What Are Coffee Pods?

What exactly are coffee pods, you ask? They're not little spaceships in which coffee travels through space, though the term may induce such thoughts. Other than that, the term coffee pods doesn't exactly endow itself with a ready explanation.

Are Coffee Pod Brewers Different?

Basically, coffee pods are small, single serve packages of coffee that come wrapped in their own filter. They can only be used with certain types of coffee makers, called pod brewers, but they can be far more convenient. Imagine not having to worry about buying filters and grind separately, or pouring grinds or water whenever you want just one cup of coffee. Unfortunately, this convenience is a bit more pricey than your standard cheap coffee maker. Coffee pods brewers, while still fairly budget friendly, are not nearly as cheap as the old standard. Also, there are many different manufacturers of coffee pods brewers, and not all brewers are compatible with all pods, so there is sometimes confusion as to which brewers use which pods.

Which Companies Make Coffee Pods?

Fortunately, however, coffee pods are sort of an open format as far as coffee goes. Although they require the special brewers to use, they can be produced by pretty much any company, and many companies to make and sell both pods and brewers, meaning there are quite a few different options when you go hunting for your pods or your brewer. Prices are all over the place, from as little as $5 per package to in excess of $30 per package for the more premium pods. It's up to you to taste them both and see if it's worth spending the extra money. There are also ways to make your own coffee pods, and it's not very difficult, though one of the main reasons people like coffee pods is convenience, and making your own sort of negates those conveniences.

Coffee Pod Brewers Can Be Expensive

Coffee pod brewers range from $10 to well over $400 for personal one cup brewers, and upwards of $1100 for commercial grade brewers. They can be purchased from most regular department stores, as well as online. As with most things, if you have the patience to wait for it, it's probably better and cheaper to order it online.

Coffee Pods Are Worth It

All things considered, coffee pods are a big more expensive than those mundane coffee makers that have been around for decades. However, if you regularly only make one cup of coffee, or your brewer caters to people who want coffee at different times of the day, then coffee pods will probably save you money in the long run, and will always give you the fresher cup of coffee on demand.

Corky likes to write articles about coffee pod and coffee pod brewer.