If you are a lover of coffee, like so many others, you can see this habit can dig into your pockets, when you consider the fact that the average American drinks 3 cups of coffee a day.
Now consider the price of coffee at your local coffee shop where many brews cost about five dollars for a small cup and multiply that by three, seven days a week and it’s become a real financial burden.
So what do you do when you can’t get enough of that rich, bold and delicious taste of an expertly made cup of coffee, but don’t want to spend a fortune each week?
Well, invest in a single-serve coffee maker.
Contents
What type of coffee is best for single-serve brewing?
Single-serve coffee is undeniably different from brewing a good old fashioned cup of coffee manually.
Firstly, single-serve coffee is made using as the name suggests a single-serve coffee maker.
In this case, instead of using ground coffee, you would make use of coffee pods or coffee capsules.
While lots of people think they are the same and therefore, interchangeable, the truth is they are pretty different.
So let’s take a closer look at each of these types of coffee and what situations they work best in.
Coffee capsules
Coffee capsules are basically plastic containers within an aluminum foil seal that contains ground coffee.
This capsule can be part of an open system or closed system.
Open systems allow for a broader range of products to be used in the machine since there are lots of manufacturers who’s capsules are compatible with that specific single-serve machine.
On the other hand, closed systems include the likes of Nespresso coffee capsules which basically dictate that you can only use one brand of compatible capsules in your machine.
Coffee pods
Coffee pods are also referred to as coffee pads and look almost the same as teabags, except they are round in shape.
The construction is much the same as a teabag and that is the second difference in pods vs. coffee capsules.
However, coffee pods need slow pressure and an almost drip system in order to brew.
Due to the delicate nature of the material the ground coffee is encased in, it’s risky to brew it in a coffee maker with high pressure.
The bag could burst and leave you picking out coffee grounds from your cup.
Coffee capsules are designed to withstand the pressure of a capsule coffee machine and actually need that pressure to effectively and correctly brew the product contained inside.
Here are some great choices:
Emeril’s Big Easy Bold Coffee
If you’re looking for a great wake-up cup of coffee, that’s strong but not overpowering and is still nicely caffeinated, then this is the one for you.
Emeril Lagasse’s Big Easy Bold Coffee provides a great favor at a great price. It’s a great blend and yet manages to avoid the bitter after taste of your low quality, run-of-the-mill coffees.
Due to the richness and complexity of the taste, it’s defined as a great cup of coffee.
The brew also contains a deep, bold, and smoky flavor as well as a wonderful aroma that really wakes you up in the morning.
While it may be on the pricier side, it’s still a nice, deep and bold cup of coffee for serious coffee drinkers.
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Breakfast Blend Single-Serve Keurig K-Cup Pods
These coffee pods are made from 100% Arabica coffee beans that are sustainably sourced. The Green Mountain Coffee blend is a caffeinated light roast that also contains a balanced sweetness. It has a slightly nutty flavor and is a silky mouthful. The good news is that there are no artificial ingredients.
Cinnabon Classic Cinnamon Roll
Nothing goes together better than cinnamon and coffee. However, what people have a problem with is that flavored coffees are more flavor and less coffee.
This one, however, is an exception. The Cinnabon Classic Cinnamon Roll allows the taste of the coffee through and while it’s a light roast, it’s still medium-bodied and absolutely delicious.
As a bonus, it has a nice balance of flavors, perfect aroma, and taste and it’s not too weak nor is it too strong. So if you enjoy flavored coffees, you should definitely pick up a bag.
Eight O’ Clock Coffee
If you’re a great fan of the depth of coffee as well as the aroma, while brewing, this should be your number one pick.
When it comes to a single-serve coffee, finding a medium roast coffee with the perfect aroma is difficult, to say the least.
However, the full body of this medium roast cup of coffee will likely change your mind.
As a bonus, it’s reasonably priced and gives you cup after cup after cup of exceptionally good tasting coffee.
This medium roast blend is probably one of the best all-day coffee drinks and never has a bitter taste to it.
Caribou Coffee Caribou Blend
If a consistently good and expensive cup of coffee is what you are looking for then Caribou coffee should be your go-to choice.
Although it’s not for the serious and discerning coffee drinkers who really want a kick out of a cup of coffee in the morning, it will satisfy most of your coffee cravings.
The consistently smooth taste is credited to the variety of beans sourced from Central and South America.
Additionally, the care that the company takes in creating these coffee capsules via their 100% Rainforest Alliance Certification, is an indication that their product is of the best quality.
So this coffee is remarkably smooth and a great taste for morning coffee drinkers. As a bonus, it’s affordable as well.
Should you start from beans or grind?
Coffee is ground to increase the surface area of the roast coffee bean and allow better extraction of the flavors and aromas in the coffee.
For example, if you place whole roasted coffee beans in water, they may eventually extract into a weak brew and this will probably take forever and it would still lack flavor.
Grinding coffee means that more of the bean is exposed to the water. So this ultimately allows the compound to dissolve into the water so that more compounds can be extracted.
However, the fundamental difference between the ground and whole bean coffee is freshness, flavor, and scent.
When you use pre-ground coffee, you have the convenience of not having to grind your coffee beans every time you need a cup of coffee.
However, you are taking away from the freshness of your brew because it starts to become stale shortly after it is ground.
Whole bean coffee means having the strength and boldness of a great cup of coffee.
So the logical thing to do would be to store your coffee beans and grind a small amount every time you want to enjoy a strong, bold-flavored cup of coffee and although this may seem inconvenient at first when tasting the difference between freshly ground coffee to a cup of pre-ground coffee, you’ll know that is worth the effort.
What type of coffee maker should you use?
In order to make a single-serve cup of coffee, you’ll need a designated single-serve coffee maker. Below are some great choices.
Capresso 5 Cup Mini Drip Coffee Maker
The Capresso 5 Cup Mini Drip Coffee Maker is one of the best coffee machines due to its quick preparation time.
In fact, it can brew a cup of coffee in less than a minute, which ensures your coffee is never over-extracted.
This machine also features a beautiful black design and stainless steel accents along with an LCD display and programmable timer.
You never have to worry about forgetting to turn off the coffee maker thanks to the automatic 2-hour shut-off feature. The glass serving carafe contains a drip-free pouring mechanism and produces 25.oz of coffee at a time with a GoldTone filter.
And this basically means that you never have to use paper filters again. Thanks to the drip stop feature, you can have your cup of coffee poured during brewing saving you time.
Francis Francis Y5 Espresso & Coffee
If you are a lover of real Italian espresso and regular coffee, then you’re in luck. This Francis Francis Y5 Espresso & Coffee maker does both.
Making use of espresso and coffee capsules you can make both of these delicious types of coffee in seconds at the touch of a button.
The coffee maker is sleek, and it features a tempered glass top as well as a robust aluminium body.
Some features that you can expect from this exclusive coffee maker includes a 30.oz water tank, a used capsule bin which holds 10 used capsules as well as an adjustable cup platform.
Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Single-Serve Coffee Maker
The Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Single-Serve Coffee Maker allows you to make a freshly brewed cup of coffee in the convenience of your own home.
By simply lowering the lid and pressing the button, you can have a delicious cup of hot coffee brewed from this exclusive coffeemaker in the privacy of your home.
Feel free to use the single-serve packs or your own grounds.
This coffee maker allows you to brew up 10.oz with a single pack or up to 14.oz travel mug with grounds.
It contains an easy-fill water reservoir for when your tank is empty as well as a water window to keep an eye on your water tank levels.
So you never have to experience any confusion when it comes to the water level inside your tank.
The removable cup rest also works as a storage container to hold the brew basket or single-serve pack when not in use.
The grounds basket that is included with the coffeemakers is reusable, and the single-serve pack-piercing assembly removes for easy cleaning.
Keurig K-Mini Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker
The Keurig K-Mini Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker is less than 5 inches wide, so it’s perfect for small spaces.
It also contains cord storage for easy transportation and keeping countertops neat and tidy. A cup of coffee in this coffee maker means you get the perfect amount each and every time.
Brew any cup of coffee between 6-12oz using the Keurig K-Cup pods. Is also travel mug friendly and the removable drip tray accommodates travel mugs up to 7.0 inches and holds accidental messes for easy cleanup.
To get going simply add fresh water for each cup of coffee.
The auto-off feature turns off your coffee maker 90 seconds after the last brew helping you conserve energy while your coffee is made in minutes.
Thanks to the matte finish, this coffee maker has a sleek and understated appeal to it.
Hamilton Beach Black 2 Way Brewer Coffee Maker
The Hamilton Beach Black 2 Way Brewer Coffee Maker offers you two ways to brew, single cup or full pot. Thanks to the 12 cup glass carafe, you can brew a full pot of coffee.
The programmable timer has an automatic 2-hour shutoff, and it contains a regular or bold brew strength option.
There’s also an automatic pause in serve function which is rather convenient.
When it comes to the 1 cup single-serve, you can scoop your favorite ground coffee and brew. It brews up to 14 ounces in a travel mug or adjusts to fit a smaller cup.
The timer is programmable with automatic shut off. The unique scoop measures and filters your coffee.
Step by step guide for making single serve coffee
Making your coffee in a single-serve coffee maker is usually as simple as dropping in a coffee capsule and selecting the desired cup size.
However, you will also need to know how to fill the unit’s reservoir to make the coffee brewing possible.
Single-serve coffee machines have become increasingly popular over the years in both homes and offices.
So it makes sense to understand how to use one whether it is inside your house or place of business.
Step 1
You want to make sure that the machine is plugged in. The power should button, which is either on the top right-hand side or on the top of the machine should then be switched on.
Once the machine is turned on, it will start to heat the water to approximately 190°F. Wait until the heating process is complete before proceeding to step two.
Step 2
You need to start by filling the reservoir. Some single-serve machines store enough water for several cups of coffee while others only take water for one cup of coffee at a time.
In some machines, the water reservoir will lift away from the machine, and others will require that you pour water into a static tank.
Lift the lid to pour the water inside and you may hear a buzzing noise. This is normal and is simply the sound of the machine pulling water into the heating chamber.
Step 3
In this step, you need to choose your coffee. So you could choose plastic pods containing the coffee and the filter or you could choose coffee capsules.
Simply make your selection and do not remove the foil lead on the capsule.
Step 4
In this step, drop your capsule into the machine. In some cases, it goes into a special slot in the front, and in other machines, the coffee chamber may be located somewhere else.
However, once you find it, throw in your coffee pod and make sure the chamber is sealed.
The coffee maker should display “Ready to brew”, but if you’re using a machine that lacks a display, then you should find the buttons usually on the right side of the machine that’s blinking and this indicates that it’s ready to brew.
Step 5
Place your coffee mug on the tray at the bottom of the machine. Your mug should be appropriately sized for the machine that you’re using.
In most cases, you want to have a mug that holds at least 10 ounces or more and one that will fit comfortably on the tray.
Step 6
Choose your mug size. On some units, you may need to press the “brew” button and in others, it will automatically begin brewing when you select the appropriate mug-size.
In most cases, when you just starting to use the machine you should choose the smallest options to ensure the cup does not overflow.
Step 7
Open the coffee chamber and remove the used capsule. Also, keep the coffee chamber open and unlatched between uses.
Step 8
Enjoy your cup.
What type of drinkware should you use?
When it comes to the type of drinkware that is best suited to a single-serve coffee maker, then it will have to be ceramics.
Not only are they durable, but the best for flavor and are also made from a neutral material. This makes them great for hot beverages.
Ceramic also maintains the temperature of drinks, keeping your coffee hotter for longer.
Aside from all of these benefits, it also makes you feel a bit more sophisticated when you’re sipping coffee out of a ceramic mug as opposed to drinking it out of a paper cup.
However, if you need your coffee to go, then the best option is a thermos flask or bottle.
Not only are they durable considering they are made from stainless steel, but they also have a great ability to maintain the temperatures of the drinks inside.
In addition to this, thermos flasks make use of a vacuum seal function that prevents air from getting into your beverages thus keeping drinks hot for extended periods of time.
Conclusion
A single-serve coffee maker allows you to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee on demand.
This means you have the convenience of getting a delicious cup of fresh coffee in the comfort of your own home with a push of a button.
Ultimately, this saves you time and lots of money as you won’t need to frequent your local coffee shop as much or at all.
These machines can also be used with coffee capsules and pods that come in a variety of different flavors keeping your coffee indulging experience fresh and exciting.
