Trade Coffee’s quiz matched me with a bag of beans that brew me away

As coffee people, we take almost every opportunity to debate grind size, lecture unsuspecting houseguests about water temperature, and spend an alarming amount of time wondering whether our morning cup could somehow be better. 

When I heard about Trade Coffee, a service that matches you with coffees from independent roasters based on your taste preferences, I was very ready to be impressed.

Trade’s whole premise is that finding great coffee shouldn’t require a pilgrimage to a boutique cafe in deep Brooklyn or a multi-week online research spiral into obscure Ethiopian varietals. Instead, you take a short quiz about how you brew, what flavors you gravitate toward, and how adventurous you’re feeling. Then, the platform recommends coffees from its network of small roasters across the U.S., many of which prioritize fair trade sourcing, transparency and sustainable production. Do we love it or do we love it?

I specified that I use an espresso machine (nothing crazy, just an ol’ reliable), prefer balanced and complex profiles, and would be thrilled to discover something new that still feels like a reliable everyday cup. Trade’s algorithm matched me with the Rutas del Inca Peruvian blend, ground specifically for espresso. Of course, that was my preference, but most subscribers opt for whole bean to maximize freshness.

One of the biggest differences compared to grocery store coffee is that, because Trade works directly with independent roasters, my bag arrived freshly roasted rather than sitting on a shelf for weeks (it even had a “roasted on” label on it!). Because of the freshness, it produced a noticeably fuller crema in my cup.

For people who like great coffee but don’t want to spend hours researching roasters or origin regions, Trade simplifies the discovery process. Because you can rate each bag and refine future shipments, it gradually learns your preferences instead of locking you into one product. So, if the Peruvian blend hadn’t been a hit for me, not only would Trade replace it for free (they have a “first bag guarantee” policy), it would also inform the next recommendation I receive, which makes the whole process feel more like a curated tasting experience than a simple subscription.

Trade Coffee

Trade Coffee is a specialty coffee platform that connects drinkers with hundreds of coffees from over 55 independent roasters across the United States, using a short taste quiz to match you with coffees based on how you brew and what flavors you prefer. Instead of committing to one brand, the service functions more like a curated coffee discovery engine: you can receive freshly roasted beans tailored to your brewing method (espresso machine, pour-over, drip and more), adjust delivery timing, and rate each bag so the algorithm refines future picks. 

My first match was the Rutas del Inca Peruvian ground blend, selected specifically for espresso. It’s just one of many rotating options available through Trade’s network of roasters that emphasize small-batch production and responsibly sourced coffee.

Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Kendall Cornish, New York Post Commerce Editor & Reporter. Kendall, who moonlights as a private chef in the Hamptons for New York elites, lends her expertise to testing and recommending cooking products – for beginners and aspiring sous chefs alike. Simmering and seasoning her way through both jobs, Kendall dishes on everything from the best cookware for your kitchen to chef-approved gourmet meal kits to the full suite of Ninja appliances. Prior to joining the Post’s shopping team in 2023, Kendall previously held positions at Apartment Therapy and at Dotdash Meredith’s Travel + Leisure and Departures magazines.