Food Tech: Brew coffee by the cup

Like many adults, I like having a cup of coffee in the morning. It's a staple in my morning routine, and without it, my whole day can be thrown off balance. However, I hate having to brew an entire pot just to fill a tumbler for my drive to work. Frankly, it wastes coffee, because I’m the kind of coffee drinker who believes if it isn't fresh, it isn't good.

Then my wonderful parents paid attention to the food tech trends and gave me the Keurig single-cup coffeemaker, which solved all my coffee brewing problems. Ever since, it seems like the phenomenon of single-portioned drinks has exploded — I see these things everywhere!

What it is
A single-cup coffeemaker is just what it sounds like: a machine designed to brew one cup of joe at a time. Ideal for the single-person household and roommates who can't agree on a coffee flavor, one-cup coffeemakers come in a variety of styles and sizes, but across the board, the basic premise remains the same.

How it works
Coffee grinds are packaged into small, mess-free disposable pods. These pods are placed into a compartment in the coffeemaker. When the compartment is closed, the pod is punctured to allow hot water to flow through. The water is dispensed out of the machine and into the cup below as brewed coffee.

The water supply for the machine either comes from water line or a compartment in the machine, depending on the model. In essence, you plug it in, turn it on, put in the pod, select your brew size, press start and voilà. It really couldn't be easier.

A flavor for everyone
Disposable pods are being produced by most of the major coffee brands in a variety of flavors. With Starbucks, Tully's, Folgers, and many other recognizable brands bringing gourmet coffee to your kitchen in single-serving sizes, there is bound to be a flavor to please everyone. Just be sure the pods you select are compatible with the machine you own.

Is it right for you?
Beginning around $100, single-serving coffee makers offer the convenience of no-mess pods, little maintenance and rapid gratification. It's a great solution for office break rooms, single-person households, or families with different flavor preferences.

There are single-serving coffeemakers on the market that don't use coffee pods, which are often less expensive. Instead of using pods, they are simply smaller versions of regular coffeemakers.

Next time you're at your local department store, head to the kitchen supply section to check out all your options. Hate department stores? Single-serving coffeemakers are also available through most of the major online retailers like Amazon.

For me, the no-mess option was a no-brainer. The best part is impressing my guests with homemade iced coffees. Try it with a little bit of vanilla extract and a fancy straw. It takes minimal time and energy, and I get to look like a top-notch hostess. Thanks, Keurig!

[Image credit: apes_abroad, ffg]

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