How Does K Cup Work
Over the several years keurig brewers with k cups have become more popular at home and in the office. But do we really know How K Cups Work? Some people consider it “instant coffee” and we are here to prove them wrong.
Each k cup is packaged sealed with ground coffee and a paper filter, just on a smaller scale it’s basically the same as a pot of coffee. Once you insert the k cup into the keurig machine and push the handle down for the brewing process, holes are punctured on the top and bottom of the k cup.
At this point hot pressurized water is forced into the k cup between 195°F – 205°F and through the filter into your coffee cup below. The filter acts as a screen stopping any ground coffee passing through.
Brewing is great for individual preference or specific taste as k cups come in a variety of flavors and strengths.
What Is a K Cup?
A K-cup is a single cup brewing design for ground coffee, generally made from a plastic cup, aluminum lid and inside lined with a filter material. Furthermore, two needles puncture the lid and bottom of the plastic cup. As the water flows into the top extracting the coffee and passing through. Eventually exiting through the bottom puncture!
Many different brands exist, k-cup serve over 60 coffee brands, most commonly referred to as keurig k cup.
What Is The Difference Between K Cups And Coffee Pods?
Nowadays it can get confusing with the varies types of single serve coffee, certain things to look for that will help you pick the right one. Both are not compatible with each other with coffee pods being flat and round in shape well k-cups come in plastic.
Coffee pods have ground coffee sealed inside a paper filter or larger resealed bag (Often looks like a tea bag) and k-cups have it sealed in a hard plastic or cartridge. The k-cup lids are made of foil top which is punctured during the brewing process.
How To Store K-Cups?
With so many flavors and limited space, How Do You Store K-Cups? Here are 2 options for both vertical and horizontal storage that will save time and space.
K Cup Carousel – Hold 35 Cups
Keurig Under Brewer Storage Drawer
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What Is The K Cup Holder
The k cup holder is what holds the k cups in place during the brewing process, it’s located directly below the handle of the keurig machine and holds it steady when the needles puncture both sides of the k cup.
How To Clean Your K-Cup Holder?
K-cups are great for making single cups of coffee, but like anything over time they build up spilled coffee grounds causing problems if not properly maintained.
It’s recommended you clean the K-Cup holder Once A Week and descale the machine every few months. How To Clean Your K-Cup Holder
1.Remove the K-Cup holder from the machine by using both hands
2. Detach the funnel from the K-cup holder by pulling on the sides
3. Take a paper clip and insert it into the exit hole on the bottom side
4. Wash entire K-Cup holder under running water
5. Reattach K-cup and funnel back together and place into position with arrows facing up
6. Run 2 water only cycles without K-cups
What Are Other Options For Reusable K Cups?
If your the type of person who prefers ground coffee of your favorite roaster don’t worry we have a solution. Using reusable filters that keurig doesn’t supply and comes in all shapes and sizes allows you to always enjoy a fresh cup.
For a universally compatible and eco friendly k cup, we recommend Reusable K Cups For Keurig which comes in a pack of 4 that are both dishwasher safe and 100% BPA free.
If you’re looking for economically smart and environmentally friendly reusable k cup, try DI ORO Maxbrew 24k Gold Reusable having 4 star review on Amazon.
A reliable k cup use Cuisinart Single Serve Brewers which fits most k cup brewers not including keurig 2.0, they are dishwasher safe and made of BPA free plastic.
For a color choice of reusable k cups try Goodcups 7 Reuable K cup Filters, they are compatible with both keurig 2.0 and 1.0. When purchasing you will receive a set of 7 with 4.5 stars reviews on Amazon.
If you’re grinding your own coffee beans use a coarse grind similar to a French press as finer grinds can clog the filter.
Avoid filling past the max indicator and never compress the coffee grinds, on average holding 2.5 tablespoons. If you see Brew Interrupted, the filter may be overfilled.
Are K Cups Cheaper Than Ground Coffee?
No, on average k-cups cost 2 – 9 times more than ground coffee, depending on the brands purchased varies in price. Why Are K-Cups So Expensive?
- K-cups only work in keurig machines, this limits your options on different brands and paying the price.
- You’re paying for individual packaging
- Time and convenience – 3 step process keeps things simple and saves you time
Are All K Cups The Same Size?
Yes, a standard k-cup has specific dimensions in order to fit all keurig machines. Whether it’s an older model or newer 2.0. What Are K-Cup Dimensions?
Top Diameter – 2′ / Height – 1 13/16′ / Bottom Diameter – 1 3/8″
How Long Do K-Cups Last – Do They Have An Expiry Date?
Certain questions should be asked when purchasing k cups especially in bulk, Do K-Cups Expire? or How Long Do Keurig Cups Last? Most k cups are sold in large quantities with the labels and dates on different packages being misleading.
During the packaging process k cups are flushed with nitrogen preventing moisture, oxygen and light from effecting the ground coffee. This ensures its freshness and actually stays fresher longer than regular packages of coffee.
As long as the seal isn’t punctured or broken k cups can last a very long time, plastic is a solid but has microscopic breathing gaps” that allow oxygen to penetrate in over a long period of time. Ground coffee won’t go bad but will loose flavor and aroma with this happening.
How Much Coffee Does One K-Cup Make?
Each k-cup allows your to make three different sizes for a standard keurig 2.0, theses sizes range from small 6 oz, medium 8 oz or large 10 oz per cup of coffee. This will be indicated on the machine by push buttons showing different cup sizes. Great thing is all these sizes only require one k cup at a time.
Only difference is keurig elite model will brew five k-cup sizes adding 4 oz and 12 oz instead of three, if you’re interested in upgrading check out Keurig K-Elite Single Serve having 5 star reviews on Amazon.
Can You Reuse K Cups?
Yes but technically k-cups are designed for one use only and then throw it away. Re-using a K-cup for a second cycle will produce a weaker coffee. So if your personal preference is light roast then give this method a try.
What Are Other Reasons For Re-using K-Cups?
- Easier on the environment – The plastic used in making k-cups take years to decompose, and with so many keurig’s sold each year this adds up.
- More affordable – If you love the convenience and simplicity but are on a budget, then using them twice will save money.
How Much Coffee Is In A K-Cup?
Each type of roast effects the amount of grams it takes to brew a cup of coffee. On average dark roast will take more then light roast blends.
It takes more coffee grounds to brew a stronger cup of java, How Much Coffee Is In A K-Cup?
Light Roast Or Breakfast Blend – has between 9 – 9.5 grams
Medium Roast – has between 10 – 11 grams
Dark Roast – has on average 11 – 12 grams, keep in mind certain blends contain as much as 14 grams. This would be considered “Extra Bold‘.
How Many K Cups In A Pound Of Coffee
Each K-cup has on average 11 grams of coffee, taken in consideration between light – dark roast varies. There are 453 grams per pound making 41 K-Cups per one pound of coffee.
You’re best value we recommend McCafé Variety Sampler Pack for a bulk order of k-cups or trying a variety and even larger variety pack try Keurig K-Cups.
How Much Does A K-Cup Weigh?
In total a k-cup weighs between 12 – 16 grams depending on the brand. Dark roast weighing slightly more due to more coffee grounds in order to make a stronger roast.
The packing for a k-cup on average weights around 3 – 4 grams and the remaining weigh is from the coffee grounds. Converted to ounces weighing 0.4 – 0.6oz
Recommended Kona Coffee K Cups
For a quick and easy way of preparing Kona coffee, brewing with k cups or coffee pods are great. Light with complex aroma, well-balanced and rich in flavor are just some of the characteristics that make Kona coffee a favorite for many people.
Blue Horse Kona Coffee
This 100% kona coffee is from single serve estate and not pooled form multi roasted farms. What makes blue horse kona coffee different is everything is hand picked with full government certified and inspected.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re trying a k-cup for the first time or recently purchased a Keurig Elite and looking to maintain the equipment. We answer those questions in this blog post.
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