Before you can begin making coffee with coffee pods, and before you should even think about purchasing your coffee pods, you'll want to acquire a coffee pod brewer. Some research on your part will be necessary as not all coffee pods are exactly the same. There are various different sizes of pods, and some brewers allow more than one pod to be used at once. The best way to determine the correct pod for your brewer, or brewer for your coffee pods, is to check your brewer's capacity against the coffee pods grams per pod.

Choosing Between Different Sized Coffee Pods

Although most coffee pod brewers can hold pods that contain up to four and nine grams of coffee, there are many that can hold pods that contain up to twelve. In some cases, you will have to pre-infuse the larger pods. This sounds very technical, but it's really nothing more than just wetting the pod before you place it in the brewer. You won't be able to tell just by looking if a pod will fit in your machine; you'll have to compare specs, as all coffee pods that are on the market currently are between 55 and 61 mm, which really isn't something the human eye can see a difference in.

What Are T-Discs and K-Cups

T-Discs and K-Cups are also available as alternatives to coffee pods. Unlike coffee pods, these can't be made by just anyone. To legally market them, a company would need permission and a license, which means selection for these two types are far more limited. It's also worth mentioning that T-Discs are not Kosher.

Tassimo T-Discs

T-Discs only work in the Tassimo's Hot Beverage Machines, and, conversely, the Tassimo Hot Beverage Machine only works with the T-Discs. This provides some advantages for the T-Discs over coffee pods since the same manufacturer is producing both the hardware and software, so to speak. When you buy T-Discs for cappuccino, you receive a package that comes with separate groups of discs. One type will have milk, and the other will have coffee. This may seem less convenient, but it gives the Tassimo system the ability to offer not only coffee, but cappuccino, latte, and even hot chocolate with a frothy, milky topping.

Coffee Pods, T-Discs, or K-Cups?

Consider the differences between T-Discs, K-Cups and coffee pods before you pick your medium and do some research on exactly what you plan to brew so that you know your new machine will match up. Remember that T-Discs are available only from Tassimo, and K-Cups can be used only in a select group of machines. Also, although you can make your own coffee pods, it's not so easy with T-Discs and K-Cups.

Courtney likes to write articles about senseo coffee pods and her coffee pod machine.