Coffee beans, tea, capsules: how to buy well, including in bulk
Start with how you will brew
The way you brew sets the format. A coffee machine takes beans, a moka pot or a filter wants finer ground coffee, and capsule systems (Nespresso, Dolce Gusto) need compatible capsules. Instant coffee and drip bags are a compromise for speed. If you buy beans but only need a little ground coffee, it is better to grind just before brewing.
What hides behind the label
- Arabica gives a more complex taste and some acidity; robusta is stronger, with more caffeine and thick crema. Many espresso blends combine them.
- Single origin is coffee from one region, valued for its distinct profile; a blend is a mix for a steady taste.
- Roast: light highlights acidity, medium is balanced, dark is more bitter and fuller.
- Freshness matters more than the brand: look at the roast date, not just the best-before date.
Tea is similar: black, green, herbal or matcha differ not only in taste but in how you brew them. Leaf tea is usually better than bagged "dust" tea, but it needs a strainer.
What to put in your request
- product — beans, ground, instant, capsules, drip bags, type of tea;
- variety and roast — share of arabica, region, light or dark roast;
- brand, if you have already chosen, for example Lavazza;
- quantity — kilograms, packs or capsules;
- brewing method — coffee machine, moka pot, filter, capsule system;
- freshness — freshly roasted, minimum shelf life left;
- one-off or regular — for example monthly for an office;
- delivery city and budget.
Example: “I need 3 kg of coffee beans, 100% arabica, medium roast, for an automatic coffee machine in an office. Freshly roasted, every month. Courier delivery to Johannesburg, budget up to R 410 per kg.”
How it works on BlaBlaPrice
You don't need to study dozens of websites. You describe what you need on the home page, and coffee and tea sellers and roasters reply in the chat with offers: what exactly, the price per kilogram, when they will ship, and whether there is a discount for regular supply. The best offer by content is shown first, with seller reviews beside it.
Sellers can see where their offer stands and compete for your request. Your phone number is not shown to everyone: only the seller you choose gets your contacts. More on the How it works page.
How to compare offers
Count the price per kilogram, not per pack: packs of 250 g, 500 g and 1 kg are hard to compare any other way. Ask for the roast date and the terms of regular supply. For an office or a cafe, agree on a trial batch before you take a large quantity. For capsules, check they fit your machine.
If you are buying something tasty to go with coffee, also see honey and bee products or groceries.
