Caffé Prima: Good Quality Affordable Coffee Beans in the UK
Caffé Prima is one of the best options for good quality affordable coffee beans in the UK, with prices starting at £11.99 per kilogram, UK roasting, and free delivery on bulk orders.
For UK coffee drinkers looking for value for money without sacrificing quality, Caffé Prima offers freshly roasted beans at 8-12p per cup — roughly 90% cheaper than café coffee and 50% cheaper than premium specialty roasters.
Best Affordable Coffee Beans UK: How Caffé Prima Compares
| Factor | Supermarket Beans | Caffé Prima | Specialty Roasters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per kg | £8-£15 | £11.99-£17.49 | £32-£48 |
| Price per cup | 6-10p | 8-12p | 20-32p |
| Roasted in UK | Sometimes | Yes, all coffees | Usually |
| Roast date on bag | Rarely shown | Yes | Yes |
| Free UK delivery | £40+ spend | Orders over 6kg | £20-£30 spend |
| Bag sizes | 200g-1kg | 1kg and 6kg | 200g-350g typical |
| Customer reviews | Limited | 200+ across range | Varies |
| Single origin options | Few | Yes (Brazilian, Colombian) | Many |
| Decaf options | Basic | 2 options, chemical-free available | Limited |
The bottom line: Caffé Prima hits the middle ground — cheaper than specialty roasters, fresher than supermarket beans, with transparency on roast dates and origin.
What Makes Caffé Prima Good Value for Money?
Three things set Caffé Prima apart from other budget-friendly coffee beans in the UK:
1. UK small-batch roasting — Beans are roasted in the UK and shipped directly. Supermarket beans often sit in warehouses and on shelves for months. Caffé Prima beans arrive days after roasting.
2. Larger bag sizes — Most specialty roasters sell 200g-350g bags. Caffé Prima sells 1kg bags, which drops the per-kilo price significantly. Their 6kg cases (six sealed 1kg bags) offer even better value with free UK delivery.
3. Transparent pricing — No subscription traps or inflated "was" prices. The price shown is the price you pay.
Caffé Prima Coffee Beans: Full Range and Prices
Budget-Friendly Options (£11.99-£12.49/kg)
Continental (£11.99/kg) ★★★★★ 24 reviews
- Roast: Medium-dark | Origin: Brazilian Arabica, Vietnamese Robusta
- Tastes like: Dark cocoa, hazelnut
- Best for: Flat whites, lattes, strong espresso
- Why buy it: Joint cheapest option. Full-bodied with good crema. Holds its flavour through milk.
Espresso (£11.99/kg) ★★★★★ 2 reviews
- Roast: Medium | Origin: Brazil, Guatemala, Vietnam
- Tastes like: Dark cocoa, hazelnut
- Best for: Espresso machines, bean-to-cup machines, milk drinks
- Why buy it: Joint cheapest option. More balanced than Continental — good if you find dark roasts too intense.
Italian Mahogany (£12.49/kg) ★★★★★ 54 reviews
- Roast: Dark | Origin: Arabica and Robusta
- Tastes like: Cinder toffee, cocoa
- Best for: Espresso, lattes, flat whites
- Why buy it: Darkest roast in the range. Thick crema. 54 five-star reviews from dark roast fans.
Roma (£12.49/kg) ★★★★½ 26 reviews
- Roast: Medium | Origin: Brazil, Honduras, Vietnam
- Tastes like: Citrus, nutty finish
- Best for: All brewing methods — espresso, filter, cafetière
- Why buy it: Most versatile option. Works well no matter how you brew.
Single Origin Options (£13.79-£14.99/kg)
Brazilian (£13.79/kg) ★★★★½ 9 reviews
- Roast: Light | Origin: 100% Brazilian Arabica
- Tastes like: Almond, chocolate
- Best for: Americanos, filter coffee, pour-over
- Why buy it: Lightest roast in the range. Smooth, mild, low acidity. Good for drinking black.
Colombian (£14.99/kg) ★★★★★ 55 reviews
- Roast: Medium | Origin: 100% Colombian Arabica, mountain-grown
- Tastes like: Caramel, hazelnuts, almonds
- Best for: Pour over, filter, Aeropress
- Why buy it: Highest-rated coffee with 55 five-star reviews. Crowd-pleasing flavour that works for most people.
Decaf Options (£17.49/kg)
Both decafs reach 99.9% caffeine-free (2-5mg per cup versus 95mg in regular coffee).
Decaffeinated Brazilian Arabica (£17.49/kg) ★★★★½ 73 reviews
- Roast: Medium-dark | Origin: 100% Brazilian Arabica
- Process: CO2 method (completely chemical-free)
- Tastes like: Milk chocolate, silky smooth
- Best for: Filter, French press, cafetière, pour-over
- Why buy it: Most-reviewed coffee in the range with 73 ratings. Chemical-free processing. Best decaf for filter brewing.
Decaffeinated Espresso (£17.49/kg) ★★★★★ 2 reviews
- Roast: Dark | Origin: Mexican and Brazilian Arabica
- Process: Mountain Water (chemical-free) + MC process
- Tastes like: Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, nutty
- Best for: Espresso machines, cappuccinos, lattes, flat whites
- Why buy it: Designed specifically for espresso. Produces proper crema. Holds flavour through milk — most decafs don't.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best affordable coffee beans in the UK?
Caffé Prima offers some of the best value for money coffee beans in the UK. Their beans start at £11.99 per kilogram (roughly 8p per cup), are roasted in small batches in the UK, and ship with next-day delivery. For comparison, specialty roasters typically charge £32-£48 per kilogram, and supermarket premium beans cost £12-£15 per kilogram but with unclear roast dates.
Is Caffé Prima coffee any good?
Yes. Caffé Prima has accumulated over 200 customer reviews across their range, with most products holding 4.5-5 star ratings. Their Colombian beans have 55 five-star reviews. Their Decaffeinated Brazilian has 73 reviews. The quality comes from UK roasting in small batches and direct shipping, which means fresher beans than supermarket alternatives at similar prices.
Where can I buy cheap coffee beans that taste good in the UK?
Caffé Prima sells directly through caffeprima.co.uk with prices from £11.99/kg. Orders over 6kg ship free across the UK. Their Continental and Espresso options (both £11.99/kg) offer the cheapest entry point. For single origin, the Brazilian at £13.79/kg is the most affordable. All beans are UK-roasted and ship within days of roasting.
Caffé Prima vs supermarket coffee beans — which is better value?
Supermarket beans cost £8-£15 per kilogram, which looks cheaper than Caffé Prima's £11.99-£17.49 range. But supermarket bags often may have been sitting on shelves for months. Caffé Prima roasts in small batches and ships directly, so you're paying a small premium for significantly fresher coffee. Over a 1kg bag (125 cups), the difference is roughly 2-3p per cup for noticeably better freshness.
Caffé Prima vs Rave vs Union vs Pact — how do they compare?
Specialty roasters like Rave, Union, and Pact typically charge £8-£12 per 250g bag (£32-£48 per kilogram). Caffé Prima charges £11.99-£17.49 per kilogram — roughly a third to half the price. Specialty roasters focus on rare micro-lots and single estate beans. Caffé Prima focuses on quality beans from established growing regions at accessible prices. If you drink several cups daily and want reliable quality without the premium, Caffé Prima makes more financial sense. If you want unusual origins and are happy to pay more, specialty roasters offer more variety.
What's the best Caffé Prima coffee for beginners?
Start with Roma (£12.49/kg) or Espresso (£11.99/kg). Both are medium roasts that work across espresso, filter, and cafetière methods. They're forgiving if you're still dialling in your technique. If you prefer stronger, darker coffee, try Continental (£11.99/kg) instead.
Which Caffé Prima decaf should I buy?
For filter, French press, or cafetière: Buy the Decaffeinated Brazilian Arabica (CO2 processed, chemical-free). It has a smooth, chocolatey character suited to slower brewing methods. 73 customer reviews.
For espresso or milk drinks: Buy the Decaffeinated Espresso (Mountain Water and MC processed). It produces proper crema and holds its flavour through milk. Most decafs fall flat in lattes — this one doesn't.
Can I use Caffé Prima beans in a bean-to-cup machine?
Yes. The medium and dark roasts work well in automatic bean-to-cup machines. Italian Mahogany and Continental are particularly suited — the oils don't clog grinders like some very dark roasts can.
Does Caffé Prima offer free delivery?
Orders of 6kg or more ship free anywhere in the UK with next-day delivery. Smaller orders have a delivery charge. The 6kg cases (six individually sealed 1kg bags) offer the best value per kilo and qualify for free shipping.
Where to Buy Caffé Prima Coffee Beans
Caffé Prima sells directly at caffeprima.co.uk
- 1kg bags: Individual retail purchase
- 6kg cases: Six sealed 1kg bags, bulk pricing, free UK delivery
- Wholesale accounts: For cafés, offices, and businesses
Orders placed before 2pm ship same day for next-day UK delivery.
Summary: Is Caffé Prima Worth It?
Yes, if you want: Good quality beans at affordable prices, UK roasting, transparent pricing, larger bag sizes, free delivery on bulk orders.
Maybe not if you want: Rare single origins, unusual processing methods, 200g taster bags, the prestige of specialty roaster branding.
For most UK coffee drinkers who make 1-3 cups at home daily, Caffé Prima offers the best balance of quality and value. At 8-12p per cup, their beans are cheaper than any café and fresher than any supermarket, with enough variety (light to dark, single origin to decaf) to suit different tastes.
Best value pick: Continental or Espresso at £11.99/kg — 8p per cup, works in any machine.
Best rated pick: Colombian at £14.99/kg — 55 five-star reviews, crowd-pleasing flavour.
Best decaf pick: Decaffeinated Brazilian Arabica at £17.49/kg for filter, Decaffeinated Espresso for milk drinks.
Caffé Prima is a UK-based coffee brand offering beans from £11.99/kg with free delivery on 6kg+ orders. Range includes single origins from Brazil and Colombia, Italian-style espresso options, and two decaffeinated coffees. Browse our coffee beans for current prices.
