Atlas Coffee Club Review: Do Coffee Origins Actually Add Value?

Atlas Coffee Club offers a coffee subscription service that aims to help you explore new coffee flavors each month. The brand focuses on delivering freshly roasted, single-origin coffee, with coffee beans sourced from countries like Ethiopia, Colombia, and Costa Rica.

The brand offers a flexible subscription model where you may select your roast preference (light to dark), bag quantity, and delivery frequency (every 2 or 4 weeks). Atlas Coffee Club also provides online resources like access to helpful brewing guides and community engagement to share your experiences with fellow coffee enthusiasts.

In this review, we explore Atlas Coffee Club’s subscription plans, coffee variety, advantages, and potential brand limitations. The review aims to look at whether the Atlas Coffee Club subscription might suit your coffee needs and how it compares to other coffee subscription services.

About Atlas Coffee Club

Founded by Michael Shewmake and Jordan Rosenacker, Atlas Coffee Club is a subscription-based coffee brand that aims to elevate the daily coffee experience. The brand offers its subscribers single-origin coffee from over 50 coffee-producing countries.

Subscribers may fully customize their plan, which includes options for choosing roast preference (light, medium, or dark), grind type (whole bean or ground), package quantity, and shipping frequency. Each delivery also includes a postcard from the country of origin, flavor notes, and expert brewing tips.

The makers state that Atlas Coffee Club follows fair-trade prices, partners directly with local farmers, and reinvests in local communities. The brand also uses 100% recycled packaging and eco-friendly practices, which indicate its commitment to sustainability.

Atlas Coffee Club Offers

1. Coffee Subscription

   Atlas Coffee Club offers a coffee subscription that provides access to curated micro-lot coffees, sourced from renowned coffee-growing regions like Tanzania, Colombia, and Papua New Guinea.

   The Coffee Subscription box includes a 12-ounce bag (or more, such as 24 24-ounce bags) of freshly roasted, single-origin coffee beans. To enhance your experience, each delivery also features tasting notes, brewing tips, and a collectible postcard from the featured country.

2. Coffee Pod Subscription

   The Coffee Pod Subscription provides freshly roasted coffee in recyclable pods, which are compatible with Keurig® 1.0 & 2.0 and Nespresso® OriginalLine machines. Although not affiliated with Keurig or Nespresso, these pods help ensure single-serve brewing without sacrificing quality.

   Subscribers can choose Light to Medium, Medium to Dark, or All Roasts for a rotating selection. The Coffee Pod Subscription plans offer packs of 24, 48, or 72 cups per month, with the 24-cup plan starting at $14.5 ($0.60 per cup) with a 50% discount on the first shipment.

   Flexible delivery options are also available at a frequency of 2, 4, or 6 weeks. It allows you to pause, skip, or cancel your delivery frequency at any time. If you are unsatisfied with a particular coffee pod, the Coffee Match Guarantee ensures your next shipment is free.

3. Espresso Pod Subscription

   The Espresso Pod Subscription is specifically designed for Nespresso® OriginalLine and Keurig® 1.0 & 2.0 machines. The pods contain freshly roasted, single-origin coffee sourced from coffee-producing areas like Papua New Guinea, Tanzania, and El Salvador.

   As per the official site, the Espresso Pod Subscription provides espresso pods from two countries, offering flavors like dark chocolate, maple syrup, silky melon, etc. These coffee beans are sourced from environmentally rich regions, such as volcanic slopes and highland valleys.

   Starting with the Espresso Pod Subscription is simple. You need to select a preferred roast level (Light, Medium, Dark, or All Roasts) and then choose a plan. The Espresso Subscription offers packs of 20. 40, 60 pods, each pack costing $9.50, $14.50, and $19.50, respectively.

4. Decaf Subscription

   The Decaf Subscription from Atlas Coffee Club offers access to single-origin decaf coffee. The decaf beans are processed using gentle, solvent-free methods, which may help eliminate caffeine content while preserving the coffee’s natural flavor compounds. The decaffeinated coffee in the Decaf Subscription from Atlas Coffee Club may help decrease glucose tolerance.

   Starting with the Decaf Subscription requires you to choose between whole bean and ground coffee. Then, you are required to select a grind type tailored to your preferred brewing method, including options like Drip Machine, French Press, Pour Over, Espresso, etc.

   The Decaf Subscription comes with package quantities of Half Bag (6 oz, ~15 cups), Single Bag (12 oz, ~30 cups), and Double Bag (24oz, ~60 cups). The brand also offers customizable delivery options, with the choice to choose between deliveries at an interval of 2 or 4 weeks.

5. Cold Brew Subscription

   The Cold Brew Subscription from Atlas Coffee Club provides coffee roasted specifically for cold brew preparation. Cold brew coffee may have a smoother, less acidic taste than hot brewed coffee. The cold brewing method could preserve antioxidants like chlorogenic acid, offering more flavor without the bitterness often associated with hot brewing methods.

   Atlas Coffee Club’s Cold Brew Subscription comes with 20 free cold brew filters, a curated roast from a different country each month, a postcard, and a tasting card with flavor notes and brewing tips.

   The makers also provide detailed instructions for making cold brew coffee. They suggest filling a filter with 14 level tablespoons (68 grams) of coarsely ground coffee, tying the filter, and placing it in a 32-oz mason jar. Further instructions include adding 24oz (3 cups) of cold water, sealing the jar, and refrigerating it for 18–24 hours.

Atlas Coffee Club Advantages

1. Offers Flexible Product Formats

   Atlas Coffee Club offers the flexibility to customize your coffee experience based on your brewing preferences and equipment. You may choose between whole bean or ground coffee, with grind options tailored for brewing methods like drip coffee, pour-over, French press, espresso, etc.

   The brand also provides coffee pods compatible with Keurig and Nespresso machines, enabling you to switch between different brewing styles easily. The subscriptions provided by the brand also enable you to select your preferred roast level, whether light-to-medium, medium-to-dark, or a blend of both. These factors can help add an extra layer of personalization.

2. Strong Brand Identity

   Atlas Coffee Club’s focus on global coffee exploration and cultural storytelling provides you access to single-origin, micro-lot coffees from different countries each month. The offerings from Atlas Coffee Club also come in vibrant, country-specific designs, which showcase local art and coffee flavors from different countries. These design choices minimize prominent logos and heavy branding.

   In the case of Atlas Coffee Club, their packaging and branding reflect a commitment to quality and cultural exploration, boosting your overall satisfaction and increasing your loyalty to the brand.

3. Global Sourcing Of Coffee

   Atlas Coffee Club utilizes a wide range of single-origin coffee beans, sourced from over 50 coffee-producing countries worldwide. The brand offers you a chance to explore multiple flavor profiles from various regions like Ethiopia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Tanzania, India, and Papua New Guinea.

   The coffee beans are carefully selected from micro-lot farms, hand-picked at peak ripeness, and grown in high-altitude regions to ensure quality. The attention to detail may give you access to a wide variety of taste profiles, such as the fruity flavor of Ethiopian beans and the chocolatey flavors of Costa Rican varieties.

Atlas Coffee Club Limitations

1. Inconsistent Roast Profiles

   Based on reviews on Trustpilot, some customers have noticed that the coffee they receive in different shipments does not taste the same. If the taste varies from one shipment to another, consumers can remain dissatisfied with the brand’s offerings, feeling that they are not getting the quality they signed up for in subscriptions. When there are inconsistencies across coffee batches, it raises concerns about the quality control process of the brand.

2. No Physical Retail Presence

   The brand Atlas Coffee Club completely lacks a physical retail presence. The brand does not operate any brick-and-mortar stores, cafés, kiosks, or pop-up shops. It means customers cannot visit a location to browse coffee selections, sample brews, or make on-the-spot purchases.

   All sales and customer interactions take place exclusively through the Atlas Coffee Club website. The absence of physical retail locations limits opportunities for in-person product discovery, live tastings, or retail experiences. These aspects are especially important for new customers who may prefer to experience the coffee firsthand before committing to a subscription.

Atlas Coffee Club Alternative Brands

1. Bean Box

   Bean Box and Atlas Coffee Club both offer curated coffee subscription services, but there are differences between the brands’ sourcing strategies, customization options, and target audience.

   Atlas Coffee Club focuses primarily on globally sourced, single-origin coffee from areas like Peru, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Tanzania, India, etc. The subscription deliveries offer coffee beans sourced from different countries each month. The approach aligns with consumers interested in exploring origin-driven coffee flavor profiles.

   Bean Box sources its coffee beans from artisan roasters primarily located in Seattle. Instead of emphasizing country-of-origin exploration, Bean Box highlights roaster craftsmanship and roast diversity. While the brand offers single-origin coffee beans, its platform focuses on providing multiple roasting varieties in a single shipment.

   When it comes to freshness, both Atlas Coffee Club and Bean Box prioritize roast-to-order shipping. Atlas Coffee Club roasts centrally before dispatch, while Bean Box relies on its roaster partners to roast and fulfill. Studies show that flavor volatile compounds in coffee begin to degrade approximately 7–10 days post-roast, so both methods may help retain freshness during delivery.

   For cold brew enthusiasts, Atlas Coffee Club provides a dedicated cold brew subscription option. It includes access to coarsely ground beans optimized for cold extraction, detailed preparation instructions, and complimentary brewing filters. On the other hand, Bean Box does not offer a cold brew-specific subscription, limiting accessibility for consumers who prefer cold brew coffee.

2. Driftaway Coffee

   Driftaway Coffee and Atlas Coffee Club offer distinct approaches to coffee subscriptions. Atlas Coffee Club provides a “coffee of the month” experience, offering single-origin coffee beans from 50+ countries with options for roast levels, grind type, and delivery frequency.

   The subscription from Driftaway Coffee brand includes an “Explorer Box” containing five coffee variants, allowing subscribers to discover their preferred flavor profiles. Users rate each sample, and Driftaway’s algorithm uses this data to customize future shipments.

   Driftaway Coffee provides interactive virtual tasting sessions, where subscribers can join live sessions led by coffee educators, exploring flavors in real time. The hands-on approach allows users to refine their coffee preferences. Meanwhile, Atlas Coffee Club does not provide the feature of virtual tastings, but each delivery includes informative details about the coffee’s origin, tasting notes, and a postcard.

   In terms of brewing flexibility, Driftaway’s coffee selection may be compatible with brewing methods like pour-over and drip, making the coffee products more accessible for users with minimal equipment. In contrast, Atlas Coffee Club offers a broader range of brewing options, including drip machines, French press, espresso, and single-serve pods, accommodating diverse brewing preferences.

   Both Driftaway Coffee and Atlas Coffee Club provide the convenience of roast-to-order and fresh shipment. However, Driftaway Coffee publishes roast dates and focuses on traceable micro-lots. Meanwhile, Atlas Coffee Club emphasizes country-based storytelling rather than individual farm data.

How Did We Evaluate Atlas Coffee Club?

1. Consumer Feedback

   To evaluate Atlas Coffee Club, we analyzed customer feedback on the subscription and offerings from the brand on review platforms like Amazon and Trustpilot. On Amazon, many consumers who tried Light/Medium Roast Coffee Pods (Tanzania) appreciated the pleasant flavor profile of the coffee, describing it as smooth, well-balanced, and enjoyable.

   However, some consumers expressed dissatisfaction with the Light/Medium Roast Coffee Pods (Tanzania) ‘s freshness. They found the coffee weak or lacking in flavor, with the Ethiopian light roast described as “almost flavorless.” A few users were disappointed by the El Salvador dark roast, expecting a stronger, more robust taste.

   Trustpilot reviews paint a less favorable picture of Atlas Coffee Club, with numerous complaints about customer service and logistics. Many subscribers experienced delayed deliveries, inadequate tracking information, and poor communication.

   As a subscription-based service, the inconsistency in delivery reliability led to frustration among users. Many consumers shared on Trustpilot that they encountered difficulties when trying to cancel their subscriptions, with some continuing to be charged even after initiating the cancellation process.

2. Refunds And Subscription Cancellations

   When evaluating Atlas Coffee Club, we assessed the brand’s refund and subscription cancellation policies to evaluate the flexibility and limitations they offer. Atlas Coffee Club has a non-refundable policy for its coffee products. It means that no refunds are available, regardless of the reason.

   However, Atlas Coffee Club does offer flexibility in managing subscriptions by providing the facility to cancel subscriptions at any time with a prior 48-hour notice. The brand tries to accommodate cancellation requests with less than 48 hours’ notice, though they make no guarantees due to the automated nature of subscriptions.

   Atlas Coffee Club provides an easy-to-follow process regarding subscription cancellations. Clear instructions are given on how to manage subscription settings, and for any concerns or queries, the support team of Atlas Coffee Club is readily available via email to assist.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Fresh Is the Coffee From Atlas Coffee Club?
   The makers state that the ground and whole bean coffee are roasted on the shipment day, while the pods are roasted a few days prior to the shipment date. The prompt roasting could help ensure optimal freshness and flavor in every shipment.
2. What Pack Sizes Are Available In the Atlas Coffee Club Subscription?
   Subscriptions from Atlas Coffee Club come in half-bag (6 oz.), single 12-ounce bag, or two 12-ounce bags per shipment. The brand also provides options of subscribing to three and four bags (36oz and 48oz, respectively).
3. How Does Atlas Coffee Club Determine the Tasting Notes For Each Coffee?
   The tasting notes for each coffee are determined through professional cupping sessions led by the Atlas Coffee Club team, highlighting the unique flavors of each origin.

Conclusion

Atlas Coffee Club may provide a unique coffee subscription experience by delivering freshly roasted, single-origin coffees. The brand ensures optimal freshness by roasting coffee beans only after an order is placed, preserving the delicate aromatic compounds that add flavor to coffee.

Subscribing to Atlas Coffee Club offers you more than just coffee. You gain access to brewing guides, which can help you make the most of each cup. The brand also fosters a sense of community, offering insights into the coffee’s origin and culture. Atlas Coffee Club also provides the option to share a coffee subscription with friends or family.

However, there are some potential limitations you should keep in mind. For instance, you need to consider whether you are comfortable with receiving coffee through a subscription model, as it may not offer the same flexibility and first-hand experience as purchasing from a retail outlet. Think about whether a subscription aligns with your coffee habits and preferences, especially if you prefer tasting before buying. Weighing these factors may help you make an informed decision about whether Atlas Coffee Club is the right choice for you. Moreover, Atlas Coffee Club subscriptions may not be the most cost-effective option, especially if you only drink coffee occasionally.