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Equator Coffees Review: Expertly Roasted Coffee

Equator Coffees is a company that sustainably sources and expertly roasts beans for their many different coffee subscription options.


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Delicious coffee that’s sustainably sourced, expertly roasted, and delivered to you on your schedule is something that sounds straight out of a dream. The great thing is that it’s a reality with Equator Coffees!

The company of Equator not only checks all these boxes, but it also provides over a dozen different types of coffee subscriptions, some of which let you try something new out every month!

Equator Coffees Review

What is Equator Coffees?

Equator Coffees
Equator Coffees
Our rating:

Equator Coffees is a specialty coffee roaster that sources and roasts its coffee beans with care and precision, ensuring that each cup is flavorful and distinct.

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Before I get into reviewing one of Equator Coffees’ many blends, let’s look a bit more into what exactly is the Equator company. Well, for starters, Equator Coffees is a company founded by Helen Russell and Brooke McDonnell. It all began in 1995 when they started roasting out of their garage in Marin County, California.

Equator Coffees box

With the belief that coffee can be better roasted and brewed, as well as sustainably sourced, Equator became an early partner of Fair Trade USA. They also opened their main roastery in San Rafael and eventually founded their very own coffee farm.

open box with a red pack of Equator Coffees inside

The company’s name, Equator, actually comes from the region where coffee grows. With time, it’s come to hold even more meaning, representing the path of coffee from bean to cup. Equator Coffees’ mission is that coffee can be a force for good.

They even became the first California coffee roaster to receive a B Corp certification, which means they meet the highest standards of performance, accountability, and transparency.

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open box with pack of Equator Coffees inside

This also means that there’s a positive impact on their employees, the community, and the environment. In everything the coffee company does, they practice sustainability. Moreover, they also cherish the long-term relationships that they’ve created with several producers that strive for the same high quality and sustainability.

Equator Coffees Review

Equator Coffees
Equator Coffees
Our rating:

Equator Coffees is a specialty coffee roaster that sources and roasts its coffee beans with care and precision, ensuring that each cup is flavorful and distinct.

Check Price

When Equator Coffees sent me some coffee to try out, it came in a neatly packaged box. Inside there was a beautiful, aesthetically designed bag of their Jaguar Espresso beans. If I wasn’t excited enough already, I sure was now!

Equator Coffees pack of Jaguar Espresso Fair Trade Organic

Jaguar Espresso Fair Trade Organic

Jaguar Espresso Fair Trade Organic
Jaguar Espresso Fair Trade Organic
Our rating:

A complex espresso blend that combines organic and Fair Trade certified coffees from the world’s major growing regions, Jaguar takes a new-world approach to a traditional-style espresso.

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Equator Coffees’ Jaguar Espresso is actually a blend of Organic and Fair Trade Certified coffees. Countries of origin include Peru (a fully washed coffee from La Prosperidad de Chirinos), Ethiopia (a complex dry processed coffee from the Kayon Mountain Estate), and Sumatra (a wet-hulled coffee from the Ketiara Cooperative).

Jaguar Espresso Fair Trade Organic packaging on the side

The Jaguar Espresso has tasting notes of bittersweet dark chocolate, baking spices, apricot, and hazelnut. It’s a complex blend that turns out to be the darkest espresso roast that Equator offers.

Jaguar Espresso Fair Trade Organic packaging on the back "Our Philosophy"

This coffee is grown at a mixed altitude of 4,000-7,380 feet and all of its components are both Fair Trade and Organic certified, as well as sustainably sourced and roasted.

Jaguar Espresso Fair Trade Organic near the coffee beans

Once I opened my bag of Jaguar Espresso and began to brew up a shot of this dark roast coffee, I noted that the aroma had a very strong citrus smell, complemented by a slightly nutty undertone.

portafilter lies on the table next to the Rocket Espresso Appartamento coffee machine

Rocket Espresso Appartamento coffee machine brews Jaguar Espresso Fair Trade Organic coffee

The shot of espresso that I pulled with this bean turned out to be a well-balanced shot of chocolate, nuts, and citrus tasting notes. It held a tang of acidity, as well as a smooth chocolatey finish. Overall, it was a sweet, delicious, and inviting shot of espresso that held its richness even when paired with steamed milk.

Jaguar Espresso Fair Trade Organic next to a brewed cup of coffee

Equator Coffees Subscriptions and Pricing

Equator Coffees Subscription
Equator Coffees Subscription
Our rating:

If you love our coffee, you can get it automatically and on repeat by signing up for a subscription. You’ll save on your first bag, but mostly you’ll save yourself from the inevitable headache of forgetting to order coffee. Your first order will get roasted and shipped as soon as you sign up!

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As I mentioned earlier, Equator offers several different coffee subscription options, including five curated ones that let you always try something new. These come in Blend, Espresso, Fair Trade Organic, Single Origin, or a Seasonal Blend subscription.

If you know what you want to be delivered already, then you can also choose to subscribe to any Equator coffee of your choice. You then decide whether you want your 12 coffee sent to you as whole beans or ground for a specific use, in either a 12-ounce or 2-pound bag.

The frequency of delivery is entirely up to you, as well, since Equator offers freshly roasted shipment from every week to every eight weeks. If you choose to subscribe, you also save 30% on your first order.

At the time of writing, prices vary depending on what you choose. To give you a bit of an overview, the Jaguar Espresso Fair Trade Organic that I received runs at about $16.50, but $11.55 for first orders if you subscribe. With the subscription, you also get special promos and early access to unique coffees.

Frequently Asked Questions

There may be a few more questions you have regarding Equator Coffees and we’re here to answer them all!

How Does Equator Roast Their Coffee?

Equator roasts their coffees in small batches to ensure freshness. This is done in their roastery in San Rafael, CA, where Michelle Fleming works hard as Equator’s Head Roaster.

Every coffee from Equator is responsibly sourced through well-developed relationships with producers. Not only do they have a transparent supply chain, but they are also certified through Fair Trade USA, USDA Organic, B Corp, and the Regenerative Organic Alliance.

Equator also remains a sustainable coffee roasting company, as they bring out the unique flavors of their beans by using energy-efficient Loring Smart Roasters, which reduce carbon emissions.

What Makes Equator Coffees Unique?

Equator Coffees sets itself apart from other coffee roasting companies by providing customers with a fast and fresh delivery of sustainably sourced and expertly roasted coffee whenever they need it.

They also stand out because of all the subscription options that they have available. This allows for a larger customer base, where people can get something they already know they like, or get a rotation of expert-picked beans.

Another thing that makes Equator Coffees so special is that it’s a female-founded company that aims to mainly focus on coffees sourced from female producers.

How to Cancel Equator Coffees Subscription?

Any changes that you wish to make to your Equator Coffees subscription can be done through your account on the Equator website. There, you can pause the subscription, change the delivery frequency, change the quantity, change the product, change any shipping or billing information, and even cancel the subscription if you no longer want to receive coffee.

Equator Coffees
Equator Coffees
Our rating:

Equator Coffees is a specialty coffee roaster that sources and roasts its coffee beans with care and precision, ensuring that each cup is flavorful and distinct.

Check Price

Equator Coffees: Final Thoughts

Equator Coffees is definitely one for the books, as it’s essentially a coffee roasting company that provides sustainable sourcing and roasting in several different purchasing options.

The company certainly lives up to its name, as it connects people from plant to cup through its long-developed relationships with its producers. Plus, each batch is expertly and freshly roasted before it’s delivered right to your door on your schedule.

Whether you want a Fair Trade Organic option, a tasty Single Origin, or an inviting espresso blend, Equator has it all. It’s definitely worth a try in our opinion!

Happy Caffeinating!

Equator Coffees Review: Expertly Roasted Coffee
Equator Coffees Review

An in-depth Equator Coffees review of just one of their many options for sustainable and expertly roasted coffee.

Editor's Rating:
4.8
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