What do they put in that, anyway?

Like most of the people we know, Galina and I do like our morning coffee. There was a time we used to make coffee by the pot, but that approach entailed its own little tribe of "gotchas."

• Making too much coffee.


• Making too little.


• Making it too strong, or too weak.


• Letting brewed coffee sit too long, so that it "burns."


• Letting brewed coffee sit so long that it blackens the pot.

The last two problems can be avoided by using a "pourover" brewing method, as it doesn't involve continuing to heat the brewed coffee after the water has passed through the grounds.

And somewhere, we have an hourglass-shaped coffeemaker that is currently marketed under the name of Chemex that I would love to use, except it's either been donated or is in Colorado. I'm told my dad used to use one.

Another variation on this theme is the AeroPress, which makes excellent coffee, but involves a bit more work to use than I am willing to invest (unless absolutely necessary) so early in the morning. Not only is the AeroPress a great one-cup coffeemaker (it can be used to make two cups at a time, if you understand the idea of dilution), it doesn't make sense to use anything other than freshly ground coffee when using it (which adds to the work involved in using it).

(Wow, it's taking a long time for me to get to the point!)

The point is that, some months ago, we picked up a Keurig at a garage sale for almost nothing. It worked pretty well, even though you had to "reload" it with water for each cup, and the process turned out to be very convenient. After it eventually died, we sought—and found—a more "advanced" model that has served us well ever since.

I have not done an exhaustive analysis, but I'd bet it's not much more expensive to brew Keurig coffee than to brew it by the pot. I think it's certainly worth the cost to have coffee available "on demand" and know it will be hot and of consistent quality.

That said, during our most recent resupply run, Galina and I bought a box of "Newman's Own" K-cups at Sam's, containing "Newman's Special Blend," and let me tell you—the difference in taste between Newman's and our previous brand (McCafé) was like day and night.

As the stock of Newman's dwindles, Galina, being the frugal one in our household, is looking to fortify the coffee supply with something that's on special sale. I'm going to hold out for Newman's.

I'm hooked, unfortunate wretch that I am.

Cheers...