Making It Easy with Coffee Pods

If you have not discovered the ease and popularity of coffee pods yet, you do not know what you are missing. Coffee pods are single serving, pre-measured coffee enclosed in little pods. The pods are specialty paper that is used to keep the roasted, ground coffee contained and look much like tea bags you might find in the stores. These coffee pods are typically perfect for making instant coffee.

With coffee pods, you no longer have to measure the right about of coffee or even worry about that mess you might make with the grounds all over the counter. These pods allow you to simply skip all of that, saving both time and money on wasted grounds. They come in various sizes, which is perfect for whatever strength or amount of coffee you want and it even keeps your coffee machine that much cleaner, which lowers the amount of maintenance it needs.

Coffee pods even have their own machines. These coffee makers are specific to coffee pods and cater to the needs of any fussy coffee drinker. Many people prefer the coffee pods to traditional means of making coffee because it just saves time and effort. All you have to do is fill the coffee maker with water, put the coffee pod right in, and turn it on. In just a few short minutes, you will have made a great cup of coffee, ready for drinking.

Coffee pods come in a variety of your favorite coffee flavors. You can choose from Irish cream, hazelnut, or vanilla. Of course, traditional coffee flavors such as regular or decaffeinated coffee can be found in coffee pods as well. Depending on the flavor of the pod, as well as the specific roast types, the prices will vary accordingly. Coffee pods can be found in the aisle of your favorite coffee shop or local supermarket.

Using Coffee Pods

So, how do coffee pods work, you ask? Something must be very complicated about them considering how long it has taken for anyone to come up with the idea, right?

Nope. Coffee pods are pretty simple in operation, actually, and very similar to your average coffee and filter situation, although they are, for obvious reasons, far better when it comes to single cups of coffee. How else would you be sure that each cup of coffee is just as fresh as the last, regardless of when it made it to the cup? Or how about having six different flavored cups of coffee, one after the other, without wasting anything? Not possible with a traditional coffee maker.

Although brewing instructions differ from brewer to brewer, the general steps of brewing from coffee pods are all the same. First, moisten your coffee pod so that the filter creates a better seal and allows the water to pass through the coffee pod easier. This is also called pre-infusion; so if your coffee pods or brewer call for that, you've got it covered. Check the inside of your brewer to be sure everything looks clean and there's no mineral deposits covering the holes. If any of the holes are plugged, you can run a few brewing cycles with only white vinegar. Check the manufacturers cleaning instructions before doing this, but it's a pretty fool-proof way of cleaning the brewer. Also check for spare grinds since, although coffee pods are sealed, stuff does happen and grinds to get spilled. If possible, try to use only filtered, fresh water. As with tea or coffee brewed any other way, this will help your coffee to taste better.

Now slap a mug under the spout and push the coffee pod brewer's brew button. You'll hear the telltale gurgling sounds like the old style filter system, and then you should see coffee coming out and into your cup. Just like the old type brewers, it's merely passing hot water through the pod then into your cup.

Then, about a minute later, you should have a full cup of coffee. Clean-up is a snap since coffee pods are sealed, and generally all you need to do is dump the used pod into the trash.

Coffee to weak for your taste? Most brewers have enough room to house two coffee pods. With the same amount of water passing through two pods of coffee beans, a much stronger cup of coffee will emerge. Don't try to re-use coffee pods. They are made for one use each, and the results will not be favorable.

Coffee Pods - Great Coffee in a Hurry

People drink coffee for a variety of reasons, but for the most part, they drink coffee because they enjoy the flavor. Unfortunately, in today's world, everything is rush, rush, rush. Even brewing a pot of coffee steals time from all the responsibilities that seem to hang over us. However, there is a solution for those coffee lovers who just don't seem to have enough time in the day... coffee pods.

What are they?

A coffee pod is essentially a bag of coffee that's already been roasted and is ready for brewing. It's not dramatically different from the old instant coffee bags, or tea bags. Except that the taste is much improved. In fact, you can get a coffee pod in a variety of brewing strengths: dark roast, medium roast and mild roast. For their convenience and taste, coffee pods have become very much in demand.

There are two standard coffee pods. The first one is a 62 mm pod and is used for regular coffees. The Philips Senseo and the Black & Decker Home Cafe both use the 62mm size. The 44mm pod is used primarily with espresso pump machines such as the Saeco Aroma, the Krups xp4000 Espresso Machine and the Mr. Coffee ECMP40 Pod Pump Espresso. There are other sizes available, however the 62mm and 44mm are currently the industry standards.

Generally, the process is simplicity itself: you fill the coffee maker with water, place the pod in the receptacle, hit the button and thirty second later you're drinking a perfect cup of coffee. It's that easy. And if you want a rich frothy cup, there are various attachments that help you achieve that, too.

And cleanup? Hey, you just toss out the pod. The coffee grounds are enclosed in the pod (there's no filter), so you don't have to worry about spilling them. And the pod receptacle is safe to toss into the dishwasher.

At this point, you might be wondering about price. You should be able to find a package of 72 coffee pods for less than twenty dollars, which is about twice what you'd pay for an off-the-shelf coffee blend. They aren't for the budget-minded coffee drinker. They're designed for quality and convenience. You're paying extra for the no mess, no measuring, easy cleanup, ready in thirty seconds, cup of a coffee. For many people in these busy, hectic times, that's money well spent.

All New Coffee Pods Are the Latest Craze Amongst Coffee Drinkers

It is always something new and exciting in the world for coffee drinkers. And Coffee pods are the latest craze. What Coffee pods are, is a small paper enclosure, similar to a tea bag that holds an amount of roasted coffee that is freshly ground and measured to a specific amount and then encased in this small a paper bag like container.

To make a pot of coffee using a pod in simple, all that you need to do is place the pod into the filter department of your coffee maker and the procedure is then the same as normal. The result is a consistent, delicious pot of coffee every single time. Then when you are finished, you just remove the used pod and dispose of it straight into the trash. No mess, less waste and completely fuss free.

Many manufacturers are now making coffee machines specifically for pods, however you can still make coffee using a pod with any coffee maker that you already own. Many companies are now producing and selling adapters so that you can use a pod in the filter of your coffee maker easily.

In our ever increasing fast paced society, using a coffee pod is a time saver as well. By using a coffee pod, you can skip the often time consuming step of measuring out your coffee grounds each time you want to make a pot of coffee. Coffee pods are now available in a wide variety of flavors and blends and you can even purchase organic pods.

Coffee pods are typically a generic size that is geared to fit most espresso machines. All you need to do is simply open your single wrapped pod, place the pod inside the filter of your machine, turn the coffee maker on and wait for the machine to go throught the process and deliver you a delicious cup of coffee.

Using pods can be beneficial in virtually every environment where coffee is consumed. In restaurants and cafes, coffee pods are convenient because they save time therefore increasing the level of productivity on site. You will also save money by cutting down on the wear and tear of the grinders.

Many office buildings find coffee pods convenient as well because they allow people to quickly produce high quality product. Remember to store your coffee pods properly. The individually wrapped coffee pods should be placed in a sealed container and kept somewhere that is cool and dark. Make certain that you do not store your pods in the fridge.

If you have a coffee maker that works with pods, but are a little put off on the cost of purchasing pods, you can easily create your own pods at home. First of all, you will need a measuring scoop that is stainless steel and that can fit into the pod holder on your pod maker. Measuring scoops that are 1/3 of a cup are typically the ideal fit. You will also need a jar or even a glass that will fit tight into your measuring scoop. You will also need to purchase filters for a four-cup machine that are of a Mr. Coffee style. It is important to ensure that the filters fit tightly.

Take one of the filters and spread in evenly over the end of the jar or glass. Now, press the jar into the measuring scoop until there is a tight edge along the bottom of the measuring cup. Take the jar away and add approximately two teaspoons of coffee grounds to the paper filter. Adjust the amount depending on how strong you prefer your coffee. With your fingers, fold any extra filter to fully cover the coffee grounds making sure that your folds are even. Use the jar to again press down inside of the scoop very hard. Invert the scoop and remove your new coffee pod. Creating your own coffee pods saves you money, and also allow you to create your favorite blends and strength of coffee.

Coffee Pods

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

Basically, they 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 seperately, 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 pod 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.

Coffee pods are, however, fortunately kind of an open format. They do require special pieces of equipment to brew, but pretty much any company can make and sell both the pods and brewers, which means that once you obtain your brewer, there are plenty of options as to where to get the coffee pods themselves. Although there are plenty available for as little as $5 per package, the more premium pods can easily cost in excess of $30 per set. Of course, if you sample both, and they each taste just the same to you, then there's no reason to spend the excess money on the more expensive pods. Also, there are ways to make your own, and it's not too terribly difficult, though the time involved probably negates any convenience gained from using coffee pods in the first place.

Brewers for coffee pods vary wildly in price, ranging from $10 to well over $400 for personal one cup brewers, and upwards of $1100 for those brewers intended for an office or commercial environment. Although they can be purchased both online, and likely in your regular department store, the best deals will likely be found from online distributors, if you can afford and are patient enough to wait.

If you haven't figured it out yet, coffee pods are quite a bit pricier than the every day coffee makers that have been around for years. The brewer itself will cost you more, the coffee pods aren't cheap, and they won't last you nearly as long as your typical filter and grounds setup. In return, however, you will get the convenience of having everything in one package, and the ability to brew coffee that's much more similar to what the retail places have to offer.

K-Cups Or Coffee Pods? That is the Question!

Try browsing the Internet for single cup coffee makers, and you'll find dozens of websites, all purporting that they sell the best brewers available. The problem lies in the fact that most sites don't agree with each other, so you get as many different opinions as there are coffee making machines. One of the debates on these websites is whether it's better to buy a brewing system that uses k-cups or one that uses coffee pods. Both have their pros and cons, and this article is going to explore what's good and what's bad about them.

K-cups are the ultimate in convenience. They are little pre-measured portions of coffee housed in air-tight plastic cups sealed with both plastic and foil in order to preserve freshness. A k-cup coffee maker sends pressurized hot water through the top of the cup into a filter filled with coffee grounds. You can purchase an optional k-cup carousel for convenient counter-top storage. K-cups are made by many different gourmet coffee brands including Green Mountain, Caribou, Emeril's, Newman's Own, Gloria Jean's, and Timothy's. You will find numerous distinctive flavors and roasts to suit any taste.

On the downside, k-cups are expensive. You can end up paying as much as $.63 per cup with certain brands of coffee. For example, a box of 22 Green Mountain Variety Flavor K-Cups costs $13.95. You may find a few websites that offer discount k-cups, but even so they tend to be expensive compared to other coffee brewing methods.

There are a couple of ways you can avoid buying so many costly k-cups if you own a k-cup brewer. One of these is a reusable coffee filter you can fill with your own grounds. Using this type of filter you still have to mess with wet grounds, and reviewers will tell you they don't make nearly as good of a cup of coffee as the originals, but they make single cup brewers much less expensive to use. You can also reuse k-cups 10 to 20 times provided you buy reusable plastic lids and put in your own coffee grounds.

Coffee pods are also pre-measured packets of all different kinds of coffee. These pods are filters that are heat sealed to keep the coffee in them fresh. They have been likened to tea bags, but the coffee they produce is fresh-brewed, because single cup coffee makers brew coffee one cup at a time. Pods are available in dozens of varieties, and where some people have complained that k-cups are very limited in the flavors they offer, there is no problem with that when it comes to coffee pods. Companies, such as Senseo, produce their own coffee pods to specifically fit their coffee makers; however, there are numerous standardized pods available that you can use also.

Once again, the problem with coffee pods is that they are expensive. Although they don't run as much per cup as k-cups do, they are still more expensive than either a drip coffee maker or a French press. As with k-cups, there are alternatives to using the premade packets. You can buy a machine and make your own heat-sealed pods, or you can buy adapters for some brewers that allow you to use regular coffee grounds. Another negative that some people have found with certain coffee pods is that they make coffee that is too weak. To remedy this problem they use two pods per cup which doubles the price of each cup of coffee.

As with most products these days, it all depends on personal preference and budget. You will find lots of online reviews from people loving their k-cup brewers as well as reviews from those who are very happy with their coffee pod coffee makers. Therefore, it's pretty much up to you to weigh the options and decide which type of brewing system is right for you.

What Are Coffee Pods?

People drink coffee to stay awake and get more things done. But how can you get more things done if you're waiting around for your coffee to brew. Oh sure you can go buy a cup of Joe but at some point you going to want a cup at home. With a coffee pod maker you're only 30 seconds away from an excellent cup of coffee.

Senseo was one of the first pod makers available. And having sold more than 10 million units in four years Senseo is definitely here to stay. A coffee pod looks just like a round tea bag. It works like this. You fill the coffee maker with water, place a pod in the receptacle, hit the button and thirty seconds later you have a great cup of coffee. A patented method that uses a special spray head and mild pressure to balance the ratio of coffee to water while brewing creates a rich frothy cup of coffee.

If you're looking for great tasting coffee that's convenient and time saving then try pod coffee. Coffee pods are available in different brew strengths including dark roast, medium roast and mild roast. You can usually buy a package of 72 coffee pods for less than twenty dollars. Since you can also buy a 33 oz can of coffee grinds for about five to 10 dollars at the supermarket, coffee pods are not for budget minded coffee drinkers. That large can will definitely contain a lot more than 72 cups of coffee. But remember you're paying a premium for a no mess, no measuring, easy cleanup, ready in thirty seconds, cup of a coffee. For some people that's money well spent.

Cleanup is a breeze, just discard the pod. Since the grinds are enclosed in a pod instead of a filter there's less of a chance of spilling them all over your kitchen floor. The pod receptacle is even dishwasher safe.

Another reason to buy a pod maker, especially a Senseo, is that the machines are so good looking. They are sleek, stylish and will look great on your countertop.

Coffee isn't just for breakfast anymore, it's an all day long affair. Why not make coffee pods part of your daily routine?

Commercial Coffee Pod Brewers

In the commercial environment, coffee pods also have their uses. There are many advantages to coffee pods over the traditional type of coffee maker. Everyone in the office will be able to get their own, equally fresh cup of coffee, regardless of how late they are. Joe in marketing won't have to waste an entire pot of coffee just to get his afternoon fix. Flavored coffee will become the norm as everyone won't have to agree on the flavor, or even the brand, as they could pick and chose whichever coffee pods that had the flavor they wanted that day.

Although they can be plumed straight into the water supply of your office, commercial coffee pods brewers can also be used as pour over coffee brewers, just like the home versions. Since they don't have to be attached to anything but a power outlet, they can be moved about if necessary, giving everyone access to fresh coffee wherever water can be supplied. They're light, weighing no more than your normal cheap coffee maker from the department store, shipping out at no more than ten pounds. Most can be programmed for either eight ounce or ten ounce cups, depending on the customer's preference. For safety reasons, if they are plumbed, they will automatically kill their water supply if the pod door is open so as not to burn the user. They're generally constructed of very high quality materials since they are expected to be used quite a lot. Although standard coffee pods work just fine in commercial brewers, you'll want to get the larger, more economical packages. The pods will need to be matched to the brewer for size, just like the personal ones, and it's always good to wet the pod a bit before dropping it into the pod bay. Ideal for both small and large offices, commercial coffee pods brewers are designed to continuously produce single cups of coffee for extended periods of time.

Commercial coffee pod brewers, like personal brewers, deliver a cup of coffee quickly, in just under a minute, keeping the workers refreshed and productive, eliminating the wait for the coffee to be done. Spillage is almost impossible from the brewer itself since the brewer brews the coffee directly into the cup. Expensive, dry clean only work clothes are spared many coffee stains as there is no pouring necessary, not to mention no one likes to walk around with a coffee stain all day.

Green Mountain Coffee Pods

While they're not even actually coffee pods in the traditional sense, Green Mountain Coffee Pods are one of the most well known brands out there. Actually, they are K-Cups. This means they'll only work in a K-Cup brewer, which is made be Keurig. We won't be talking about traditional coffee pods at all, so if that is all you're looking for, you should look elsewhere. If you own, or plan to buy a Keurig K-Cup machine, though, read onward.

A Brief History Of Green Mountain Coffee

With a name like that, you would think that the company was rather old and from Ireland or something. In reality, Green Mountain Coffee was founded in Vermont in 1981. This makes them very new to the coffee world, especially with older companies having been around since the mid 1800s. The company actually started as a tiny cafe in rural Waitsfield, Vermont, where they roasted and served coffee. It didn't take long before local restaurants began clamoring to buy their fresh ground coffee to serve in their own establishments.

What Makes Green Mountain Special?

In such a competitive industry, that this company grew so fast is nothing short of amazing. So, how did they manage to make such an impact? It probably had a lot to do with their strange mixture of selections and flavors. Since the big guys pretty much have your average decaf and house blend type offerings locked up, these guys went a completely different direction. Some of their blends are fairly mundane, with breakfast blend, French roast, and "Our Blend", which is their version of original, mixed in with their greater than 100 various coffees.

Your Pod Coffee Maker And Green Mountain Coffees

Unless you have a Keurig K-Cup Brewer, Green Mountain Coffee Pods will not work in your pod coffee maker. This company does not, and probably will not ever make a more generic coffee pod, such as what would fit in the Home Cafe pod coffee makers. This is because they actually own Keurig. In fact, since Green Mountain purchased Keurig in 2006, it's probably not much of a stretch to say that they are is the reason for the success of K-Cups and the Keurig brewers in general. If you're into making your own coffee pods, however, you could always buy their loose coffee to go in your coffee pod machine.

Does Green Mountain Make Anything Other Than Coffee?

Although you may have to look under some of their other labels, Green Mountain does produce items other than coffee. Their hot chocolates are under the name of Cafe Escapes, while their teas live under the Celestial Seasonings name. However, just like with their coffees, these can only be had as a K-Cup, so unless you own or intend to buy one, you'll have to go with a different brand.

Find Out More About ESE Coffee Pods

ESE coffee pods are an interesting phenomenon, and they stand for "easy serving espresso" coffee pods to be used to make your brewing that much quicker before you start your workday. This is a fast way to make espresso on a home brewer or in the office, and it also costs less than purchasing a ready-made drink at a commercial coffee chain. The truth is that there are a number of professional and affordable ESE coffee pod brewers if you are looking for a quicker way to get your daily fix!

ESE coffee pods can be brewed in a number of home espresso machines. There are specific machines made that are compatible to these pods, and there are also a number of espresso machines that are compatible to both pods and freshly ground espresso. If you are hoping to brew regular espresso as well, then you may want to invest in a home machine that is compatible to both. If you are simply hoping to brew with pods and cut serious time out of your day, then you only need a machine that is pod brewing compatible. Many times, you can also find an adapter for ESE coffee pods to use with your existing espresso machine. This means that you can place the pod into the filter, which is already prepackaged with espresso grounds. You can brew in the same manner, but it eliminates grinding, dosing, and tamping your fresh espresso.

It may be difficult to purchase ESE coffee pods at first because you want to make sure that you are finding a genuine espresso product. Illy is the inventors of these type of pods, so that is a great brand to start with. Otherwise, make sure that the ESE coffee pods that you are purchasing are clearly labeled as ESE, otherwise, they may not give you the espresso that you are looking for.

ESE coffee pods will brew real espresso, but you do need to make sure that you purchase from a reputable brand. You want the espresso that is brewed to taste fresh and authentic, so it is important not to skimp and purchase a cheaper alternative. In the long run, brewing with these type of pods will be much less expensive than purchasing a cappuccino at Starbucks every single day, but they are slightly more expensive than purchasing espresso beans to freshly grind yourself before brewing.

Many coffee connoisseurs frown upon the use of ESE coffee pods simply because they are not freshly ground, which is the optimal way to produce espresso. However, if you feel overwhelmed at the task of learning how to brew espresso like a true barista, then this can be an easy alternative for you. Yes, the pods do not contain freshly ground espresso because they are prepackaged, but they provide you with a very similar alternative that you can use on a daily basis to cut out time and technical training on your part when brewing home espresso. This is just one more option of many in fresh espresso brewing!

Simplify Your Coffee Making With Melitta Coffee Pods

If you are like most people then you're probably looking for a way to simplify the routine tasks in your life. For many of us, the first task of the morning is to make our coffee, though it isn't always a process that everyone looks forward to. After all, who wants to fuss with dragging out a coffee grinder and brewing a pot of coffee early in the morning? Wouldn't it be nice if there was a coffee maker available that did it all for you? Fortunately, there is such a machine and it's called the Melitta Pod Coffee Maker System. The following article will list some of the features and benefits of these machines and will also provide some tips on where to find the Melitta coffee pods that accompany them.

If you've never heard of a pod coffee brewing system before, then you've been missing out on one of the greatest coffee inventions since the introduction of the automatic drip coffee maker. The way these machines work is by utilizing a "pod" of coffee, which is essentially a pre-measured portion of ground coffee, available in a variety of different flavors. The pod is placed into the machine and the machine uses just the right amount of water to extract the flavor and aroma from the pod. Because the ground coffee and water are in perfect proportion, the resulting cup is rich and smooth, without a trace of bitterness. Apart from brewing an outstanding cup of coffee, the process itself takes under a minute to brew a single serving. Plus, cleanup is a breeze and requires that you simply remove the spent pod from the machine and toss it into the trash.

Another great thing about pod coffee makers is that they are capable of brewing many different types of coffee depending on the pods you purchase. A simple online search for Melitta coffee pods will yield many different options including French Roast, cappuccino, decaffeinated, hazelnut and many more. There are even hot chocolate and tea pods available for those that don't drink coffee or for those times when you'd rather have something different. Because these machines brew just one cup at a time, you can brew different flavors for each consumer, making these some of the most versatile machines available. In terms of cost, each pod costs about 60 cents, though you can save a considerable amount of money through bulk purchases.

Nespresso Coffee Pods

Nespresso, which stands for "Nestle Espresso", was actually one of the earlier machines to use coffee pods. The reason many people don't associate them is simply because Nestle did not call them as such, instead calling them capsules. However, being a type of single serve, single cup coffee pretty much makes them the same as coffee pods.

Candy People Make Coffee Machines?

To make both candy bars and pod coffee brewers seems like an odd business plan, which is why Nestle actually doesn't do this. The first Nespresso machines featured a recognizable brand name as well as the Nespresso name. Since 2000, though, Nespresso machines have done away with any name other than Nespresso. For the most part, all of their machines were actually manufactured by Eugster/Frismag, a company that only makes coffee makers for use and labeling by other companies.

Finding Nespresso Coffee Pods

In comparison to T-Discs, K-Cups, and normal coffee pods, Nespresso pods will not be found in any grocery store. In fact, to purchase them, you'll have to go through either Nespresso's own site, or a Nespresso Boutique. You read that correctly; these coffee pods actually have a chain of stores devoted to them. The brewers, on the other hand, are easily found in many retail stores.

How Do Nespresso Machines Work?

This pod coffee machine works a bit differently than normal pod coffee brewers. Upon insertion, the capsule is pierced, and then injected with hot water. As water pressure builds, holes open up in the weaker points of the aluminum, and the now brewed coffee escapes. The empty aluminum capsule is generally stored in a waste receptacle inside the machine for later removal.

The Downside To Nespresso Machines

There are some notable drawbacks to Nespresso coffee pods. First, the patent which is on the capsules makes it impossible for other companies to copy them, creating a closed market and forcing the customer to buy from Nestle. Then there's the fact that every cup of coffee made results in aluminum waste. Fortunately, at most places that you can buy Nespresso products, they will recycle the aluminum for you for free.

Coffee Pods and Espresso Machines

There's nothing like the perfect espresso. Finely ground, dark roasted coffee, pressed and percolated into a strong, rich coffee drink that delights the senses and perks up your day. In Italy, ordering a coffee means that you're ordering an espresso. The Italians stop in their local bar once, twice, even three times a day for the perfect cup of espresso. But here in America, it's not as easy to find espresso done right. The grind of the coffee, the right temperature, the pressing of the coffee and the foaming of the milk are skills that few people know how to wield properly on this side of the ocean. But now with espresso machines and coffee pods, the guesswork is taken out of making espresso at domestic bars or even in your own kitchen at home.

In Italy, most Italians wouldn't recognize what we think of as a coffee maker. They use a "machinetta", a contraption that looks like a metal hourglass that has a top like a pitcher. The machine has 2 chambers. Water and coffee go into the bottom chamber. The machine is placed on the stovetop and heated until the water boils, percolating through the espresso grinds and into the second chamber. The pressure on the grinds between the two chambers insures that the coffee is pressed - the word espresso means "expressed" - and the rich taste comes from getting as much of the flavor out of the grinds as possible. The milk is heated and whipped separately. But it's easy to make a mistake in this process. Either by using the wrong amount of water or coffee, turning the heat on too strong or not using the right timing.

The growing popularity of espresso has meant that people want an easier, error free way to make it at home. So now you can find espresso machines that let you get the right combination of the necessary steps every time. There is a wide range of models to choose from, with different features and capacity. Some are designed for use in restaurants or bars, capable of producing large volumes of coffee in shorter amount of time. Unless you do enough entertaining at home to justify the cost, these probably aren't the best solution for you.

Models made for home usually produce either one or two "shots" of espresso at a time. If you prefer your espresso "macchiato", with milk, or you want to turn your espresso into a cappuccino, you will want to get an espresso machine with a nozzle that creates the steam and lets you froth the milk. Beyond these choices, you might want to consider a product that lets you use coffee pods. These pods look like large tea bags. They contain the exact amount of espresso to deliver a perfect shot every time. You simply put the pod into its slot, close it, and start the machine. When the cycle has finished, you just throw the pod away. It helps prevent any problems with measuring out the espresso and makes cleaning up absolutely easy.

If you purchase a machine that uses coffee pods, you might want to consider whether or not it can also take either another brand's coffee pods or regular loose espresso. Some machines do, but many will work only with the coffee pods that the same company also designs. Having the flexibility to use either the pod or loose coffee means you can still use it even if you run out of pods, which might need to be special ordered. Until these machines become more popular, it's not likely that the pods will be carried consistently in local grocery stores. Plus, the choice to use either kind of coffee also gives you the freedom to experiment with other roasts or flavors of espresso to further indulge your love of coffee.

What's the Difference Between a K-Cup Single-Serve Brewer and a Coffee Pod Brewer?

In the world of one cup coffee makers, there are two major competing formats.

Coffee makers made by Keurig use K-Cups.

Machines made by Senseo and other manufacturers use coffee pods, which look like round, plump tea bags.

K-Cups and coffee pods contain just the right amount of ground coffee to make a single cup of coffee.

And that's the attraction of single serve brewers. Just add a K-Cup or coffee pod in the holder provided, close the lid, press a button...and presto, you get a fresh cup of gourmet coffee.

No coffee beans to grind. No messy filers to clean up.

Both systems deliver what coffee lovers want - great gourmet coffee, without the fuss and cleanup associated with traditional grinders and brewers.

But which is the best system? Brewers which use K-Cups? Or brewers that use coffee pods?

Both formats have their advantages.

K-Cups are full sealed for freshness and need no additional packaging. While coffee pods need to be individually packaged to keep them fresh.

K-Cups can literally be dropped into the holder in the brewer. While coffee pods have to be placed carefully in the holder, to avoiding leakage during brewing.

K-Cups come out of the brewer dry, clean and ready for the garbage bin. Coffee pods are wet and hot, just like a used tea bag.

K-Cups are more expensive to buy than coffee pods. And there is a wider variety of coffees to choose from in the coffee pod format.

In other words, both systems have their advantages and disadvantages.

And they both deliver a great cup of coffee.

At the end of the day, you may make your choice based as much on the brewer as you do on the format.

Do you like the look and features of the Keurig one cup brewers? Or do you prefer the design and feel of a coffee pod brewer, like the Senseo?

Whatever choice you make, be sure to spend some time researching the various options before you buy.

Organic Coffee Pods

Organic coffee pods are individual portions of coffee grounds, which are pre-sealed in a coffee filter paper.

They are similar to tea bags, which can be dipped into hot water to brew a cup of tea. But coffee pods need to be dropped into a special coffee pot that drips very hot water on the pod, providing you with a cup of freshly brewed coffee in about thirty seconds.

It is a quick, neat, and easy way to get a fresh brewed cup of coffee with every cup you drink.

There is a huge variety of flavors available to the coffee connoisseur. The ten most popular flavors are almond, cinnamon, caramel, chocolate, French vanilla, hazelnut, Irish cream, peppermint, espresso, and cappuccino.

But there are many, many more, and new combination pop up all the time.

If you check online under organic coffee pods, you will discover hundreds of distributors, each with their own lines of coffee and choices of flavors.

You will be able to find both organic and traditional, the various roast choices and any number of flavors to pick from.

Many people, once they have tried organic coffee pods, feel that making coffee by the pot full gives you a lackluster, stale cup of java.

They also love the convenience of not having to deal with loose coffee messes. These pods are packaged in packages of six, sixteen, or twenty-five single pods, depending on what brand you buy, and can be purchased in one flavor or style or in a mixed variety.

The pods are sixty-two mm wide and weigh seven grams each. They brew one cup of coffee per pod.

So what are the real advantages of organic coffee pods as compared to buying it loose and by the pound? The types of roast available are light, medium, dark, flavored, and decaffeinated.

This is true of both kinds of packaging. For one thing, you won't need a coffee grinder to get a fresh brewed cup of coffee. It is as easy to use as a tea bag, and gives you the taste of fresh home brewed coffee. And it is so much less messy than loose grounds are. The coffeemaker is also simple and easy to use.

Let's face it. If you want a consistent, perfect cup of coffee every time, using organic coffee pods is the way to do it. There will be no mess, no waste, and the perfect taste every time you pour a cup of java!