House Blend Coffee: Definition, Taste, and Best Beans
Updated - Team Colipse
House blend coffee refers to a coffee blend made by a coffee shop or roaster for everyday drinking. House blend coffee combines beans from different origins to create a balanced flavor. House blend coffee delivers balanced flavor with medium body and notes of sweetness, nuttiness, and earthiness. House blend coffee contains moderate caffeine levels and a balanced flavor, making it milder than darker or specialty roasts.
The best house blend coffee beans are freshly roasted, specialty-grade beans with a balanced flavor profile, affordable pricing, and wide availability in grocery stores. To find them, select your ideal flavor profile, verify recent roast dates, and ensure airtight packaging to maintain freshness. The best alternatives to house blend coffee beans include breakfast, Colombian, and dark roast blends for their balance flavor, acidity, and aroma.
What is House Blend Coffee?
House blend coffee is a type of coffee blend that combines beans from different origins to create a consistent flavor profile. The term "house blend coffee" lacks a strict industry definition, allowing brands to create unique signatures coffee blends. Coffee shops and roasters create house blends to represent their style and provide customers with a reliable everyday coffee.
House blend coffee is typically roasted to a medium or dark level. The roast level of house blend coffee depends on the beans used and the flavor profile the brand wants to create. For example, Maxwell House Breakfast Blend is the light roast house blend with a smooth, bright flavor profile. Kirkland House Blend Coffee from Costco is a medium roast coffee that delivers smooth balance with a rich flavor and aroma. Peet’s House Blend coffee is a dark roast made from Latin American beans with notes of spice, citrus, and toast. Colipse House Blend coffee is a dark roast coffee made with 100% Arabica beans.
House blend coffee beans are primarily made of Arabica (Coffea arabica) for a smooth and balanced flavor. Some blends include a small percentage of Robusta (Coffea canephora) to enhance body and crema, especially in espresso-style roasts. For example, A 2024 study published in Proceedings by Mariano Peluso found that house coffee blends in Italy vary by region due to cultural and historical traditions. Northern Italy prefers light Arabica blends with mild acidity and sweetness, while Southern Italy favors dark Robusta blends with bold bitterness and dense crema.
What Does House Blend Coffee Mean?
House coffee blend is a marketing term used for branding to create familiarity with customers. The meaning of house blend coffee varies by roaster or café. A house blend coffee often means a reliable all-day drinking coffee, a mass-produced mix of random beans, or a custom blend roasted to represent the coffee shop’s flavor profile. Some house blends are created by coffee brands who mix leftover beans. Other house blends are carefully developed by roasters to produce a signature flavor.
Taylor Fields from Nostalgia Coffee in San Diego describes house blend coffee as "do it all" blend designed for all types of coffee drinkers from newbies to connoisseurs. Josh de Jong from Battlecreek Coffee describes house blend coffee as a "nimble, crowd-pleasing blend" designed for versatility across espresso, cold brew, pourovers, and batch brew.
The concept of house blend coffee originated in 19th-century Europe. Historically, cafés in Italy and France created signature coffee blends to match local tastes. Peet’s Coffee introduced its own house blend in 1966. Starbucks popularized house blends in the United States in 1971. Peet’s House Blend and Starbucks Pike Place Roast became consistent, recognizable flavor.
What Does House Blend Coffee Taste Like?
House blend coffee tastes balanced with a medium body and a mix of sweet, nutty, and slightly earthy tones. House blend coffee delivers a balanced flavor with notes of hazelnut, citrus, and a crisp finish. A good house blend coffee delivers versatile flavor that tastes excellent black or with milk and sugar. To achieve a balanced flavor, house blends often combine beans from different regions, and each region contributes unique characteristics.
Not all house blend coffee tastes the same. Each coffee brand creates its own blend using beans from different regions and roast levels. For example, Brazilian beans create chocolatey sweetness and smooth texture. Ethiopian dry-processed beans like Sidamo and Harar add bright, fruity complexity that defines the house blend’s liveliness. Sumatran beans contribute earthy richness and a heavy body, grounding the blend with balance and depth.
Is House Blend Coffee Strong?
No, house blend coffee is generally not considered strong. It's designed to be a balanced and versatile option, not overly bold or intense. House blend coffee has a moderate level of bitterness, body, and caffeine content, making it suitable for a wide range of tastes.
How Much Caffeine is in House Blend Coffee?
An 8-ounce cup of house blend coffee typically contains between 80 to 120 milligrams (mg) of caffeine. Caffeine levels in house blend coffee vary by bean type, brewing method, and serving size. Coffee chains often serve stronger blends, while instant house blends usually contain less caffeine.
For example, a 2017 study from Addis Ababa University found that a Starbucks House Blend Coffee contains approximately 129.5 mg of caffeine in an 8-ounce serving. Similarly, a 2004 article from the Wall Street Journal reported that Central Analytical Laboratories showed 8-ounce Dunkin’ Donuts house blend has 87 milligrams of caffeine, and 70.5 milligrams in 7-Eleven house blend coffee.
The following table compares the caffeine content of various house blend coffees from major brands.
| Coffee | Caffeine Content (mg per 8 oz cup) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Folgers Coffee House Blend | 112 mg | Average for brewed Folgers House Blend; varies 95–120 mg based on brewing. |
| Seattle's Best Coffee House Blend | 173 mg | Scaled from 260 mg per 12 oz brewed |
| Gevalia Coffee House Blend | 95 mg | Standard for medium roast Arabica brewed coffee. |
| Member's Mark House Blend Coffee | 95 mg | Average for medium roast blends; ranges 90–120 mg per 8 oz. |
| Rituals House Blend Coffee | 95 mg | Average for medium roast |
| Lavazza House Blend Coffee | 90 mg | Average for Lavazza medium roast blends brewed as drip coffee; ranges 80–100 mg. |
| City Steam House Blend Coffee Pods | 100 mg | Typical for single-serve pods (non-Keurig); ranges 75–150 mg per 8 oz brew. |
| Kirkland House Blend Coffee | 95 mg | Average for medium roast brewed Arabica (roasted by Starbucks); ranges 80-120 mg per 8 oz. |
| Nescafe House Blend Instant Coffee | 65 mg | For 1 tsp in 8 oz water, varies 50-90 mg. |
Is House Blend Coffee Good for You?
Yes, House blend coffee is good for you when consumed in moderation. A 2003 study by Rachel R McCusker published in Journal of Analytical Toxicology found that drinking three to four cups of house blend coffee daily improved mood and cognition without excess risk and lowered the risk of type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease through caffeine and antioxidants. A 2006 study Crozier et al. publihsed in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition found that moderate consumption of house blend coffee (3–4 cups per day) lowered chronic disease risk by 11–58%. The review showed no cancer increase, but unfiltered blends raised cholesterol through diterpenes.
What are the Best House Blend Coffee Beans?
The best house blend coffee beans are freshly roasted, specialty-grade beans with a balanced flavor profile, affordable pricing, and wide availability in grocery stores. However, not all house blends are created equal because beans differ in origin, roast level, bean variety, and processing method. Some of the best house blend coffees combine Brazilian beans for a chocolatey base, Colombian beans for a smooth body, and Ethiopian beans for a fruity acidity. The following list shows which house blend coffee beans are considered the best.
- Colipse Six House Blend
- Maas Coffee House Blend
- Metropolis Coffee House Blend
- Goodboybob Coffee
- Kirkland House Blend Coffee
1. Colipse Six House Blend
Colipse Six House Blend Coffee is a dark roast coffee made of specialty grade Arabica beans from six regions. Colipse Six House Blend ranks among the best house blend coffee because it uses freshly roasted beans prepared to order in small batches. The coffee features non-oily beans, ideal for optimal performance in super automatic bean-to-cup coffee machines, as well as drip makers, French presses, and Moka pots. Colipse Six delivers layered chocolate, magnolia, and spice aromas. It offers a full-bodied flavor with balanced acidity and light bitterness. Colipse Six House Blend Coffee is available on the brand’s website in 12 oz, 16 oz, and 5 lb bags. The coffee comes in whole bean, coarse, medium, and fine grinds. The site sells a 12 oz bag for $22.99 with free shipping and offers up to a 40% discount on larger bags.
2. Maas Coffee House Blend
Maas House Blend by Maas Coffee Roasters is a medium roast coffee. It consists of a blend of quality beans that the roaster selects. This coffee won a Golden Bean Award in the house blend category. Maas House Blend coffee has a fruity and creamy taste with berry and spice notes. It features a smooth body and a clean, sweet finish. Maas House Blend comes in 5 lb and 10 lb bags priced at $95 for a 5 lb bag. Roasters produce it every Tuesday. The coffee suits home brewers and office setups and works with pour over, cold brew, and espresso machines.
3. Metropolis Coffee House Blend
Metropolis Coffee House Blend is a medium-dark roast blend of washed Colombian coffees. It has a 92-point rating from Coffee Review. The blend uses premium beans from Colombia with notes of dark chocolate, vanilla wafers, and pecans. It offers a sweet structure with mild acidity. The coffee has a delicate and velvety mouthfeel. It finishes with notes of cedar and almond. This coffee comes in 10.5 oz and 12 oz bags and sells for $12.95 per 12 oz bag on the Metropolis website. Customers can choose whole bean or ground options.
4. Goodboybob Coffee
Goodboybob Coffee Roasters crafts its House Blend as a medium roast made from premium beans grown in Brazil’s Minas Gerais and Ethiopia’s Sidamo regions. The blend is roasted in Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach and earned a Bronze Medal at the Golden Bean Award. Goodboybob Coffee Roasters House Blend delivers a balanced medium roast with flavors of dark chocolate, roasted nuts, red apple, and butterscotch. It has a sweet, clean taste and low acidity. Enjoy it black, as espresso, or with milk. Sold in 12 oz bags for $20, each batch ships freshly roasted to order.
5. Kirkland House Blend Coffee
Kirkland House Blend Coffee is a medium roast whole bean coffee from Colombian origins. The coffee is roasted by Starbucks and uses standard processing. Kirkland House Blend coffee provides consistent quality, reliable sourcing, and everyday affordability. A 2.5-lb bag costs approximately $12–13 at Costco. It suits home baristas and everyday drinkers who use French press, cold brew, or espresso machines.
How to Choose the Best House Blend Coffee?
To choose the best house blend coffee, follow the seven steps below.
- Identify your preferred flavor profile to choose the best house blend coffee.
- Pair bold, chocolatey notes with dark roasts suited for espresso or cold brew.
- Select medium roasts for balanced flavor and mild sweetness, ideal for drip coffee.
- Check the roast date and packaging to confirm freshness.
- Buy whole beans from specialty coffee roasters that roast to order.
- Explore Latin American blends such as Colombian-Brazilian for chocolate and nut flavors, or Nicaraguan for fruity acidity.
- Compare prices across roasters and factor in shipping costs and order minimums.
What is the Best Place to Buy House Blend Coffee?
Colipse Coffee is the best place to buy House Blend coffee. At Colipse Coffee, we roast our House Blend in small batches using six premium Arabica beans from six regions. We ensure freshness with roasted-to-order batches, non-oily beans ideal for espresso machines, and free U.S. shipping. Each cup delivers dark chocolate, magnolia, and spice flavors with a smooth, balanced body.
How Does House Blend Compare to Other Coffee Blends?
The main difference between House Blend and other popular coffee blends lies in roast level and flavor balance. House Blend is medium-roasted, offering smooth, balanced notes of cocoa and nuts. Breakfast Blend is lighter with bright acidity. Dark, French, and Espresso blends are bolder and smokier, while Veranda is mild and soft. Pike Place Roast is similar but slightly richer.
What is the Difference between the House Blend and the French Roast?
House blend and French roast differ in roast level and flavor. House blend is medium to dark roasted with a balanced, mild flavor. French roast is extra dark roasted, bolder, smoky, and slightly bitter with less acidity.
What is the Difference between the House Blend and the Colombian Coffee?
The primary difference between House Blend and Colombian coffee is flavor and cost. House Blend offers a smooth, balanced taste with mild acidity, while Colombian coffee has a brighter, fruitier flavor and stronger aroma. Coffee beans from Colombia are usually more expensive due to higher quality and origin certification.
What is the Difference between House Blend and Dark Roast?
The main difference between house blend and dark roast coffee is the flavor and roast level. House blend offers a balanced flavor profile with medium-dark roast characteristics, while dark roast provides a bolder, richer taste due to its longer roasting process. Both vary in caffeine content and acidity based on the roasting duration.