Delivery options: one, two, three or four weeks
For Fastest Shipping, Fresh
Blue Bottle is one of the oldest coffee subscribers. It’s still good, although the selection is not as good as some of the newer ones. Where Blue Bottle stands out is freshness—the company promises to ship your coffee within 24 hours of roasting.
Blue Bottle has a 10-question survey that it uses to match you with the coffee you’ll love. His questions are not just about coffee; they ask you about your favorite chocolate and salad dressing. It may seem counterintuitive, but it works. WIRED senior reviewer Scott Gilbertson found the best blends that were among the best coffees he’s ever tested in this book. Blue Bottle also has a decaf option.
Delivery options: one, two, three or four weeks
Grounds and Hounds offers a mix of small roasts and one-of-a-kind coffee, and 20 percent of its profits will benefit the zoo. This brand has some of my favorite coffees, especially dark roasts. (Try the Snow Day Grill while it’s available.)
There are two types of subscriptions to Grounds and Hounds—the traditional system where you choose what you want to try, and the gift system if you’re shopping for someone else. We tried the first, the whole bean selection (ground and mixed beans are the options), as well as the “Roaster’s Select” beans, which allowed us to try several varieties. Once we found something we liked, we switched to subscriptions and beans.
When you sign up, Grounds and Hounds will let you know how your money is helping the animal shelter. In the case of one fund, a weekly subscription provides 800 meals a year to the shelter.
Delivery options: One, two, four or eight weeks
Best Coffee for Heartburn
Trücup is not a regular subscription service and should not be on this list. But it has very low acidity. This makes it a great option for coffee lovers with sensitive stomachs who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease or heartburn. If you have been diagnosed with GERD, talk to your doctor before trying Trücup.
Trücup is worth your time even if you’re lucky enough to have a stomach that can handle regular coffee. It is the best choice to drink in the afternoon and evening, because it is soft and easy on the stomach. You can register by paying when you select a bag or make a one-time purchase.
Delivery options: 1 to 12 weeks
Bean Registration vs. Locally refried beans
These subscription services all make killer coffee beans, and they all taste great. But none of them taste better than locally roasted coffee. In order to have the best coffee that has a local influence, you’re best served by looking for local coffee roasters—whether they’re coffee shops in the same city, state, or region.
Coffee is best after roasting. The longer it sits on the shelf or in the truck, the more it shrinks. In addition, ordering coffee locally reduces the environmental impact of shipping from across the country (or across the country). The best way to do this is to visit your local coffee shop and see what coffee they offer. (They can burn and sell theirs!)
As We Tried, and As You Should
To test these subscriptions, we brewed each bag in different ways to see which beans were compatible with the brewing process. It is worth doing the same if you have access to different brewing methods, especially if you choose a subscription that offers many types. The roasting process that produces a rich espresso does not produce a full-bodied coffee.
Likewise, write down your likes and dislikes. Most of these services have great websites where you can upload your own posts and post your favorite coffees. Take advantage of these things, because you will probably forget them. Coffee keeps coming up with these subscriptions, which is both a blessing and a curse. If you need some pointers, be sure to read our guide to making better coffee at home.
Let’s Destroy Decaf
Coffee aficionados are an unpredictable group, and they tend to like people who drink decaf. But here’s the thing: Decaf can be good. Yes, the decaffeination process changes the flavor, and yes, you often miss the floral notes. It is not good to distinguish people to enjoy coffee, time, and talking about decaf coffee can be capable. Drinking caffeinated coffee throughout the day can seriously affect your sleep, and some people cannot tolerate caffeine for medical reasons or don’t like the way it makes them feel or react to certain medications.
Coffee is for everyone! There is such a thing as nice decaf, and three of our favorite services on this list offer decaf coffee (Trade, Mistobox, and Cometeer). Even if you are a caffeine person, it would be good to relax with a cup of decaf in the evening – it is best suited for mixed espresso drinks, where strong notes of chocolate and smoke can bring mocha to life. Whether in a French press or pouring, decaf (or a mixture of decaf and coffee beans) is a good choice for the evening coffee service. No need to worry about daytime jitters or insomnia.
