Starbucks Komodo Dragon Blend®, Whole Bean Coffee (1lb)

I started using this coffee and was enjoying it, but I felt like I could pay less and get an equivalent coffee. Maybe one can, but I was unable to. Here are some of the differences I noticed between Starbucks Espresso Roast Whole Bean coffee and some other coffees I tried.The first thing I notice in a coffee bean is its aroma upon opening the package. Starbucks Espresso Roast always smells wonderful, smooth, and enticing. Other beans I tried smelled less appetizing. Simply smelling kind of unpleasant is common. Some coffees smell harsh with an acute bitterness about them. Some smelled musty or dusty. I’m not a connoisseur, so probably cannot adequately describe flavors and aromas, but then again, flavor and aroma notes always seem pretentious and fall short of my flavor experience.The next thing I notice is the bean itself. Starbucks beans are uniform in color and oiliness (sheen), while other coffees I tried had great variances in bean color and sheen. I don’t know for sure, but this seems to be a quality issue such as inconsistent roasting parameters or just simply allowing a greater range of bean to pass QC standards. Whatever it is, it’s a turn off. Starbucks beans look better. Another aspect of this is the whole bean to broken bean ratio, where Starbucks coffee has a greater percentage of whole beans per package than the cheaper products I bought. I don’t know if this affects bean taste or freshness or any other aspect of the bean, but it doesn’t look nice.Next thing noticed is how it grinds. Starbucks coffee seems uniform in color where others were varied, specifically regarding what I took to be the husks or skins of the beans, like chaff.Finally, the most important factor: taste. Starbucks tastes good. Smooth with a bit of an acidic bite. Cheap coffees I tried tasted much like they smelled, with bitter coming to mind most often, along with what I can only describe as “dusty”.Starbucks is good coffee. There surely may be better coffees, but they will be more expensive and that’s not where I’m headed. Enjoy!

I like the dark roast because it has taste, I will get again.

This coffee is absolutely the best for making cold brew. Very smooth and robust....hints of dark chocolate and some sweetness. I drink it everyday. Their is an added bonus in knowing cold brew does not stain your teeth.

Best coffee quality for the money i have found. Ive always thought Starbucks coffee was mid from the cafe but this is the best i found for homemade coffee.

Cafe Verona beans are definitely fresh and strong tasting. Easy to grind up as well. Not too expensive either!

This is absolutely my favorite coffee. Had a bold, flavorful taste that’s not bitter. I know I’m drinking a great cup of coffee.

Coffee is great,Went back to buy more amazon out of coffee and price on other amazon coffee sky high

Starbucks dark roast is one of our home staples. It’s always a quality product with a smooth taste. Did you know that darker roasts tend to have lower acidity? I used to buy lighter roasts thinking I was doing my stomach a favor. Then I came across several articles about how darker roasts have a lower acidity, and that rings true with this dark roast. It always tastes great. I like ordering multiple 12 oz packs from Amazon as it is less expensive than my local grocery store.