Making good coffee is not done lightly. Intensity, flavor, techniques… Behind this “simple” drink, there is real know-how. And it must be said that it is very appreciated by the French. It would also be the second most consumed beverage in France, after water. For lack of time or for fear of making a mistake, 70% of the population say they are fond of coffee pods. Nespresso, Senseo, Carte Noire… Since the launch of the so-called “espresso” machines, coffee brands have diversified by offering a whole host of flavors. Only, capsules have many disadvantagess. As much for our health as for the environment or our wallets. Explanations.
Coffee capsules: a health hazard?
Admittedly, the coffee machines are practical. They help to avoid making mistakes when preparing a cup. However, already in 2013, the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) warned of the dangers of aluminum capsules. In a report written in partnership with the National Institute of Consumer Affairs (INC), the agency explained that it had detected furan, “in all samples" analyzes.
If it clarified at the time that it could not draw any conclusions from it, the European food safety authority – in 2017 understood that “consumer exposure to furans and methylfurans in food could, over the long term, lead to possible liver damage”. And it goes even further. In this same report, it is specified that “based on available animal studies, we have concluded that liver damage and cancers liver were the most critical health effects”. If thresholds have been set, limiting your consumption of coffee pods seems more prudent.
The environmental risk of coffee pods not to be excluded
In large retailers, there is no shortage of boxes stamped “recyclable” or “compostable”. If this is not false, a recent investigation by our colleagues from Parisian, reveals the difficulty in setting up such a process. According to their information, "only 30% of French people can recycle aluminum capsules”Using the yellow recycling bin. At the microphone of Hadrien Gonzalez, a member of the independent NGO Zero Waiste France, said "what we really need to look at are the consumption linked to the production of each pod. And from that point of view, aluminum loses. It's production the most consuming of resources and energy”.
Same problem on the side of compostable capsules. To be able to enjoy this privilege, one must still have the means. According to the Parisian journalist, the latter are "interesting provided that your home is served by a biowaste collection system, which, for the moment, concerns only 5-10% of the population”. Let's not even talk about plastic capsules, which are not at all recyclable.
Coffee capsules: are there any green alternatives?
In recent years, a new type of capsule has appeared. Those are the reusable capsules. The principle is simple: buy only one set of pods, generally sold by three, and reuse them endlessly by washing them. To load them, you just need to buy a simple packet of ground coffee. This practical alternative stands out above all as much more ecological. Another advantage: its price, especially coffee capsules sometimes cost more to buy. In the burning room, coffee is sold for around 60 euros per kilo, compared to 75 euros for a kilo of coffee in capsules. The economic point is therefore not to be overlooked, especially if you are a heavy consumer.
However, the best solution to reduce its ecological impact while preserving one's health is to return bulk coffee. Cheaper, more ecological, it is above all better to taste. Whether prepared in a French press, Turkish style or with an Italian coffee maker, coffee retains its aromas better. Capsule packaging sometimes tends to store coffee improperly or make the coffee more watery. Coffee lovers know that nothing beats a coffee made in the traditional way.
Read also :
⋙ Iced coffee: the summer trend!
⋙ Cooking coffee: our best recipes
⋙ The mistake we all make when preparing tea