If you're the type of person who cares about the quality of their morning brew, then you know how hard it is to find great coffee. It's a hassle to keep having to go to your local coffee shop or store whenever you want a new bag. Oftentimes, the bags we buy aren't even as fresh as they could be.
There's also no replacement for single-origin coffee directly from the coffee capitals of the world. Atlas Coffee Club is perfect for those of us who don't have a moment to travel to Ethiopia for an authentic roast. Every month, you get coffee bags from a different country around the world. Pretty cool way to take a coffee world tour, right?
Different from any other coffee club, Atlas is dedicated to helping you learn about the origins of your coffee beans as well as the best brewing methods Even if you're a novice coffee drinker, there's no better way to learn about flavors and roasts than a coffee club subscription. Find out below if Atlas is the best coffee subscription for you.
Atlas Coffee Club At A Glance
- Best Match For: People looking to explore exotic coffee flavors from all around the world.
- Commitment Level: Subscription with delivery every two or four weeks.
- Availability: US and Canada
- Value: $14/12 oz bag (30 servings); $4.95 shipping fee
- Type: Single orgin Fairtreade coffee
How Atlas Works
The process for signing up for the Atlas Coffee Club subscription service is simple. First, you choose the number of bags you want in each shipment. If you only drink coffee occasionally, you should review the half-bag option. If you are a huge coffee lover, you can get one or two bags.
Then, you select your delivery frequency. Altas Coffee Club will ship your box every two weeks or every four weeks. Though each bag of coffee will be a surprise, you can tailor your subscription to only include certain roast types: light to medium or medium to dark. Finally, you pick whether you want a bag of whole beans or ground coffee.
The coolest part about Atlas Coffee subscription boxes is that they all include:
The company has partners in over 50 countries. They deliver the coffee right after roasting so you know you're getting high-quality, fresh coffee. Keep in mind that the regions only change monthly. So, if you choose two-week shipments, you will get the same country twice.
Gifting Club Atlas Coffee
Coffee subscriptions are clearly the perfect gift for the coffee lovers in your life.
Atlas Coffee Club has three gift subscription services: a three-month starter pack, six, and twelve months.
You have the same options to tailor the subscription.
You can also add a gift note and choose the free shipping date if it's for a special occasion.
Anyone who drinks coffee will appreciate marking off different countries on their coffee passport.
The website has links for corporate gifts as well, including a one-month experience.
Order longer subscriptions for the best deals on pricing.
Rewards Program
When you sign up for an Atlas Coffee Club subscription, you automatically join their rewards program. Just like a frequent flyer program, subscribers get points for every purchase, every referral, and the miles that their coffee traveled before appearing at your door.
You can use these points to unlock reduced prices, special offerings, and store credit.
What You Can Expect
Atlas Coffee Club calls its curators Coffee Tour Guides. They expertly review and describe the tasting notes for each bag of coffee from around the world.
This commitment to quality enables the company to send subscription coffee that matches your taste preference.
A single 12-ounce bag of theirs makes about 30 cups. If you don't need that much coffee in a month, then go for the 6-ounce half-bag.
The package is designed to reflect landscapes and textiles from each region.
If you typically hide your coffee products away, you'll be moved to display this fun packaging to some other folks to see.
The coffees are roasted in Austin, Texas, but the sources include places such as:
If you don't know what roast preference to pick, go for the variety subscription. With that option, you get to try something new every month and record your thoughts about the differences between roasts.
Atlas Coffee Club describes the flavor profiles of a light roast as chocolate, citrus, berry, and fruit. For a medium roast level, you get more of a full-bodied cup with bolder flavor.
If you opt for whole bean coffee, you will have to grind the product at home. Each Atlas batch comes with a recommended grind type and brewing method so you get your caffeine kick the right way.
Lastly, you get a beautifully crafted postcard with a bit of information about the country that month.
Sample Brewing Recommendations
The Atlas Coffee Club site (and their email newsletter) tell you everything you need to know to brew the perfect cup of coffee.
If you really want to develop the tasting notes, then you'll use the method suggested by Atlas.
For certain selections, they recommend using a drip coffee machine. For others, they may suggest an Aeropress or French press.
If you don't have a lot of styles of coffee makers in your kitchen (not many people do), that's okay.
Here's how Atlas Coffee Club recommends you make high-quality drinks:
French Press
French presses seem fancy, but they're pretty simple to use. They result in rich, oily brews that bring out the earthy taste of your coffee. The process includes:
Chemex
A Chemex allows you the opportunity to discover the more delicate tasting notes in your coffee. It takes a little more time, but it's worth it for someone who appreciates detail.
Other Methods
Atlas Coffee Club has articles on their blog for just about anything you could want to know about coffee and the brand. They offer directions for using a V60, making the perfect cup of coffee in general, making iced coffee, and even making coffee without a coffee machine.
Don't let this coffee talk overwhelm you, however. You don't have to be a skilled barista to enjoy your coffee from around the world. True enjoyment is all about your personal preferences.
Delivery
Atlas Coffee Club ships to the United States and Canada. For US orders, you should get your things within three to five business days.
The shipping fee varies for regular orders, but there is free shipping for gifts of any size.
If the standard delivery choices do not work for you.
Atlas Coffee Club can alter your delivery frequency to as often as once per week or as long as once every two months.
All you need to do is log into your account and select a new shipping schedule.
You also have the means to get up to four bags per shipment if you want to buy in bulk.
Get in touch with the Atlas team if you want to find the cost of more than four bags.
They guarantee that your coffee will arrive fresh and roasted to order. In fact, the staff suggests waiting a week before you brew your coffee to give it time to degas.
For this reason, the bags are not vacuum-sealed when they reach your doorstep.
FAQS
At this time, Atlas does not offer the choice of a decaf coffee subscription.
Yes, you can use a reusable K-cup to brew your coffee with a Keurig. Atlas lists their favorite kind of cup on their website, which you can find on Amazon.com. They also have a range of tips for brewing the best mug via Keurig.
Tasting notes tells you about the flavor compounds you can find in your coffee, and the difference between certain roasts. According to research, coffee has even more flavor compounds and complexity than wine. In your tastings, for example, you may find hints of grape jelly, maple, vanilla, or nuts.
Yes, Atlas Coffee Club is great. They offer fresh, sustainable, premium coffee from all over the world. As a customer, you get to pick your roast preferences and your grind type for a customized experience.
Yes, you can cancel Atlas Coffee Club at any time. Simply log into your account on the website or email customer service at support@atlascoffeeclub.com.
Michael Shewmake and Jon Miller are listed as co-founders of Atlas Coffee Club.
I thought Atlas Coffee Club was great. The roasts are all high-quality and carefully-crafted, and the bags are fun to collect. I also enjoyed the informational postcard that helped me learn about different regions and roasts.
Atlas Coffee Club is currently located in Austin, TX.
Atlas Coffee Club does not mention being organic. However, the beans are all single-origin and sustainably-farmed by farmers around the world.
According to the Atlas Coffee Club site, the company prioritizes fair trade and sustainability. They focus on ethically sourcing beans and paying above-market prices for all their coffee.
Atlas Coffee Club Costs
With your monthly or bi-weekly plan you can select half, single, or double 12-oz bags, select your roast preference, and grind type. The price for a single bag is $14, and there is a flat rate shipping fee of $4.95. You also receive $10 off on your first order.
Pros & Cons
PROS:
- Designs on the bags are innovative
- Coffee comes from sustainable sources all over the world
- You may earn special perks the longer you have a subscription
- Each bag comes with an origin story to help you learn more on your journey
CONS:
- No ability to re-order your favorite roasts
Food For Thought
In review, Atlas brings coffee drinkers premium roasts from all over the globe with guaranteed freshness. If you spend money on coffee every month already, then you'll take comfort in knowing that you're getting a quality thing for the price.
The coffee changes monthly, and you can pick your desired quantity and roast preferences. Our only area of disappointment is that you can't purchase individual bags of the roasts that you love. But, if anything, Atlas stays true to its mission, which is to introduce you to delicious, global coffee makers.
The bottom line is: Atlas Coffee Club is most compatible with the world traveler looking to experience different countries through coffee.
Atlas Coffee Club