If the collection of cast-off machines and devices in my basement is any indication, there are countless ways to make coffee. Apparently we’ve been on a years-long quest to perfect the art of the perfect cup. There’s the espresso machine which takes up too much space in our already cramped kitchen. The timeless, yet too fussy Chemex. A traditional Mr. Coffee. The cult-favorite Japanese cold brew pitcher; Each one eventually forsaken for something sleeker or more efficient.
So when a publicist reached out about Cometeer coffee pods, I honestly couldn’t wait to try them out. They’d already been on my radar thanks to Cupcakes and Cashmere founder (and my IG influencer crush) Emily Schuman, but I’d hesitated because the last thing I need to deal with is another subscription. Oh, how wrong I was.
My Cometeer coffee review!
Unlike other single use coffee pods, with Cometeer the pod is all you need–no gadget necessary. Instead, each capsule is filled with expertly extracted 10x concentrated coffee from award-winning small batch roasters (like Durham-based Counter Culture and Equator Coffee in San Francisco) which is immediately flash frozen at -321 ºF via a shower of liquid nitrogen. This process, which is unique to Cometeer, is key to locking in the aromas and complex flavors and creating that oh-so-perfect cup.
And while that all sounds very science-y and complicated, your part of the job couldn’t be easier. To make a hot cup, just peel back the lid, drop the frozen puck into your cup and cover with hot water. For cold drinks, defrost in the fridge overnight or drop the sealed pod into a bowl of hot water for a few minutes. Add to cold water or milk for a barista-level latte, or, if you’re in the mood for a real treat, drizzle over vanilla ice cream to make an affogato that rivals any Italian cafe. Of course we flew through a two-week supply in record time but for those who aren’t as coffee-addicted as we are, pods stay fresh in your freezer for up to 24 months, 72 hours in the fridge, and 24 hours at room temperature.
From my first cup, I was hooked. A strong iced coffee or Americano (with plenty of cream and maple syrup) is my go-to coffee shop order, and this was as good (if not better than) anything you’d get from a professional barista. Each roast we tried was smooth and consistent, and even though dark roasts are my preference, I enjoyed the lighter roasts just the same. I even skipped my post-Pilates Starbucks ritual in favor of coming home to a Cometeer latte. Not only is it far superior, it’s a whole lot cheaper as well.
As a mom and a human being, coffee is life. Having something so simple and delicious right at my fingertips is a real level-up. Something that simple and delicious that can be made practically with one hand with a grumpy baby on your hip and nothing to clean up after? MAGICAL. That said, will it totally replace making coffee at home the old fashioned way? Probably not. While it is arguably cheaper than coffee out ($2.16 per cup with a subscription), my partner drinks a lot of coffee. I’ll likely keep us stocked for the days I want a real treat, or the afternoons when making a whole pot is just too much.
Other things to know about Cometeer coffee:
- They’re recyclable. The pods are shipped in dry ice with fully recyclable packing and insulation. Additionally, the pods themselves are made from aluminum which can be recycled curbside.
- Orders are customizable. Each order includes 32 pods which can be curated based on roast levels or specific roasters.
- They’re perfect for travel. These will definitely come along on our summer camping adventures, but it’s also good to know that they’re TSA-friendly. Just throw some into your carry-on and you’ll never have to suffer through terrible airplane coffee again.
