You’re standing in the middle of a Costco warehouse, staring at a massive 2.5-pound bag of whole-bean coffee. It’s cheap. It looks professional. But the nagging question always hits: who actually roasted this? Honestly, if you’ve been buying the Kirkland House Blend for years because of that "Custom Roasted by Starbucks" logo on the bag, I have some news that might make your morning brew taste a little different.
As of early 2026, the landscape of Costco’s coffee aisle has shifted. The famous green siren logo—the one that guaranteed Starbucks was the hand behind the roast—has largely vanished from Kirkland Signature packaging.
This isn't just a design change. It’s a supply chain mystery that has sent regular shoppers into a bit of a tailspin. While Costco is notoriously tight-lipped about their "private label" partners, the clues left on the bags (and some corporate breadcrumbs) tell a much more interesting story than just a single brand name.
The Starbucks Breakup? What We Know Right Now
For over a decade, the relationship between Starbucks and Kirkland was the worst-kept secret in retail. It was literally printed on the bag. If you bought the Kirkland House Blend, Espresso Blend, or Decaf, you were essentially getting Starbucks beans at a warehouse discount.
But things changed around late 2024 and throughout 2025.
If you look at a bag of Kirkland Signature House Blend today, you’ll notice the Starbucks name is gone. Gone. It’s been replaced by a much more generic "Kirkland Signature" branding. Does this mean Starbucks stopped roasting for Costco? Not necessarily, but it definitely means the formal, co-branded partnership has evolved—or ended. Rumors from industry insiders and shifts in Costco's online listings suggest that while Starbucks might still fulfill some legacy contracts, Costco is diversifying.
They don't like being beholden to one giant supplier. That’s just not how they play the game.
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The Secret Players: Who Else Is In The Roaster?
If Starbucks isn't the sole source anymore, who else is in the mix? You have to look at the specific type of coffee to find the real answer. Costco doesn't just use one company for everything; they treat their coffee like a portfolio.
1. San Francisco Bay Coffee (Rogers Family Co.)
This is the big one most people miss. If you are a fan of the Kirkland Signature Colombian Supremo, you aren’t drinking Starbucks. You’re likely drinking beans from the Rogers Family Company, better known by their brand name, San Francisco Bay Coffee.
They’ve been a long-term partner for Costco's single-origin programs. Unlike the dark, oily roasts associated with the "Charbucks" nickname, Rogers tends to focus on a slightly more nuanced profile. If your coffee bag mentions high-altitude Colombian beans from specific regions like Medellín, you’re looking at their handiwork.
2. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (Keurig Dr Pepper)
Think about those Kirkland Signature K-Cups. You know, the Pacific Bold or the Breakfast Blend? Those aren't being roasted in a Costco basement. Since 2012, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters has held the contract for those pods. Even as Keurig merged with Dr Pepper, the relationship stayed intact. If you’re a pod user, you’re essentially drinking Green Mountain tech with Kirkland-sourced beans.
3. The Enveritas Confusion
Recently, a new name started appearing on bags: Enveritas. People on Reddit went wild, thinking this was a new roaster from California or some boutique startup.
Let's clear that up: Enveritas doesn't roast coffee.
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They are a non-profit that verifies sustainability. Seeing their logo on a Kirkland bag is actually a good sign—it means Costco is paying for third-party audits to ensure their farmers aren't being exploited. It’s a "gold standard" for ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals, but it won't tell you who actually turned the beans brown.
Why the Secrecy?
It’s all about the margins. Basically, Costco wants to provide a product that is "national brand quality or better" at a price that makes you feel like you’re winning.
If they keep the roaster a secret, they have more leverage. If Starbucks wants to raise prices, Costco can quietly shift the contract to a massive regional roaster in New Jersey or California without the average customer noticing a change in the logo. It's business, plain and simple.
But let’s talk quality for a second. There is a common misconception that "private label" means "leftovers." In Costco's case, it’s usually the opposite. They often demand higher specs than the brand-name equivalent. For example, their Kirkland French Roast is Rainforest Alliance Certified—a standard that not even every Starbucks-branded bag on the shelf meets.
Decoding Your Specific Bag
If you want to play detective next time you're in the warehouse, check the "Origin" and "Certification" labels. Here is a quick cheat sheet for what’s currently on the shelves in 2026:
- Kirkland Signature Espresso Blend: Historically Starbucks. Since the logo disappeared, the flavor profile remains "dark and oily," suggesting they may still be using a similar high-volume commercial roaster, though the official "Starbucks" stamp is retired.
- Kirkland Signature Organic Sumatra: Sourced through cooperatives in the Aceh region of Indonesia. This is often handled by specialized organic importers rather than the big-name "Siren."
- Kirkland Signature 100% Colombian (Ground): Primarily sourced through large-scale Colombian cooperatives, with San Francisco Bay Coffee frequently cited as the primary processing partner.
Is It Still "Good" Coffee?
Honestly? It depends on what you like.
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If you enjoy the traditional "Second Wave" style of coffee—bold, dark, smoky, and consistent—Kirkland is unbeatable for the price. You’re paying roughly $0.30 to $0.40 per ounce, whereas "Third Wave" specialty roasters like Stumptown or Blue Bottle can easily run you $1.50 per ounce.
The downside? Freshness. Costco coffee rarely has a "Roasted On" date. It has a "Best By" date. In the coffee world, those are two very different things. A "Best By" date usually means the coffee was roasted months ago. If you’re a coffee snob who needs beans roasted within the last 14 days, Kirkland isn't for you. But if you just want a reliable cup that doesn't taste like battery acid, it's hard to find a better value.
Actionable Insights for the Savvy Shopper
Don't just grab the first red bag you see. To get the best out of your Kirkland coffee, follow these rules:
- Check the Roast Level: The "House Blend" is actually quite dark, despite being labeled as medium. If you want a true medium, go for the Colombian Supremo.
- Look for the Certifications: If you see the Fair Trade or Rainforest Alliance logo, you're getting a higher grade of bean that has been vetted for ethical standards.
- Buy Whole Bean: This is the single most important tip. Ground coffee loses its flavor profile within days of opening. Buying the 2.5lb bag of whole beans and grinding them at home (or using the industrial grinder at the front of the store) will significantly improve the taste.
- Storage is Key: Once you break that vacuum seal, the clock is ticking. Don't leave it in the giant bag. Transfer what you'll use in a week to an airtight container and keep it in a cool, dark place. Never put it in the freezer—that's a myth that actually ruins the oils in the bean.
The "mystery" of who makes Kirkland coffee is really just a testament to Costco's ability to source from the best in the business without charging you for the marketing budget. Whether it's Starbucks, Rogers, or a massive unnamed roaster, the quality control remains one of the tightest in the grocery industry.
Next Steps:
Go check the bottom or back of your current Kirkland coffee bag. Look for a "packaged in" or "distributed by" location. If it mentions California, you're likely drinking a Rogers Family roast. If it's still tasting exceptionally "smoky" and dark, you're likely drinking the legacy Starbucks-style profile. Keep an eye on the "Certified Organic" labels, as those specific blends are the ones currently seeing the most frequent supplier rotations.