Y’all know I’m not even thinking about starting my day until coffee has been consumed. And everywhere I go, I’m always looking for a local coffee shop to get a sense of what the scene in that part of town is all about. When I’m home, I obviously don’t get to do that, so I’ve always stuck with Peet’s since it seemed easy and I thought they had the best quality coffee.
That was until I stepped foot in a shop in Santa Cruz that had a little framed sign saying that their coffee is available on Trade. I thought, wait, I can have this shipped to me and drink next level brew at home? I had to give it a try, so here’s how it compared to Peet’s:
If a complex, high quality flavor brings you to life… Trade
Once you’ve developed a discerning palate, there’s no going back to the way things were. I used to think I was a dark roast guy, but through answering a few questions on Trade’s website, I discovered it’s the crisp, expressive, and slightly unconventional flavor of a well-executed medium roast that raises me like the undead from my bed every morning. And in addition to the, let’s say, cowabunga-worthy flavor of these small batch coffees, it’s the fact that everything is freshly roasted on demand and shipped within 48 hours of being roasted that breathes life into me. This can be true whether you drink regular coffee, espresso, decaf, organic coffee, or something else.
If you want to take a tour of the best local coffee shops… Trade
I'm always on the lookout for that next great mom & pop shop serving up some delicious dishes, and I’m game to travel to make it happen. But between travels, bringing that hand-touched taste into my own kitchen is…chef’s kiss.
Trade works with over 55 craft coffee roasters from around the US and sends their finest coffee to you on a rotating basis. It’s a great way to feel connected to local communities and to add destinations to your travel list. Plus, some of this stuff isn’t available in grocery stores, so you really are getting access to local flavors that no one else can get. I’ve learned about so many new indie coffee shops I can’t wait to visit in person! Moreover, the roasters are vetted to be community-driven, high-quality, and have a focus on sustainability, so you know anything that comes your way is top-notch.
If where your coffee comes from and shopping local isn’t on your mind, then Peet’s is sure to have something you’ll like. But for me, the local focus is where it’s at.
If you know what you like and you’re sticking to it… Peet’s
If you step into a Peet’s coffee shop as Peet’s lover, you know exactly what to expect, no matter what city you’re in. Their subscription lets you receive only your favorite coffee from them, choosing between their Small Batch Series, Seasonal, Single Origin, and Blends. While I’m more about mixing things up and experiencing surprises in what I taste, my dad craves more consistency in his cup of coffee and says he wants to save space in his brain for other endeavors. It takes all kinds.
If you’re all about that customization… Trade
Trade’s coffee subscription is highly customizable to a number of preferences (if you want more control over what you get). You can choose your flavor notes, whole bean vs. ground, and how you prefer to brew: French press, Chemex, a regular old coffee maker, and about 7 more options. They want to help you hone in on that perfect cup. But don’t worry if you don’t know what you want — it’s easy to sign up and get started, and Trade will recommend you coffee based on what little information you provide.
I was inspired by Trade’s guides to try different methods of brewing, and even though I’m still a regular drip coffee person at heart, I’ve definitely liked dipping my toes into the world of other brew methods just to see what they’re all about.
For both Trade and Peet’s, your subscription is really easy to pause or cancel anytime, without having to interact with a customer service person. And if you don’t happen to like your first bag (which I seriously doubt will happen), Trade will ship you another one for free — no questions asked.
It’s Trade or nothing else
Trade checks all the boxes for me: the customization down to a T, the variety, the SUPPORTING LOCAL — sorry, I got excited — even as you sip from home. I have to be honest, I thought Peet’s was good coffee until I started brewing craft coffee at home on the reg. Now I have a higher standard and I’m not looking back.
