A perfectly brewed cup of coffee is the perfect way to start off your morning. It can also be a huge source of pollution! Coffee pods are for the most part, un-recyclable and finding their way to the landfill by the millions. You can still make the perfect cup of coffee without adding to the plastic pollution problem. Make your morning cup of zero-waste coffee! It’s easier than you think to create the perfect zero-waste cup of coffee, and results in delicious coffee that will help you get through the day.
In my search for the perfect cup of zero-waste coffee I have tried several different methods of making coffee. Each has their own charm and makes delicious coffee in their own way. Try these three methods to create your own perfect cup of zero-waste coffee and do your part to keep plastic out of the oceans and take one small step to a greener life.
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Reusable Coffee Pods
Don’t want to give up your single serve coffee machine? You don’t have to! You can still enjoy your Keurig without the need to buy expensive and wasteful coffee pods. Reusable coffee pods are the perfect substitute. You can fill them with your favorite coffee blend, and when you are done brewing your cup, dump out your coffee grinds into your compost and give your reusable coffee pod a rinse and a quick clean. No need to toss it!
Reusable coffee pods aren’t perfect though! In my own experience not all coffees work well in reusable coffee pods. I found coffee often turned out weaker than when I brewed the same brew normally. If you like a lighter brew, this won’t bother you, but if you are like me and want a nice robust, strong coffee flavor you might be disappointed. Turn to darker blends and try different grinds and brands. I also recommend getting several of them, especially if you have multiple coffee drinkers in the home. Rinsing them out right after use does require waiting until the coffee grinds cool slightly so you don’t burn yourself. So be careful, and get a few extra so no one has to wait for their cup of coffee!
Moka Pot
The iconic moka pot. This is my favorite way of brewing coffee! I love strong coffee, and lattes. The moka pot consists of stainless steel water reservoir, a stainless steel upper part with handle and lid, and coffee holding funnel. Put it on your stove, heat it up, and in a few moments you will have have piping hot moka ready to go! I like to have my Americano style, adding hot water to my moka. However, it also makes delicious lattes and cappuccinos! I’ve had my moka pot for several years and it’s never given me a problem. It’s easy to use and clean, and most importantly makes amazing coffee! If you are an espresso lover, but don’t want the expense of an espresso machine a moka makes an excellent substitute.
Moka’s come in many different sizes. I have a tiny 3 cup Moka that makes two espresso sized cups of moka. It’s perfect for one strong Americano, or two regular cups of Americano style coffee. If you have more coffee lovers in your home, then larger sizes are just what you need to make coffee for a crowd. What I love most of all about the moka, other than the coffee, is it’s timeless design! I leave it out in my kitchen on the stove all the time. No need to take up valuable cabinet space for it. It’s always ready to make coffee!
French Press
The French Press is the most recent addition to my zero-waste coffee arsenal. Add ground coffee to your French Press, then add hot water, let it steep a moment or two then depress the plunger. Voila! Delicious coffee and no waste! It’s easy to clean and so simple. I absolutely adore the coffee foam this method produces, and it’s coffee rivals my love of the moka. The French Press is also easy to use and maintain, while helping you reduce your plastic waste. Like mokas, French Presses come in many sizes from single serve (like the one I have) to larger presses to help caffinate a larger crowd.
Coffee is an essential part of your day. It makes life worth getting up for! Don’t let your daily coffee habit derail your green-living goals. Switch out single-use coffee pods for these three zero-waste coffee options. They will make a wonderful cup of coffee, help you reduce your waste output, and make your day a little greener.
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