Wake Up And Smell The Coffee: Is It Time To Switch To K Cups?
If you are considering making the move from brewing a pot of steaming coffee in the morning to reaching for a K Cup and brewing individual cups, you may have some questions. Using K Cups offers a host of benefits for busy families, but there are some cons to consider too. Keep these things in mind as you make the big switch.
Benefits of Using K Cups
Provides Convenience
There is no question that K Cups are convenient to use. Some of the ways they offer added convenience to your morning include the following:
- Easy Brewing: These tiny cups come pre-measured and pre-filled, which means you don't need to fuss with measuring and scooping coffee grounds to make your coffee.
- Easy Clean Up: Because the coffee grounds are sealed inside the cup, disposing of them is quick and easy. Simply remove the cup from the machine and toss it in the trash.
- Single Servings: When you want a quick afternoon pick-me-up, you can quickly brew a single serving. This means you get just what you want without the waste of leftover coffee.
- Fresh Brewed: If you are in the habit of reheating the coffee left in the pot after the morning rush for your mid-morning break, you already know that it can lose its flavor or take on a bitter, burnt flavor. With K Cups, every cup you drink is freshly brewed and never tastes stale or burnt.
Increases Variety
If you enjoy a variety of coffee favors, or you and your family members prefer different brews, you don't need to compromise and brew an entire pot in one flavor. Using K Cups allows you to enjoy a wide variety of beverages without the fuss of purchasing and preparing multiple beverages. They also have the following advantages:
- They are available in variety packs that contain several flavors.
- They can be used to brew hot cocoa or tea.
- They allow different family members to choose their favorite brew.
- They allows guests to choose just the right brew for them.
Saves Time
Many people turn to K Cups because they save time on busy mornings. Because you don't need to wait for an entire pot of coffee to brew, you have a coffee in hand within minutes. By popping the cup in and setting it to brew, you can have a steaming cup waiting when you get out of the shower.
Drawbacks of Using K Cups
There are some cons to switching from traditional coffee brewing to using K Cups. While many find the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks, you should consider them before making a final decision.
- Cost: Brewing traditional ground coffee is less expensive that purchasing K Cups, but that doesn't always translate to a savings. If you pour out the dregs in the bottom of the pot regularly, or find leftover coffee simply goes to waste in your home, using K Cups may be more cost effective in the long run.
- Waste: K Cups are typically tossed in the trash after use, while the grounds from traditional coffee brewers can be added to compost. In addition, the plastic cup adds to your contribution to landfills. However, if you toss your old coffee grounds and filters in the trash anyway, the amount of added waste may be minimal.
- Control: While K Cups come in a variety of flavors and brews, you cannot alter the brew time or temperature to get just the flavor you prefer. However, with a little experimentation you can easily find the flavor or brew that matches your preferences in coffee. You can purchase, light, medium and dark brews with a variety of flavors.
Where do you buy K Cups?
K Cups can be purchased anywhere that coffee is sold, and you can even find K cups online. Look for K Cups in the coffee and tea aisle at the grocery store or visit a specialty coffee shop for a wider variety of flavors.
Switching to K Cups may be the logical choice for your family, but remember you don't need to use just one method for making coffee. Consider using a traditional coffee maker when several people enjoy the same coffee and switch to K Cups when you simply want to brew a quick cup of coffee or your tastes disagree. Keeping K Cups on hand for when friends drop by or when you have overnight guests allows everyone to drink the beverage they prefer.
Share