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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.

Drinking green tea is perhaps the simplest way to create and maintain a healthier new you. The health benefits of green tea are nothing new; it’s been studied since the Chinese began using the plant Camellia sinensis, from which black tea, white tea, oolong tea and green tea are extracted, about 4700 years ago. Research has been done into each of these varieties of tea, but most of the researchers’ focus has been on the health benefits of green tea.

Though not all studies support the same findings, green tea has been claimed to help and/or prevent atherosclerosis, LDL cholesterol, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, liver disease, weight loss, neurodegenerative and halitosis, among other things. Here are a few of the reasons you could benefit from drinking green tea daily:

1. Cancer Prevention

One of the top health concerns these days is cancer. Some studies, including those referenced in the New Scientist magazine, support claims that green tea protects against a variety of cancers, including breast, prostate, lung and gastric cancer. This, they say, is due to the powerful antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) found in green tea that can slow the growth of cancer by drinking two to three cups a day.

2. Weight Loss

Clinical trials have suggested that green tea increases metabolic rates, speeds up fat oxidation, raises the body’s production heat, improves insulin sensitivity and improves glucose tolerance. These trials, conducted by the University of Geneva and the University of Birmingham, support the idea that green tea contributes to a body’s energy expenditure and endurance, allowing for greater weight loss.

3. Reduces Effects of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Studies have shown that polyphenols, a property found in green tea, reduces intestinal inflammation by interrupting the reactions that cause the reactions found in patients with IBD.

4. Reduces Effects of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Polyphenols have also been found to reduce or prevent the damaging effects of obstructive sleep apnea on the brain, in a study conducted by the University of Louisville.

5. Lower Risk of Strokes

Recent findings revealed at the 2009 International Stroke Conference showed that drinking three or more cups of green tea daily can reduce the risk of having a stroke by up to 21 per cent.

6. Lowers Severity of Rheumatoid Arthritis

A study has found that drinking green tea could reduce the severity of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

7. Prevention of Tooth Decay and Bad Breath

The bacteria-fighting polyphenols found in green tea stop the growth of some types of bacteria, particularly those that cause dental plaque and bad breath.

8. Slows HIV progress

A study referenced on BBC News stated that the antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) can help to inhibit HIV binding, and could serve as a complementary therapy for HIV patients, though results were not convincing enough to suggest using green tea as a replacement for other treatments.

9. Reduces Effects of Depression

Several studies have supported the fact that drinking green tea daily, even after accounting for other variables, will reduce the severity of psychological distress and depression symptoms.

10. Reduces LDL Cholesterol

Green tea is claimed to help reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol by lowering the levels of triglycerides and increasing production of HDL cholesterol.

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