Single-serving coffee machines are one of the most popular ways to make coffee, with 27% of US households using them to whip up a brew. The most popular brand of machine is Keurig, with its signature K-Cups.
But how much coffee is actually in your favorite K-Cup? As a quick answer, it's around 9-12 grams, but there’s a bit more to it than that.
Keep reading to learn how to get the best out of your K-Cups and how much coffee you should brew with them.
What is a K-Cup?
K-Cups are small plastic cups that contain coffee or other materials to make hot drinks, like tea or hot chocolate powder. The name K-Cup comes from the coffee machine brand Keurig, which uses the technology to make drinks with its machines.
Nowadays, plenty of companies make products similar to K-Cups, including major coffee brands. You might also hear them being referred to as coffee pods.
What Does a K-Cup Look Like?
A K-Cup looks like a small plastic cup, usually with a foil or plastic lid on top. The lid is perforated by the machine when it brews your coffee, allowing the water to seep through to a small coffee bag inside.
At the bottom of the cup is a small, filtered hole through which the brewed coffee will run once it has made its way through.
How Much Coffee is in a K-Cup?
On average, a K-Cup will contain between 9 and 12 grams of coffee. However, the amount of coffee will vary depending upon the type of coffee and the brand it comes from, as many different companies make their coffee compatible with Keurig Machines.
In general, the bolder or stronger the blend, the more coffee will be in the K-Cup. Sometimes, the amount of coffee for an extra bold blend is around 14 grams.
A reusable K-Cup has a maximum capacity that is exactly the same as the single-use versions, with variations depending on the type of bean and grind size.
How Much Caffeine is in a K-Cup?
This will depend upon the amount of coffee that’s in the K-Cup as well as the type of bean and its roast. But, if we take an average of 10 grams of coffee and the most common coffee and roast type (arabica and medium-dark), we can calculate a fairly accurate estimate.
Arabica beans have a caffeine content of around 1.5 mg per bean, and a medium-dark roast doesn’t really change this amount. Coffee beans weigh approximately 0.1 grams, so if we do the math to make 10 grams, we’ll need 100 beans. 100 multiplied by 1.5 gives us an average caffeine content per K-Cup of 150 mg.
Related: How Much Caffeine is in Coffee?
How to Use a K-Cup With A Keurig Machine
To use a K-Cup you’ll need a Keurig Machine for the best results. After all, this is exactly what they are designed for.
If you have a Keurig machine, follow these simple steps to use a K-Cup:
- Prepare your machine. Make sure it is turned on and has enough water in the reservoir.
- Place cup. Put your mug or vessel of choice onto the drip tray.
- Insert K-Cup. Open the top of the Keurig using the handle, and insert your K-Cup of choice.
- Close the lid. If your Keurig is ready, it will either have a message on the screen, or a green light will display.
- Select a size. Choose the correct size option depending on the mug you have chosen.
- Enjoy!
How to Use a K-Cup Without a Keurig Machine
If you don’t have a Keurig, it is still possible to use a K-Cup, but it’s a little more complicated.
If you do not have a Keurig machine and find yourself in a pinch, follow these steps:
- Prepare. You’ll need hot water, two mugs, and your K-Cup.
- Remove the foil. Take the top off of the K-Cup and pour the coffee into one of the mugs.
- Add hot water. Pour hot water onto the coffee grounds and allow them to steep for a minute or so.
- Filter. Carefully suspend the K-Cup over the unused mug and pour the brewed coffee through it so that the filter catches the grounds.
- Enjoy!
How Much Coffee Should I Brew With a K-Cup?
Keurig machines are developed to be able to handle mugs and cups of all different sizes and capacities. As a result, it can sometimes be hard to know how much coffee you should brew with the K-Cup you have chosen to use.
Brew too much, and you'll have weak, watery coffee. Brew too little, and you'll have a strong, bitter drink.
Keurigs usually come in four sizes for your coffee: four, six, eight, and 12 ounces. Due to the amount of coffee that a K-Cup contains — around 10 grams — it is best suited to making a six-ounce cup of coffee. But, as we mentioned earlier, some of the “extra bold” K-Cups can contain up to 14 grams of coffee, so they would be able to make a decent eight-ounce cup.
Of course, this all comes down to individual preference, so if you like your coffee particularly strong or weak, you can adapt your mug and settings to suit.
Single Use vs. Reusable K-Cups
You might be wondering what to go for — a single-use K-Cup or a reusable one. Here are the pros and cons of each method.
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Reusable K-Cups |
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FAQs: K-Cups & Coffee Machines
Still curious about the ins and outs of K-Cups? Take a look below for some more information you may find useful.
1. Are K-Cups Filled With Instant Coffee?
K-Cups are filled with ground coffee, not instant. This is what makes them an appealing option for people who want to enjoy fresh coffee but with all the convenience of instant.
2. Do All K-Cups Have the Same Amount of Coffee?
No, but on average, you'll find between 9 and 12 grams of coffee in a K-Cup. Extra bold blends may have more than this, with a maximum of 14 grams per cup.
3. What Are Some Alternatives to Keurig Machines?
There are lots of other machines that use similar technology to Keurig machines to make coffee and other hot drinks. These include Nespresso machines, L’or machines, and Bruvi systems.
4. Can I Use a K-Cup Twice?
Well, you can, but you’ll soon realize why it’s not a great idea. After the K-Cup has been used once, the grounds inside will be drenched. Running a second coffee through the cup will result in a severely weak and diluted brew, as the majority of the coffee’s strength and flavor will have gone into the first cup.
5. How Much Coffee Should I Put in a Reusable K-Cup?
The most common reusable K-Cups have a capacity of 10 grams. This is around two tablespoons of ground coffee. But a lot of them will have fill lines for different drink sizes marked on the chamber, making it easier to follow.
6. What is the Best Grind Size For K-Cups?
A medium grind type is suggested for K-Cups for optimal brewing. If the grounds are too fine, the coffee will likely be over-extracted. If the grounds are too coarse, they will be under-extracted, leading to weak, diluted coffee.
