A coffee subscription can be a simple way to make sure you never run out of your favourite coffee. Instead of remembering to place an order every few weeks, fresh coffee arrives at your door on a schedule that suits you.
But with so many coffee subscriptions available, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. Should you choose the same coffee every time or try something different each month? Is whole bean coffee better than ground coffee? How often should you have coffee delivered? And how important is the roast date?
This guide explains what to look for when choosing a coffee subscription, so you can find one that suits your coffee preferences, brewing method and drinking habits.
1. Check when the coffee was roasted
Freshness is one of the most important things to consider when buying coffee, particularly when you are signing up for a regular delivery.
Coffee changes after roasting and its flavour develops over time. Knowing when your coffee was roasted gives you a much better idea of how fresh it is than a best before date alone.
When comparing coffee subscriptions, look for:
- A roast date printed on the bag
- Coffee that is roasted regularly rather than sitting in storage for long periods
- Clear information about when your coffee is dispatched
- Packaging designed to protect the coffee after roasting
A best before date tells you how long the coffee is considered suitable for sale, but it does not tell you when it was roasted.
For the best experience, look for a coffee subscription, such as Norfolk Pig Coffee Co., where the company is transparent about roasting and dispatch.
2. Choose whole bean or ground coffee
If you have a coffee grinder at home, whole bean coffee is usually the best choice.
Once coffee is ground, there is considerably more surface area exposed to the air. This means ground coffee can lose some of its aroma and flavour more quickly than whole beans. However, you do not need an expensive grinder to enjoy a coffee subscription. If you prefer to buy ground coffee, choose a subscription that allows you to select the grind that suits your brewing method.
For example:
- Cafetiere: coarse grind
- Filter coffee: medium to fine grind
- AeroPress: we would class this as a fine+ grind
- Espresso: extra fine grind
The right grind makes a noticeable difference to how your coffee extracts. Coffee that is too coarse or too fine for your brewing method can result in a cup that tastes weak, bitter or unbalanced.
If you are unsure which grind you need, check whether the coffee company provides guidance for different brewing methods.
3. Decide whether you want variety or consistency
One of the biggest differences between coffee subscriptions is the way the coffee is selected. Some subscriptions allow you to choose one coffee and receive the same one every time. This can be ideal if you already know exactly what you like.
Other subscriptions, such as a rotating subscription from Norfolk Pig Coffee Co., offer a selection of different coffees, allowing you to try different origins, blends and roast profiles throughout the year. Neither option is necessarily better. It comes down to what you enjoy.
If you like your morning coffee to taste familiar every day, a subscription featuring the same coffee could be the best option. If you enjoy discovering new coffees, look for a subscription that rotates through different coffees or allows you to change your selection.
A good subscription should make it easy to choose the experience you want.
4. Find a delivery schedule that suits you
There is no perfect delivery frequency for everyone.
Someone who drinks several cups of coffee a day will get through their coffee much faster than someone who only has one cup in the morning. Look for a subscription that gives you a choice of delivery frequencies, such as weekly, fortnightly or monthly.
It is also worth checking whether you can change your delivery schedule after subscribing. Your coffee consumption might change over time, particularly if you go away on holiday, start working from home or have more people drinking coffee in your household.
The best coffee subscriptions should fit around your routine rather than forcing you into a schedule that does not suit you.
5. Choose the right amount of coffee
Getting the quantity right is just as important as choosing the right coffee. As a rough guide, a 250g bag can provide around 16 to 20 cups of coffee, depending on how much coffee you use for each brew. For someone drinking one cup a day, 250g could last several weeks. Someone drinking three or four cups a day may get through the same amount much more quickly.
When choosing a coffee subscription, think about:
- How many people drink coffee in your household
- How many cups you usually drink each day
- How much coffee you use for each brew
- How often you want your coffee delivered
If you are not sure how much you need, it is generally better to start with a smaller amount and adjust your subscription once you know how quickly you get through it.
6. Look for flexibility
Your coffee subscription should make life easier, not more complicated. Before signing up, check what you can change once your subscription is active.
Useful features include the ability to:
- Pause deliveries when you are away
- Change how often your coffee is delivered
- Change the amount of coffee you receive
- Change your coffee
- Change your grind
- Skip a delivery
- Cancel without having to contact the company
It is also worth checking whether there is a minimum subscription period. A flexible coffee subscription gives you much more control and means you can adapt it as your coffee habits change.
7. Consider where the coffee comes from
The origin of coffee can have a significant influence on its flavour. Different growing regions are often associated with different flavour characteristics, although the final taste also depends on the variety, processing method and roasting.
For example, Brazilian coffees are often known for smooth, sweet flavours with chocolate and nutty notes. Ethiopian coffees can have brighter flavours with fruity or floral characteristics. Coffees from Central America can offer a good balance of sweetness, acidity and body.
This does not mean that every coffee from a particular country will taste the same.
If you enjoy exploring coffee, look for a subscription that tells you where the coffee comes from and provides useful information about its flavour profile.
You may find that you develop a preference for particular origins or flavour characteristics over time.
8. Think about the roast level
The roast level can also affect the flavour of your coffee. Lighter roasted coffees tend to retain more of the characteristics associated with the coffee's origin. They can have brighter acidity and more noticeable fruity or floral flavours.
Medium roasted coffees often provide a balance between sweetness, acidity and body.
Darker roasted coffees generally have more pronounced roasted flavours and can offer notes such as dark chocolate, caramel and toasted nuts.
There is no universally best roast level. It depends on your personal taste and how you prepare your coffee.
If you are new to speciality coffee, trying different roast levels can be a useful way to discover what you enjoy.
9. Check the reviews
Reviews can tell you things that a product description cannot.
When researching a coffee subscription, look beyond the reviews displayed on the company's own website if possible. Independent reviews can give you a broader idea of the customer experience.
Pay particular attention to comments about:
- Coffee quality
- Freshness
- Delivery times
- Packaging
- Customer service
- Subscription flexibility
- Whether customers continue using the service
No company will have perfect reviews, so do not worry about finding one with nothing but five star ratings. Instead, look for consistent feedback from customers over time.
10. Consider the total cost
Price is obviously important, but it should not be the only thing you compare. A cheaper coffee subscription is not necessarily better value if the coffee is not something you enjoy.
When comparing prices, check what is actually included.
Consider:
- The amount of coffee you receive
- Delivery costs
- How frequently coffee is delivered
- Whether you can choose different coffees
- Whether ground coffee is available
- Whether there is a discount for subscribing
- Whether you can change or cancel easily
A subscription that costs slightly more but gives you freshly roasted coffee, free delivery and the flexibility to change your coffee may offer better value overall.
11. Check whether the subscription is right for your brewing method
Before subscribing, make sure the coffee you are buying is suitable for the way you make your coffee.
If you use a cafetiere, for example, you will want a coffee that is available in a suitable coarse grind. If you use an espresso machine, you will need a much finer grind.
Some subscriptions only offer whole bean coffee, while others allow you to select from several different grind options.
If you do not own a grinder, having the coffee ground specifically for your brewing method can make a subscription much more convenient.
What is the best coffee subscription?
There is no single best coffee subscription for everyone.
The right choice depends on how much coffee you drink, how you brew it, what flavours you enjoy and whether you prefer consistency or variety.
For most people, the things worth prioritising are:
Freshness: Look for a roast date and clear information about roasting and dispatch.
The right grind: Choose whole bean if you have a grinder or make sure ground coffee is available for your brewing method.
Flexibility: Make sure you can change, pause or cancel your subscription easily.
The right quantity: Choose an amount and delivery frequency that matches how much coffee you actually drink.
Choice: Decide whether you want to receive the same coffee regularly or discover something different.
Transparency: Look for information about the coffee's origin, roast and flavour profile.
Are coffee subscriptions worth it?
For many coffee drinkers, they can be. A coffee subscription removes the need to remember to reorder and can make it easier to have freshly roasted coffee delivered regularly. They can also be a good way to discover new coffees if you choose a subscription that offers different origins and flavour profiles.
The key is finding a subscription that gives you enough flexibility to change the coffee and delivery schedule as your needs change.
At Norfolk Pig Coffee Co, all our coffee is roasted fresh to order and you can choose from a selection of rotating coffee subscriptions or take out a subscription on a specific coffee. you can cancel, amend, or pause at any time, without having to contact us, and you can choose either whole bean or a specific grind.