Common Pod System Questions
Here are some basic questions about single cup pod brewers and coffee pods. If you’re interested in pods, we hope our answers will help introduce you to this diverse group of products.
1: Who makes pod brewers?
Several appliance makers make single cup pod brewers. We recently did a quick search on Amazon.com and found one-cup pod brewers manufactured by Hamilton Beach, Gevalia, Sense, and BUNN.
The My Invento Coffee System is an elegant single-cup pod brewing system. Manufactured in Europe, this striking coffee maker can brew one or two cups of coffee at a time. The My Invento single cup coffee brewer is made of a unique polymer-coated steel that resists scratches, smudges, and corrosion. The brewer can be found on Amazon.com priced as low as $119.95.
Owned by Sara Lee Corp., Senseo was one of the first companies to introduce one cup pod brewers in America and still has a leading position in that market. The Senseo single cup pod brewers can be purchased online or in retail stores. You can learn more about Senseo one cup brewers by visiting their website.
BUNN started making one cup pod brewers for offices and has since introduced the MyCafé line of single serve coffee brewers, including a model for homes. The home version retails for $99.95 and can be purchased online or in retailers. If you’re interested in the office model, please contact BUNN directly.
Bunn MyCafé
Senseo
MyInvento
2: Are all coffee pods alike?
No. Pod size, coffee quality, and the amount of coffee used in each pod are key variables. The standard size pod is 62mm, and most pods sold today are this diameter. Some early single cup pod brewers used smaller pods with 44mm or 55mm diameters, but pods in these sizes are not commonly available.
Many coffee roasters make coffee pods. Each roaster produces pods from a wide range of coffee varietals grown around the world. These green coffee beans are then roasted in a range of styles. It may take some trial and error to find the brand, varietal, and roast you enjoy most.
Typically, 8 grams of ground coffee are used in each pod. Because some coffee drinkers like a stronger brew, several roasters make pods that contain up to 12 grams of ground coffee. If you like a stronger cup, look for pods that contain 10-12 grams of coffee. Also, some one cup pod brewers accommodate stacked pods to help you brew a stronger cup.
Finally, pods are packaged in different ways. Some brands, like Senseo, package the pods in a single, large bag, and other brands put each pod in a separate foil package. Since exposure to oxygen degrades coffee quality, purists believe that the single-use foil packages keep the pod coffee fresher longer than those pods packaged in a single bag.
Two types of coffee pod packages
3: Where can I buy coffee pods?
Coffee pods are available at supermarkets, big box retail stores, and internet retailers.
