Have you noticed the price of coffee beans ? More to the point, have you looked at the variation in price for very similar beans ?
I recently did an exercise to try and optimise my supply of beans so as to minimise cost whilst maintaining quality. This resulted in the purchase of a large quantity (probably a 6 month supply) of unknown beans, based on generally glowing reviews.
Whilst I'm not a 'connoisseur' of coffee, I do enjoy a decent cup and get through quite a quantity during the day. Several years ago I bought a Jura bean-to-cup machine after being treated to an amazing cup of coffee at a supplier's showroom. Having bought the machine I then tried to find a bean which repeated that initial experience. It's been a hard task ! I've tried most of the beans which come in packets at supermarkets, ranging from famous names to supermarket own brands. A common denominator has been, almost without exception, a bitter after-taste.
It therefore came as a pleasant surprise to taste the Caffe Roma Royale beans which do not suffer from this bitterness. It also came as quite a relief to find that I enjoyed these beans, in view of the quantity purchased....
In terms of actual flavour, I initially came down mid-way between the previous reviewers. These beans are by no means powerful in flavour, despite the very dark and oily appearance before grinding.
In direct comparison with the last of my supermarket beans (Carte Noire on this occasion) this coffee tasted almost bland. After half a dozen cups, however, the hidden depths started to reveal themselves, and I later found that this cofee has redefined what I like to drink. It is flavoursome without being bludgeoning and it leaves a taste in the mouth which is pleasant and not bitter.
In as much as it's not actually 'perfect' I've not gone over the top with the star rating. It really is very, very good though, and I would recommend anyone to give it a try.
Delivery from NextDayCoffee Company was, well, next day. Can't fault that ! And the price, admittedly for huge quantities, is 30% less than I was paying for supermarket beans.