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Single-cup coffee (also referred to as single-serve coffee) is the most convenient way to get a great cup of coffee – and thus it’s no wonder why its use is on the rise. As opposed to making a whole pot of coffee and waiting for it to brew, single-cup coffee gives you a fresh cup in under a minute without any fuss.

Although single-serve coffee is a more economical option than buying a cup of coffee from your local coffee shop, there are still ways to squeeze the most out of your single-cup brewer. A few practical ideas will go a long way in adding a little more jingle to your pockets while still enjoying the convenience of single-cup coffee.

Which Single-Cup Format? It Makes A Difference

Not all single-cup formats are created equal. Many, such as Keurig K-Cups and Tassimo T-DISCS use plastic capsules, adding to the cost of your cup of coffee. However, coffee pods, used in coffee pod brewers, leave out the plastic – saving you money while making Mama Nature very happy!

Coffee pods also carry an added bonus – they are not owned by any specific company. This means that coffee roasters don’t pay royalties to produce coffee pods – a cost which is generally passed on to the customer of other single-cup systems.

How much will you save? Depending on where you buy your coffee, coffee pods can pocket you 35-50% in savings when compared to other single-serve formats!

But what if you already own another single-cup brewer? Don’t worry, you don’t have to miss out on the wealth-inducing opportunities we’re discussing here! Many varieties of pod adapters are available through online retailers, such as the Perfect Pod Holster for Keurig - thus converting your current brewer into a money-making machine!

Saving Money on Specialty Drinks

Many single-serve coffee systems allow the brewing of beverages other than coffee – such as teas and hot chocolates. You can save money on these drinks too!

Most single-cup brewers are able to produce hot water on-demand. Your brewer may have a dedicated hot water button, or you may just have to leave the coffee pod or capsule out when brewing. When combined with hot chocolate powder, the hot water dispensed from your brewer makes a delicious cup of hot chocolate. This neat trick can save you money as opposed to buying specific hot chocolate capsules for your brewer. The article More Than Just Coffee – Using Your Pod Brewer to Make Café Mochas & Hot Chocolate discusses this technique in more detail.

You can also use the on-demand hot water function to make tea using your favorite variety of tea bag. Some pod brewers - such as the BUNN MyCafé MC - even accept tea bags in the same spot you would place a pod!

Buying Online is a Great Option

Most people buy their coffee at their local grocery store, but did you know you can have your coffee delivered to your door by ordering online? In fact, online retailers tend to have great prices and varieties not often found in old fashioned brick-and-mortar stores.

If you are interested in saving money on your cup of coffee or tea, check out our section of coffee pods, tea pods, and tea bags.

The BUNN MyCafé MC, a sleek pod brewer designed with quality, convenience, and earth-friendliness in mind.

This is Part 2 of a series about single-cup coffee trends. To read Part 1, “Is Single-Cup Coffee For You?”, click here.

If you think you’ve decided that single-cup coffee is the ideal choice, you’ll soon face another decision before you come home with your brand new coffee maker. That is, what type to buy? The three most popular choices are Keurig, Tassimo, and Coffee Pods. Here’s a quick overview.

Keurig

Keurig is the most popular choice in the single-serve coffee industry. The brewer uses the K-Cup, a proprietary plastic capsule containing a filter and ground coffee. K-Cups are available in hundreds of varieties, meaning you will probably find something you love. K-Cups are quite pricey though – currently about 60 cents a cup or more (definitely more than a traditional pot of coffee), so finding a good price is as important as finding the taste you love. The other downside to Keurig is the plastic waste – each K-Cup must be thrown out and can’t be recycled – an unfortunate issue.

Coffee Pods

The coffee pod brewing system, not chained to a particular brand, uses a round “pod” made out of the same type of material as a tea bag. This pod contains ground coffee and acts a filter, while a wrapper seals the freshness in before it is used. There are two main advantages to pods – “green” coffee and price. By “green,” we mean earth-friendliness, as each pod fully decomposes, in contrast to K-Cups and other capsules used by different brands. Also, the price is remarkable – a cup of coffee of the same, high quality as Keurig can be grabbed for as low as 35-40 cents a cup, a price difference not to miss. And finally, the variety is amazing; you’re sure to find a coffee you love.

Tassimo

Although not as popular as Keurig, this system is unique in that it uses a plastic disc with a specialized barcode that the brewer reads. This barcode tells the brewer how to perfect the cup, thus eliminating many button presses and other setups used to create your favorite beverage. In addition to coffee and tea, these “T-Discs” are available in specialty beverages – including lattés and café mochas. The downsides are similar to Keurig – plastic waste and higher prices that you won’t get when using coffee pods.

The Decision Is Yours

Now that you have a feel for what’s out there, it’s your opportunity to make the choice between the many options for single-cup coffee. Or, maybe, you’ve decided that single-serve coffee isn’t for you. But the popularity of single-cup coffee is on the rise, and you may decide you want one after you see one at a friend’s house, office, or wherever you may happen to come across a single-serve brewer in action.

If you think single-cup brewing is for you, check out our selection of coffee pods and brewers.

A Keurig Brewer, the single-cup industry’s leading brand.

If you’ve been shopping recently, you may have noticed a new style of coffee brewer sitting on the shelves. These machines, known as single-cup or single-serve coffee makers, are becoming a popular choice for coffee consumers in many parts of the globe. The more popular brewing systems available include Keurig, Tassimo, and one you may not have seen on the store shelves – coffee pod brewers.

The name "single-cup" or "single-serve" coffee gives you a pretty good idea of what those brewers are for, and if you guessed that they’ll make you one cup of coffee at a time, you are absolutely right! But don’t let that fact turn you off if you want more than one cup. Here’s why.

The Premise Behind Single-Cup Coffee

Single-cup coffee brewers, regardless of brand, are all designed with the same idea in mind – quick, fresh coffee with few steps and easy cleanup. The process is simple – fill the reservoir with water, and place a coffee package (which depends on the brewing system) into the machine. Then just press a button... and that’s it! Your coffee comes out, fresh and hot.

Many customers prefer single-serve coffee over traditional brewing methods for several reasons. Convenience is a key factor. Making a cup of coffee using a single-cup brewer typically takes under a minute, whereas going to the coffee shop or waiting for a pot to brew can be a time-consuming process. Grinding and measuring the coffee grounds are also eliminated from the brewing process. Choice is another factor for many. If someone wants tea, another wants decaf, while yet another wants their favorite flavored coffee - yes, that’s possible! This advantage makes single-serve ideal for parties, since everyone gets their choice of beverage. A final factor is coffee waste. When brewing a traditional pot of coffee, often the coffee goes bad before it’s all gone, and it ends up down the drain. By only making one cup of coffee at a time, most coffee is consumed, not wasted.

Making The Choice

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether or not you’ll buy a single-serve coffee maker. And remember that seeing a brewer in action is the best way to get a feel for how they work. Although the internet can’t make you a cup of coffee, you can have single-cup coffee delivered to you without leaving the home.

If you think single-serve brewing is for you, check out our selection of coffee pods and brewers.

To read Part 2 of this series on single-cup coffee trends, “What's Available”, click here.

Being a newly converted consumer to the convenience of single cup coffee brewing; I was taken with the new BUNN, MY CAFÉ Single Cup Coffee Pod Brewer. Instead of having to brew an entire pot of coffee which is wasteful and time consuming first thing in the morning when all I want is a quality cup of coffee before I have to fly out the door. 

The MY CAFÉ Coffee Pod Brewer precisely controls brewing temperature and time to extract the superior flavor of your favorite brand of coffee and tea pods. Pods typically range in weight from 6 – 12 grams or more, so experimentation with the amount of water you add to your brewer is encouraged in order to obtain the perfect cup of coffee for your personal taste. I also use MY CAFÉ Single Cup Brewer to dispense hot water for cocoa as well as other hot drinks. Just leave the pod out of the pod drawer and press brew. 

I also appreciate the green factor when using my new BUNN, MY CAFÉ Single Cup Coffee Pod Brewer as there are no plastic cups to dispose of that is common with the Keurig Coffee Brewers. 

I have to say that going back to brewing full pots of coffee are long gone for me and I know that anyone who has never tried the BUNN, MY CAFÉ Single Cup Brewer will be easily converted just for the convenience alone.