So what is a coffee subscription exactly? It's a recurring delivery service that ships fresh-roasted coffee beans directly to your door on a schedule you choose.
Instead of buying coffee at the store or remembering to order online every time you run out, you set up automatic deliveries—weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or custom frequencies. The service handles the rest.
Think of it like any other subscription service, except instead of streaming shows, you get fresh-roasted coffee delivered straight to your door!
How Coffee Subscriptions Work
The process is straightforward:
1. Choose Your Coffee
Pick the type of coffee you want—light, medium, or dark roast, espresso, decaf, or specific origins. Some subscriptions let you choose exactly what you want every time. Others curate selections and send whatever they think you'll like.
2. Select Quantity & Frequency
Decide how much coffee you drink. Two pounds monthly for a couple? Four pounds for a family? Match your delivery size to consumption so you're neither running out nor accumulating bags.
Frequency options vary—every 2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks depending on the service. Adjust based on how fast you go through coffee.
3. Automatic Delivery
Coffee ships on your schedule! Better services roast within 24-48 hours of shipping, so your beans arrive at peak freshness rather than weeks old.
4. Manage Online
Good subscriptions let you pause, skip shipments, adjust frequency, or change coffee selections through an online account. No phone calls, no hassle.
Why Get a Coffee Subscription?
Freshness You Can't Get at Stores
Grocery store coffee sits on shelves for months. Coffee loses flavor 2-3 weeks after roasting. Subscriptions ship beans roasted within days—sometimes specifically for your order.
Never Running Out
That panic when you reach for beans and find an empty bag? Gone. Coffee arrives automatically before you run out.
Saves Money
Subscriptions often cost less per pound than buying equivalent beans at specialty shops. Plus, some offer rewards programs. For example, loyalty rewards can give you 5% off your 4th order, 10% off your 7th, and 12% off your 12th—plus free coffee at the year mark. Those savings compound over time.
Convenience Without Compromise
No driving to shops, no remembering to reorder, no settling for mediocre options when you forget to stock up.
Different Subscription Types
Fixed Selection
You choose a specific coffee and receive it consistently. Works when you know what you like and want it reliably stocked.
Customizable
More flexible subscriptions let you change selections with each order. Medium roast one month, espresso the next, dark roast after that. You control every shipment.
Curated Discovery
The roaster picks coffees for you—different origins or roasters monthly. Good for variety but zero control over what arrives.
What to Look For
When comparing subscriptions, check:
Roasting Schedule: When does coffee get roasted relative to shipping? Best services roast within 48 hours of delivery.
Shipping Costs: Many include free shipping on larger orders. Smaller orders might charge $10 separately.
Flexibility: Can you easily pause, skip, or adjust? Or are you locked into rigid schedules?
Rewards Programs: Some subscriptions reward long-term customers with progressive discounts and free bags. Others charge flat pricing forever. Over a year, rewards make a difference.
Control vs. Curation: Do you want to choose specific beans or trust the roaster? Neither is better—depends on your preference.
Is It Worth It?
Coffee subscriptions work well for:
- Daily drinkers going through at least one bag monthly
- Families or couples brewing multiple cups daily
- Anyone who values freshness over brand names
- People tired of running out at inconvenient times
- Budget-conscious buyers wanting quality without cafe markups
Subscriptions might NOT work if:
- You drink coffee rarely or inconsistently
- You travel frequently for extended periods
Getting Started
Estimate how much coffee you drink weekly. A couple drinking 2-3 cups daily typically needs about 2 pounds monthly. Heavy coffee households might need 3-4 pounds.
Pick a service that matches your priorities—flexibility, rewards, specific beans you choose, or curated variety.
Start with a shorter frequency to avoid overstocking. Most subscriptions let you cancel anytime, so minimal risk trying for a month or two.
Coffee subscriptions solve practical problems: running out, buying stale grocery store coffee, and remembering to reorder. They're worth it if you drink enough coffee that freshness and convenience justify the recurring payment.
Ready to see if a subscription fits your routine? If you're on the West Coast, our Kamloops roastery offers a local coffee subscription to Vancouver, typically within 2-3 days of roasting. Check out our subscription options with rewards that save you more the longer you subscribe—complete flexibility to choose your coffee, adjust frequency, and manage everything online without phone calls or hassle.
