So today, you and I will dive into this Rave coffee review.
Are you looking for a speciality coffee cup that motivates you to wake up in the morning?
The answer might be in this Rave Coffee review.
Rave Coffee is one of the UK’s speciality coffee roasters.
But, is the speciality only in the name, or does their coffee justify the fame?
That’s why I’m doing this Rave speciality coffee review.
I’m James Bellis, founder, barista, and coffee trainer. For over 14+ years, I’ve worked with more than 100 roasters across the UK, brewing coffee for over 199,000 people. I also hold an SCA Coffee Skills Diploma, which reflects my love for clean coffee.
To find out whether Rave Coffee deserves to be in your morning rituals.
Quick Verdict
Rave delivers freshly roasted speciality coffee beans, reliable blends and an easy subscription.
Rave Coffee achieved a score of 84.83/100 in the Rave Coffee review — a great score by my framework.
It is best for home espresso drinkers, Nespresso pod users looking to switch, and anyone who wants great coffee.
However, if you’re looking for mould free coffee beans, they are lab-tested for mycotoxins.
You may not find them in the Rave Coffee review.
You can get a toxin-free bag from Balance Coffee if health + taste is your primary concern, rather than just taste.
Rave’s gets some coffee tested for mycotoxins, but not all of it.
What Is Rave Coffee?
Rave Coffee is a Cirencester-based speciality coffee roaster that sources honestly.
Their philosophy is to make speciality coffee simple and available to everyone.

Rave started back in September 2010 by Vikki and Rob Hodge.
Before that, Rob was a Barista in Australia, spending his time learning the speciality coffee culture and craft.
Upon returning to England, his goal was to bring the speciality coffee standard to British Homes.
He launched Rave in September 2010 and started trading on 1st January 2011.
All in the back of a converted shed in Avening, Gloucestershire.
Within months, he moved on to Love Lane in Cirencester, and that growth is reflected in the roastery itself.
The roastery is on Phoenix Way, Cirencester, along with a 45-seater café.
One thing of note in the review of Rave Coffee is the choice of roasting equipment.
Rave roastery has 2 Loring roasters, known for fuel efficiency and smoke recirculation.
That shows that Rave's sustainability philosophy is deeply embedded even in the equipment.
Rave Coffee's Sourcing and Sustainability Philosophy
Rave sources its beans from 52 farms across 19 of the world's growing regions.
Helping farmers achieve exceptional product quality and a fair price to value their work.
The origins span Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Indonesia, East Timor, and more.
All coffee blends are sourced with a minimum SCA score of 80+, and single origins require a minimum score of 84+.
So only the best beans make it to your cup.
Rave’s sustainability story is meaningful rather than decorative.
Rave is part of 1% for the Planet, so they donate 1% of annual sales to environmental non-profits.
They’re partners with One Tree Planted, Project Waterfall, Raw Material, and Fauna and Flora International.
With One Tree Planted, Rave has planted over 22,000 trees to date.
Rave is not B Corp certified, but it is committed to caring for the environment, which counts for something.
How Does Rave Coffee Position Itself vs. Mainstream Brands?
Rave sits between accessible coffee and premium, aspirational coffee.
Its price is below the microlot speciality coffee but above the supermarket commodity coffee.
It aims to make the deliciousness of speciality coffee accessible to every coffee lover, not to gatekeep it.
How We Tested Rave Coffee
I used the SCA-adjacent testing system that I use for every coffee review, including my organic coffee beans.
I believe in drinking great coffee.

So when I find good beans, I want to scream to the world about them.
Because you deserve great coffee.
That’s why I did this Rave Coffee review, to help you choose the cup you’ll love.
My team and I use the Balance Coffee Testing Framework to ensure that the results are fair and accurate.
For the Rave Coffee beans review, I chose Rave’s Espresso and Chatswood blends, as well as Ethiopian and Colombian single-origin coffees.
And for the Rave Coffee pods review, I tested Rave’s Nespresso-compatible Signature Blend pods.
Brewing Methods Used
I ground coffee beans fresh before brewing, and here are the methods I used:
|
Brew Method |
Equipment Used |
|
Espresso |
Sage Barista Pro |
|
Pour Over |
Hario V60 |
For pods, I used:
Equipment Used |
|
|---|---|
|
Nespresso Original Line |
Breville Creatista Plus and De'Longhi Creatista Plus. |
|
Water Filtration |
I used Brita-filtered water throughout testing. |
|
Water Temperature |
90–96°C adjusted based on roast level. |
Here’s the testing protocol I followed for my pod reviews in a table.
Testing Protocols |
|
|---|---|
|
Testing Period |
Four weeks |
|
Primary Machine |
De'Longhi Creatista Plus (Nespresso Original Line) |
|
Secondary Machine |
Breville Creatista Plus (Nespresso Original Line) |
|
Vertuo Compatibility |
Not compatible, I flagged throughout. |
|
Pods Per Blend |
Minimum 3 pods, tested 90 minutes apart. |
|
Brew Sizes Tested |
Espresso (40ml), Lungo (110ml), reduced yield shot (30ml) |
|
Tasting Window |
7:30 am – 10:00 am |
Our Scoring Framework Explained
This Rave Coffee review is based on an overall assessment of the cup.

The criteria I used to score the coffee were flavour, transparent sourcing, health and purity, brand trust, and value for money.
Take a look at my scoring framework I used:
The Scoring Framework |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Criteria |
Scores |
Reason |
|
Flavour |
25 |
The flavour is amazing, and the taste is phenomenal. |
|
Health and Purity |
20 |
Quality control is transparent, and the beans are lab-tested for mould, toxins, and pesticides. |
|
Freshness |
15 |
Coffee is roasted fresh, and the cup shows it. |
|
Traceability |
15 |
You can pinpoint the locations of the farms where it was grown. |
|
Brand Trust |
15 |
Customers trust the brand for its products and services, and it has industry credentials. |
|
Value for Money |
10 |
The cup is worth the money paid. |
|
Total |
100 |
Flavourful and clean cup overall. |
This framework ensures that only the coffees that deserve to be part of your mornings receive high ratings.
Rave Coffee Beans Reviews
Coffee Beans are the first thing I tested.
I mean, how can you resist when espresso coffee beans are just within your reach?
Of course, you can’t.
So dive into the Rave’s espresso blend review and find yourself some great espresso beans.
Rave Espresso Blend
The aroma, as I opened the bag, welcomed me with toasted almond and faint cocoa.
It seemed promising.

I brewed the first cup in my Sage Barista Pro, at an 18g dose, a 36g yield, and 93 °C water.
The grind was medium-fine, and the total shot time was 25-30 seconds, including the pre-infusion.
Pre-infusion is the process by which the machine wets the puck before extraction begins.
It had balance and sweetness as an espresso, but…
It played beautifully with whole milk and especially oat milk.
Opening into a flat white that had a sweet caramel note and a clean, short finish.
The mouthfeel is full and silky without being syrupy.
There’s a sweetness in the finish, and no sharp, sour edges, and the balance is this blend’s standout quality.
It’s the coffee that you can drink multiple cups of.
In my Hario V60, for the second cup, I brewed 15g of coffee with 240ml of water at 93°C.
I ground the coffee to medium-fine, poured 30g of water first to bloom, and waited 30 seconds.
Then I poured the remaining water in a slow, circular motion until done, around the 3-minute mark.
It did okay, tasted decent, but I was not quite awed by it.
What I Like
-
The blend is great for drinking as a flat white or a latte.
-
The cup is well-rounded and sweet.
-
Aroma is sweet, with faint notes of cocoa, warm toffee, and toasted almond.
What I Don't Like
-
It’s a pleasurable cup but not a memorable one.
-
When brewed black or filtered, it loses some of its qualities.
-
There are no published lab testing results showing mycotoxins, pesticides, and mould-free for the espresso blend.
Bean Origin & Sourcing
Espresso blend contains Arabica beans sourced from multiple origins, including South and Central America.
However, exact origins vary by season and are adjusted to maintain flavour consistency.
Flavour Profile & Tasting Notes
The first sip is sweet and rounded.
The caramel leads, dark chocolate sits at the mid-palate, with a nuttiness and a clean finish with no lingering bitterness.
I added more milk, and a brown sugar note emerged.
Rave describes the espresso blend as sweet, with notes of toffee, caramel, and chocolate, and a nutty aftertaste.
And that’s exactly what I found in the cup.
Roast Level
The roast is medium, which lets the flavour bloom.
Price & Value for Money
£7.34 for 250g, and if you subscribe, it’s even less with a 10% off.
At this price point, a speciality coffee with transparent sourcing and environmental care is a steal.
Customer Feedback
Michael Clayton reviewed:
“A fine blend. Excellent flavour and a great start to the day.”
Paul Mullens reviewed:
“This coffee was quite nice as a cappuccino, but didnt amaze.”
Verdict (score out of 100)
Espresso Blend is excellent for brewing an everyday latte, flat white, or even a strong espresso.
It is consistent, sweet, and prioritises milk compatibility over complexity.
So, if you’re seeking just that, you’ve found your coffee.
Here are the final scores for Espresso Blend.
Final Scores |
|
|
Flavour |
22/25 |
|
Health and Purity |
13/20 |
|
Freshness |
13/15 |
|
Traceability |
14/15 |
|
Brand Trust |
14/15 |
|
Value for Money |
9/10 |
|
Total Scores |
85/100 |
Espresso Blend is an everyday treat, but we have another blend worth exploring in the Rave Coffee review.
Rave Chatswood Blend
Chatswood Blend is the dark, strong, smooth and chocolatey offering.
It is indulgent and gives you the kick you’ve been wanting.

The aroma delivers on the promise with a sweet darkness, like bittersweet cocoa and dried fruit notes.
In the cup, it’s enveloping and unapologetically full.
As an espresso, it’s a blend, but as you add steamed milk, the coffee blooms.
Since it’s got a robusta component, it benefits from milk.
It needs a little more milk to be just right.
My Hario V60 produced a clean, sweet, and balanced cup with subtle complexity.
The most interesting part is the redcurrant that creeps up on you as a tartness near the finish.
Redcurrant prevents the chocolate note from being one-dimensional and adds a touch of spice to the cup.
Opt for a pour-over, long black, or, better yet, a cappuccino, and it will sing.
Fight it, and it fights back.
What I Like
-
It’s a dark roast, strong and still delivers the sweetness.
-
Flavour is excellent, but the redcurrant note beneath is the highlight of the cup.
-
It is great as a pour-over and with milk.
What I Don't Like
-
It’s unforgiving as an espresso. You mess up the grind size, and it results in a bland cup.
-
There’s no mention of lab testing for mould, mycotoxins, and pesticides for Chatswood Blend either.
Bean Origin & Sourcing
Chatswood Blend is a multi-origin blend, but also includes high-quality Robusta components.
The origin varies, but it often features coffee beans from Central America and East Africa.
Flavour Profile & Tasting Notes
The chocolate dominates from the first sip, bittersweet and cocoa-rich.
A walnutty note runs through the mid palate.
The redcurrant appears near the finish to further uplift
The body is full to heavy, and the finish is long and bittersweet.
As a cafetière with whole milk, it shines the most.
Roast Level
It’s a medium-to-dark roast.
Price & Value for Money
It’s £7.93 for a 250g bag, and if you subscribe, you get a 10% off.
For the strength and roast alone, it’s worth it.
But then you add in the chocolatey flavour, and you’ve got yourself an absolutely fair deal.
Customer Feedback
Pawel Kozera reviewed:
“Dark, strong, smooth. Great coffee.”
Andra Mirea’s Feedback:
“Great taste and smell, definitely one of my favourite blends”
Verdict (score out of 100)
It’s a well-executed everyday dark roast, but a little unforgiving if you mess up.
Best as a cafetière with milk.
It’s not for light brewing.
Overall, a good blend but needs a bit of experimenting before you get it right.
Final Scores |
|
|
Flavour |
20/25 |
|
Health and Purity |
13/20 |
|
Freshness |
13/15 |
|
Traceability |
13/15 |
|
Brand Trust |
14/15 |
|
Value for Money |
9/10 |
|
Total Scores |
82/100 |
The blends set a solid baseline, but sourcing story earns its keep with single origins.
Rave Coffee Single Rave Reviews
This Rave Coffee review is incomplete without exploring single-origin coffee beans.
Single-origin coffee beans carry unique flavours, brightness, and complexity of their origin.
Connecting with a faraway land with a cup of coffee is exciting, isn't it?
Rave Colombia El Carmen
Colombian El Carmen is Rave’s best seller.
The most thrilling part about Colombia, El Carmen, is that Rave had the current lot lab-tested for Mycotoxins.

The results revealed that this lot has 0.1 parts per billion of all tested toxins in the beans.
It is a great result by any standards.
More importantly, the cup itself is excellent.
First, the aroma hits you with red apple, hazelnut, and light caramel.
It’s addictive, and you want to keep taking it in.
Pulled as an espresso, it outdid all the other Rave coffees I tasted.
The fruit acid balance is an exceptional thing about it, and the clarity is chef’s kiss.
It worked wonders as a pour-over, too.
Clean, bright, well-structured, and flavourful.
Colombia El Carmen is a great entry point for drinkers looking to switch from blends to single origins.
What I Like
-
Clarity and brightness in the cup, I’m most impressed.
-
The medium roast is perfectly done to highlight the beauty of Colombian coffee.
-
The aroma is bright and pleasant.
-
Flavour complexity is surprisingly great.
What I Don't Like
-
As a seasoned speciality drinker, Colombia will please you, but it won’t surprise you.
Bean Origin & Sourcing
Colombia El Carmen is sourced from the El Carmen de Viboral region.
Colombian coffee is historically linked to washed processing and clean cups with fruit-acid balance, which you’ll find in El Carmen.
Flavour Profile & Tasting Notes
While brewing, the aroma pulls you in with notes of apple, hazelnut and caramel.
Once the cup is ready, the first sip rewards you with the notes of red apple and stone fruit.
Milk chocolate lingers on the mid-palate, while the brown sugar sweetness develops toward a clean, medium-length finish.
The acidity is bright, malic pleasant, and the body is medium, clean and approachable.
Roast Level
It’s a medium roast to highlight the acidity, clarity and brightness.
Recommended Brew Method
Surprisingly, it’s versatile.
Every cup with my Hario V60, Sage Barista Pro, and AeroPress turned out to be amazing.
The espresso version is notably sweeter and more structured, with greater character.
So yeah, pour over, espresso, long milk-based drink, it’s great for all.
Price & Value for Money
For a one-time purchase, it’s £8.98, and with a subscription, you get 10% off.
Speciality single-origin coffee with transparent sourcing and honest roasting, it’s a fair value.
Customer Feedback
James Kollar reviewed:
“This is a good morning coffee. I like it.”
Phillip Rooney reviewed:
“I order these as soon as my stock starts to look low. They are delicious.”
Verdict (score out of 100)
An excellent entry to Rave’s single-origin coffee range, and a reliable choice for everyday drinking.
Full of character and flavour, you must drink it even once.
Final Scores |
|
|
Flavour |
21/25 |
|
Health and Purity |
16/20 |
|
Freshness |
13/15 |
|
Traceability |
14/15 |
|
Brand Trust |
14/15 |
|
Value for Money |
9/10 |
|
Total Scores |
87/100 |
Colombia proved its deliciousness and clarity in the cup.
Now it’s time for Ethiopia to raise the stakes on depth.
Rave Ethiopia Aricha Adorsi
Ethiopian coffee is among the most delicious coffees of the world.
Washed Ethiopian coffee from a good roaster, grown with quality control in mind, is a true representation of speciality coffee.

Rave Coffee offers rotating Ethiopian coffee beans.
They arrive as medium-to-dark roasts, which don't force the fruit down your throat.
Open the bag, and the aroma engulfs you.
Brewed with my Hario V60 at 93°C, the cup opened with citrus brightness, creamy mouthfeel, and medium body.
As espresso, the extra caramelisation from Rave's roast profile pays off.
It’s rounded and sweet, and it can take a splash of oat milk without falling apart.
What I Like
-
It’s a clean, transparent cup that lets origin character speak.
-
The extra caramelisation in the roast makes it sweet and vibrant.
-
Surprisingly, it makes a solid espresso.
-
This is a true speciality coffee with Kerume and heirloom varieties.
What I Don't Like
-
It is a seasonal offering, and won't be available until Rave decides otherwise.
-
The medium-dark profile works, but a light-to-medium roast would expose more aromatic lift and floral precision.
-
No published lab testing for being mycotoxins, mould, or pesticide residue free.
Bean Origin & Sourcing
Ethiopia Aricha Adorsi coffee comes from the village of Aricha in Ethiopia's Gedeo Zone.
800 small farmers cultivate it at elevations between 1,900 and 2,100 meters above sea level.
Rave has a long-term partnership with these farmers, and it pays fair prices.
Flavour Profile & Tasting Notes
The cup opens with citric brightness followed by the stone fruit and lemon zest.
A sweetness underneath is present, like something between dark caramel and dried orange peel.
Rave's own description of molasses and candied lemon is accurate.
Roast Level
The roast is medium to dark, which shouldn’t work with washed Ethiopian, but it does.
Recommended Brew Method
A V60 pour-over is the best recommended brew method for this, but it was delicious as an espresso as well.
French Press, AeroPress would work just as well.
Price & Value for Money
At £9.20 for a 250g bag, the price is fair.
You’re paying for a single-origin, named-station, small-farm, Gedeo-washed Ethiopian at altitude.
Customer Feedback
Steve Burrell’s Feedback:
“Nice coffee.”
Robert Hertelendy Feedback:
“Great tasting coffee”
Verdict (score out of 100)
Ethiopia Aricha Adorsi is a well-sourced washed Ethiopian with authentic terroir character and a roast profile.
It’s consistently deep and rich, with a burst of lemon that’s worth waking up for.
Final Scores |
|
|
Flavour |
23/25 |
|
Health and Purity |
14/20 |
|
Freshness |
14/15 |
|
Traceability |
14/15 |
|
Brand Trust |
14/15 |
|
Value for Money |
9/10 |
|
Total Scores |
88/100 |
Rave Coffee Pods Reviews
Coffee pods reveal the shortcomings of coffee that beans often hide.
I was looking forward to the Rave Coffee caps review.
Because when a brand perfects their pods and makes them sustainable, I instantly add them to my coffee bar.
The beans made a strong case in my Rave Coffee review.
But the pods have to prove whether Rave's quality translates to convenience just as smoothly.
Rave Coffee Signature Blend Pods
Rave Signature Blend pods stand out for the balance, quality, and flavour in the cup.
They're 100% home compostable. You use and throw them in the food basket, and that’s all.

The Signature Blend pod is Rave’s house blend, with the deliciousness of caramel, almond, and chocolate.
It has an intensity of 4 out of 5, great for milk-based drinks.
It’s good as an espresso, great at a short 30ml yield, and best in milk drinks.
What I Like
-
Home compostable pods, convenient and sustainable.
-
The overall cup is delicious and smooth.
-
The aroma punches while brewing.
-
I didn’t expect it, but the crema quality is excellent.
What I Don't Like
-
It’s designed for a short 25-35ml shot. So you need to adjust your Nespresso settings. Not a flaw, but worth noting for beginners.
-
As a lungo, it stretches the body thin, the flavour opens up, but loses density.
Flavour Profile & Tasting Notes
It’s chocolatey and creamy.
The caramel sweetness is upfront, with a chocolate body and a clean almond finish.
Its intensity is balanced rather than forceful.
Better at 30-40ml shots and milk-based drinks is the sweet spot.
Roast Level
The roast is a true medium.
Compatibility (Nespresso Rave compatible; recyclable via Podback)
Rave Signature Blend pods are compatible with Nespresso Original Line Machines.
They don’t work with any other machine, including Vertuo.
They’re home compostable, so you just use them and throw them in the food basket or composting bin.
Price & Value for Money
At £4.20 for 10 pods, it is a reasonable deal.
The other options include 50 Pods for £19.95 and 100 for £37.80.
Rave's pods are competitively priced compared to Nespresso pods, but with better sourcing and composability.
Customer Feedback
Lian Evans reviewed:
“Deliciously smooth, rich-tasting coffee, best pods we've tried.”
Laurel Plain-Jones reviewed:
“I love this coffee flavour, I actually get excited to get up in the morning to have a cup!”
Verdict (score out of 100)
|
Criterion |
Scores |
|
Flavour |
21/25 |
|
Crema |
17/20 |
|
Aroma |
12/15 |
|
Body |
12/15 |
|
Finish |
12/15 |
|
Consistency |
8/10 |
|
Final |
82/100 |
Rave Coffee Subscription Review
Subscriptions can be tricky and tiring.
Sometimes, you never get your coffee on time, and other times you end up with piles of unused beans.

So, I’m also doing a Rave Coffee Subscription Review to ensure if it works as easily.
To be honest, I wasn’t disappointed.
Bean & Ground Subscription Options
Rave Coffee has a subscription named The Coffee Club, and it offers options like:
Traditional subscription: You receive the same coffee every delivery.
A Discovery subscription: New coffee monthly, rotating blends and single-origins, seasonal offerings, along with brewing guides.
A mixed approach: You choose both the traditional and discovery options, as well as the number of bags.
Moreover, you can choose your grind type from whole bean, espresso, cafetière, filter, or stovetop.
The typical bag size is 250g, and the other option is 1 kg.
The Discovery tier subscription is the more interesting option for adventurous drinkers.
Pod Subscription Options
The pod subscriptions offer the same 10% off, consistent delivery, and the flexibility to pause or cancel.
Delivery Frequency & Flexibility
Flexibility is the most honest aspect of the Rave subscription in the Rave Coffee review.
You can manage your subscriptions online and choose your delivery frequency from weekly, fortnightly, or monthly.
You can pause, skip or cancel your subscription at any time.
Your coffee arrives Royal Mail Tracked in letterbox-friendly packaging, so no waiting ages for it.
Price & Value for Money
Subscription starts from £9.95 with free tracked delivery for one 250g bag.
The pricing is genuinely competitive, especially for the Discovery option.
You’re practically on a coffee adventure with Rave, tasting new blends and single origins every month.
How It Compares to Other Coffee Subscriptions
Rave’s strongest quality is its breadth.
It has a developed blend range; the pods are tasty, and its accessibility-first approach makes it a beginner’s choice.
Rave cares about your coffee experience and is budget-friendly.
The Independent voted the Rave subscription “the best budget buy” in 2026.
Verdict (score out of 100)
Rave subscription has honest pricing, the discovery subscription to satisfy your coffee curiosity, and flexibility.
The letterbox delivery is a small but really nice touch to the entire experience.
Score: 88/100.
Rave Coffee Products Compared
|
Product |
Type |
Roast |
Origin |
Price |
Score |
Best For |
Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Espresso Blend |
Blend |
Medium |
Multi-origin |
£7.34 |
85/100 |
Daily espresso, milk drinks |
ravecoffee.co.uk |
|
Chatswood Blend |
Blend |
Dark |
Multi-origin + Robusta |
£7.93 |
82/100 |
Cafetière, bold flat whites |
ravecoffee.co.uk |
|
Ethiopia Aricha Adorsi |
Single Origin |
Light-Med |
Ethiopia |
£9.20 |
88/100 |
V60, AeroPress, pour-over |
ravecoffee.co.uk |
|
Colombia El Carmen |
Single Origin |
Medium |
Colombia El Carmen |
£8.98 |
87/100 |
Espresso, V60, beginners |
ravecoffee.co.uk |
|
Signature Blend Pods |
Compostable Pod |
Medium |
Multi-origin |
£4.20for 10 pods |
82/100 |
Nespresso users, eco-conscious buyers |
ravecoffee.co.uk |
Is Rave Coffee Worth It?
Yes, in my humble opinion, Rave coffee is absolutely worth it.
Rave gives you full-bodied blends, delicious, unique single-origins and compostable pods at very reasonable pricing.

The sourcing, sustainability, environmental efforts, and, most importantly, reliable roasting.
What Rave Coffee Does Well
-
Ethical sourcing and reliable roasting.
-
At the end of the day, the coffee, whether a blend or single-origin, is delicious.
-
Compostable pods are a plus, great for convenience and delicious.
-
The roast-to-order model means my parcel comes smelling of freshly roasted coffee.
-
The subscription is reasonably priced and flexible.
-
Rave claims to have gotten their Colombia El Carmen lot tested for mycotoxins, which is great.
Where Rave Coffee Falls Short
-
The single-origin coffee rotates. A coffee you loved, you may not find it again until the next season.
-
Darker roast coffee, such as Chatswood, needs more careful brewing to make a decent cup.
-
There are no published test data on pesticides, mycotoxins, or mould (except for Colombia El Carmen), which matters to health-conscious buyers.
Who Should Buy Rave Coffee?
-
Home brewers looking to enter the speciality coffee scene can start with Rave’s single-origin coffee.
-
Nespresso Original Line users who want to upgrade to speciality coffee pods.
-
Drinkers seeking a budget-friendly coffee and a flexible subscription.
Who Should Look Elsewhere?
-
Drinkers looking for ultra-speciality coffee micro lots.
-
Buyers who require certified organic, Fairtrade, or Rainforest Alliance labelling on every product.
-
Vertuo machine users, because Rave pods are compatible with the Original Line only.
-
Health-conscious drinkers want health and purity in their cup.
Where to Buy Rave Coffee?
The best place to buy Rave coffee is on their website.
At Rave’s website, you’ll find all products, subscriptions, and equipment available directly.

It gets your freshly roasted coffee, the full coffee range, and free shipping on orders above £25.
Rave is also available through select independent retailers, but the ideal place to get the coffee is Rave’s site.
Subscription Options Available?
Subscription is available only through Rave’s website.
The Coffee Club subscription offers beans, ground, and pods.
You choose the frequency, quantity, and grind options.
Gift subscriptions are also available if you want to show appreciation for a loved one’s love of coffee.
However.
If Rave doesn’t feel right for you and you’re looking for something more, I have an alternative.
Rave Coffee Alternative (Balance Coffee)
Before I go on about Balance Coffee, it should be clear that it’s my own brand.
But I judge it through the same lens I use for every other coffee.

Meaning I have blind-tasted it alongside other coffees, and it has always scored competitively.
In health and purity, Balance is one step ahead of other brands.
It features traceable sourcing, high-quality Arabica beans, and light-to-medium roast profiles that preserve the coffee's character.
But beyond all of that, Balance gets every bean tested for mould, mycotoxins, and pesticides.
Balance Coffee is for health-conscious drinkers like me.
It has coffee beans that work across multiple brewing methods.
And for Nespresso users, Balance has recyclable aluminium coffee pods.
The price is a little premium to Rave, but Balance Coffee includes lab testing as an added benefit.
Balance’s coffee range is easier to navigate, with predictable availability and no coffee rotation.
If you care about what goes into your cup beyond just beans…
Then Balance Coffee is exactly what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rave Coffee good quality?
Yes, Rave sources all blends to a score of 80+ and the single-origins to 84+. It roasts coffee once you place the order and then sends it your way.
Where does Rave Coffee source its beans?
Rave sources its beans from various origins, Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Indonesia, and East Timor, among others.
Is Rave Coffee ethically sourced?
Yes, Rave sources coffee ethically. Rave works with 52 farms across 19 regions, paying a fair price and supporting sustainable practices.
Is Rave Coffee B Corp certified?
No, Rave is not B Corp-certified, but they’re a member of 1% for the Planet, which requires them to donate 1% of their annual income to environmental causes.
Does Rave Coffee offer a subscription?
Yes, Rave offers a coffee subscription called The Coffee Club. It offers coffee blends, single origins, traditional, and discovery tier options. It’s £9.95 per month with free delivery, and a 10% subscription discount.
Are Rave Coffee pods Nespresso compatible?
Yes, Rave coffee pods are compatible only with the Nespresso Original Line. Don’t buy if you already have another coffee system.
What is the best Rave Coffee product to try first?
If you want a comfort cup and blends work okay for you, start with the Espresso Blend. However, if you’re into single-origins, Colombia El Carmen is a great starting point.
Are Rave Coffee single origins good for espresso?
The Colombia El Carmen pulls beautifully on espresso. However, the Ethiopia Aricha Adorsi is better as a pour over to highlight the flavours.
Conclusion
Four weeks, five products, and one finding: Rave delivers accessible speciality coffee at an honest price
Rave has coffee that’s both delicious and approachable.
The Espresso Blend is the best everyday blend, and the Colombia El Carmen shows that their single-origins have potential.
The compostable pods are a great addition to your coffee bar.
The subscription comes with a letterbox-friendly delivery model.
Rave is difficult to beat on breadth, reliability and value at this price point.
However, the only thing missing is the lab testing for mycotoxins and mould.
Because for health-conscious drinkers, it matters most.
Final Scores |
|
|---|---|
|
Espresso Blend |
85 |
|
Chatwood Blend |
82 |
|
Colombia El Carmen |
87 |
|
Ethiopia Aricha Adorsi |
88 |
|
Signature Blend Pods |
82 |
|
Total Average Scores |
84.83 |
Rave Coffee is perfectly delicious for everyday drinking.
However, for whatever reason, if you’re convinced Rave is not the right coffee for you.
Then Balance Coffee has a subscription that’s just as easy to manage, featuring clean, organic coffees you’ll love.


Excellent |

