So for some reason k-cups have taken over the single-serve coffee world, which just seems weird since we're all supposed to be "saving the world" by producing less waste. Those k-cups are just a garbage disaster. I know there are a few brands that are making biodegradable cups, but I don't see any of the big brands doing that. As far as the coffee, I can't argue with the fact that k-cups can produce good cups of coffee. I just wish they worked harder at protecting the environment.
Hence my choice to use pods; though I can't say it really was my choice. I had gotten the Senseo as a gift from my wife who thought a single-serve machine would be a good idea since I work from home. She's pretty much of the same mind-set as me and chose the Senseo based on the less-waste factor and price of the unit. It definitely is a bonus on several levels.
For one, I drink less coffee. When making a pot of coffee, I tend to make more than I need and then tend to try to drink it all. As a designer and programmer, I've drank enough coffee to "turn a battleship around" to quote Lynyrd Skynyrd and too much coffee is really not good for you. Going single-serve keeps me to 1 or 2 cups a day. The portions are also smaller. I don't know how it works with other pod brewers, but Senseo makes these really tiny cups of coffee. At first it totally annoyed me, but now I rather prefer it. I think it focuses my coffee experience so I really appreciate it rather than just guzzling down cup after cup.
I like my coffee hot. When you make a pot, the initial cup is hot but the rest are always a little cooler than the previous, even with a properly warmed carafe. Single serve gives you a hot cup every time.
Variety is the spice of life they say and with pods, especially the ones that come individually wrapped, you're not always trying to finish up the pound of coffee while it's still somewhat fresh. You can have several flavors going at the same time. (Yes, I see the conflict with my waste comments above. It's still less packaging and takes up less landfill space, especially since the pods themselves will biodegrade. Don't know if the coffee in a k-cup ever will since it remains contained in it's plastic cup.)
