Cappio vs Cometeer
Why They Make The Cut?
Review Summary
Flavor Profile
Alright, so this is probably the only redeeming part of drinking Capio Coffee. The flavor isn’t too horrible, however, it does have a very slight sour taste to it. I think that’s a byproduct of their unique extraction process…
And if I had to compare it to the other cold brew concentrates I’ve tried, it probably fits right in the middle. However, some of the other coffee drinkers I’ve talked to have different opinions. A few of them say it’s the best coffee they’ve ever tasted.
And the other coffee aficionados, well… let’s put it in their own words:
“It tastes very bitter, like old sludge from the coffee pot at Grandma’s house.”
Now, I think that’s the problem with having this patented and trademarked process. Because it locks you into following the same exact process for DECADES, even when better-tasting brewing, roasting, and mixing methods come out.
So, let’s go ahead and start with the most important part, the taste.
You might have experienced “pod coffee” (like what you get in a K-cup) that tastes watered down, acidic, or like expired coffee. However, when I first tried Cometeer, I was pleasantly surprised. The second I peeled off the cap on the aluminum capsule, a fresh coffee aroma washed over me…
And considering the fact that Cometeer freeze dries their coffee, I was VERY surprised. (As a side note, I don’t like the freeze drying process, because some studies show that it can introduce harmful chemicals into the coffee. But I can’t make any specific claims on that here).
Cometeer also claim that their coffee is “hyper fresh” and “the world’s best coffee.” And while I can’t say if those claims are true, I can tell you that Cometeer smells like, and also tastes like fresh coffee.
Because the moment I tasted my first cup of Cometeer Coffee, I can tell you that it was one of the better instant/convenient coffees that I tried. It was WAY better than any type of instant coffee, or even K cups. And the only other coffee that I think might have an edge, is a coffee concentrate.
Flavor Notes
Caffeine Content
Here’s another place where Capio dropped the ball. Because in my opinion, it should be illegal for a company that sells a stimulant (yes, coffee is a stimulant) to NOT publish how much caffeine is in the product.
I’ve tried to email and call Capio’s customer service time to find this information (as we’ll talk about in the customer service review section)... but they haven’t given me a straight answer.
The fact that I can’t know how much caffeine is in their cold brew concentrate is straight up RIDICULOUS! Other people have complained about this problem online too, and I can’t believe that they still haven’t published this crucial information.
At least for their Apollo, Birch, and Mocha Java roasts, each of the Cometeer capsules have 180mg of caffeine. Now, in my personal opinion, I think that’s a little bit too much for you to have in a single cup of coffee…
And that’s because the average cup of coffee only has about 95mg of caffeine. So when you start making your coffee with Cometeer, you’re giving yourself A LOT more caffeine. And that means if you’re not used to taking that much caffeine, you could feel an extra strong buzz, get the jitters, or even desensitize yourself to normal coffee.
But for some of you guys who need an EXTRA big boost, you might like having that much caffeine. However, if you’re trying to limit your caffeine intake, or you don’t want to ruin regular coffee for yourself, maybe you’ll be better off opting for a solution with lower caffeine.
Convenience Factor
Alrighty then, let’s move onto the next point. When you think of a coffee concentrate, you think of a really powerful form of coffee, where you just have to add a small amount of it to water in order to make your cup of goodness. (Like Javy or Jot where you just need 1tsp - 1tbsp)...
However, with Capio’s cold brew concentrate, that’s NOT what you get. If you follow their directions, using 1 part concentrate to 2 parts water… yeah you’ll get coffee. But from my taste test, it was WEAK, so I had to add in a lot more concentrate to my coffee…
Basically, I had to use almost half a bottle to make a 12oz cup of coffee. And considering the fact that each bottle runs about $10, that’s a rip off! So if you want to regularly make your coffee with Capio, you better stock up on A LOT of bottles. And you better be ready to give them hundreds of dollars every month.
Okay, here’s what’s very unique about Cometeer…
They basically took K-cups to the next level. And that’s because when you order a case of Cometeer capsules, you’ll get something that looks like normal K cups. However, with these, you don’t need any sort of machine to turn them into coffee.
All you have to do is add the freeze-dried capsule into a cup of hot or cold water. And the coffee will immediately melt, mix with the water, and give you fresh-tasting coffee in seconds. Honestly, this is pretty darn cool to use, but there is a significant cost…
Just like with K-cups, making all of your coffee with Cometeer is pretty wasteful. And while the company does use recyclable aluminum to make the pods, there’s no telling what these recycling companies actually do with the aluminum. For all we know, they could be stockpiling them in landfills and not actually recycling them! That’s just my personal opinion, but if you’re environmentally conscious at all, just take that into consideration.
Ease of Use
I’ve mentioned this in a few of my other reviews, but I can’t stand it when concentrates use the “1 part concentrate 2 parts water” stuff. When I’m making my coffee in the morning, I’m already DEAD tired, and I don’t want to be doing math at 6:30 in the morning…
So, what I started doing after a few days, was just eyeballing how much concentrate I poured into my mug. Is that scientifically accurate? NO! But it’s a heck of a lot easier than grabbing a bunch of measuring cups and trying to get the perfect ratio of concentrate to water.
Using the Cometeer Pods is very simple, it only takes me a few minutes to make my coffee in the morning. And over the past few weeks, I realized how much time I was wasting in the morning on brewing coffee, or even driving to Starbucks.
And compared to regular Keurig machines, these pods are MUCH easier to use. And these are also perfect for making your coffee when camping (especially since you don’t need electricity or a big bulky machine).
Also, another great selling point for Cometeer Pods, is you can make any of your favorite hot or cold drinks. Compared to other types of cold brew or instant coffee- you can’t always say the same thing.
Scoring Breakdown
Coffee
Cappio Cold Brew
Cometeer
Attribute Ratings
Origin
Cappio Cold Brew
Cometeer
Quick Facts
Recommended Preparations
1 part concentrate to 2 parts water (though reviewer suggests using more concentrate for better taste)
Can be used for both hot and cold coffee preparations. Simply add the freeze-dried capsule to hot or cold water for instant preparation. Ideal for regular coffee drinks and suitable for camping or travel use.
Ideal For
Pros and Cons
Cappio Cold Brew
- Convenient to use
- Available in grocery stores
- Only a few servings per bottle
- Bitter tasting
- Bulky in a fridge
Cometeer Coffee
- Tasty flavor profile
- Variety of roasts to choose from
- Good customer service
- Bulky to store at home (stores in freezer)
- Expensive pricing $64/month
- Just as time consuming as making a normal cup of coffee