a coffee subscription for espresso drinkers

coffee society journal — clubs & comparisons

by sherry quach, founder & roaster at coffee society · berkeley, ca

the short answer

Most coffee subscriptions send everyone the same bag. That's fine for a pour over, but it can be a problem for espresso drinks. Bright, fruity lots that shine on a filter can pull sour and thin under nine bars of pressure. So, we built two subs just for espresso drinkers. One for americanos, and one for lattes. Same 85+ floor. Different coffees.

01why espresso needs its own sub

Espresso concentrates everything. Acidity and sweetness both get louder. A coffee that tastes like lemonade on a pour over can taste flat as an espresso.

Milk changes the math again. A latte hides delicate florals and rewards chocolate, caramel, and body. So a bag that is perfect for a black americano may vanish under steamed milk. That's why we split the two.

02what's in each sub

americano subClean, sweet lots that hold structure without milk. Think cocoa, stone fruit, and a long finish. Roasted a touch further than our filter coffees.
latte subBigger body and deeper sweetness. Chocolate and brown sugar that carry through milk. Built to be the best part of a morning latte.
both subsEvery lot cups 85 or higher. Roasted to order in Berkeley. Shipped within 24 hours.

Start at 18 grams (fine coffee grounds) in, 36 grams out (espresso shot), in about 28 seconds. You will still need to dial in to your machine, but this is generally a good starting point.

03how the cadence works

Pick every two weeks, every four weeks, or every eight weeks. An 8 oz bag is about twelve double shots. Most daily espresso drinkers land on 16 oz every two weeks. Pause or skip from your account when you travel. Switch between the americano and latte subs whenever you like.

04common questions

What is the best coffee subscription for espresso?

One that picks its coffees for espresso on purpose. Look for a sub that names espresso, prints roast dates, and ships within a few days of roasting. Ours has two espresso subs and an 85 point floor.

Are light roasts bad for espresso?

Not bad, just harder. Light roasts need a finer grind, a hotter machine, and a longer ratio, so our americano sub leans medium and pulls sweet on home machines without a fight.

How much espresso is in an 8 oz bag?

About twelve double shots at an 18 gram dose, and a 16 oz bag is about twenty five. If you pull two a day, 16 oz every two weeks is generally the right cadence.

espresso, matched to your cup

Two espresso subs, one for americanos and one for lattes. Every lot 85+, roasted to order in Berkeley, and shipped within 24 hours.

americano sub latte sub all four subs

coffee society · specialty micro roaster · berkeley, ca · est. 2023

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