As a specialty coffee fanatic with a growing collection of coffee gear, I‘m always on the hunt for my new favorite morning brew. This past year, I‘ve been sipping my way through Grind Coffee‘s offerings – from their signature home compostable pods to whole bean bags and beyond.
Grind wasn‘t even on my radar until the London-based brand took home the top prize for their eco-friendly pods at the 2022 UK Coffee Awards. As someone who cares deeply about sustainability but refuses to compromise on quality coffee, they instantly caught my attention.
After 12 months of testing out their full product range as a subscriber, I want to share my genuine experience to help you decide if Grind Coffee should be your next coffee obsession. There‘s a lot to unpack, from their innovations in biodegradable packaging to the smooth taste of their organic beans.
An Inside Look at Grind Coffee
Grind Coffee has come a long way since getting its modest start in 2011 as a local specialty coffee shop and cocktail bar in Shoreditch founded by David Abrahamovitch. In addition to 10 brick-and-mortar cafes predominantly clustered around London, the homegrown brand has fostered an international community of over 200,000 fans on social media.
But what gives Grind its competitive edge against coffee giants like Starbucks and Nespresso? Two words: compostable pods. As global sustainability concerns have entered the mainstream in recent years, Grind has pioneered the market for home-compostable single-serve coffee capsules.
Their proprietary plant-based pods took home top industry honors for breakthrough innovation while protecting our planet. Paired with their direct trade beans and artisanal preparations, Grind proves that eco-friendly coffee can stand toe-to-toe with conventional options on taste.
Beyond pods, Grind offers everything the at-home barista needs to rival their local coffee shop, including:
- Sleek single-serve coffee machines
- Milk frothers for creamy lattes
- Whole bean and ground coffee options
- Brewing accessories like presses and drippers
- Coffee subscriptions delivered straight to your mailbox
With premium beans, state-of-the-art equipment, and responsible sourcing, Grind made an irresistible pitch to the coffee connoisseur in me. It was time to put their claims of sustainability meets quality to the test.
Inside the Box: Unpacking My First Grind Delivery
As a new Grind member, I started out with their taster‘s choice subscription which sends you a rotating array of coffee styles and accessories every month. Unboxing those first vibrant pink packages felt like opening a present I‘d bought for myself – child-on-Christmas-morning levels of excitement.
My inaugural delivery included:
- Bag of Grind‘s limited edition Champagne Supernova whole beans
- 18-pod tin of their smooth house espresso blend
- Bag of rich French Vanilla ground coffee
- Reusable stainless steel coffee canister
- Pour-over paper filters
- Grind sticker pack
- Recipe card for frothy vanilla lattes
Everything from the eco-friendly kraft paper envelopes to the modern yet playful branding caught my eye. The plastic-free padded envelope kept my beans and accessories scratch-free in transit. No loose grounds or broken pieces to be found.
Between the care taken in packaging and diversity of products, Grind set themselves apart from my first unboxing. And I hadn‘t even taken a sip yet!
Putting Grind‘s Compostable Pods to the Test
As the centerpiece of Grind‘s climate-conscious product line, I was eager to pop one of their signature biodegradable pods into my Nespresso machine morning after morning.
Made from a natural bioplastic derived from plant sugars, each pod can break down harmlessly in backyard compost piles or municipal composting facilities rather than landfills. An inner oxygen barrier keeps the grounds extra fresh too.
Over three months, I worked my way through 100 or so pods from Grind‘s espresso, lungos, and seasonal special editions. Here were the highs and lows:
The Good:
✅ Consistent rich, smooth flavor without bitterness
✅ Thick crema on every double shot pulled
✅ Sturdy construction with minimal breakage
✅ Pleasant aroma – no plastic odors
The Not-So-Good
❌ Prone to some grounds leakage
❌ Slightly higher per-pod price tag
❌ Only available for home delivery
While not quite perfect, Grind‘s quality focus comes through both in the high-grade coffee used and conscientious materials choice. I wholeheartedly recommend them for Nespresso users looking to upgrade to an eco-alternative.
Grind Brews Up Cafe-Style Drinks at Home
Beyond capsules, I put two of Grind‘s top appliances – their Grind One pod machine and smart milk frother – to work crafting my daily cappuccinos this year.
Grind One Coffee Machine
With the Grind One‘s intuitive touch controls, premium 19 bar pressure system, and handy double spout, I could rival the coffee shops on my block once I mastered its features. At $375, it felt like splurging on myself without breaking the bank.
Over 4 months of near-daily use, the Grind One has proven ultra-reliable with no drops in performance. Transitioning effortlessly between their pods to pre-ground to full portable pour-overs, this all-in-one machine satisfies all my mood-dependent caffeine cravings.
Grind Automatic Milk Frother
Frothing finicky non-dairy milks like oat had always intimidated me before the Grind frother entered my life. With the push of a button, I get light, silky-smooth foam topping my lattes every morning thanks to its intuitive heating and aeration settings.
At 1⁄3 the price of leading brands, Grind‘s $75 frother feels like a steal. Its slim profile takes up minimal counter real estate in my petite kitchen. With a sturdy stainless steel body that cleans up easily, I expect to rely on this little workhorse for years of creamy coffees to come.
The Verdict: Grind‘s appliances punch above their weight at accessible price points compared to comparable models while retaining the brand‘s signature style. Their machines deliver consistent barista-level results to fuel my daily caffeine routine.
Reviews from Fellow Coffee Fanatics
Curious if other Grind customers shared my favorable experience, I dug into reviews from verified buyers. With over 6,300 reviews on Trustpilot, Grind earns an exceptional average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Plenty of happy people sipping their brews!
Here’s a sampling of the kinds rave reviews I found posted just in the last three months:
"I‘ve been using Grind for about a year now and I am continually impressed by the quality of their coffee and equipment. As someone who cares about sustainability, I love their compostable pods. Grind proves you really can have the best of both worlds – delicious coffee and ethical production."
"This company never disappoints! I‘ve tried dozens of specialty coffee roasters over the years before discovering Grind about 8 months ago. I love the convenience of home delivery, reasonable prices, and excellent customer service."
"Grind strikes the perfect balance between quality and sustainability. More consumers should take note of companies like Grind paving the way for an eco-friendly future without forcing customers to compromise."
Beyond glowing write-ups, Grind maintains an average 4 out 5 star rating on Facebook and Instagram as well. It‘s clear they‘ve built a loyal following by delivering on taste, quality construction, and sustainable sourcing.
As of November 2022, Grind had amassed over 38,000 followers on Instagram where they mixed playful coffee content with their progress towards carbon-neutral shipping and production facilities. Definitely worth the #Follow in my book!
How Grind Compares to Top Specialty Roasters
So how does Grind stack up against other leading direct-to-consumer specialty coffee companies? I compared Grind side-by-side with similar subscription services and specialty retailers on five key factors:
| Category | Grind Coffee | Atlas Coffee Club | Trade Coffee | Angel‘s Cup | Copper Cow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sustainability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐ |
| Coffee Quality | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Price Value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Equipment Options | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐ |
| Shipment Reliability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The Takeaway: Grind comes out on top for sustainability without sacrificing coffee quality or customer service. For eco-conscious drinkers like myself, they beat the competition as a one-stop solution.
No brand is perfect across the board, however. Trade and Angel‘s Cup edge out Grind on sheer coffee variety including more light and experimental roasts. Meanwhile Atlas takes the lead on food-miles-friendly sourcing from smallholder farms around the world.
For my priorities – repeatable quality, ethical production, and premium feel – Grind checks every box as a proud pressie to myself each month.
Grind Loyalty Perks: Savings for Savvy Subscribers
As if Grind‘s feel-good coffees and free nationwide delivery wasn‘t enough reason to hit subscribe, members gain access to even more perks.
On all repeat orders, subscribers can save up to 33% no matter what you toss in your cart. Beyond blanket discounts, I took advantage of:
- Refer friends, earn free coffee credits
- Special early access to limited-batch drops
- Targeted discounts on bundle deals and clearance items
- Rewards zapped to your account on your birthday and sign-up anniversary
- Free engraving and extended returns on equipment over $200
Through a mix of subscriptions discounts, buy more, save more bulk rates, and surprise pop-up sales, I likely saved over $150 compared to one-off orders over the past year.
Savvy subscribers can easily optimize rewards using my insider tricks:
Pro Tip 1: Bundle coffee and accessories to maximize markdowns on each delivery. I toss in a bag of whole beans, a sleeve of pods, and an extra canister every time to unlocked bundle rewards.
Pro Tip 2: Grind runs short-term 20-25% off promos around most major holidays. Before you check out each month, google "Grind Coffee promotions" or check RetailMeNot to score limited-time codes.
Bottom line: By investing in Grind as a loyal member, I still get exceptional specialty coffee but now at grocery store coffee prices. Sign me up to save!
Guide to Getting Started With Grind
If I‘ve convinced you that sustainable coffee joy exists with Grind, here‘s a handy getting started guide based on my first year‘s exploits:
For Brewing At Home: Grab an eco-friendly compostable pod three pack and the Grind One pod machine bundled to save.
For Crafting Lattes: Upgrade your morning latte game with their smooth casa lattes pods, automatic milk frother, and reusable cup to cut waste.
For Batch Brewing: Buy their compostable filter pouches alongside whole beans or ground bags for cold brew, drip machines, pour overs.
For Occasional Indulging: Purchase seasonal coffee packs tailored to changing tastes across the year alongside their signature cinnamon rolls or caramel syrup.
For Accessorizing: Deck out your home setup with collectible merchandise like custom mugs, storage canisters, and coffee scales to show off your new brand loyalty!
The Final Verdict After 365 Days of Grind
Looking back after a year immersed in all things Grind – touring their cafes, testing their gear, surveying their community – I‘m confident declaring them my new favorite coffee brand.
Their dedication to balancing sustainability with quality comes through vividly with each bag of fresh specialty beans to each artfully designed accessory. By investing in Grind over the long run rather than chasing hype flash brands, I feel good morally about who profits from my self-indulgent coffee habit and enjoy exceptional flavor consistently.
While simpler starter kits cater to the budding enthusiast, Grind still delivers advanced offerings to stimulate snobby purists like myself. Their expanding ecosystem of coffee and hardware fuels creativity behind the bar.
Have lingering questions about getting started or whether Grind‘s worth the spend upfront? Message me anytime at the email below! I could chat for hours about the ins and outs of Grind after 365 days fixated on them.
- Drop any questions in the comments
- Check out Grind‘s latest feature releases on Instagram
- Shop all coffee, machines & merch at GrindCoffee.co.uk
XOXO,
Your New Coffee Confidant
