Are you selective about your coffee? Some people prefer making their own caffeine fix at home. If you have a hectic schedule and don’t have the time to go to the store and pick up the freshest beans every time you run out, consider getting yourself a coffee subscription.
If you hang around coffee lovers a lot, you would know that all the hype is about coffee subscriptions these days. But, are they worth all that attention? It depends. What makes a great coffee subscription? The answer is really simple. It has to give subscribers exactly what they are looking for.
However, selecting the best coffee subscription isn’t easy. You have to go through a lot of trial and error before you find something you would love and stick with. There are plenty of options out there so it can be confusing for first-timers. Luckily, the following tips can help you along the way.
1. Freshest Taste
The number one quality of a great coffee subscription is the freshness of the beans. If you are having your favorite beans delivered right to your doorstep, they must have the freshest taste for the perfect roast.
If you do not have a grinder, we would suggest you get one as the pre-ground beans do not stay fresh for long. So, the first thing to do is get whole beans instead of pre-ground coffee.
Some coffee subscriptions will tell you that they roast their coffee beans fresh before delivery, as it is an attractive selling point. If that information is not available, don’t be afraid to ask.
So, make sure you find a subscription that roasts their beans right before they deliver, as that is the only way to ensure that you have the freshest beans for your next brew. However, subscriptions that do this can be expensive and you might have to follow their predetermined delivery schedule.
2. Predictable or Adventurous?
Some people find comfort in knowing exactly what they are getting, while others want to keep things interesting. So, which one of those are you?
Are you highly selective about your coffee and only have one particular type you prefer? Or do you want to try something new every time? Finding a subscription that consistently delivers one type of preferred bean is not difficult to find. In fact, most subscriptions will have that option.
But, if you want to keep things interesting, you might want to opt for a subscription that surprises you with every delivery! If you get a six-month subscription that delivers beans to you on a monthly or bi-monthly basis, you will get to taste six to twelve different types and flavors!
Some amazing coffee subscriptions let you indicate your general preferences and will deliver various beans accordingly. If that sounds appealing to you, keep an eye out for that option.
3. Do Coffee Origins Matter?
If you are new to exploring flavors, know that two beans from different places can taste wholly different. Not every coffee bean tastes the same.
You would be surprised how much of a difference there is between a coffee bean grown in India to one grown in Brazil. Beans grown in different places taste different so always ask where your coffee is grown if the information is not already provided.
Even coffee that comes from different parts of Africa will have an outstanding difference. So, if you don’t know where your coffee beans are coming from, just ask.
If you prefer coffee from a particular place, that will help you narrow down your subscription. Some coffee beans are rare and not every subscription will have them, so knowing what origin you prefer will come in handy. If you want a few options, figure out which coffee subscription offers some of the best coffee beans from around the world.
4. Exploring the Types
Robusta, Arabica, Liberica, and Excelsa are the four primary varieties of coffee beans. Therefore, if you’re deciding on a subscription, consider all of the options.
Then you would want to cross-reference the type with the origin. Single-origin coffee beans come from one particular cultivator, from one particular location. Sounds too complicated? It’s not.
For example, you love Arabica beans. Now it’s time to find out what you like the best. Do you prefer Jamaican Blue Mountain or American Bourbon coffee beans? Getting a subscription that lets you explore different flavors can be a great way to determine what you prefer and what you will like to drink consistently.
You might also like to try a subscription that lets you change your order whenever you want. If you get sick of a particular bean, they will allow you to change what kind you get without any extra charge.
4. Scheduling Your Subscription
Do you know at what time of the month you run out of coffee? If you follow a rigid schedule of coffee consumption, determining that would not be difficult at all.
But what if you run out of coffee faster than you thought? This may happen during a particularly hectic week when you consume more coffee than you generally do.
Most subscriptions will send you coffee on particular days, selected by you of course. But, if a subscription sends you the coffee on-demand, they will definitely be the real MVP in the coffee game. Such subscriptions are rare and expensive, but totally worth it for your emergency coffee fix.
So, subscribe to a subscription that caters to your coffee consumption schedule. Some might even offer the opportunity to select which beans you want if you wish to try something new for that month. Nothing says “good subscription” like one that lets you personalize it on your own terms.
5. Whole Bean, Coarse Ground, or Fine?
We already mentioned that you will get the freshest tasting coffee with newly roasted whole beans. However, dealing with whole beans can be time-consuming. An important part of selecting the best subscription will also depend on your preferred blend. Some subscriptions might only focus on whole beans, while others can only provide a particular kind of grind.
Find a subscription that will let you change the grind as you prefer. For example, if you usually get whole beans but wish to receive ground ones for a particular month, they should have an option that lets you do that. A good business will let you personalize to your heart’s desire.
Some subscriptions will also have decaffeinated options if you so desire. Keep in mind, however, that subscriptions with extensive personalization options are oftentimes more expensive.
6. Prices & Quality?
It will be important to determine how much you are willing to spend on your subscription. By defining a clear budget, you will be able to immediately tell which services are viable for you to choose in the first place.
Sometimes price cuts can mean the degradation of quality. Opt for a subscription that offers low prices for high-quality beans, if you are on a budget. If you can live with a rigid coffee schedule and do not need too much customization, you can find some great deals out there.
While it is always a good idea to get the most for your money, do not let the price of a plan be the sole motivator for your purchasing decisions. Cheap options tend to give you lower quality, poor-tasting coffee. Don’t miss out on reaping the benefits of drinking a superior quality blend!
Coffee Subscription Can Make Thoughtful Gifts!
Nothing says I love you like a monthly caffeine fix! If you are thinking of getting something special for your coffee fanatic loved one, a great coffee subscription can be an incredible idea.
Coffee subscriptions make great gifts if you are willing to spend some money. The length of the subscription will depend on what you choose and you already know how customizable some subscriptions are. These can make a lovely gift for mother’s day, father’s day, birthdays, and so on.
Some subscriptions might even allow you to buy an option where what coffee you prefer can be determined by the gift receiver so you don’t even have to choose for them! Some come with added benefits like free cookies, biscotti, etc.
Final Thoughts
The secret to finding the best coffee subscription is to find out what you prefer. If your subscription matches up with your preferred prices, then what more can you ask for? Don’t wait any longer and get yourself or your loved one a coffee subscription today!
