Costco Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee Review: Real or Just a Cheap Blend?
Author: Russell Volz • Published: September 19, 2022 • Updated: August 27, 2026
Costco sells Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee for a fraction of what authentic versions normally cost. That large price gap raises an obvious question: is it the real thing, or mostly a cheaper blend using the name?
In the video below, Alisha (a professional wine Sommelier) tastes the Costco version and shares her professional take on how it actually performs. We also compare it to a genuine 100% Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee so you can see the difference for yourself.
📜 Video Transcript
Jamaican Blue Mountain – Introduction
Hello coffee lovers. My name is Alisha Volz from Lake City Coffee. Today we’re reviewing the Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee sold at Costco and comparing it to both a 100% Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee and our own Lake City Coffee.
Costco sometimes sells a 100% Jamaican Blue Mountain and sometimes sells a blend. The version we were able to get is labeled as a 10% Jamaican Blue Mountain blend. The packaging and Costco’s website do not say what the other 90% is. Because we couldn’t get Costco’s 100% version at the time, we also purchased a genuine 100% Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee from another source for comparison.
About My Tasting Approach
I’m a trained wine sommelier, so I approach coffee tasting with a professional palate. Every year Alisha and I taste roughly two dozen different samples before choosing the beans we roast. For 2026 we settled on a Costa Rican Tarrazú lot that we really like.
For this tasting, both coffees were prepared the same way: medium roast, French press, 40 grams, steeped about four minutes.
Looking at the Coffees
Both coffees appear to be medium roast. Our Lake City Coffee is just slightly lighter in color, but overall they look similar in the cup.
Smelling the Jamaican Blue Mountain
On the nose, the Jamaican Blue Mountain shows predominantly milk chocolate with a noticeable earthy quality. There’s a clear earthy element that stands out.
Tasting the Jamaican Blue Mountain
On the first sip I immediately notice a slight bitterness. It leaves a bitter mouthfeel and a bitter aftertaste. The main flavors are milk chocolate and some baking spices. The finish is long, which is nice, but it ends with bitterness on the palate.
Overall, this particular bag of Jamaican Blue Mountain felt pretty one-dimensional. It didn’t stand out much from many other coffees we taste. The bitterness is the part I’m not fond of.
The Roast Date Problem
One thing that bothers me is the lack of a roast date. This bag only has a “use by” date of February 19, 2027. We’re tasting it in July 2026, which means it could already be quite old. Freshness matters a lot with coffee, and a far-out use-by date without a roast date is not ideal.
Final Thoughts on the Jamaican Blue Mountain
If you want to pay around $40 for a bag of this coffee, that’s a personal preference. It’s drinkable, but I wouldn’t call it special. The combination of mild bitterness, one-dimensional flavor, and no clear roast date makes it hard for me to recommend at that price.
What Costco Is Actually Selling
When Costco carries Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, they typically offer two versions: a 10% Jamaican Blue Mountain blend and an occasional 100% version. Availability of either one changes regularly.
The 10% blend is the version most people actually find. The packaging and Costco’s website rarely spell out what makes up the other 90%. That lack of transparency is the first red flag.
Even when they do offer a 100% Jamaican Blue Mountain, it is priced well below what authentic estate Blue Mountain normally sells for. Real Jamaican Blue Mountain usually runs $40–$100 per pound. When something carrying that name shows up for much less, it is worth asking what you’re really getting.
Here’s a side-by-side look at how Costco’s version stacks up against real Jamaican Blue Mountain and our Costa Rican alternative.
| Factor | Costco (usually 10% blend – occasionally 100%) | Authentic 100% JBM | Lake City – Costa Rican Premium Select |
| Typical Price / Pound | Very Low | $40 – 100% | $33.33 |
| What’s Actually In The Bag | Often only 10% JBM. The other 90% is rarely listed clearly | 100% certified JBM | %100 single-origin Costa Rican (Tarrazu) |
| Transparency | Poor | High | High (farm-direct & fully traceable) |
| Roast Date | Usually missing – only a far-out “use by” date | Varies | Always prominently shown |
| Taste Profile | Notes of Milk chocolate, noticeably bitter, one dimensional | Very smooth, clean, low bitterness | Very smooth, low-acid, refined, berry & chocolate |
| Best For | Only if the lowest price is your priority | Special occasion or true JBM smooth experience | Daily coffee experience of smooth as silk, flavor to die for, affordable. |
What Real Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee Is Known For
Authentic Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee has a long-standing reputation for smoothness and mild flavor. When it is well grown, carefully processed, and freshly roasted, it is typically clean, balanced, and low in bitterness.
That reputation is a big part of why it commands high prices. Production is limited to a specific mountain region in Jamaica, and the best lots are closely graded. Genuine 100% Jamaican Blue Mountain is usually sold at a premium because of both scarcity and the expectation of a refined cup.
This is the standard most people have in mind when they see the Jamaican Blue Mountain name on a bag. The important question is whether the version sold at Costco actually delivers on that expectation.
How Costco’s Jamaican Blue Mountain Tastes
At the time of testing, Costco’s 100% Jamaican Blue Mountain (Lawes Estate) was not available in the U.S. In the UK, that same 453g bag sells for about £31.49, or roughly $42 per pound.
Because we could not get Costco’s 100% version, we purchased the closest available alternative we could find: Jamaica Coffee Trading Co. 100% Jamaican Blue Mountain. This bag cost $40 for 8 ounces — the equivalent of $80 per pound, or about $5.00 per ounce. While significantly more expensive than Costco’s offering, it was the nearest 100% Jamaican Blue Mountain we could obtain for a direct tasting.
We prepared it as a medium roast in a French press (40 grams, roughly four-minute steep).
On the nose: Milk chocolate with a noticeable earthy quality. The aroma was pleasant but relatively simple.
In the cup: A mild bitterness showed up early and lingered on the palate. Main flavors were predominantly earthy and mushroom, with a faint milk chocolate. The finish was reasonably long, but it ended with bitterness rather than a clean aftertaste.
Overall, the cup came across as one-dimensional and did not deliver the refined, low-bitterness profile that genuine Jamaican Blue Mountain is known for.
The Roast Date Problem
One of the most important factors in good coffee is freshness. Roasted coffee begins to lose quality after a few weeks, and by 30 days or more it often starts tasting noticeably flatter or more bitter.
The Jamaica Coffee Trading Co. bag we tested did not show a roast date. Instead, it only listed a “use by” date of February 19, 2027. We tasted it in July 2026. A use-by date that far in the future, with no roast date listed, makes it impossible to know how old the coffee actually is.
This is a common issue with many packaged coffees, including a lot of what is sold in large retail stores. Without a clear roast date, you have no reliable way to judge freshness. Even high-quality beans can taste disappointing if they have been sitting too long
A Better-Value Alternative
Authentic Jamaican Blue Mountain has a strong reputation for smoothness, but it usually costs $40–$100+ per pound. Costco’s much cheaper versions raise real questions about what you’re actually getting — especially when it’s a 10% blend with limited transparency.
In our experience, high-quality Costa Rican coffee from the Tarrazú region delivers the same core qualities most people want from Blue Mountain: smoothness, low bitterness, and a clean cup — at a far more realistic price. We source and roast these beans ourselves after tasting dozens of samples each year.
For everyday drinking, it’s simply the stronger value.
Costco Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee FAQ
Why is Costco’s version so much cheaper?
Authentic 100% Jamaican Blue Mountain is limited in supply and usually sells for $40–$100 per pound. When a product with that name is offered at a much lower price, it is often a blend or sourced differently. The lower price is the first signal that it may not be the same product as premium estate Jamaican Blue Mountain.
How does Costco’s Jamaican Blue Mountain taste?
In our testing of a comparable 100% Jamaican Blue Mountain, the coffee showed milk chocolate and earthy notes but also carried a noticeable bitterness and a one-dimensional profile. It did not deliver the clean, refined smoothness that the name is known for.
Does it have a roast date?
Many versions, including the one we tested, do not show a clear roast date. They often only list a “use by” date far in the future. Without a roast date, it is difficult to know how fresh the coffee actually is.
Is Costco’s Jamaican Blue Mountain worth buying?
It depends on your expectations. If you simply want a cheap bag of coffee with the Jamaican Blue Mountain name on it, some people are fine with it. If you are specifically looking for the smooth, low-bitterness character that authentic Jamaican Blue Mountain is known for, it is usually disappointing for the money.
What is a better alternative?
High-quality coffee from Costa Rica’s Tarrazú region often delivers the same core qualities — smoothness and low bitterness — at a much more realistic price. For everyday drinking, it tends to offer better value.
Want to explore more tips on beans?
Meet Russell & Alisha Volz
At Lake City Coffee Roasters, we roast every Tuesday and ship the same day so your coffee arrives fresh. Alisha’s professionally trained palate (wine–sommelier) helps us select the smoothest, lowest-acid beans from Costa Rica’s Tarrazú region each year. You can also read more about how we got started in this Spokesman-Review feature.
If you’re looking for coffee that tastes great and is easy on your stomach, you’re in the right place.
“This is What $25 Coffee Looks Like.” — Russell & Alisha
Roast/Ship Same Day
Farm Direct
Single Origin
Fully Traciable
What Our Customers Are Saying
Great coffee starts with great beans. This article will cover my personal and professional review of Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee Costco. This review is the straight up truth with no BS. The only axe being ground here is where to find great coffee.
What Is Great Coffee?
In my personal and professional opinion, great coffee must be smooth as silk with zero bitterness and not over roasted, i.e., if the bean’s black then it’s not worth feeding to pigs. Great coffee isn’t about the caffeine. For me, great coffee is a comfort food. It makes me relax and enjoy the experience.
By my definition of great coffee, that pretty much eliminates all the large industrial coffee companies like Kirkland, Yuban, Hills Brothers, Folgers, and as well as all the small local coffee roasters trying to become the next Charbucks.
Only Two kinds of Coffee Plants: Robusta and Arabica
Robusta Coffee Beans
Robusta coffee plants are very prolific, growing dang near anywhere near the equator. It takes next to zero effort to cultivate and grow these plants. They’re easy to harvest and even easier to process. The most appealing thing about Robusta is that it is dirt cheap. The downside is that it’s bitter as hell and the taste is pretty much one dimensional. To say that Robusta coffee tastes nasty is an understatement.
The world’s largest producer of Robusta beans is Vietnam. And the world’s largest buyer of Robusta beans is the large industrial coffee companies in the United States, i.e., Charbucks and their ilk.
Arabica Coffee Beans
Arabica coffee plants make great coffee beans that taste amazing. The rub is that Arabica Coffee plants are finicky to grow. They need soil that’s rather acidic. The better beans come from plants that are growing above 1,000 meters in elevation. Additionally, arabica plants like a little shade. The real pain here is that these plants almost always grow on farms with very steep terrain. Can you imagine picking berries from plans growing on a 40% inclined slope?
There certainly is a number of hardships to overcome when it comes to growing Arabica Coffee Beans. BUT the end result is often a bean far superior to Robusta beans. Generally speaking fresh roasted Arabica beans are smooth tasting with a whole variety of different flavor notes.
Premium Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee Review
The real-deal Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee has a reputation for being smooth with very little, if any, bitterness. For the pleasure of drinking this purported premium coffee, you can expect to shell out $40 to $100 per pound.
As a coffee roaster, I can receive samples of just about any green bean that I want. With the bean being green, I can roast it exactly the way I like it; low-n-slow to a medium-dark color, thus preserving the bean’s natural oils. These oils are where all the bioflavonoids, antioxidants, caffeine, and flavor reside. Thus, my unique style of roasting bringing out the best flavor in the coffee beans. I roast all of my beans this way, including Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee beans.
After taste testing some of the best and most expensive, medium roasted, Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, I can confidently say it’s smooth, flavorful, and WAY overpriced. Here at Lake City Coffee, we source only beans from the Tarrazu region of Costa Rica. Why? Because it’s as good and most often better than Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee AND at a fraction of the price.
What Is Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee by Costco
Speaking of price, you can find Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee at Costco for a mere $9.00 per pound. If everyone else is selling Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee for $40 – $100 per pound, how on earth can Costco sell it for $9.00. Personally, I can tell you that my company’s wholesale price for Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee beans is $28 per pound. Again, how can Costco sell it at retail for $9.00?
The answer is pretty simple. They can’t. Costco is NOT selling 100% Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee. They are selling a blend of half a dozen different beans grown from a number of countries around the Caribbean. This blend, most likely has less than 5% Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee.
Reviewing Costco’s Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee
Reviewing Costco’s Jamaican Blue Mountain CoffeeHow does Costco’s Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee stand up to the real thing? As stated earlier, genuine 100% Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is very good; smooth, expensive as hell, yet flavorful.
On the other hand, Costco’s Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is a “BLEND” and it doesn’t taste anything like 100% Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee. In fact, Costco’s Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee tastes little different than any other large industrial coffee company’s burnt and bitter coffee.
Roast Date
One of the most important factors in great coffee is when the roasted coffee is fresh. By fresh, I mean that the beans were roasted less than 30 days ago. After 30 days, roasted coffee beans start going stale, i.e. bitter. No amount of space-age packaging can change this fact.
Fresh roasted coffee will always beat old stale coffee, regardless of where the beans originated. Therefore, do not buy any coffee that doesn’t have a roast date. Yet, Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee by Costco does not prominently show its roast date. Most coffee sold in America has been sitting in warehouses and on store shelves for months if not years. I’m afraid, this is also true of Costco’s Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee.
Customer Review – John of Sun City AZ (Sep 13th, 2021)
Well, I got my Lake City Coffee (Costa Rican) a little bit ago. My favorite coffee in the world prior to tonight was Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee from country traders. But at $44 plus shipping a bag it is out of my price range for a daily drink. Well, I will say that your coffee is actually better than blue mountain at less than half the price. Thank you.
I hope that you are proud of the coffee that you have created. It is wonderful. Thanks and I will be ordering more in a few weeks after I drink this. I will be mentioning this coffee to my friends and probably to a forum that I am on also. Great work.
I’m a true “coffee snob” according to my brother. I was looking for the best coffee and found Lake City Coffee. I’m telling you, if you pass on trying this coffee, it’s your loss! This is truly 5 star coffee.
If you like true Jamaican Blue Mountain, you’ll love this coffee.
Lake City Coffee
Alisha (my lovely wife and business partner) and I love coffee that’s super smooth . We believe that the smoothest and most flavorful beans are grown in the Tarrazu region of Costa Rica. This is from where we source all our beans.
To make doubly sure our coffee is super smooth, we roast low-n-slow to preserve the bean’s oils, then we ship our roasted beans the same day. With the best beans that money can buy and making sure they’re on your table in less than 72 hours, we can confidently say, Lake City Coffee is the best whole bean coffee that you’re likely to find anywhere.