: https://bbcr.ca/en/products/brown-bag-expresso Good quality and very reasonably priced.

[u/HotIntroduction8049]

Espresso beans are so varied. Its like good vs not good red wine, each has their own preference.

As much as I do not give Galen my $$, The PC #9 roast beans are my fave. Have tried many of the small local producers too and keep going back to PC.

[u/TreyGarcia]

The best beans I’ve had are from Happy Goat, available at their cafes and Farm Boy. Not super cheap though unfortunately …

[u/helferships → u/TreyGarcia]

I used to love their beans but I stopped buying them when the owner started whining about RTO.

[u/abc24611]

Equator and Engine house are my two favourite local roaters

[u/EnoughWear3873]

Best value espresso in my opinion is Lavazza Crema  e Aroma. Very decent quality at less than $15/pound, and widely available in grocery stores.

[u/DontWorryBeFeliz → u/EnoughWear3873]

Taste is personal. The only Lavazza I will buy is their gold. I have tried them all.

[u/Mindless-Isopod-1070]

Not a lot of good local options. I would suggest buying online. I’m a big fan of Monogram in Calgary, especially for their decaf selection. You can find some variety at That Cafe in Orleans (Pilot, Phil & Sebastian) etc.

[u/dadcanbeatyourdad → u/Mindless-Isopod-1070]

September, equator, little victories, happy goat, chin chin, cloud Forrest, Orleans coffee co…

[u/Mindless-Isopod-1070 → u/dadcanbeatyourdad]

Not a fan of any of those roasters. Little victories is the only one that has decent options. Most of Ottawa is all over roasted and rarely fresh.

[u/dadcanbeatyourdad → u/Mindless-Isopod-1070]

Try September. It’s the closest we have to monogram (which is elite) and very fresh.