Driftaway Coffee Review: My Experience with This Ethically Sourced Coffee Subscription
Hey coffee lover! If you‘re anything like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the best beans to fuel your daily brew ritual. Recently, I had the chance to try out Driftaway Coffee, a subscription service that delivers freshly roasted, single origin coffee straight to your doorstep.
In this Driftaway Coffee review, I‘ll give you my honest thoughts on the brand‘s mission, coffee quality, subscription experience, and more. By the end, you‘ll have all the info you need to decide if Driftaway is the right fit for your coffee needs.
But first, let‘s start with a quick overview of what Driftaway Coffee is all about:
What is Driftaway Coffee?
Driftaway is a coffee subscription service that sources high-quality, single origin beans from small farms around the world. What sets Driftaway apart is its commitment to transparency, sustainability, and direct trade partnerships with farmers.
When you sign up for a subscription, you‘ll take a short quiz to identify your taste preferences. Driftaway will then curate a selection of freshly roasted beans that match your profile and ship them to your door on a schedule of your choosing.
Each shipment includes detailed information about the coffee‘s origin, tasting notes, and the farmers behind the beans. You can also provide feedback on each coffee to help Driftaway better understand your preferences over time.
Why Single Origin Coffee Matters
Before we dive into the specifics of Driftaway, let‘s talk about why single origin coffee is such a big deal in the first place. Unlike blends, which contain beans from multiple regions, single origin coffees can be traced back to a specific farm or cooperative.
Single origin coffees allow you to experience the unique flavors and characteristics of a particular growing region. Factors like soil composition, elevation, climate, and processing methods all contribute to a coffee‘s terroir, or sense of place.
By focusing on single origins, Driftaway is able to showcase the incredible diversity of flavors found in coffee around the world. It‘s also able to build direct relationships with farmers and ensure that they are fairly compensated for their work.
Driftaway Coffee Subscription Options
Driftaway offers a few different subscription options to choose from based on your preferences:
1. Explorer Kit
If you‘re new to Driftaway, the Explorer Kit is a great place to start. For $22, you‘ll receive a tasting flight of four 2-ounce bags of coffee, one from each of Driftaway‘s main flavor profiles:
- Fruity (light roast)
- Classic (medium roast)
- Balanced (light-medium roast)
- Bold (dark roast)
The Explorer Kit also includes a $5 credit towards your first full-sized bag of coffee. It‘s a low-risk way to sample Driftaway‘s offerings before committing to a larger subscription.
2. Customized Subscription
Once you‘ve tried the Explorer Kit (or if you already know what you like), you can sign up for a customized subscription. Here‘s how it works:
- Choose your bag size: 7 oz, 11 oz, 16 oz, or 32 oz
- Choose your delivery frequency: weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly
- Choose your roast preference: light, medium, or dark
- Choose your grind: whole bean or ground for various brew methods
Driftaway will then select coffees that match your preferences and ship them to you fresh from the roastery. You can expect your first shipment to arrive within a few days of ordering.
3. Office Subscription
Driftaway also offers subscriptions for offices and businesses looking to stock their break rooms with high-quality coffee. Plans start at $37 per week for 32 ounces of coffee, with discounts available for larger quantities.
The office subscription includes all the same features as the individual plan, including personalized coffee selections and detailed origin information. It‘s a great way to keep your team fueled and support ethical coffee sourcing at the same time.
Pricing
One of the biggest factors in any coffee subscription decision is price. Here‘s a breakdown of Driftaway‘s pricing based on bag size and frequency:
| Bag Size | Weekly | Bi-Weekly | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 oz | $16 | $16 | $16 |
| 11 oz | $22 | $22 | $22 |
| 16 oz | $34 | $34 | $34 |
| 32 oz | $54 | $54 | $54 |
As you can see, Driftaway‘s pricing is on the higher end compared to grocery store coffee. However, it‘s in line with other specialty coffee subscriptions like Mistobox (starts at $20 per 12 oz bag) and Blue Bottle (starts at $13 per 12 oz bag).
In my opinion, the price is justified by the quality of the coffee, the convenience of the subscription model, and the peace of mind that comes with supporting ethical and sustainable sourcing practices.
Coffee Quality and Taste
Of course, none of the sourcing or sustainability stuff matters if the coffee doesn‘t taste good. So, how does Driftaway‘s coffee stack up?
In short, it‘s some of the best coffee I‘ve ever had.
I received an Explorer Kit with my first order, which included four 2-ounce samples of Driftaway‘s current offerings. Here are my tasting notes on each one:
Colombia Aratoca
- Origin: Aratoca, Santander, Colombia
- Variety: Colombia, Castillo
- Process: Washed
- Elevation: 1700-2000 meters
This coffee had a silky body with notes of milk chocolate, toasted almond, and a hint of orange zest. It was well-balanced and easy to drink, with a clean finish that left me wanting more.
Ethiopia Gera
- Origin: Gera, Jimma, Ethiopia
- Variety: Heirloom
- Process: Natural
- Elevation: 1900-2200 meters
As a natural processed coffee, the Ethiopia Gera was bursting with fruit-forward flavors. I tasted ripe blueberry, tart pomegranate, and a sweet floral note that reminded me of jasmine. This coffee was a wild ride from start to finish, but never veered into sour or fermented territory.
Guatemala Huehuetenango
- Origin: Huehuetenango, Guatemala
- Variety: Bourbon, Caturra, Catuai
- Process: Washed
- Elevation: 1500-1800 meters
This Guatemalan coffee had a crisp, apple-like acidity that was balanced by flavors of milk chocolate and toasted pecans. It was a classic crowd-pleaser that would be perfect as a daily drinker or paired with a sweet breakfast pastry.
Sumatra Takengon
- Origin: Takengon, Aceh, Sumatra
- Variety: Bourbon, Typica, Catimor
- Process: Semi-washed
- Elevation: 1200-1600 meters
Sumatran coffees are known for their earthy, full-bodied profile, and this one did not disappoint. It had a syrupy mouthfeel with flavors of dark chocolate, dried fig, and a hint of forest floor. This coffee would be perfect for cold brew or a rich morning latte.
Overall, I was extremely impressed with the quality and variety of coffees included in the Explorer Kit. Each one showcased the unique flavors of its origin while still being approachable and easy to enjoy.
Sustainability and Farmer Empowerment
One of the things I love most about Driftaway is its commitment to sustainability and farmer empowerment. The company goes above and beyond to ensure that its sourcing practices are ethical and environmentally responsible.
For starters, Driftaway only works with small-scale farmers and cooperatives that are committed to sustainable growing practices. This includes things like:
- Shade-grown coffee to promote biodiversity
- Organic and biodynamic farming methods
- Minimal use of pesticides and fertilizers
- Fair labor practices and community investment
Driftaway also pays well above commodity prices for its coffee, which helps ensure that farmers are fairly compensated for their work. According to the company‘s transparency reports, it paid an average of $3.81 per pound for coffee in 2020, compared to the commodity market price of just $1.07 per pound.
But Driftaway‘s commitment to sustainability doesn‘t stop at the farm level. The company also takes steps to reduce its environmental impact throughout the supply chain, including:
- Using 100% compostable packaging for its coffee bags
- Offsetting its carbon emissions through renewable energy credits
- Donating 1% of its sales to environmental nonprofits through 1% for the Planet
As a consumer, it feels good to know that my coffee habit is supporting a company that prioritizes sustainability and ethical sourcing. And Driftaway makes it easy to learn more about the impact of my purchase through its detailed transparency reports and origin stories.
Brewing Tips and Recipes
If you‘re new to brewing single origin coffee at home, Driftaway has you covered with a variety of brewing guides and recipes on its website. Here are a few of my favorites:
Pour Over Recipe
- Coffee: 22-24 grams (about 3 tablespoons)
- Water: 360-400 grams (about 12-14 ounces)
- Grind Size: Medium-fine (similar to table salt)
- Place a filter in your pour over dripper and rinse with hot water to preheat and remove any paper taste.
- Add your ground coffee to the filter and give it a gentle shake to level the bed.
- Start a timer and pour just enough water to saturate the grounds (about 50 grams). Let the coffee bloom for 30 seconds.
- Continue pouring water in a slow, circular motion until you reach your desired total weight. Aim for a brew time of 3-4 minutes.
- Remove the dripper and enjoy your delicious pour over coffee!
Cold Brew Recipe
- Coffee: 100 grams (about 1 cup)
- Water: 1 liter (about 4 cups)
- Grind Size: Coarse (similar to sea salt)
- Combine the ground coffee and water in a large jar or pitcher and stir gently to saturate the grounds.
- Cover the jar with a lid or plastic wrap and let it steep in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours.
- Strain the cold brew concentrate through a fine mesh sieve or coffee filter to remove the grounds.
- Dilute the concentrate with water or milk to taste and serve over ice.
Cold brew is a great way to enjoy the subtle flavors of single origin coffee without any bitterness or acidity. It‘s also super easy to make in large batches and keeps well in the fridge for up to a week.
Gift Subscriptions
If you have a coffee lover in your life, a Driftaway gift subscription is a thoughtful and unique present that keeps on giving. Here‘s how it works:
- Choose your gift size: 3, 6, or 12 months
- Choose your roast preference and grind size
- Enter your recipient‘s shipping information and a personalized gift message
- Driftaway will ship a fresh bag of single origin coffee to your recipient each month for the duration of the gift
Gift subscriptions start at $81 for 3 months and include free shipping. You can also add on an optional Explorer Kit for an extra $22 to let your recipient try a variety of coffees and find their favorite.
In my experience, Driftaway‘s gift subscriptions are always a hit. They‘re a great way to introduce someone to the world of specialty coffee or help a seasoned pro discover new origins and flavors.
Customer Service and Community
One of the things that sets Driftaway apart from other coffee subscriptions is its commitment to customer service and community building. The company has a small but dedicated team that is always happy to answer questions or provide brewing advice.
Driftaway also has an active social media presence and regularly hosts virtual events like coffee tastings and origin tours. It‘s a great way to connect with other coffee lovers and learn more about the stories behind the beans.
In terms of shipping and returns, Driftaway has a straightforward policy. All orders ship within 1-2 business days via USPS First Class or Priority Mail, depending on your location. If you‘re not satisfied with your coffee for any reason, Driftaway will work with you to find a solution or issue a refund.
The Verdict
So, is Driftaway Coffee worth the hype? In my opinion, absolutely.
From the moment I opened my first Explorer Kit, I was impressed by the quality and variety of the coffees on offer. Each one showcased the unique flavors and characteristics of its origin, from the fruity and floral notes of the Ethiopia Gera to the rich and chocolatey profile of the Sumatra Takengon.
But Driftaway is about more than just great coffee. It‘s a company that is committed to sustainability, transparency, and ethical sourcing practices. By supporting Driftaway, I feel good knowing that my purchase is making a positive impact on small-scale farmers and the environment.
And let‘s not forget about the convenience factor. With Driftaway, I never have to worry about running out of fresh, delicious coffee. The customizable subscription model ensures that I always have a steady supply of my favorite beans on hand.
Of course, Driftaway isn‘t the cheapest option out there. But in my opinion, the extra cost is well worth it for the quality of the coffee and the peace of mind that comes with supporting a socially and environmentally responsible company.
So if you‘re a coffee lover looking for a subscription that delivers on taste, convenience, and sustainability, I highly recommend giving Driftaway a try. Trust me, your morning cup will never be the same.
