Gourmet Coffee for the Budget-Conscious

NEW YORK (MainStreet) -- Who doesn't like waking up to the freshly brewed aroma of gourmet coffee, or just enjoying a hot cup of joe as an afternoon pick-me-up?

January is Coffee Gourmet International Month, an event "dedicated to introducing coffee lovers everywhere to the pleasures of truly gourmet coffee."

Coffee has come a long way since we were kids waking up to the percolator producing a pot of roasted goodness, and today coffee lovers have the option to customize every step of the process -- roasting and grinding their own beans at home or brewing one of the thousand blends of gourmet coffee either by the pot or by the cup.

We took a look at the best gourmet coffees for budget-conscious drinkers and spoke to some experts to find out how to save on your favorite blend.

Black Mountain Gold Hawaiian Kona Blend
This Kona blend is rich and deep with flavor without being overpowering. Kona typically isn't for the coffee lover who likes a stronger taste, as it is a smoother blend, but this brand is one of the best.

One of the highlights is being able to buy it online for $9.99 for a 12-ounce bag.

Handsome Coffee
Handsome Coffee has one of those American success stories that we all love to read about: It was launched in 2010 from the art district in Los Angeles by Tyler Wells, Chris Owens and Michael Phillips, the 2010 World Barista Champion. The partners first launched a social media campaign to sell their coffee, but plan to open a coffee bar in Los Angeles this year. Their blends range from $17 to $21 for 12-ounce to 1-pound packages.

Wild Harvest Organic
In the past, when coffee lovers saw the terms "Fair Trade" and "organic" attached to a coffee, they knew they would be paying extra for those designations. But fair trade and organic coffees have come down in price in recent years, so companies such as Wild Harvest can offer them widely at a "fair" price.

The company offers a Viennese house blend, French dark roast and a breakfast blend, which is a nice wake-me-up in the morning. The suggested retail price of $6.59 for a 10-ounce package can be found through some larger retailers, as well as independent retailers throughout the country.