For most coffee drinkers, the biggest problem is making the first cup of coffee of the day. Look at what one must do: measure the water, find the filters, open one up and put it into the basket, open up the coffee jar, measure the proper amount that corresponds with the amount of water you put in, wipe up the coffee grounds you spilled on the counter, start the machine, then stand around for several minutes waiting for it to brew. And the poor coffee lover is expected to accomplish all these tasks before they have any caffeine circulating through their system.

It's no wonder coffee lovers have been raving about the new coffee pod makers that have solved so many of the above problems. A pod of coffee is much like a tea bag, except, of course, it is filled with a measured amount of coffee grounds, not tea leaves. Less than a minute after the start button has been pushed, a cup of perfectly-brewed coffee is ready to drink.

Pods of coffee, in a variety of strengths and flavors, are readily available most supermarkets. The one drawback is the price. It is not unusual for a package of coffee pods to cost about twice the price of a comparable quantity of ground coffee. Of course, the justification for the extra cost is the extra convenience. Coffee pod makers take less time to set up, less time to brew, clean-up is easier and there is less chance of making a mistake, such as using an incorrect amount or spilling coffee grounds all over the counter top and floor.

The original, single-serving coffee pod system is the Senseo Coffee Machine, designed by Phillips. Another popular pod brewer is the My Cafe Pourover made by Bunn, one of the leading manufacturers of hot beverage machinery for restaurants and hotels. One of the more attractively designed pod coffee makers is the Melitta One. Finally, the Gevalia Tri-Pod Brewer offers additional flexibility in terms of the strength and amount of coffee or tea that can be made at one time. At the time of this writing, the suggested retail price for the majority of coffee pod makers is in the $69 to $79 price range.

When shopping for a coffee pod maker, consumers should look to make sure components are dishwasher safe and the design looks attractive on your counter top. But the most important factor to consider is that equipment should be easy enough to be operated correctly early in the morning by someone who has not yet consumed his or her first cup of coffee.

About the Author

Robert Scheer is a freelance writer and contributor to the Gourmet Coffee Trends blog