K-cup vs coffee pod: which one is better for a cup of exceptional coffee?

I am choosing between a machine that takes k-cups and coffee pods. What is the difference between k-cup vs coffee pod? Are they the same? Which one coffee pod or k-cup is best for me?

Owly Choice reader Gertrude

However, there are several important differences between k-cups and coffee pods.

The major difference between k-cup vs coffee pod is that k-cups are usually hard shells made of plastic, while coffee pods are paper sachets filled with ground coffee. K-cups may contain coffee and different mixes of flavors, whilst coffee pods are typically filled with plain coffee grounds. Last but not least, k-cups appear to leave a much larger environmental footprint (due to their materials), when coffee pods tend to be biodegradable.

We feel that coffee pods tend to brew much better coffee. Let’s explore why!

Review: k-cup vs coffee pod

Differences k-cup vs coffee pod

There are several differences between a k-cup and a coffee pod. Those differences may ultimately determine which one is a better choice for you.

The major difference between k-cup vs coffee pod is the material from which they are made. While k-cups are typically hard shells made with plastic and aluminium, coffee pods are more often round paper sachets filled with coffee grounds. Therefore, if you are someone who wants to avoid any potential contamination with plastic or aluminium coffee pods might be a better option.

Because of the larger and more even surface area, extraction is typically better in coffee pods. Water and coffee contained in the paper sachet can interact more evenly, thus yielding stronger and more even coffee. On the opposite side, k-cups comes with coffee contained inside a plastic cup. While hot water can penetrate the cup, there’s typically less time for full and even extraction.

Furthermore, k-cups are typically filled with coffee, coffee mixes or other mixes. For instance, k-cups can brew a variety of drinks such as flavored coffee or even hot chocolate. On the other hand, coffee pods typically filled with plain coffee grounds or plain tea leaves.

Another difference between k-cups and coffee pods is the type of machine compatible with either. Coffee pods might be good to use in some espresso makers (in lieu of coffee grounds) and some single serve coffee makers. In contrast, k-cups can only be used in single serve coffee makers specifically designed to be compatible with k-cups.

Last but not least, individuals who have special concerns about an environmental footprint should pay attention. K-cups are made of plastic and aluminium. They are much more difficult to recycle. On the other hand, paper in coffee pods is biodegradable and should pose minimum risk to the environment. Therefore, if you are someone who cares about the environment and sustainability, you may wish to proceed with paper coffee pods.

Similarities between coffee pod vs k-cup

However, there are some similarities between k-cups and coffee pods. In fact, the main idea behind two products is the same: making coffee brewing fast, convenient and mess-free.

K-cups

The name k-cup originates from the first designer of k-cups, namely Keurig. Today, Keurig owns copyrights and trademarks to K-cups, but other coffee companies, like illy or Nescafe quickly adopted products eerily similar to k-cups. For the sake of ease, we will call all of these products k-cups.

K-cups are typically plastic or aluminium cups filled with coffee grounds. They contain more than just plain coffee grounds. They can come with mixes of flavored coffee to brew cappuccino or latte, but can also brew hot chocolate at the touch of one button.

Coffee machine manufacturers understand the importance of k-cups. Therefore, they design coffee machines that are compatible with k-cups. If you are a k-cup lover, you need to be pay attention to buy a machine that takes k-cups.

Benefits and disadvantages of k-cups

There are many advantages of using k-cups. First, they are extremely convenient, fast and mess-free. Many consumers choose them for pragmatism. Second, we are very impressed with the variety of blends and flavors of k-cups. And, last but not least, there are many economical options of k-cups (from non-Keurig brands). Therefore, consumers can find something that fits their pockets.

On the other hand, we would like to consider some potential disadvantages of k-cups. The primarily one is the environmental footprint. Many environmental groups raise awareness on the harmful effects of the k-cup use. Since k-cups are made with plastic and aluminium, they are very difficult to recycle. Some brands, like Nescafe, took steps to minimize the environmental impact. Nescafe distributes special bags to recycle and pays for shipment, FREE of charge to consumers. Nevertheless, there are millions of other coffee cups that remain unrecycled.

Second, others note there could be some health concerns surrounding the use of k-cups. They say that using coffee cups is not healthy mainly because the cups are made of plastic.

Coffee cups are also much more pricey than plain coffee. Depending on the brand, coffee cups cost 2-9 times more than ground coffee.

Coffee pods

Coffee pods are basically small paper sachets filled with ground coffee. Interestingly, those pods can also come with tea leaves to brew delicious tea. Furthermore, pods can sometimes come with flavored coffee, but this is rather rare.

Coffee pods are available in many different shapes, sizes and types across the supermarkets. Their size can vary, depending on the brand, but the standard one is 61 milometers.

Coffee pods can be used is all espresso machines that are compatible with ESE pods, and they are used to brew espresso. The pods can be filled with flavored coffee at times, but that is very rare.

Benefits and disadvantages of coffee pods

We like coffee pods a lot. Not only are they convenient (just like k-cups), but they are much better to brew coffee. Coffee pods ensure a much better and more even coffee extraction. Because they are round in shape and have a larger surface, coffee is stronger, bolder and fuller. Furthermore, during the brewing process, coffee pods are much more aromatic.

We should also mention that a coffee pod is much faster and more convenient than grinding and filling a coffee machine or espresso maker with ground coffee. Therefore, coffee pods are more practical and take much less time to clean.

Unlike plastic k-cups, coffee pods are mostly paper. Because paper is a biodegradable material, coffee pods do not harm the environment as much in the long run.

However, there are some disadvantages of coffee pods. The cost of buying pods is typically higher than the cost of buying ground coffee.

Which one is better: k-cup or coffee pod?

Whether you prefer to buy pods or cups depends on the personal preference. Pods are better for the environment, but cups can brew coffee with different flavors. Those flavors can also contain a lot of sugar, so pods may also be more appropriate for someone who is health conscious. Also, pods seem to be cheaper than cups, so they are the better choice for someone with a tighter budget.

Owly’s conclusion

Both coffee pods and k-cups were invented to make coffee brewing easier, faster and more convenient.

Whether you choose coffee pod vs k-cup is entirely up to you. You may want to consider the following factors in your decision making process:

• how much money you want to spend,
• what type of coffee you want to brew,
• how health conscious you are, and
• how much you care about the environment.

Either way, though, we need to remember that the best coffee is brewed using freshly grounded coffee, which none of these two options offers. So, for the sake of practicality and time saving, pods and cups might be the answer, but for the sake of taste, maybe we should just use them as last resort.

Ultimately, you need to decide what works for you.

What do you think?

What do you think about coffee pod vs k-cup? Which one do you typically choose? Do you prefer coffee from coffee pods or k-cups?

Let us know in the comments!