Single Serve Coffee Machine Primer
In my previous article, I talked about recent news in the single serve coffee market. I would now like to take some time to define what is meant by a single serve coffee machine and highlight the available models, contrasting the styles and features.
What is Single Serve?
While there are many methods of brewing coffee one cup at a time, the most recent definition of a single serve coffee maker is
- uses electric power
- requires a proprietary coffee filled capsule or pod
Generally the market is limited to capsule based systems. This article does not address machines called coffee centers, the most popular brands being Jura Capresso and De’Longhi. These coffee centers produce individual servings of coffee using whole bean and ground coffee supplied by the customer and tend to represent a higher cost due to the rich feature set and beverage options. While the “drip-style” coffee produced by these coffee centers can be well extracted and delicious, they are by definition espresso based pressure brewed systems. Espresso is made by using around 9 BARs of pressure while a single serve drip-style machine will use 3 – 3.5 BARs to force water over the packed coffee. You will see nearly all home espresso machines advertised as having 15-19 BARs of pressure. I have never received a clear explanation of why there is a need for having so much more pressure, but I digress.
The first single serve machine was Nestle’s Nespresso, created in 1976. Then, as now, the machine produced espresso coffee using patented pods, processes and a membership group to purchase coffee. By the 1990s Keurig introduced a drip-style machine which would provide coffee for those who did not like espresso. By the beginning of the 21st century, the market opened up with competition for both the espresso and drip-style segments from names like Senseo, Tassimo, FrancisFrancis and CaffItaly.
Keurig at Amazon
Originally single serve coffee machines were divided between espresso and drip-style, however the newer entrants have begun to offer products that produce both styles in one machine.
The Styles
Single Serve Coffee Market Heats Up
Recently, the news in the single serve coffee maker market has been abuzz with small salvos going back and forth, a jockeying for position in the fastest growing segment in coffee. Here’s a look at the stories from the more prominent players making moves in 2012.
Keurig
Keurig has had a mixed bag of news so far this year. Wall Street judged them harshly for what was called, “a lack of transparency and over spending.” But Green Mountain said it sold fewer brewers and K-cups than anticipated and its inability to anticipate consumer demand left the company with excess inventory. Experts said the recent volatility in sales reflects the product’s rapid success and shifting customer patterns and not a lack of demand as business is still rapidly growing, evidenced by increases in net sales from Keurig brewers and accessories and K-Cups, as well as overall profit.
On top of these inconsistent opinions from financial centers, there are patents expiring on two of Green Mountain’s K-cup technologies. Yet on the positive side, they have expanded the brand by striking deals with practically all major coffee brands – including Starbucks, Dunkin’ Brands Group and Folgers — to produce K-cup portion packs.
read more…
Teach Kids Food Safety Basics
I received a press release from Dexas, a company whose name you may not know, but whose products I am certain you have seen. Founded in 1969, Dexas International is the largest manufacturer of cutting boards in the USA. Dexas designs, manufactures and markets kitchen tools, gadgets and cutting board products. Their lines are available in stores and online at Bed Bath & Beyond, Crate & Barrel, The Container Store, Williams-Sonoma, Macy’s, Dillards, Sur la Table and other gourmet specialty stores.
I have always like the vibrant and varied colors of their cutting boards. The styles range from simple rectangles to boards shaped like fruit. The boards have non-slip materials for safe, secure use and the plastic will not damage knife blades as some are capable of doing.
When I worked at the kitchen shop, one of the most popular Dexas boards was the Chop & Scoop. It is large enough to cut on but the curved edges keep juices contained and the unique shape with grip handle makes it easy to chop, lift and scoop foods into pans and bowls.
Dexas Chop and Scoop board
The press release from Dexas contained a very good summary of home food safety tips, a subject they champion. It also emphasizes how important and easy it is to get kids involved to help reduce the risk of food-borne illness.
read more…
