Types of Coffee Pods: Not All Single Serving Coffee Is Created Equal
Single serve coffee pods have revolutionized the way we brew and consume coffee, and rightfully so! They offer convenience, long shelf life, and flavor all in one tiny packet.
But not all pods are created equal. In fact, there are fast differences in the types of coffee pods available on the market today. In this post, we’ll explore the differences in the coffee pod types and share what makes Lucky Goat Single Serve Pods so unique.
Pods vs Capsules vs K-Cups
There is quite a bit of confusion about the differences between the phrases Pod, Capsule, and K-Cup. This is partly because the definitions have evolved over time and consumer “slang” has replaced some of the formal definitions.
Coffee Pod
The term coffee pod was first used to describe a round, flat, two-sided coffee filter that was filled with pre-ground coffee, similar in nature to a tea bag. And even though this is the original definition of the term it likely isn’t the first thing that came to mind when you thought of a pod, is it? That is because the phrase has evolved to be a “catch-all” for many different types of single serve coffees including Capsules and K-Cups.
Coffee Capsule
Even though most of us call them “pods”, a capsule is what most people envision when thinking about single serving coffee. Capsules were first popularized by the Nespresso brand, but now there is a wide assortment of capsule sizes and shapes. Capsules are made of either Aluminum or Plastic and may or may not contain an internal filter. Lucky Goat pods are capsule style and made with recyclable plastic.
K-Cups
K-Cup is a trademarked term from the Green Mountain corporation that is used to describe capsules that fit their Keurig brand brewing systems. Only capsules that are manufactured by Green Mountain can be called K-Cups. But many pods and capsules (including Lucky Goat) are K-Cup compatible, which means they aren’t made by Green Mountain, but they will work with their brewing systems.
What Makes Lucky Goat Single Serve Coffee Unique?
Due to an overwhelming demand from our customers, we proudly released our own premium coffee pods that are compatible with both the Keurig K-Cup (aka Keurig 1.0) and Keurig 2.0 systems.
Our year-round availability of pods includes:
We also have limited releases of seasonal flavors and blends, so be sure you follow us on social media or add your name to our email list to be notified of when your favorite flavors become available.
Before we even considered releasing our pods, we knew that to live up to our motto of “Make Great Coffee” we had to Make Great Coffee Pods and we’re excited to share with you what makes them unique!
Amount of Coffee: The vast majority of pods on the market have between 6.5 to 9 grams of coffee in them. For example, the top-selling brand from Green Mountain contains 7.44 grams. Our pods contain a whopping 10 grams which is 34% more than the leading competition! Why does that matter? Because more coffee = a bolder and better cup!
Grind Size: The exact sizes we use are our own little secret so we can’t share those with you. But we can tell you that rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, we have a custom grind size for each blend. This leads to perfect extraction each time. We conducted test after test to make sure we got these grind sizes right. It is a timely process but it is the only way to ensure our pods match the same quality as our beans.
Recyclable: We manufacture our pods with PP5 recyclable plastic because it is widely accepted by most home curbside recycling programs across the United States and abroad. The used grounds themselves are also compostable and perfect for home gardens.
Proprietary Blends: Our pods are the only place you can get your favorite Lucky Goat flavors and blends in single serve form! That means if you’re stuck in an office where the only brewing method available to you is a Keurig, you’re now in luck.
Pros and Cons of Single Serve Coffee Pods
If single serve pods are a type of coffee that you frequently use then you’re already aware of just how convenient they can be.
Pods are great for:
- Single Servings – for when you just want one cup of joe
- Speed – you can have a freshly brewed cup in under a minute
- Storage – they have a much longer shelf life than and stay fresh longer than regular coffee beans.
Then again, if you’re a regular user you may also be frustrated with the drawbacks that include:
- Requires a specialized brewer – this may seem obvious, but you can’t use a pod without a compatible device.
- Not ideal for large groups – Pods are fantastic for 1-2 people. But not ideal when brewing for large groups.
Are All Coffee Pods and Capsules Compatible?
No, all coffee pods are not compatible. In fact, there is a wide range of shapes, sizes, and types.
The 10 most common are:
- Keurig K-Cups
- Keurig 2.0 Cups
- Nespresso Original
- Nespresso Vertuo
- Nescafe Dolce Gusto
- K-Fee/Caffitaly
- Vittoria Espressotoria
- Lavazza A Modo Mio
- Soft Pods
- ESE Pods
Each of those types is unique and most of them are not compatible with the others.
FAQ
What Is The Most Common Size Of Coffee Pod?
Pods compatible with the K-cup system are the most common size in the United States, even the pods from Nespresso have been on the market longer.
Do Coffee Pods Expire?
Yes, coffee pods will eventually expire but they have a significantly longer shelf life than traditional whole bean or ground coffees.
