Buy drip bags when you mostly make one cup at a time, don't want a separate brewer to buy or clean, or drink coffee away from your kitchen. Buy coffee for your plunger when you usually brew a shared pot at home and are happy to clean it: choose Plunger grind, or Whole Beans if you have a grinder. If your week includes both routines, you can order both.
Our family started roasting coffee in our garage in 2014, and we founded Grounded Drops in 2018 with drip bags. We air roast to order in NSW, put the roast date on every label, and offer beans whole or ground to order, with ground coffee prepared the day before it ships. We deliver within Australia; at the time of writing, orders over $80 after discounts receive free shipping and a free gift.
What's the real difference between a drip bag and a plunger?
A drip bag contains ground coffee inside its own single-cup paper filter. A plunger, also called a French press, is a reusable brewer that you fill with loose ground coffee.
For the buying decision, think about how many people normally want coffee together and what you're willing to wash afterwards. You don't have to choose a different roast just because you choose a different format.
| What matters | Drip bags | Plunger coffee (GD beans) |
|---|---|---|
| What you need | A cup that supports the bag and hot water; no separate brewer or grinder | A plunger, cups and hot water; a grinder if ordering Whole Beans |
| Cups per brew | One cup at a time | A shared pot, depending on your plunger |
| Cleanup | Dispose of the used bag and wash your cup | Remove loose grounds and wash the plunger and cups |
| Works away from the kitchen | Yes, with a suitable cup and hot water | Yes, if you bring the plunger, coffee and a way to clean up |
| Grind | Already ground inside the bag | Choose Plunger grind, or Whole Beans to grind yourself |
| How freshness is shown | Roast date on every label | Roast date on every label |
| What to order | Pantry Bags, Travel Packs or the Sample Box | Coffee Beans in your chosen roast, pack size and grind |
When do drip bags make more sense?
Drip bags make sense when your usual coffee is a cup for yourself, particularly if you don't want to buy or wash a separate brewer. They're also useful when you have hot water away from home but don't want to take your plunger.
If people in your household drink coffee at different points in the day, single-cup bags let each person make their own.
To use one, open the bag, hang it on your cup, pour hot water in stages and remove the bag. Our drip bag brewing guide covers the technique.
“Love the portability and taste of these. Perfect for when I can’t take my plunger with me.”
Donna J.
The cleanup advantage is about the brewer: there isn't one to empty and wash. You'll still wash your cup and need somewhere to dispose of the used bag.
When is plunger coffee the better buy?
Coffee for a plunger is the more natural order when you regularly make a shared pot at home and don't mind dealing with loose grounds afterwards. If you already own a plunger you enjoy using, ordering coffee for it makes use of that setup.
Think of a weekend breakfast where everyone wants coffee together. A shared pot suits that routine, while separate drip bags suit people making their cups independently. Neither one automatically tastes better; choose a coffee you like and a routine you'll actually use.
“Always fantastic coffee. The plunger ground is perfect and makes an amazing coffee everytime”
Genevieve C.
If you're thinking about buying a plunger, include washing and storing it in your decision. For brewing instructions once you've chosen, use our complete guide to making plunger coffee.
What should you order for a plunger?
On our Coffee Beans product page, choose Plunger grind if you want us to grind your coffee. Choose Whole Beans if you have a grinder and want to grind at home.
The product name covers both whole beans and ground coffee, so check the grind selection before adding it to your order. You can choose 250 g, 500 g or 1 kg packs. I'd start with a smaller pack when trying a roast, then choose a larger one when you know it suits your household. Our beans buying guide explains the grind options in more detail.
For milk coffee, consider Hodophile, our medium-dark blend made for milk. Wayfarer is a medium-dark Colombia single origin for milk or black, with dark cherry, ripe plums and subtle chocolate notes. Nemophilist is a medium-dark Kenya single origin for milk or black, full-bodied with blackcurrant, walnut and cocoa notes.
Gadabout is our medium-dark decaf for milk or black. Bunji is a medium roast, Australian-grown in Far North Queensland, with a smooth, well-rounded profile. Both also come as beans with the Plunger grind or Whole Beans choice.
Which drip bags should you order?
Choose Pantry Bags for everyday use at home, Travel Packs for taking coffee out of the house, or the Sample Box to try our three medium-dark options. Match the packaging to where you'll use the coffee, then choose the roast.
Pantry Bags come in a shared nitrogen-flushed pack, in sizes of 12, 24 or 36 drip bags. Choose Wayfarer, Nemophilist, Hodophile, Gadabout or Bunji. Pantry is the only drip bag format offering Gadabout decaf and Bunji Australian-grown coffee, so start here if either is on your list.
Travel Packs have each bag sealed in its own sachet, making them a practical choice for taking a few bags out with you. They come in 10, 20, 40 or 100 bags, with Wayfarer, Nemophilist and Hodophile available. Gadabout and Bunji aren't offered in Travel Packs.
The Sample Box contains 21 drip bags: 7 each of Wayfarer, Nemophilist and Hodophile, all medium-dark. I'd choose it if you're ready to try drip bags but haven't settled on a roast. If you already know you want decaf or Australian-grown coffee, choose the relevant Pantry option instead.
Does it make sense to keep both?
Yes, if your coffee routine changes through the week. Beans for a shared weekend pot and drip bags for weekday cups or coffee at work is a sensible combination.
Wayfarer, Nemophilist, Hodophile, Gadabout and Bunji are available in both Pantry Bags and beans. Once you've found a roast you enjoy, you can order it in both formats rather than starting your choice again. Check the format and grind on each item before checkout, especially when ordering the same roast for different uses.
Quick answers
Can I get the same roast as drip bags and beans?
Yes. Wayfarer, Nemophilist, Hodophile, Gadabout and Bunji all come as Pantry Bags and as beans, so you can pick a roast once and order it in either format.
What grind should I order for a plunger?
Choose Plunger grind if you want ground coffee ready for your plunger. Choose Whole Beans if you have a grinder and want to grind at home.
Can I get decaf as drip bags and beans?
Yes. Gadabout decaf comes in Pantry Bags and as beans, including Plunger grind and Whole Beans.
Do drip bags need any equipment?
You need hot water and a cup that supports the bag's handles. You don't need a separate coffee brewer or grinder.
Which drip bags are individually sealed?
Travel Packs. Each bag is sealed in its own sachet, while Pantry Bags come in a shared nitrogen-flushed pack.
Richard