Why would I ever want to join a coffee club?

by Matt
(Brooklyn, NY)


QUESTION:

I don’t get it. I keep coming across new coffee companies that are pitching a subscription-based coffee club.

You've featured some of these on this site too.

They want me to sign up for one or two bags of coffee, once or twice a month.

Sounds like a fun idea... but here’s my big, fat problem with the whole idea.

I don’t use a fixed amount of coffee each week or each month. What if I’m away for a few days? What if I have guests over?

With a subscription I’ll either end up with extra coffee left over, or not enough.

The chances of having the exact right amount of coffee each month is about ZERO!

Next... a lot of these subscription services don’t let you choose just one, favorite coffee to order. Instead, they get to choose what they send you. At least, that’s how it seems to me.

So really... why would I do that? Or am I missing something?

Matt


ANSWER:


Matt, hi

I used to think the same. Until I realized that maybe a coffee subscription isn’t about being your main source of coffee.

The way I see it, you keep buying your regular coffee from your local supermarket or coffee shop.

What the coffee club does is introduce you to new and different coffees. It’s a way to get a little more adventurous with your coffee drinking.

And maybe you’ll discover a new “favorite” coffee.

For example, maybe you’ve been drinking coffee from Colombia or Kenya, for years. Then your coffee club introduces you to Sumatran coffee... and it blows you away.

So now you’re going to start buying Sumatran beans as your basic, go-to coffee.

Until your club introduces you to something new... once again.

That’s how I see it, anyway.

Best wishes,

Nick

Comments for Why would I ever want to join a coffee club?

Click here to add your own comments

Travel Beans
by: Debra-Lynn (CupLady)

My sister, who lives on Vancouver Island, has the opportunity to travel to many destinations, many being in South America. Bonus for me as she will go looking for different types of coffee beans and roasters. One of my latest taste adventures was a blend from Nicaragua called, Twin Engines. The Coffee trees grown in the same soil as the tobacco leaves for cigars. The coffee bean absorbs the flavour giving a chocolate-tobacco taste, A real eye opener. I love trying new blends and roasters. Not sure if I am ready to sign up to one specific coffee club, yet it does broaden ones taste buds.
Discover new stories!
by: Brothers Coffee Company

Love this piece. I'd love to add that coffee subscriptions that offer a rotating selection of roasters allow you to find unique roasters as well! As coffee-lovers, we enjoy new discoveries, as this post says.

Stories are a big part of Brothers Coffee Company. We select a new roaster each month; a roaster that is finding new and unique ways to make the world a better place. We tell our subscribers more about them and what they're doing.

Will we give you the exact amount of coffee that you need every month? No. But we'll introduce you to your new favorite roaster and new favorite coffee, and allow you to vote with your dollars for roasters that are making a difference.
take a shot.......
by: pistachio

really,,,what is the risk.....

the upside potential is far greater than the possible loss....

give destiny a chance ......

you try new coffees, maybe find something you like and know more what you do not....

really,,, the supermarket does not offer too much these days....there are not a lot of other options....

and surely you can cancel your subscription...

In the quest for GREAT coffee,,,, it's worth the

effort and possible aggravation....!

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Questions about Coffee.

Before you go, sign up to receive the Coffee Detective Newsletter...

Sign up for occasional newsletters about the best coffees and brewing equipment. Plus special updates from the Coffee Detective Coffee Store…