Costa Coffee beans: blends and roasts

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Costa Coffee beans come from the brand founded in London by the brothers Sergio and Bruno Costa, who took Italian coffee as their model. Our Costa coffee beans include the Signature Blend, Mocha Italia in a medium and a dark roast, the Character Bright Blend, the Caffè Crema Original Blend, a Brazilian single origin and a Colombian roast, most of them in 1 kg bags.

The Costa range at a glance

Signature Blend Medium Roast (1 kg): Arabica and Robusta for a full, rounded cup with notes of caramel and a light chocolate finish.
Mocha Italia, Medium Roast and Dark Roast (1 kg): also Arabica and Robusta, inspired by Italian coffee. A little more robust than the Signature Blend, with roasted-nut notes and a solid body.
Character Bright Blend Medium Roast (1 kg): lighter in character, with fresher notes and a lighter body. A good choice for filter coffee or a long black.
Caffè Crema Original Blend (1 kg): a blend for caffè crema, the long coffee with a layer of crema on top.
Brazilian Single Origin Dark Roast (1 kg): beans from one country, roasted dark.
Colombian Roast (500 g): a single origin from Colombia, and the only Costa coffee here in a smaller bag.

Medium or dark roast?

Medium roast beans keep more acidity and show fruitier or nuttier notes. Dark roast beans are roasted longer and taste fuller, with lower acidity and more bitterness. Choose a medium roast for a softer cup and a dark roast for a powerful espresso or lungo. Mocha Italia is the easiest way to taste the difference, as it comes in both.

Blend or single origin?

Most Costa coffees are blends of Arabica and Robusta beans. Arabica brings aroma and a softer acidity; Robusta adds body, a firmer crema and more caffeine. The Brazilian and Colombian roasts are single origins: all the beans come from one country, so you taste that origin rather than a house style.

Who is it suitable for?

The beans work in espresso machines, bean-to-cup machines and manual brewers. With most varieties in 1 kg bags, Costa suits places where a lot of coffee is drunk:

Home users who make coffee every day with a bean-to-cup or espresso machine
Offices that want to offer a coffee brand people recognise
People who prefer Fairtrade-certified coffee

Quality & certifications

Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance

The Costa Signature Blend is Fairtrade certified, which means farmers receive a fair price for their harvest. Other variants carry the Rainforest Alliance seal, which stands for sustainable farming and protecting ecosystems. If that matters to you when you buy, Costa Coffee has certified options.

Fairtrade certified (Signature Blend variants)
Rainforest Alliance certified (selected variants)

Also worth a look

Like Italian-style blends of Arabica and Robusta? Lavazza also offers them in several roast levels.

Frequently asked questions about Costa Coffee beans

What is the difference between Costa Signature Blend and Mocha Italia?

The Signature Blend has a rounder, softer flavour with caramel notes, while Mocha Italia is slightly more robust with more body and nutty tones. Both are blends of Arabica and Robusta, but they differ in bean ratio and roast level. Mocha Italia is inspired by the classic Italian espresso style.

Where does Costa Coffee come from?

Costa Coffee was founded in 1971 in London by the Italian brothers Sergio and Bruno Costa. They started with a small roastery and later opened their first coffee bar. The brand grew into an internationally known coffee company with stores in dozens of countries.

How long do Costa coffee beans stay fresh?

Unopened Costa coffee beans are typically good for 12 to 18 months. After opening, they are best used within four to six weeks. Store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to preserve flavour.

How strong are Costa coffee beans?

Costa uses an intensity scale from 1 to 12. The Signature Blend medium roast scores an 8, the dark roast scores a 9, and the Character Roast also scores a 9 with a pronounced dark flavour. The Bright Blend is lighter and scores lower on the scale.

Are Costa coffee beans Fairtrade?

Some Signature Blend variants carry the Fairtrade mark. Other variants, such as Mocha Italia and Character Roast, are not always Fairtrade. Check the packaging or the product page for the exact certification of the variant you choose.