GroundworkCOFFEE CO Holiday Blend, 12 OZ

I know a thing or two about coffee. I'm kind of a snob about it. I apologize for that in advance.I always like to try new things, and I was a few bucks short of qualifying for free delivery on my Whole Foods order. I added a bag of coffee beans to qualify.I typically buy coffee from local roasters here in Arizona. For coffee snobs like me, that's the competition.I was impressed out of the gate because the coffee had an expiration date, which is pretty rare in the coffee world (but is becoming more common). With an expiration date of May 1, it looks like I got my coffee beans when they were only a couple of weeks old. Bonus.I used a pour over to brew this coffee. My first cup was interesting. It was smooth, I'll give it that. But it was also weak, and it lacked any defining characteristic or flavor.I tried brewing my second cup with about 25% more grounds. The result? A bitterness that I really don't like came through, and it's still kind of weak.The coffee doesn't taste stale. That will immediately earn a 1-star rating from me. It just tastes like they used lackluster beans to start with, and that may just be a side effect of a seasonal brew like this one.So now comes my coffee snob edit. The beans were good and fresh. The flavor was on the savory side with just a hint of tannin. The interesting part is that the coffee itself did not have any of the bitterness or grittiness that typically accompanies a coffee with this flavor profile. That's how I can tell it's good coffee. It's just not my cup of coffee.I'll try these guys again. I'll look for a single-origin from one of my favorite countries, and I'll see how it compares to my favorites. On a blend like this, it's difficult to tell what the roasters had in mind. For this one, it's almost like they were going for an unobjectionable brew that would be widely satisfying without adding any special flavors that might be off-putting to some. I can see how that flavor would be appealing to a lot of folks. For me? I'll drink this. It'll be weak, but I'll drink it. It was very uninspiring, though, and I'll need to make sure I have another bean in the kitchen so that I can take a break every couple of days.

I lived right down the street from this Venice California coffee house, where they even roasted it on the premises, for 20 years, and only discovered this coffee a couple months ago at a different restaurant. It's literally the best coffee ever and I can't believe I only discovered it recently.Here's the conversation I had the first time I drank it...and it was the decaf, which is just as good as the regular:"Omg, is this what all coffee is supposed to taste like?""I think so.""Why doesn't all coffee taste like this?""I don't know"Try it!! Their espresso is also amazing!

Received expired coffee and ineligible to return for my money back - not cool!

The Groundwork People are doing something illegal I swear!! Its just too good. The notes are so subtle on the Venice Blend and are just amazing on the palate. Hot or Cold Brew, just exceptional flavor but NOT the crappy chemical flavor you experience with the common Vanilla or Hazelnut dousing nastiness that is offered everywhere. This is some that "gourmet" coffee you may be looking for: The care, the quality, the love is all there in the bean and roast. I would be proud to work for this company, they make an exceptional product, the right way with respect for the community and world. This coffee is "self care" for people who love coffee! Wish they sold the Venice in the pound tin,(wink-wink, nudge-nudge) I buy way too many of these, but I could have worse habits.

So I Bought the Venice by accident but it wasn’t bad, this company makes good coffee either way. I’m not a fan of “fruity” coffees, so it’s not 5 Star. But the flavors are good, last long and strong (I use a French press if that matters). I meant to buy Bitch’s Brew, witch I highly recommend if you like Smokey coffee. I have been a fan of this company since I went to the actually GroundWorks Coffee in LA near my college. So which ever one you buy i don’t think it will be disappointing!Although I will say its a shame I live so close to the actual store but I can only buy the bags on amazon. I bought one bag in Vons a 1yr ago but have never been able to find it again but on here and maybe trade.com, but it’s price is marked up.

This is the worst coffee we have ever tasted...actually it didn't even taste like coffee.....we ground it ourselves right before brewing-- it was easily within the "best before__ "date. It was not drinkable so I threw it away. A total waste.

I've searched high and low for light roast decaf beans that are organic. Finally I found Angel City from Groundwork. It's excellent!

4 stars because it's pretty good for decaf, but the price is high. I have found the Kroger Simple Truth organic decaf is just as good (maybe better) and a lot cheaper.