Espresso packs more punch than brewed coffee. Contrary to popular notion, Espresso is not a type of coffee roast; it is a blend resulting to a specific method of brewing where air pressure is used to create a rich texture, and crema – that dark brown liquid at the top of your cup.

Some people like espresso because they need their caffeine fix; others want the energy boost and others simply want to revel in its richness. The thing is brewing espresso can be messy and time-consuming. There is the process of measuring the amount, grinding the coffee beans and tamping the fine pieces into the filter paper. There is also the required after-brew clean-up, thanks to the bits of coffee grounds on the counter top and the residue in the machine. That is why some people just get their espresso fix in coffee shops, sometimes paying an absurd price for a small cup.

With the use of espresso pods though, the hassle is reduced. You would still need to pay for the espresso coffee pods and the espresso machines. At least, you would get to prepare coffee and enjoy it in the comfort of your own home, or office.

Why People Prefer Espresso Pods

Espresso pods are very easy to use. You do not have to be a barista and study pressure calibration, foaming and optimal brewing time to be able to make a good cup. Another point is that, unlike handmade espresso, the coffee brewed out of espresso pods always tastes good. As it is pre-measured, you wouldn’t have to worry about whether or not you are using too much or too little.

With the use of pods, cleaning up is also easier. You no longer have to clean up after the bits and pieces left on the counter top. You only have to look after the machine itself, and that isn’t much work since you do not have to scrub off tons of coffee residue.

Espresso machines

You might be able to use your old coffee machines to brew espresso but you would need to re-equip it first, in order to accept pods. You can save yourself the trouble and just get yourself a reasonably priced coffee maker (you would have to pay for re-equipping older machines, so why not pay for something brand new?). Better yet, check out coffee culture websites and take a look at different pod espresso machines – coffee makers that are built especially for brewing espresso.

You can actually brew most espresso pods in your usual coffee pod maker. The coffee pod maker that you use for brewing tea pods and gourmet coffee can brew most espresso pods. However, there are espresso machines that will work only with their own brand of pods.

Out of the dozens of pod espresso machines in the market, one product that really stands out is the AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker. Aside from the fact that it’s a beauty, it also does a terrific job in brewing coffee. It has a French press design that allows gentle air pressure. It is also compact – in the sense that there aren’t many moving parts, so you wouldn’t have to worry about breaking those.

Where to get Espresso Pods

Most manufacturers of coffee espresso pods package it with the idea that it is supposed to be marketed to baristas, so you might need to buy it in bulk. While there are companies that sell them in smaller quantities, you might have to pay out more in the long run.

Popular brands such as Millstone coffee pods are yet to launch their espresso pods product line, which is rather odd since they are actually way ahead in the coffee pods business – with over 30 different flavors, including decaf variants! Green mountain coffee pods do have stronger blends – dark roast and espresso. The major drawback is that you cannot brew green mountain coffee pods on a generic coffee pod maker (well, you can but you will mess it up).

Sipping espresso is more than just something one does when one is in need of a caffeine-induced energy boost. Drinking espresso is a social experience. Share a cup of Espresso con Panna with your friends and family. You no longer have to worry about the taste of your concoction, because with espresso pods, you know the next cup of coffee will always be as good as the last one.

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Do you know that coffee pods are known as easy serving espresso pods (ESE), or espresso pods, for short? They are designed and manufactured for use in coffee that are outfitted to accommodate pods as well as the ubiquitous espresso machine, that favorite accessory that all coffee lover cannot do without.  One of the best in the business are Melitta coffee pods.

If you are unable to do anything without first getting your daily coffee fix, having a home or office use espresso machine and your own espresso pods will definitely put you in a good mood on a daily basis.

While spending quality time at your favorite coffee shop and chatting up your first-name basis barista who is by now adept at perfecting your preferred cup, you will save a whole lot of money if you invest in your own espresso machine that can hold espresso pods for single serve cups of perfectly brewed coffee.

Espresso pods will go well with a coffee pod maker; however, with an espresso machine, you will need to outfit it with an adapter especially designed for pods. Espresso pods can hold the exact amount of ground coffee and you can tailor the number of grams that you brew depending on your preferred coffee strength.

When purchasing ESE pods, make sure you pick the right ones as not all pods that are available in the market are labeled in the correct manner. Some pods are labeled espresso, but don’t actually produce espresso. The best ones to buy are the ones labeled ESE, and verify that the label specifically contains espresso.

Once you are equipped with all that you need to produce your favorite cup, you will be amazed at your ability to blend an espresso with the right thickness and consistency. From there, you can choose to use traditional ground coffee, or other brands of espresso until you find that you can create the perfect cup day after day.

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Melitta Coffee Pods: The Busy Coffee-Lover’s Best Friend

Around a hundred years ago, Melitta Bentz became fed up with bitter coffee residues. So she put holes on a brass pot and lined it with blotting paper. That wasn’t much, but that was the revolutionary idea that resulted to the manufacture of the first Melitta coffee pods.

Nowadays, coffee pods are very popular. A significant number of the people who have taken advantage of the benefits of using gourmet coffee pods are loyal to the brand – a fact that isn’t surprising at all, considering that Melitta uses high-grade coffee and each pod is separately wrapped in foil. Each pod also has more coffee (around a quarter more) than those sold by the other manufacturers. This is good for someone who needs a caffeine boost, but for those who get jumpy after a caffeine intake, this product is something that they shouldn’t be too keen with.

Fabulous Flavors

Melitta coffee pods have flavors ranging from light to strong. Among the light-flavored varieties are the breakfast blends – the Love at First Sip and the Morning Bliss Organic. The later actually has a lighter roast, but both has bright tones and are balance-flavored; perfect for starting the day right. Another flavor is Buzzworthy, which is a mix of South and Central American Flavors. This one is dark roasted and has a smoky, intense aroma. Other interesting flavors include the Café Kind of Day – a pure Colombian brew which gives off wine-like nuances; and the Go Hazelnuts and French Kisses Flavors – high-grade Arabica coffee with rich, creamy undertones.

Compatible Coffee Makers & Espresso Machines

If you are a busy person with no time to clean up the after-brewing mess, then coffee pods are for you. You wouldn’t have to go about measuring the amount and grinding the coffee to bits and pieces. You can brew the coffee in 8 minutes, using coffee percolators, 5 minutes using regular coffee makers and in 1 minute using specialty brewers.

There are Melitta One One coffee pods that were especially created for Melitta One One Coffee brewers. However, while there are companies that sell these branded brewers, you can actually brew your Melitta coffee pods using other pots such as coffee percolators, a Zojirushi coffee maker and a Farberware coffee pot.

These pods are marketed as a ‘universal’ product so your usual red coffee maker can brew it just fine. A Zojirushi coffee maker, which is said to have excellent thermal containment capabilities, can maintain your coffee’s heat for up to four hours, so you wouldn’t have to reheat your coffee all the time. If you have a coffee percolator at home and you aren’t planning to buy a space-age coffee brewer anytime soon, you can still enjoy Melitta coffee. Just put the coffee pods in the designated chamber and you’re good to go. The good thing about this is that you wouldn’t have to worry about bitter residue – a common problem that people have with percolator-brewed coffee.

How to Use Coffee Pods

Preparing gourmet coffee is very easy. Never mind the word ‘gourmet’. This is how you do it.

First, you have to check your brewer’s capacity. Melitta coffee pods are good for a brewer with a 24-ounce capacity. Put in the amount of water depending on the capacity of your brewer, and your preferences. For example if you do not like strong coffee, then you can put in more water, although you have to keep in mind that 24 ounces is the standard – a little more or less water might affect the over-all taste.

If you are using a coffee brewer, fill it with water and then press the power button. Then assemble the drip spout to the chamber for the pods and place it inside the brewer. Now, if you are using a percolator, just place those pods in the designated chamber, add water and then boil away.

Keeping it Coffee Pods Fresh

You can use a coffee pod twice. The drip spout should be regularly cleaned (although it doesn’t have to be daily). You also have to put fresh water on the tank, everyday. Why ruin fresh coffee with not-so-fresh water? Besides, you no longer have to clean up after messy bits of coffee grounds and get rid of any residue. It is also highly recommended that you put your Melitta coffee pods in a dry place away from direct sunlight. It’s even better if you can place it inside an airtight container.

Coffee pods are the busy coffee-lover’s best friend. Nothing is better that a cup of good coffee in starting a busy, exciting day and ending a long one.