Why Coffee Drinkers Are Choosing Beans Over Pods
- 23 July 2025
Why Coffee Drinkers Are Choosing Beans Over Pods
Espresso pods are cheap, easy to use, disposable and contain the caffeine we all so desire. They are the epitome of convenience. But if we dig a little deeper you will discover what it's really costing you.
Cost Per Cup
Despite the higher initial investment of an espresso coffee machine, they generally offer a lower cost per cup in the long run compared to pods.
At first glance, coffee pods may seem cheap, but the math tells us otherwise. A kilogram of coffee beans is roughly equivalent to 60 expresso pods.
Coffee pods in Australia, particularly on the more expensive end are around $0.80-$1.00 per pod. On the other hand, high quality coffee beans range from $50-$60 per kilogram on average.
Assuming the home barista uses an average of 18g of coffee beans per cup:
1000g ÷ 18g = ~55 cups
$50 ÷ 55 = $0.91 per cup
Assuming the coffee pods you buy cost a dollar each, you would save 9 cents per cup.
If you were to purchase coffee pods on the cheaper spectrum which can save money, keep in mind that majority of pods are single shot and so the cost per gram is much higher.
Freshness & Quality
In terms of freshness and quality, coffee beans win every day of the week.
Despite their convenience, coffee pods fall short when it comes to flavour. To maximise shelf life and keep up with demand, supermarket brands tend to use dark roasted, commodity grade coffee beans.
In contrast to specialty coffee, dark roasting helps to mask defects and create a smoky, bitter taste that is easier to market to a broader audience.
Once coffee is ground, we typically recommend using it within two weeks as oxidation and moisture quickly sets in and affect freshness and flavour.
With that in mind, coffee pods are sitting on shelves for weeks, even months on end. Although sealed, their level of freshness cannot compare to that of freshly ground coffee beans.
Grinding your coffee beans just before brewing ensures the freshest possible taste and lets you fully experience the unique flavours of your chosen beans.
Brewing parameters
It’s important to note that coffee beans also give you greater control over grind size, coffee strength, brew ratio and lead to an overall more personalised experience. As opposed to pod-based systems which offer less control and customisation.
Environmental Impact
Due to their extraction process, coffee pods have been designed to be single use.
Most pods are made from plastic and aluminium that is not easily recyclable and so majority end up in landfill.
By opting for a bean-to-cup coffee machine, coffee drinkers can help reduce their environmental waste with reuseable equipment and by repurposing spent coffee grounds.
Whether you choose pods or coffee beans comes back to personal preference, budget and lifestyle. Pods offer convenience, but beans deliver better value, better control and less environmental waste. For many coffee lovers, the switch to beans is a switch to better flavours, smarter spending, and a cleaner conscience.
If you'd like to learn more about how you can save money and sip on better quality coffee, get in touch with us today! Email [email protected] or call 1300 23 26 26.