KATIE BANDURSKI FOR TASTE OF HOME
Pros:
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Family-owned small business
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Partnership with the Sloth Institute
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Sourced from primarily women-owned and -led farms
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Compostable, recyclable packaging
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Roasted in house
Cons:
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Bestsellers subscriptions are pre-paid
Delivering quality coffee? Check. Making strides toward gender equity? Yup. Giving back to sloths? You bet! Bean & Bean, run by a mother-daughter duo, is roasting more than a delicious bag of coffee. Every purchase helps create positive change for people and the planet.
KATIE BANDURSKI FOR TASTE OF HOME
An an animal lover, I was immediately interested in Bean & Beans mission. Plus the sloth packaging? Too cute. But this coffee subscription is way bigger than its branding. The coffee was some of the best I tasted, offering a smooth flavor in every sip. I particularly loved the back-to-basics Fancy Diner Coffee.
Bean & Bean offers several subscription options, including 3-month (starting at $76), 6-month (starting at $152) or 1-year (starting at $298) plans. If you fall in love with a specific roast, you can also set up recurring deliveries and save.
KATIE BANDURSKI FOR TASTE OF HOME
Pros:
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Delicious Vietnamese coffee
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Discovery Kit includes coffee-making tools
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Unique flavor profiles
Cons:
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Subscriptions are pre-paid
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No options for light roast fans
Looking to upgrade your prep beyond plain ol’ pour-over? Say hello to Nguyen Coffee Supply’s Vietnamese coffee subscription.
I tested the Discovery Kit subscription, which includes plenty of tools and merch to go along with your coffee. You’ll receive a coffee scoop, glass mug, tote bag and, most notably, a phin filter. This traditional method requires no paper filter and works as somewhat of a hybrid between pour-over and French Press. You add your grounds, add the press, bloom with a little bit of hot water, then fill to the top and let drip. It takes a little bit of time, but the result is well worth it. I enjoy my coffee black, but for a traditional preparation, try it with a splash of condensed milk.
KATIE BANDURSKI FOR TASTE OF HOME
The coffee itself is sourced from, you guessed it, Vietnam. The brand offers both robusta and arabica beans in medium and dark roasts. They even offer canned cold brew!
The Discovery Kit subscription starts at $155 and includes six coffee bags, shipped every other week, plus a phin filter and other tools. You can also create your own subscription, ordering coffee every one, two or four weeks in three-, six- or 12-month intervals.
Why You Should Get a Coffee Subscription
My interest for coffee grew during the pandemic when I had nothing but time for tinkering with our ever-growing coffee tools collection. It was exciting to learn how a slightly different grind size impacted the flavor of a pour-over. We even bought an espresso machine and learned the secret to pulling a perfect shot. And the best part? Our trials never have to end. We can spend every Sunday morning perfecting our brew methods and trying the best coffee brands.
If you, too, want to get in on the joy, there’s no better place to start than with a coffee subscription. Sure, gear and gadgets are fun. But the number one factor for a great cuppa is the bean you choose. A coffee box gives you the variety and flexibility to find what puts the caffeinated pep in your step.
“Coffee has unique characteristics based on where it’s grown, and the more you explore, the more you discover how nuanced those differences are,” says Chris LoVerme, a direct-to-consumer expert in the coffee industry as a Senior Director at Peet’s Coffee. “Rather than focusing on what’s popular, approach coffee as an adventure in discovery.”
What to Consider When Choosing a Coffee Subscription
KATIE BANDURSKI FOR TASTE OF HOME
The more you explore the world of coffee, the harder it is to enjoy any old cup of joe. Whether you’re a budding barista who’s just starting out or a coffee connoisseur who owns a $200 tamper for their espresso setup, coffee subscriptions make quality beans available to everyone. That said, it’s important to choose the right service for your needs. Here are the core qualities to consider:
- Selection: What kind of beans are available? Some services we tested have a near endless array of options, while others have just a few classic blends. Do they offer an assortment of options, like whole bean, ground or K-Cups/capsules? Are you able to choose between decaf/regular coffee and different roast levels? If you fall in love with a particular blend, can you order it again?
“Don’t overlook lesser-known coffee-growing regions,” says LoVerme. “Some of the most unique and exciting flavors come from places like Guatemala, Costa Rica, or Aged Sumatra—each with their own spice notes, brightness, or elegance.”
- Customization: Can you choose the cadence of your subscription? How easy is it so skip a week—or cancel altogether? Can you add on additional bags, as needed?
“Whether you’re new to specialty coffee or already deep into it, subscriptions that offer variety and education can enhance your experience,” adds LoVerme. “Look for services that explain the role of things like processing methods and growing conditions—it makes each cup more meaningful.”
- Price: How much does the subscription cost? And how much coffee do you receive? Do you pre-pay upfront or are you charged every time a bag ships?
- Packaging: How does the coffee subscription arrive at your door? Are the packing materials recyclable? Would it make a good gift or is it better suited for practical mornings?
How We Found the Best Coffee Subscription Boxes
KATIE BANDURSKI FOR TASTE OF HOME
Finding the best coffee subscription boxes takes time—good thing we had plenty of caffeine! First, we did our homework. We spent weeks researching top coffee brands and specialty clubs on the market. Then, we called in samples of our top selections. We aimed to include beans from all over the world at a variety of price points. Some stalwart favorites from previous rounds of testing, like Bean Box, Atlas Coffee Club and Cometeer, automatically made the cut.
For the rest, our expert coffee writer spent eight weeks testing over 12 bags of coffee in her home. Each morning, she would grind and brew a new variety using a pour-over, French press or drip coffee maker. She rated beans on aroma, flavor and freshness. These scores were then compared to other subscription factors, like cadence, price, bag size and packaging. Only the top services made our list.