In conditions of time shortage, many refuse to prepare natural fresh coffee, replacing it with an instant analogue. However, progress does not stand still, and the coffee industry also pleases with modern innovations. Thus, coffee in pods began to gain wide popularity. They were originally created for coffee shops and restaurants to make the work of baristas easier, but now they are also being purchased for home use. Let's look at what coffee pods are and how to use them to make espresso tasty and fast.
Introductory certificate
An unusual way of packaging coffee in pods appeared in Italy. This country is the main consumer of coffee products, where in every home the morning begins with the preparation of an aromatic drink. The word "pod" is also of Italian origin and is translated as "tablet". The principle of coffee pods is to simplify the creation of a serving of the drink without losing quality.
A pod is a portion of ground grains placed in a paper filter bag
To prepare coffee you only need to take two steps: put it in the coffee machine and press the start button
Place of growth
The process of growing a coffee tree is labor-intensive; in order to obtain high-quality beans, work on coffee plantations is mainly done by hand. The birthplace of coffee is Ethiopia; it has been consumed there since the 9th century. Over time, the growing areas of coffee trees increased and reached Central and South America, Ethiopia and southeast Asia. The production of pods includes Arabica beans from Ethiopia, which has a chocolate flavor, and coffee beans from India and Haiti, which have a sweetish taste; coffee beans from Brazil are distinguished by a slight sourness. Consistently, the most popular beans are those grown in Colombia and Costa Rica, which are distinguished by their high quality of taste.
To make coffee, all you need is a pod machine and coffee pods.
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Appearance
The pods have a standardization system, although they may differ slightly in paper quality and shape. The diameter of coffee pods depends on the model of coffee machine for which they are intended, so special markings are placed on the packaging. ESE standard filters have a diameter of 44 mm and contain 7 g of compressed ground coffee. This amount is calculated for 60 ml of water to prepare a standard portion of espresso.
Pods according to the Senseo standard are produced in a diameter of 55 mm, which contain 9 g of crumbly coffee powder. As a rule, they are made from stronger paper that can pass up to 150 ml of water. These pods are suitable for preparing any drinks, including those with the addition of milk foam.
Each paper filter is sealed with foil, which does not allow oxygen to pass through, so that the coffee retains its original taste and aroma. Pods are sold in cardboard boxes or jars, which can contain from 18 to 100 units of goods. Thanks to the sealed packaging, they have a long shelf life, so you can stock up on this coffee for future use.
Production
Grinding and packaging
Coffee pod workers roast, grind, and seal premium coffee beans in paper bags. Disposable contents are no different in quality from packaged ground coffee.
Typically, coffee powder is packaged in a round casing. But there are square and petal variations on sale. 7-9 grams of ground grains are placed in one pod.
After the grains are crushed, it is in contact with air for no more than 30 seconds. This helps preserve its original flavor. To preserve the coffee smell, the raw materials are treated with carbon dioxide or nitrogen.
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Sealed packaging and shelf life
Paper filters, where the coffee “charge” is placed, are placed in sealed three-layer packaging. The outer and inner layers are made of metallized film, and the one in the middle is made of aluminum. In this coating, the pods retain their aromatic and taste properties for two years.
Pod coffee does not contain emulsifiers, preservatives, or dyes.
The pods are sold in boxes or cardboard jars. Each one contains from two dozen to 200 copies. Due to the tightness of the packaging, the pods have a long shelf life, which means that they can be purchased with a reserve.
How pods are made
The production of pods takes quite a long time and occurs in several stages:
- Selection of high-quality Arabica and Robusta coffee beans. As a rule, a mixture of several types of coffee is prepared to obtain different flavor accents.
- Roasting beans (medium or high degree of roasting is used).
- Prepared grains are left for several days to interact with air to start chemical processes and preserve aromatic properties.
- The grains are ground to a powdery state.
- Ground coffee is placed in pods and sealed in gas-tight foil for 20 seconds.
If the packaging rules are followed, coffee pods can be stored for 2 years while maintaining both beneficial and taste properties.
How did the pods appear?
When recruiting new employees without work experience, cafe owners spend a lot of time training them. One of the most requested services is the preparation of coffee and coffee-based drinks. The fact is that laying tea leaves requires certain skills. If they are not there, then the process slows down and visitors have to wait longer, which affects the establishment’s profit.
After one such newcomer, the cafe lost a third of its regular customers, which greatly upset the owner, and he began to think about how he could quickly teach trainees how to operate a coffee machine. This is how ground coffee pods for coffee makers appeared. The required dose was packaged in special filter paper and placed in a holder along with it.
Subsequently, they took the invention seriously and thought through the entire manufacturing process. There were plenty of people willing to buy a new, faster method of preparing the drink, and the new product took root on the market.
How to produce
The process begins with roasting the beans. Regular customers already know what coffee pods are and prefer it for the quality of the beans - these are elite varieties with medium and strong roasting. In the next 2 - 3 days, the fried raw material acquires its real taste and is ground.
There are two types of pods - these are paper bags filled with loose tea leaves and pressed ones. There isn't much difference. The amount of ground coffee depends on the manufacturer and usually contains from 7 to 9 g of powder.
The grinding process is quick and the coffee is immediately packaged in paper bags and then sealed in aluminum foil. This is necessary in order to preserve the aroma of the mixture. Packing and sealing with foil takes no more than 30 seconds. Additionally, grains can be preserved using carbon dioxide or nitrogen.
Apart from natural flavors with various tastes, there are no other components in the brew, therefore, when buying a pod coffee maker and hermetic brew for it, you can be confident in the quality of the product.
Advantages
Coffee machine pods have a number of undeniable advantages compared to ground and grain coffee, as well as capsule coffee:
Nespresso capsule coffee
- Environmentally friendly packaging. The raw materials are in contact exclusively with filtered paper, which prevents oxidation both during storage and during the preparation of the drink.
- Easy to use and time saving. There is no need to pre-grind the beans, measure the required amount, compress the coffee, or clean the coffee machine. The drink is prepared within 20 seconds. And even a child can handle operating a pod coffee machine.
- Natural composition. The tightness of the packaging allows you to avoid adding chemical components to the coffee, which are responsible for extending the shelf life, enhancing the aromatic properties, and also for creating a beautiful foam. In this case, all these factors are achieved by maintaining the freshness of the ground beans.
- Economical. Coffee pod packaging is designed for a certain number of cups. Therefore, it is easy to keep track and control the amount you drink. This is especially true for offices and food establishments.
- Affordable price. The cost of pods is comparable to a package of good ground coffee, and in comparison with capsule coffee they are even cheaper. The same applies to pod coffee machines. They have a budget price compared to their competitors, but are absolutely universal and work with any pods.
The biggest advantage is the quality of the prepared drink.
You will always get a cup of coffee from freshly ground beans that have retained their original taste and noble aroma. Moreover, the quality of the drink will always be the same. Whereas bean or ground coffee in a package, after opening it, retains these properties for no longer than a week.
Coffee maker type
Carob or pod coffee makers are used to prepare coffee from tablets.
Carob coffee makers, or also called holder coffee makers, are the most common type, in addition to classic espresso, you can use them to prepare latte, cappuccino, and macchiato. They are divided into two types:
- Boilers creating pressure 2 - 4 bar
- Pump-type with pressure up to 15 bar
Pod coffee machine.
The holder of the carob coffee maker has a filter; the finest grind coffee is poured into it, or you can put one bag of pod coffee. A pod marked ESE (Easy Serving Espresso), having a diameter of 44 mm and weighing 7 grams, is suitable for these machines.
Pod coffee makers only work with filter bags that are loaded into a special reservoir, and in less than a minute you can enjoy your coffee. After preparation, there is no need to clean the device thanks to the filter bag, which does not allow coffee to pass through, and the tank remains clean.
Most pod coffee machines operate completely silently.
Note! Do not put unpackaged ground coffee into the pod coffee maker's horn.
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Flaws
After a series of advantages of pods, there are still several disadvantages. First of all, you need to purchase an appropriate coffee maker. Even the most budget models cost at least 4 thousand rubles, while a Turk or geyser coffee maker does not require large investments.
Many people complain about the meager range of flavors and the inability to combine different types of coffee, as well as prepare drinks with additives. Of course, the commercially available flavors may become boring over time, but the pods are not created for gourmets, but for ordinary people who are more accustomed to the instant analogue.
Perhaps the main drawback is the need to search for places of sale. Pods are not available in all chain stores, so it’s easier to find a specialized point of sale of coffee or order them online.
Types of pods
Manufacturers of pod coffee are constantly trying to expand their range and create new blends. As a rule, each of them produces from 15 to 20 flavors. Manufacturers are also experimenting with the degree of roasting of beans. Recently, in addition to coffee, they began to produce teas in pods, which differ greatly in taste from bagged ones.
Now you can find the following pod brands on the market:
- Buscaglione,
- San Giusto,
- Italko,
- Bristot,
- ILLY,
- Lavazza.
In addition to traditional Arabica and Robusta, compositions with chocolate, floral, nutty, creamy, and caramel notes are created.
Buscaglione produces 3 flavor varieties of pods, as well as a decaffeinated version. Classic Buscaglione Arabica is ideal for making espresso. It has a mild floral taste and a sweetish aroma. Buscaglione Long has a coarse grind and makes a rich Americano or Lungo. It has a slight sourness and bitterness, as well as an almond aftertaste. The aroma of the drink is very rich and spicy.
Buscaglione Passione will appeal to true gourmets who prefer a multifaceted taste. It is suitable for making espresso and cappuccino. This variety is distinguished by nutty and chocolate notes, as well as a thick brown foam on the finished drink.
For people with health problems, this brand has created separate pods of Buscaglione Decaffeinato. They are made from South American Arabica beans, from which caffeine is extracted during processing. At the same time, the coffee turns out to be rich in taste with a slight sourness and a fruity aftertaste.
Types of coffee
Manufacturers strive to expand the presented range of coffee pods and create new combinations. Typically, each company strives to provide the buyer with a choice among 15-20 flavor solutions. In addition to coffee, they have now begun to produce tea in pods, which is many times superior in taste to bagged tea.
Coffee in pods is superior in taste to other types.
The leading brands are the following:
- Buscaglione. They produce three flavor varieties for making espresso, Americano or cappuccino; they also offer Decaffeinato, prepared using technology that allows caffeine to be extracted.
- San Giusto makes pods from Brazilian Arabica and Indonesian Robusta, used for spirits.
- Italco has two varieties, Assolo with a minimal concentration of caffeine, and the invigorating Concerto, rich in caffeine.
- Bristot is suitable for classic espresso, it contains a quarter of Alpine Robusta, and the rest is Brazilian Arabica
- ILLY is a high-quality brand using high-altitude Arabica beans
Natural material is used for coffee packaging.
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Tips for choosing
Use a few simple tips when choosing coffee pods:
- Pay attention to the place where the grains are produced. Give preference to raw materials from Guatemala, Colombia, Ethiopia and Costa Rica. Brazilian varieties will appeal to fans of strong coffee with sourness and rich aroma.
- Choose medium or fine grind coffee pods as they allow for better water flow and flavor release.
- Don’t chase a low price, because the quality of the coffee beans that are placed in the pods directly depends on it.
How to choose the right pods
When purchasing pods for a coffee machine, in order not to be disappointed in your choice, you should adhere to the following tips.
- The main role in the taste is played by the place where the coffee beans grow; the best varieties are considered to be those brought from Ethiopia, Colombia and Costa Rica. Brazilian varieties are distinguished by their strength, and coffee beans from Haiti have a sweet taste.
- It is recommended to choose pods of medium or fine grinding; they have a higher quality of water passage and taste release.
- Don't skimp when purchasing. The higher the quality of the coffee, the higher the price. The best tablets are those with a minimum content of Robusta, which is approximately 20%.
- You must purchase the product based on the technical requirements and recommendations of the coffee maker manufacturer. Failure to comply with this rule may result in tasteless and low-quality coffee, as well as equipment breakdown.
Making coffee using pods will seem like a real pleasure.
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Coffee makers for pod coffee
The first pod coffee machines were developed by the Swiss company Nespresso. Moreover, she immediately released her own line of coffee flavors. In Russia, the new product began to be produced in 2004, and it was produced by . Currently, Philips, ARIETE, Severin, GRIMAC are engaged in the production of pod coffee makers and coffee machines.
The most popular model is Philips Senseo. It is fully automated and features quiet operation, small dimensions and an affordable price. This machine is easy to use and maintain. The only caveat is the inability to change the strength of the drink. In more expensive models there is a function for changing the drink preparation mode.
Pod coffee machines work on the same principle as other units.
A filter bag is placed in a special tank. The water is heated to the desired temperature and pressurized through the ground coffee. The process of preparing the drink takes no more than a minute and does not require any additional actions. There is no need to clean the device either, because the filter does not allow coffee to pass through and the tank does not get dirty.
Pod coffee has already found its fans, thanks to its undeniable advantages. It allows you to prepare the same delicious drinks as in a coffee shop without leaving your home and without any special skills. Coffee pods are definitely worth a try if you like to experiment and prefer to buy quality products at an affordable price.
Grinding degree
One finely ground compressed tablet in 30 seconds of preparing a cup of espresso will give the drink all the taste and aroma of coffee beans. Medium grind beans also make ideal drinks; the filter bag allows water to pass through well and releases maximum nutrients; it is suitable for both carob and pod coffee makers.
In addition to coffee, you can find tea in pods.
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