If you’re anything like me, you need coffee in the morning to not feel like a total gremlin. And if you’re really like me, you value convenience. That’s why Peet’s Coffee and Starbucks have always been my go-to. But after talking with a friend who wakes up more gremlin-like than I do, I decided to give Trade Coffee a try since she swears by it. Here’s how it compares to Peet’s and Starbucks.
If you enjoy trying unique coffees… Trade Coffee
Take one quick glance at Trade Coffee’s website and you’ll find a wide variety of craft, high quality coffee choices. This includes espresso, decaf, organic, light roast, dark roast, and so much more. Every single coffee has been tasted and curated by the experts — so not only is there a ton of variety, but the quality is unmatched. It’s shipped within 48 hours of being roasted making it not only the freshest coffee on the market, but the best tasting too.
I used to think I was a dark roast gal, 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.
Compared to Peet’s and Starbucks’ coffees, I found that Trade Coffee offers more unique varieties of grounds and beans from the top indie roasters around the US.
Plus, another thing I love about Trade Coffee is if you don’t like your first bag, they’ll ship you another one for free! So you’re basically guaranteed a bag of coffee you’ll love — talk about value!
If you value personalization… Trade Coffee
We all know that Starbucks is famous for letting you personalize your drinks to your liking. That’s what makes them so popular! But Trade Coffee goes a few steps beyond this through its subscription service.
When I signed up for Trade Coffee’s subscription, I answered a few questions that helped them determine the coffee I like, how I make it, how much I typically drink, and so much more. When my husband answered the same questions, he ended up receiving completely different results, meaning they really do care about personalizing your subscription to your preferences.
No more fighting over which coffee we’re going to buy, since we each get different roasts tailored to our liking delivered right to our door! And while $15.75 per bag might seem a bit costly, the ultra customization of this subscription service makes the cost completely worth it (and did I mention you can get an extra bag for free?)
If you like what you like and want to keep it that way… 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 love your morning coffee run… Starbucks
Trade Coffee allows you to conveniently order coffee from the comfort of your own home, without ever having to leave your house. Their subscription plans also mean I can get fresh-ground coffee on a regular basis without having to worry about running out. Plus, I love how easy it is to pause or cancel my Trade Coffee subscription, which is so convenient for when I take longer work trips, vacations, or when I still have enough coffee at home.
But as the saying goes, Starbucks is literally on every corner; so for those of you who look forward to getting out of the house each morning, running to Starbucks may be your choice.
If you want to try something new from different local coffee shops… Trade Coffee
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 or Starbucks is sure to have something you’ll like. But for me, the local focus is where it’s at.
If you love to customize your coffee… Trade Coffee
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.
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.
While not having to think about my options can be nice sometimes (hello, Peet’s and Starbucks), I appreciate trying new things and expanding my palate.
My favorite… Trade Coffee
If you’re looking for high quality coffee and the ability to discover new craft coffee based on what you love at a reasonable price, all while supporting small local businesses, then Trade Coffee is definitely a must-try. As a longtime Peet’s and Starbucks coffee drinker, I have to say that Trade Coffee opened my world to what coffee should be! At the end of the day, I love my experience with Trade Coffee. Their personalized coffee subscription has made my morning coffees so much better, so I’m sticking with them from now on!
