Why You Should Use 2 Coffee Pods For Every Keurig Brew
Since they became available for household use in 2004, Keurigs have been priceless investments for anyone who can't live without a daily cup of joe. These handy machines rapidly expedite the process of brewing coffee. By using K-cups, small cups prepackaged with coffee grounds, Keurigs can produce a cup of coffee in seconds. However, there is a downside to the K-cup system. Technically, they only have enough coffee grounds for a strong 6-ounce brew. This means if you want to make more than 6 ounces of coffee, there's going to be too much water, resulting in a watery, weak beverage.
Keurigs work by using pressurized air to squeeze hot water through tiny holes the machine pokes into the foil of a K-cup. The water filters through the coffee grounds, turning into hot coffee that is dispensed from the machine into your mug. Aside from opting for a cup of coffee smaller than 6 ounces (which many Keurigs aren't equipped to make), there's no way to alter the brewing process to make the final product stronger. That's why if you want more concentrated coffee, you should use two K-cups instead of one.
Two K-cups lead to a stronger brew
By using two K-cups, you can brew yourself more coffee without having to sacrifice flavor. Doubling the K-Cups effectively doubles the coffee grounds, intensifying the brew's strength. This method allows for a more concentrated and robust extraction, providing a richer taste and a heightened caffeine content in the resulting cup.
Start by warming up your Keurig as you normally would, and pop in the first coffee pod. For the best results, press the button for a small four or 6-ounce cup of coffee, and let the machine do its thing. You can technically have the Keurig make two larger cups, but this would defeat the point as the coffee would still be suboptimal in terms of potency. Afterwards, simply repeat the process with a new coffee pod, and watch as your cup fills with rich, delicious coffee. After trying this Keurig hack a few times, feel free to experiment with the brew size settings on the coffee maker to find your perfect ratio. You may find that two 4-ounce batches are too strong, while a 4- and a 6-ounce batch is just right.
Doubling the coffee pods leaves room for customization
Another benefit of combining Keurig coffee pods is that it allows you to play around with flavors and craft unique blends to suit your tastes. By mixing and matching different K-cups, you can create custom drinks that would be hard to make otherwise. For example, you can brew a mocha at home by using hot chocolate and a regular coffee K-cup. Or, if you need a pick-me-up, you can recreate a double-shot latte by mixing a vanilla or hazelnut-flavored coffee pod and one with a regular bold roast and pouring the brew over milk. Experimenting with different coffee pods can also be cost-effective since you won't have to go to a coffee shop to find your favorite beverage.
The customization options are also not limited to coffee pods. There is a wide range of tea-filled K-cups that can be used in your Keurig, and that can also be doubled and mixed up. Blend lavender and chamomile tea for a soothing nighttime beverage, or try mint and green tea for a boost of energy. You could even make a dirty chai at home by brewing a large cup of chai tea with a small espresso pod.
Fill up your coffee mug
The double pod trick is great for making the most of substantial coffee tumblers or mugs. If you're in the mood, you could even brew a third K-cup to make an extra-large cup of coffee. Just pay attention to how many ounces your coffee vessel can hold. For example, a 20-ounce coffee tumbler could hold three 6-ounce batches of coffee. The only thing to be mindful of when using multiple coffee pods is how much caffeine you're consuming. Depending on the contents, the average K-cup has 75 to 150 milligrams of caffeine, about the same as a regular cup of coffee. To avoid potentially tripling your caffeine intake, consider swapping the extra coffee pods out for decaf options.
One of the main draws of a Keurig is its efficiency and ease of use, but that can sometimes come at the expense of strong, flavorful coffee. By using the double pod technique, you can ensure that each cup is to your exact specifications, is a satisfying size, and is energizing enough to help get you through your day.