The Best $5 You Can Spend at Aldi

There are tons of things you can buy at Aldi for $5 or less. There is one thing, however, you should definitely buy at Aldi for $5 or less. It’s seriously so good, my husband and I often make the trip just to buy this one thing. (Of course we buy five or more at a time.)

Can you guess what it is?

It’s Aldi’s coffee! Specifically, the Specially Selected brand of German Roasted Regular Ground Coffee. You probably thought I was going to say the chocolate, right? People (including our Food Editor, Hali Bey Remdene) swear by the stuff, saying it has all the hallmarks of high-quality chocolates. And that’s fine, but chocolate isn’t a staple in my household (unless I’m baking) — coffee is.

The first time we bought Aldi coffee, it was out of desperation. We needed some coffee and we were at an Aldi; we didn’t have time to go out of the way to a Dunkin’ Donuts or Starbucks (our usual go-tos at the time). For $4.99, we figured it was worth a shot.

The next morning we made a pot, not expecting much, and it blew our minds. To our untrained palates, this coffee was better than anything we’d made at home before. It was smooth, rich, and not too acidic. And again, it was inexpensive, especially compared to what we’d been buying. We were hooked and have been buying (and brewing it) ever since.

Our guests seem to like it, too. Almost every single person who has had a cup at our house has asked where we get our coffee. When we tell them Aldi, their jaws drop. People always say they assumed it came from a high-end website or a local roaster in New York. Granted, none of us are professional coffee tasters. But we know what we like. And I know a good deal when I see one.

• 9 Things You Should Know Before Shopping at Aldi for the First Time
• I Shopped at Aldi for the First Time and Here’s How It Went
• The 7 Best Refrigerator Snacks from Aldi

Have you tried this Aldi coffee? What did you think? What are some other things you buy there for $5 or less?