In my last entry, I talked about the guilt over using all those disposable and non-recyclable K-Cups for our Keurig single-serve coffee maker. I said I’d wait until our current stash of K-Cups got used up, then start buying some pods instead (which, unlike K-Cups, have no plastic to dispose of and in fact, can be composted).

Obviously, I couldn’t wait to try out some new pods with the Perfect Pod Holster device I recently purchased. I searched around for decaf and fair trade coffee pods and came across this company called JavaPodz. I was impressed with their selection of what they call SERC coffee.

Socially and Environmentally Responsible Coffee (SERC) is our line of coffee that’s a combination of organically-grown, providing adequate shade and shelter to birds, and/or purchased from the farming cooperatives at fair trade prices (25-45% above regular natural coffee prices).

What truly excited me was that they offered SERC coffee in several decaf varieties. I was so thrilled to have found them that it took me forever to figure out which ones to try!

I ended up getting going for one of their mix-and-match sampler packs (since they save you money on shipping). I got 75 pods in 5 different SERC varieties (15 pods each): Jamaican Me Crazy (flavored regular), Chocolate Cappuccino (flavored decaf), Mocha Cinnamon Swirl (flavored decaf), Guatemala Vienniese Roast (unflavored regular), and Mexican Chiapas (unflavored decaf). Because I chose all SERC coffee, I had to pay a little extra, but obviously I’m willing to pay more for fair trade.

I was thrilled to come home today to find a box from JavaPodz waiting for us at home. I placed my order on Wednesday afternoon, so it only took 3 days for me to get my new pods. If you know me, you know how impatient I am, so I loved the fast service! Anywhoo, I immediately opened up the box and pored through the new pods. Each pod is individually foil-wrapped, with each type it its own Ziplock bag (I can always reuse those bags when they’re empty; I’ll have to inquire if their wrappers are recyclable). Since we had just come back from a late lunch, I opted to give the Chocolate Cappuccino a try as a dessert coffee. Mmmmm, the flavor wasn’t overpowering, and with a bit of cream and sugar, it was a nice cup to chill out with. I haven’t tried any flavored decaf K-Cups (if there are any), but to be honest, I prefer that pod I just drank over the regular decaf K-Cups I’ve tried (Newman’s Own and Van Houtte). I’ll have to try the Mexican Chiapas to see how JavaPodz’ unflavored pods stack up.

Overall, I’m very, very satisfied with JavaPodz (and the Perfect Pod Holster). Because JavaPodz’ pods are thicker than most other pods I’ve tried (they say they have more coffee in them), they seemed easier to use with the Perfect Pod Holster: less folding like a mushroom and I didn’t even really need to give the spring an extra push from the bottom once I inserted the pod. Set the Keurig up for a 7.25oz cup and made a nice cup of decaf without any mess or fuss.

Filed by Maria in coffee