7 Top Coffee & Tea Companies

How to choose a coffee or tea company

This category includes coffee chains, independent roasters, tea merchants, bubble tea shops and brands selling coffee alternatives or functional drink mixes. Online sellers often push subscriptions, so the terms are worth reading.

• Freshness. For coffee, look for a roast date, not only an expiry date.
• Grind and format. Choose whole bean, ground or pods to suit your brewer.
• Subscription controls. Check that you can change frequency, skip and cancel online.
• Ingredients in mixes. Drink mixes and functional blends can contain caffeine, mushroom extracts or other added ingredients. Read the full label, and ask a doctor if you are pregnant, take medicines or have a health condition.
• Health claims. Be cautious with mixes that promise focus, weight loss or other effects.

Subscription and freshness complaints

Charges after cancellation, stale deliveries and app or loyalty problems at chains come up often in reviews. Keep cancellation confirmations. Store coffee in a sealed container away from heat and light. On CandorRated you can see who appears to run each website, how long the domain has existed, the contact details found and reviews from other customers. Filter by country or city to find local roasters and cafes.

Frequently asked questions

How long does coffee stay fresh?

Flavor fades after roasting, and faster once the bag is opened or the beans are ground.

Are coffee alternatives caffeine-free?

Not always. Check the label.

Can I cancel a coffee subscription at any time?

Most allow it, but check the cutoff for the next shipment.