A New & Improved Way to Make Coffee…in Space!

Would you believe that one of the biggest complaints astronauts have when they return to Earth is about the not-so-tasty coffee they had to drink while in space? Imagine not being able to choose how to make your coffee. Having plain, black coffee can be delicious, but not everyone prefers their coffee that way.

We have it pretty easy on Earth - we can make our coffee just the way we like it. We can even make every cup of coffee taste completely different from the last cup if we like. And with the brewing technology of single serve coffee machines, the possibilities are endless.

Making a custom cup of coffee in space was not a possibility…not until now! Students at the Rice University have discovered a way to make a delicious cup of coffee with as much cream and sugar as you like.

According to an article on Geek.com, students at Rice University devised a plan to upgrade space coffee, allowing astronauts to mix their coffee however they like using a 3D printed roller and a couple of pouches. The students needed to make sure that the components of their plan stayed lightweight, had a long shelf life, and had zero liquid leaks. Their idea for new and improved space coffee met all the requirements/restrictions and (most importantly!) achieved the goal – a great cup, erhm, pouch of coffee.

“It’s kind of a dream, I mean, it’s not…not a lot of teams get to have the ability to make something that gets used by NASA,” said one Rice University student involved in making this coffee dream a reality.

Here’s an in-depth explanation of how the system works: 



Astronauts are just people, too! People in spacesuits who love a great-tasting cup of coffee, made their way.

Do you have coffee-related news to share? Please let us know in the comments below!

What Do Webcams & Coffee Have in Common?

Image of the
"Trojan Room Coffee Pot."

And it’s not a trick question! Webcams and coffee have plenty in common when you’re talking about the Trojan Room Coffee Pot. Get ready for a “Did you know?” question…

Did you know that the world’s first webcam was inspired by the Trojan Room Coffee Pot? It’s true! A live camera was installed in 1991 at the University of Cambridge, just outside of a room called the “Trojan Room.” The camera’s sole purpose was to broadcast the status of the coffee pot to people working all over the university. One could view the coffee pot from their computer and avoid wasting time on a trip if there was no coffee. Call it lazy, call it genius – whatever you call it, it’s just another coffee-inspired part of history.

Last image taken before the webcam
was shut off in 2001.

In 2001, the webcam was officially turned off, never to broadcast the status of the coffee pot again.

Those who still use the traditional drip coffee brewing system and run into the occasional empty coffee pot – we feel for you. Perhaps you can setup a webcam for your home or office…or maybe it’s time to make the switch to a single cup brewing system.

There’s a reason we consider ourselves to be your single serve coffee source - shop at CoffeeCow.com and choose from a variety of single serve coffee!

• Keurig & K-Cups
• Tassimo & T Discs
• Pod Coffee, Tea, & Brewers
• LavAzza Blue Brewers & Capsules
• NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® Brewers & Capsules

Spend the Weekend With CoffeeCow

Another Friday is upon us! The CoffeeCow staff would like to wish you a wonderful weekend, but we'd also like to remind you that CoffeeCow.com is your one-stop shop, fulfilling any of your coffee and tea needs (even pantry supplies) and delivering them straight to your door. It's the convenience we love to share with our customers and the quality products you've come to know and expect from each shipment, every time.



Add these products to your shopping cart this weekend:

Single Serve Coffee & Tea: K-Cups, T-Discs, Pods - oh my! From the most popular Keurig brewer & K-Cups to the elite Lavazza brand, we carry it all. Not only do we have the brewers you desire, but any single serve portion packs you crave. Stock up on all your favorite coffees & teas, and don’t be afraid to throw in a few new flavors to try, like  Cinnabon Classic Cinnamon Roll K-Cup®   Pods.  Why not, when shipping is free on orders of $50 or more?

Drip Coffee: If you still love the traditional drip coffee and brewers, we have you covered there, too. CoffeeCow carries brand names you know and trust like Folgers, Green Mountain, Wawa, and more!

Pantry Supplies: Browse our pantry supplies and stock up on paper products and mouthwatering snacks for an upcoming family barbecue/pool party or annual office meeting.

Enjoy your weekend barbecue don't forget to stock up on your coffee, tea, and pantry today at CoffeeCow!

Year End 2012 – CoffeeCow Gift Ideas

It's hard to believe that 2013 is right around the corner! With the year winding down comes gift-giving, and we've got you covered. Your coffee-loving friends and family will adore these gifts from CoffeeCow:

Single Serve Coffee & Brewers: Who doesn't love convenience? Brew a delicious, gourmet cup of coffee in under a minute with single serve coffee brands & brewers. We know that your loved ones will appreciate the gift - not only of the coffee, but of the time it will save them. Check out the Keurig starter collections we carry at CoffeeCow.com.

CoffeeCow Cow Wear, Pantry & more! If you know someone in your life is a CoffeeCow Fan, why not browse our Cow Wear selection? We also carry pantry supplies, including delicious coffee flavorings, candy, bulk items & more!

Gift Certificates: Unsure what to get the special coffee-lover in your life? A CoffeeCow Gift Certificate may be just what you need! Our gift certificates are good for any purchase and we have a large variety of coffee, brewers and other products to choose from.

Whether you’re in pursuit of a gift for the coffee enthusiast in your life, the person that has everything or even for yourself, make sure to add CoffeeCow.com to your shopping list.

Free shipping for Cyber Monday, stay tuned for more details!

K-Cups and Pods: Is There a Difference?

People say K-Cups when they mean pods, pods when they mean K-Cups and the occasional fusion of the two (K-Cup pod or pod K-Cup). Question is - is there really a difference?

The Skinny on K-Cups

K-Cups are small “cups” filled with coffee for Keurig single-serve brewers, king of the single portion coffee. Only K-Cups will fit in the Keurig, but it’s not unheard of to purchase pod coffee or tea, open the pod and use a My K-Cup reusable coffee filter to brew the pod coffee. To brew coffee or tea, the Keurig machine punctures two holes in the K-Cup (one in the top and one in the bottom), sends heated water through the top to the bottom and right down into your favorite mug.

The Rundown on Coffee Pods

Coffee pods are like tea bags or sachets. These sachets are filled with coffee or tea for use in pod brewers or even directly in your cup! We suggest purchasing individually wrapped pods for freshness. Pod coffee is the most environmentally friendly of all single portion selections currently available on the market because both the filter and grounds are biodegradable and compostable. Brewed similar to K-Cup coffee, pod coffee is brewed with heated water passing through the coffee grounds and into your cup, no punctures necessary.

Why They’re Both Great Choices

Both K-Cups and pods are easy to use, affordable, convenient and offer a large and wonderful variety of coffee, tea and even more to choose from! Other options are coffee bags, coffee capsules, and T-Discs, but we’ll save that for another blog…

Browse our wide variety of K-Cups or pod coffee today at CoffeeCow.com!

Keurig = Excellence: The History of Keurig & the Inner Workings of K-Cup Technology

It’s not just CoffeeCow that believes Keurig is excellent…the actual name “Keurig” means excellence in Dutch!

Keurig began in the early 1990’s by two coffee-lovers with a vision, Peter Dragone and John Sylvan, and was then purchased by Green Mountain Coffee Roasters in 2006. As they say, the rest is history! Keurig is now king of the single serve brewers, all thanks to its patented K-Cup brewing technology.

So, how does it all come together, making you a steaming hot cup of deliciousness every time?

The K-Cup itself is a plastic cup consisting of a filter and coffee grounds. Once the Keurig is warmed up and you pop a K-Cup into the machine, two holes are pierced simultaneously - one on top of the K-Cup with a spray nozzle and another on the bottom with a discharge nozzle. A measured quantity of water comes from the spray nozzle and is forced through the hole at the top. The water passes through the coffee grounds and filter then comes back through the bottom discharge nozzle where you have your favorite mug, eagerly waiting.

Visit CoffeeCow today to browse all types of Keurig brewers to satisfy your needs – even right down to the color!

How To Choose a Single Serve Coffee Maker

Ready to trade in your traditional drip coffee brewer for a single serve coffee maker? Confused by all the options? CoffeeCow.com is here to make the process easier by helping you find your perfect single serve coffee maker!

Tassimo

Tassimo single serve coffee makers utilize T-Discs and have a wide range of brewing capabilities, from brewing a real espresso to milk-based lattes and cappuccinos. If you find that Starbucks is like your second home, a Tassimo brewer may be the right fit for you. With its boutique coffee drinks and a price range from $100 to $200, you’re getting quite a brewer for your buck.

LavAzza Espresso Point

LavAzza Espresso Point, aka the brewer that brings the taste of Italy to your morning cup of coffee. This single serve brewer takes beverage capsules and is also in the $100 to $ 200 price range, which is way cheaper than a plane ticket to Italy. The LavAzza Espresso Point brewer has a unique capability in that it can even make vegetable broth! What will they think of next?

LavAzza Blue

Welcome to the world of luxury and efficiency! LavAzza Blue coffee makers utilize pre-programmed one-touch buttons, so making coffee in this single serve coffee maker is even easier. This machine also uses capsules and is equipped with a one-gallon tank and a steam wand. LavAzza Blue has been described as the new frontier of the single serve coffee maker.

Single Cup Coffee Brewer Comparison - Click to enlarge!

Dolce Gusto

Dolce Gusto single serve coffee makers have the most variation for the lowest price – you’re able to snag one for between $70 and $200. Like LavAzza brewers, Dolce Gusto also utilizes capsules. This coffee maker’s uniqueness lies in the Custom Control Lever, giving you even more control over your coffee without added effort.

Keurig

One of the most popular & well-known brands, Keurig single serve coffee makers have quite a following. Keurig’s K-cups provide convenient, gourmet coffee at your fingertips. Keurig also offers the widest variety in coffee beverages – if you can’t seem to make up your mind, try one of each! The cost for these single serve brewers can range anywhere from $70 - $300.

Pod Brewers

If you’re looking for a simple, no frills single serve coffee maker, we’ve got you covered there, too! Pod brewers can make both hot tea and coffee. Price ranges anywhere from $70 - $200 and great for the environment, as these Pods are also recyclable! 

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With such benefits as ease of use, convenience and the taste of a freshly brewed cup of coffee every time, single serve coffee makers are on the rise and still rising. The chart above will aide in making your search a bit easier. Good luck finding your perfect single serve coffee maker & please contact us for more information. We’d be happy to help you with your quest to find your one true brewer!