As a coffee fanatic always on the hunt for my new favorite roast, I‘ve tested my fair share of coffee subscription services. And over the past year, Trade Coffee has become my go-to for discovering top-notch specialty coffees from across the country delivered fresh to my door.
But as an experienced reviewer, I know too good to be true claims when I see them. I wanted to provide a balanced, detailed take on my experience as a Trade Coffee subscriber. Consider this your insider‘s guide to everything Trade – from how the subscription and customization works to whether it‘s worth the money compared to competitors like Atlas and Driftaway.
What Exactly is Trade Coffee?
Before getting into reviews and comparisons, let‘s start with the basics. Here is a quick primer on Trade Coffee:
Year Founded: 2018
Location: New York City
Mission: Deliver personalized specialty coffee matches
Coffee Selection: 400+ options from 50+ roasters
Subscription Types: The Classics, The Hookup, Gifts
Pricing: Starts at $15/month
The core premise behind Trade Coffee is using a quiz to identify your specific "coffee DNA." You tell them flavors, roasts levels, and origins you enjoy. Their matching algorithm then serves you coffees it thinks align from hundreds of varieties their coffee experts curate.
It‘s an intriguing idea. But does it actually work choosing winners tailored just for your tastebuds?
Below I break down the good, the bad, and the murky based on first-hand experience.
My Trade Coffee Pros and Cons Breakdown
Here are the key advantages I’ve experienced as a happy Trade Coffee subscriber:
Pros
- Massive selection of specialty-grade coffees
- Great way to discover new favorite roasters
- Easy to customize order frequency, size, etc.
- Fast order processing and shipping
- Friendly customer service team
And while mostly positive so far, there are some potential pitfalls to note:
Cons
- Accuracy of taste preferences matching is hit or miss
- Unable to swap coffee bags you dislike
- Slightly pricier than mass market coffee
- No returns or refunds on coffee itself
So it‘s not perfect. But compared to the headache of choosing from hundreds of a la carte options, letting their matchmaking algorithm take the wheel has been mostly rewarding for me after a few tweaks.
Now let’s explore the subscription plans and pricing in more detail.
Comparing Trade‘s Subscription Package Options
Alright, now that you know the Trade Coffee basics, let’s dig into the core package types available for subscribers:
The Classics Plan
$15 for 1 bag
$25 for 2 bags
- Best for: Reliable coffee drinkers wanting smooth, well-balanced cups
- Flavor Profile: Medium roasts, chocolatey and nutty notes
- Roast Style: Familiar and consistent beans
I think of The Classics as your dependable, long-term coffee relationship. They know what you like and deliver it consistently with little surprise. Great if you just want a comforting cup of joe without hassle.
The Hookup Plan
$15-$22 per bag
- Best For: Adventurous coffee drinkers
- Flavor Notes: Fruit-forward, floral, juicy
- Roast Style: New single origin beans constantly
The Hookup plan keeps your coffee experience exciting by sending you rare, exclusive coffee from award-winning roasters. Expect lighter, fruity roasts with exceptional clarity and layers of flavor. It‘s like going on a new coffee date each month not knowing what to expect!
Gift Subscriptions
Best For: Treating coffee-loving friends
Pricing: 5% savings on 3, 6 12 mo. gifts
Want to gift a coffee fanatic friend or family member months of new coffee? Gift cards make great birthday, holiday, or thank you presents. Recipients take a preference quiz and can choose subscription plans and customization options.
Evaluating Accuracy Based on My Preferences
The core value proposition Trade sells is using a detailed taste preference quiz to identify coffees uniquely suited to you. But in my experience, the accuracy is not an exact science.
Out of my first 6 coffee match shipments, I rated 3 as perfect matches, 2 as decent quality but slightly missing the mark flavor-wise, and 1 as completely not to my liking.
Here is how Trade Coffee did matching some flavors I enjoy:
| Flavor Note | Match Accuracy |
|---|---|
| Milk Chocolate | 2 perfect matches |
| Dark Cherry | 1 perfect, 1 so-so |
| Hazelnut | 1 bad mismatch |
But that‘s the learning curve of any matchmaking system. Thankfully, you can provide rating feedback on each coffee shipped. I found after rating my first few shipments, relevance and enjoyment of matches improved.
So while not perfect out the gate, if you provide ongoing feedback, Trade‘s suggestions get dialed in over time.
How Trade Coffee Compares to Top Competition
Trade Coffee is far from the only coffee subscription game in town. Veteran services like Blue Bottle, Atlas Coffee Club, and Angel Cup offer similar matchmaking and customization capabilities.
How does Trade stack up against the long time category leaders? Here is a head-to-head look at how some core features compare:
| Trade | Atlas | Blue Bottle | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $15+ | $14 | $11+ |
| # of Coffees | 400+ | 100+ | 50+ |
| Matchmaking | Quiz Based | Quiz Based | Staff Picks |
| Roast Style | Mostly Light | Light & Medium | Mixed |
| Bean Origin | Global | Global | America & Africa |
| Subscription Flexibility | High | Medium | Low |
While all three provide exceptional coffee, Trade Coffee stands out for its unparalleled variety and control over order details. Their dedication to exclusively light, fruity roasts also caters well to my preferences.
For coffee purists that know exactly what they like, Blue Bottle‘s curation might be preferable. But Trade‘s customization and exploration focus best aligns with my habits.
Answering Common Trade Coffee Questions
As an experienced subscriber, friends and family always pepper me with questions on how Trade works. Here I‘ll answer some common FAQs for new members:
How long does shipping take?
Trade Coffee processes and ships orders incredibly fast – usually within 24 hours of you placing it. You‘ll get tracking info via email. Actual delivery times depend on where you live but expect between 3-6 weekdays.
What if I don‘t like certain coffee I‘m sent?
Unfortunately, one downside of Trade is the inability to return or swap coffee bags you dislike. I recommend entering very specific flavors you enjoy and don‘t like during signup to minimize mismatches. Over time, continue providing rating feedback on matches to improve accuracy.
When do I get billed?
Trade Coffee charges you at the time you place your subscription order. So if you elect for 2 bag shipments every 2 weeks, you‘ll be charged immediately for that upcoming order.
How do I pause or cancel my subscription?
You can easily manage, pause, or cancel your Trade Coffee subscription via your online account dashboard. Just toggle the options for your next order cycle. No commitment required!
Can I buy coffee without a subscription?
Yes! You can shop Trade‘s a la carte coffee marketplace without a subscription. This lets you purchase individual bags, including past subscription coffees you enjoyed. Useful for gift-giving too!
Maximizing Your Trade Coffee Experience
As a long-time subscriber, I‘ve discovered a few tips and tricks to make sure you maximize the value and enjoyment of Trade Coffee deliveries. Here are my pro recommendations:
1. Take your time with the taste quiz – be as detailed as possible on flavor preferences so early matches cater to your palate.
2. Keep rating your coffees – this feedback lets Trade‘s algorithm learn what you love.
3. Contact support if you have issues – the customer service team is super responsive via phone, email or chat.
4. Experiment with different accessory pairings – find what compliments each new coffee best – milk, sugar, flavored creamer, etc.
5. Occasionally buy your faves a la carte – for reliable standbys, purchase past hits outside your subscription.
Following this advice, I‘ve discovered amazing roasts I‘d likely never find on my own. If you invest the time providing ongoing preferences feedback, the matchmaking pays dividends.
Final Take: Is Trade Coffee Worth Trying?
Alright – after reading my complete insiders take, what‘s the verdict, is dive in on Trade Coffee worth it?
In my opinion, yes – if you are:
- An adventurous coffee drinker – willing to experiment with new styles and roasts
- Engaged in rating matches – committed to providing ongoing feedback to perfect accuracy over time
- Not overly picky – okay occasionally getting coffees that don‘t 100% align with your ideal taste
For those that fit the above profile, Trade Coffee provides an exceptionally fun, affordable way to discover new favorite specialty coffee roasts you‘d likely never find on your own. The subscription pricing is very reasonable for the quality and variety offered.
However, pickier drinkers that know exactly what they want and expect every single bag to cater to their precise tastes may end up disappointed. Without swapping disliked bags, you have to accept some misses as part of the exploration.
Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend coffee lovers subscribe to Trade Coffee for 3-6 months to experience the diversity of exceptional roasts not accessible anywhere else. Hopefully my unfiltered review gave you the complete insider perspective on what to expect!
Top Alternatives Worth Exploring
While likely my long-term go-to, Trade Coffee may not be for everyone. Here are a few other highly-rated coffee subscription services I suggest considering as well if you want to shop around:
- Atlas Coffee Club – Global coffee tastes on a budget
- Angel Cup – Broad bean selection spotlighting women growers/roasters
- Bean Box – The most personalized quiz-based matching in market
- Crema – Independent and micro-lot specialty roasts
No matter who you choose, I hope you enjoy discovering new favorite coffees on your home brewing adventure! Let me know if you have any other questions.
