I like this bean. It's smooth, and I usually like roasts with chocolate notes.
I'm also cheap. This is around .50 cents US per once.
Do you have a favorite bean that's medium/smooth, and also in the .50 range that can be ordered online?
My local roasters are all around a dollar per once and I haven't found anything that was so good, I couldn't go back to this for half the cost, so I do them as a special occasion.
When I was in the office and buying beans for our automatic machine the Lavazza beans were the most reliable, consistent and highest quality "supermarket" beans I could find for a reasonable price. Personally I liked the Rossa. For myself at home I do use a local small batch roaster and get a subscription. It's about twice as much cost wise but still works out at only 40p (I'm in the UK) for an espresso, which I'm happy with.
I've seen the Rossa also.
Your sentiment for supermarket bean was exactly where I'm coming from. I also agree with Lavazza being reliable and consistent.
At least I know I'm not totally missing something with Lavazza...