Hey coffee lovers! Tired of wasting money on subpar beans? I feel your pain. That’s why
I’m diving into Spirit Animal Coffee, a subscription-based coffee company that promises to deliver gourmet beans right to your door.
With my 20+ years of experience as a barista (even though latte art still eludes me), I’m gonna give you an honest review and find out if this coffee is worth the hype (and your hard-earned bitcoin cash).
Table of Contents
- Overall Impression
- Why listen to me?
- Is Spirit Animal Coffee Right for you?
- Spirit Animal Coffee Review
- My Recommendation
- Buying Guide
- Additional Reviews
- Alternatives
- Conclusion
Overall Impression – 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spirit Animal Coffee is a bit pricier than the average coffee, but that’s because they use ethically sourced beans. The bean selection is limited, but the taste is worth it. If you can afford it, I say go for it.
Taste 5/5
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Surprised by how much I enjoyed these since I usually prefer dark roasts. Flavor-wise, the cocoa and citrus notes were definitely present, just like the package promised.
Quality 5/5
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Small, evenly roasted beans. You can taste the artisanal quality. Graded 85% or higher by the SCA, giving them a literal high-quality “specialty coffee” status. A++
Cost 3/5
⭐⭐⭐
Pricey, but the sustainability efforts make it worth it for me. Good for those willing to pay more for subscription convenience but not for budget-conscious buyers. **Update** They do sell a $20 bag!
Why listen to me?
Listen up folks, 20 years as a barista has made me a coffee wizard, a coffee sorcerer, a coffee… esthetician. I’ve seen it all.
Through all this, I’ve stayed strong in my love for coffee. So trust me, I wave my wand (coffee cup), and magic (coffee) happens.
Is Spirit Animal Coffee Right for You?
I want to save you time. Here’s a heads-up about who I think this coffee is right for and who might want to try something else (so you can skip reading this whole article).
👎 Not Right For You:
- Cost: May not be budget-friendly, with bags costing between $24-$40.
- Subscription: Consider if you’re ready for coffee delivery before committing.
- Roast Preference: Spirit Animal offers light to medium roasts only, not for dark roast fans.
👉 Check out my list of 3 high-quality, less expensive alternatives here.
👍 Right For You:
- Cost: You can afford $24-$40 for a bag of beans.
- Subscription: You like the convenience of regular delivery to your doorstep.
- Roast Preferences: You’re a coffee connoisseur and enjoy curated artisanal coffee blends.
- Sustainability: is essential to you, & you can pay a little extra to support it.
Spirit Animal Coffee Review
Just a quick note, I’m not a coffee expert, though I do have 30+ years of experience drinking and making coffee.
I judge coffee based on its taste and my overall experience.
Coffee Flavor & Taste
I’m a fan of dark roast coffee. Spirit Animal doesn’t carry dark roasts, so I went into this review a little biased.
That said, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the light-roast Bourbon Blend.
This particular roast’s fruit and chocolate notes were hard to miss, and honestly–they didn’t bug me. Nay, they delighted me.
You can really taste the small-batch-ness of the beans. The care and the quality. While light roasts may not be my cup of coffee tea, I have zero criticisms about this coffee’s flavor.
Roast Variety & Selection
Spirit Animal Coffee currently only offers light and medium roasts. If you prefer dark roasts, then you’re out of luck.
They do carry dark roast coffee in single-serve pour-over bags but not as 12oz bags of whole bean.
Since Spirit Animal only buys small quantities of beans from family-owned farms, their offerings are limited.
So while you have access to outstanding beans, it also means that your favorite beans could become unavailable at any time.
Note: Most coffee nerds agree that dark roast coffee beans have had all their uniqueness burned away. In contrast, light and medium roasts retain the beans’ distinctive flavors. Because of this, most coffee roasters/sellers only offer light to medium roasts.
Bean Origins
Spirit Animal coffee sources all of its beans from small, family-owned farms at about 1,500 meters altitude in Honduras (that’s high but not too high).
They take great pride in their close relationships with the farmers, which I appreciate. I like coffee companies that acknowledge the people behind the beans.
Also, since they only work with specific farmers, they have limited availability of 300-400 bags at a time.
So you may come to love a particular blend, only to have that blend be out of stock for a while (or forever).
Bean Quality
Technically speaking, Spirit Animal’s beans are officially some of the highest-quality beans you can buy.
They’re considered “specialty” coffee beans because they’re certified by the Specialty Coffee Association.
Spirit Animal’s beans consistently score between 80 and 100, which earns them the official designation of “specialty coffee.”
Personally, I haven’t seen a score lower than 87 on any of their beans (on their website).
> More about the quality score.
I appreciate that the score is prominently displayed on the front of the package. Yes, it’s a marketing dream come true to be able to put a stat like this on your bag.
But it definitely gives me the confidence that I’m getting what I’m paying for.
Product Variety
Spirit Animal offers two coffee options: whole beans and single-serve pour-over. You can choose a one-time purchase or subscribe for bi-weekly or monthly delivery.
Here’s what Spirit Animal Coffee sells:
- 12-oz bags
- 2-Pack and 3-Pack whole-bean options
- 6-Pack one roast or variety
- Single-Serve Pour-Over 10-Pack
- Hand Grinders
I’ve never tried single-serve bags before, yet I see how they might be handy.
But since it takes about 2 minutes to brew a pour-over, it doesn’t save a ton of time vs traditional brewing methods.
Also, ground coffee doesn’t stay as fresh as whole beans.
But, according to their website, they grind their single-serve coffee beans in small batches every few weeks to ensure freshness.
Cost & Subscription Options
Their website is easy to navigate, and buying a single bag of coffee or subscribing is a fairly straightforward process.
If you buy a single bag, you pay full price, and you pay for shipping. On the other hand, if you subscribe, you save 50% on your first order and 20% on every order after that.
Plus, you get free shipping.
You have a lot of options for delivery windows, which I really appreciate.
If you’re not ready for bi-monthly delivery, you can sign up for 1 bag each month, and you’ll still save 20% and get free shipping.
Coffee Delivery Windows:
- 2 weeks
- 4 weeks
- 6 weeks
- 8 weeks
Overall, their business model makes sense, and their website is clean, fast, and modern. That said, the best savings are locked behind the subscription model.
So if you choose not to subscribe, you’ll spend $10-$15 more per bag. As of the writing of this article, they’re selling a Parainema roast for only $24.
Overall Value
Overall, I really enjoyed these coffee beans. And if I’m being honest, I was pleasantly surprised. I’m a dark-roast guy and it’s hard for me to enjoy anything lighter.
That said, I only tried their Bourbon roast, but if this particular coffee is indicative of the overall quality, I’d say I got my money’s worth.
$40 for a 12 oz bag of beans may be excessive for some. But I really like that Spirit Animal Coffee cares about its farmers, and for me, that’s worth paying a premium for.
My Recommendation
I’m going to sign up for Spirit Animal Coffee’s once-per-month subscription. Excited to try a new coffee every month and make it a regular treat.
I can’t wait to see what’s in store! I may even stop being a grump and try the single-serve pour-overs.
Reminder: if you click that button above or any link in this article, I make a commission. If you feel I’ve earned it, I thank you. Know that your support is never expected but is always appreciated.
Spirit Animal Coffee Buying Guide
Here’s more info to help you decide which beans to buy. I’ve even added a handy table at the bottom of this section to make it easier.
Type: Spirit Animal Coffee is sold as either 12oz bags of whole-bean coffee or 10-packs of single-serve pour-over coffee.
Roast: Medium roast is the only roast currently available for whole-bean coffee.
Espresso roast is available in the sample pack of single-serve pour-over coffee.
Flavor Notes: I don’t focus much on flavor notes and, instead, judge the coffee based on its overall flavor.
That said, I did taste the floral and cocoa notes in the Bourbon blend.
Cup Score: Beans are graded on a scale of 80-100 by the Specialty Coffee Association. Anything within that window gets the official designation of “specialty coffee.”
Brew Method: Spirit Animal coffee recommends a specific brew method depending on the roast.
A pour-over can be made using a pour-over set like this one from PureOver, or a Chemex. “Drip coffee” is a fancy way of saying your home electric coffee maker.
| Name | Type | Roast | Flavor Notes | Brew Method | Cup Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parainema | Beans | Medium | Peach, honey, raspberry | Drip or Chemex | 87.0 | $24 |
| Bourbon | Beans | Medium | Cacao, fruit, wine | Drip or Chemex | 89.0 | $36 |
| Sampler | Single Serve | Medium | Apples, berries, hazelnut | Pour Over | 89.0 | $26 |
| Bourbon | Single Serve | Medium | Cacao, fruit, wine | Pour Over | 89.0 | $26 |
| Parainema | Single Serve | Medium | Peach, honey, raspberry | Pour Over | 87.0 | $22 |
Additional Reviews
I’ve gathered a few reviews on these coffee beans. If you’re considering purchasing these beans, you can read what others say about Spirit Animal coffee.
- Aboveaveragecoffee.com
- Coffeehow.co
- BestQualityCoffee.com
- HonestBrandReviews.com
- CoffeeDetective.com
Spirit Animal Coffee Alternatives
If you’re not feeling the Spirit Animal vibe, no worries. Here are some alternative coffee brands to check out that I’ve personally tried and can’t recommend enough:
Deathwish Coffee: $20
Deathwish is notorious for its insane, caffeine-packed beans. But, surprisingly, their French Roast and Espresso Roast are incredibly smooth.
You don’t taste the extra caffeine, but you definitely feel it (like any good poison). A great pre-workout cup of coffee.
Volcanica Coffee: $17
What I like about Volcanica Coffee is the sheer amount of roasts they offer. They have everything. Light, medium, dark, super dark.
Whether you’re a dark roast enthusiast (like me) or just looking for a more affordable alternative to Spirit Animal, Volcanica Coffee may be worth considering.
Brewpoint Coffee: $15
I like the small business feel of Brewpoint Coffee. They’re minority and women-owned, so if that’s important to you, look no further.
Their beans start at $15 per bag, and I’ve bought their “The Illusionist” roast twice now and I’m simply in love.
And, if you’re herb-friendly, they sell CBD-infused coffee beans with .03% THC.
Conclusion
So, in conclusion, Spirit Animal Coffee is really good. It’s got top-notch, ethically-sourced beans from small family-owned farms in Honduras, and while they don’t have a huge selection of roasts, the beans they have are delicious.
Spirit Animal is perfect if you’re willing to spend a few extra bucks for quality coffee. But if you’re on a budget or prefer a darker roast, there are other quality options out there for you.
Overall, I give Spirit Animal Coffee a solid 4 out of 5 stars and recommend giving it a try.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
