I thought I was never going to use another coffee capsule. I’d convinced myself that they just weren’t worth it. They require a big, bulky machine; they typically don’t taste as good as coffee brewed from other methods; and they create a large amount of waste due to the single-use nature.

I was totally set on avoiding coffee pods indefinitely. Then, I tried something that completely changed my view of coffee capsules. In every way that traditional coffee pods have failed, this new product has exceeded my expectations. Here’s why I’m falling back in love with coffee capsules.

The Quality Has Improved

The revolution in coffee capsules is being led by a brand that emphasizes quality in every cup. Caffè di Artisan is producing single-use coffee pods that rival or exceed the quality of any coffee you’ll get from a shop or premium at-home machine. This is because their coffee capsules aren’t like any other. Most coffee pod brands vacuum seal coffee grounds into their products. This is a problem because ground coffee quickly loses its integrity. Even if the grounds are kept away from oxygen and moisture, the degradation is unavoidable. Caffè di Artisan works around this by using liquid-filled pods. The concentrate just needs to be mixed with hot water to make an exquisite cup of coffee.

They’re So Convenient

The main draw of coffee capsules has always been their convenience. And this hasn’t changed. There is essentially no work involved when you make coffee via a machine-less capsule. You might need to froth your beverage to create a rich creama, but other than that, it’s essentially just mixing two liquids together (i.e. hot water and coffee, milk and coffee). And since these capsules are so versatile and easy to use, even coffee amateurs can brew drinks like a barista.

They Don’t Have the Issues of Coffee Machines

Most coffee capsules rely on a machine. And like all coffee machines, those have their own set of problems. First, they simply take up space. If you’re living in an apartment, or have limited counter space in your kitchen, you don’t want to dedicate any of it to a coffee machine. I certainly don’t want to do that.

But you might not have known this… Coffee machines are host environments for germs. Pretty gross, right? Nobody wants bacteria like E. coli to be mixed in with their java. Beyond that, coffee machines are expensive to purchase and replace. Why deal with that hassle when you can just avoid it altogether?

They Can Be Sustainable

One of my biggest qualms with single-use coffee pods was always that they seemed so wasteful. You are throwing out a little cup every time you make a cup, after all. This issue has been addressed by Caffè di Artisan, and it has restored my belief in coffee capsules. Every one of their coffee pods is recyclable. So instead of ending up in a landfill, those materials can be reused again. Amanda from Coffee-Channel also mentions that you can buy reusable K-cups, that you fill yourselves.

Similarly, all packaging needs to be considered when determining the sustainability of a product. Unlike most brands that laminate their boxes, some brands intentionally choose to leave their product boxes alone. You typically can’t recycle paper products with lamination on them. This decision is highly impactful because it greatly reduces the overall waste creation. They have even considered the power consumption inherent in their production methods and have made huge strides in lowering the energy cost it takes to create artisanal coffee at scale.

Beyond these efforts to make their packaging environmentally friendly, modern coffee capsule brands also strives to source only the best organic, fair trade coffee beans. This often involves them dealing directly with farmers, to ensure they are being compensated for their labor. These are people who grow the world’s best coffee beans without using chemicals or preservatives. 

For all these reasons, I’ve regained my faith in the viability of coffee capsules. Hopefully other companies take note of Caffè di Artisan’s example and follow their lead.