Keurig coffee makers occupy a strange space in the coffee world. Allow me to present to you the Keurig Paradox; the brand itself is both one of the most recognizable names in coffee in America and, at the same time, offers some of the weakest coffee makers on the market worldwide. How does this add up? How does Keurig manage to survive and thrive in a free market like this?
Keurigs initial success came from what was, admittedly, an original idea: coffee on-demand in the office space that wasnt from a stale pot someone brewed 5 hours ago. An excellent idea to be sure, deserving of respect, but times have changed and the brand currently succeeds because of a very simple calculus; they have a low upfront cost, and youve heard of them already.
Thus, the brand has momentum. Its in the zeitgeist, for better or worse. In this article, well discuss better and more affordable options, and why Keurig is one of the worst ones you could pick.
It’s more than twice as expensive to brew a quick cup from the Keurig. Additionally, a 32-pack of K-cups costs $15.18 (or $0.47 per pod) whereas a 12-ounce bag of the same ground coffee only costs $13.15 and gives you enough to make 62 cups of coffee (about $0.21 a cup).
FAQ About Owning A Keurig:
If the long-term cost of owning a Keurig hasn’t already scared you. Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions about owning a Keurig that might help to drive our point home.
Are Keurig K-cups recyclable?
We hate to break it to you, but K-cups aren’t entirely recyclable. The only portion of the cup that is recyclable is the aluminum cover that seals the coffee inside of the K-cup, the rest of the capsule, which is made from plastic, isn’t recyclable. You might think that you can just rinse the plastic cup and throw it in your recycling bin, but according to National Geographic, a staggering 91% of plastic isn’t actually being recycled. So your good deed just might go to waste.
For all of you eco-conscious coffee drinkers, that means the first K-cup that you have ever used is probably still sitting in landfills! A better alternative would be to use fresh, whole bean coffee which can be composted after use or can be used as fertilizer in your garden, so you can enjoy your cup of coffee guilt-free, and you’re helping out the planet too.
The TRUTH About Coffee Pods
FAQ
Are K-Cups cheaper than Starbucks?
Is it cheaper to use a reusable K-cup?
Are K-Cups as good as regular coffee?
Do K-Cups cost more than brewed coffee?
Over the years, various penny-pinching individuals have done the math on the subject, and the breakdown usually shows that K-Cups cost two or three times more per cup compared with traditionally brewed coffee.
How much does K-Cup coffee cost per pound?
The mathematicians at the New York Times cranked some numbers and calculated that K-Cup coffee costs roughly $50 per pound. To put that into perspective, a bag of Starbucks house blend ground coffee costs $11.95 per pound, and a pound of Dunkin’ Donuts original blend is $8.99.
Which K-Cup is best?
The Original Donut Shop has long been a go-to K-Cup for coffee lovers, known for its tasty blend of chocolatey and nutty. This medium roast is the type of coffee you can drink every day, cup after cup, and never tire of.
Should you buy a Keurig or a reusable K-Cup?
Another more sustainable option is to invest in a reusable K-cup that allows you to add in your own coffee grounds, which also makes it the cheaper option compared to buying pods if you want to stick with the Keurig. Plus, there are plenty of fair trade, organic coffee brands you can support that do not come in K-cup form (though some do).