The discounted coffee pads are the only ones deemed suitable.
In homes now, coffee pads have become popular for their quick and easy preparation, often found alongside capsules, powder, and beans in kitchens. However, these products failed to impress during an eco-test.
Making coffee with pads is simple and budget-friendly, but you're limited to single servings, and the taste may not be to your liking. A test of 21 crema-labeled products from discount stores, supermarkets, and pharmacies, including six with a bio seal, was conducted. Prices for the pads ranged from 0.09 to 0.24 euros each.
Laboratories analyzed the coffee powders in the pads for harmful substances such as acrylamide, formed during coffee roasting and linked to cancer risk, pesticides, and mineral oil residues. They also checked for ochratoxin A, a mold toxin, and ensured that "100 percent Arabica" coffees did not contain any Robusta components. Lastly, taste was evaluated.
Six products fall short
The results? Contaminants from roasting caused many coffee pads to perform poorly in the test, and there is still room for improvement in coffee cultivation. Six products were deemed "insufficient." For instance, "Melitta Bella Crema La Crema," "Laudatio Kaffee Pads Caffè Crema" from Netto, and "Caffeciao Caffè Crema" contained furan, a carcinogenic compound that forms during food heating, and glyphosate, a controversial pesticide.
On the other hand, "Senseo-Caffè-Crema" pads received a "poor" taste rating. Testers described it as lacking aroma, harsh, and with a distinct sour note, leading to an overall unbalanced taste. However, it still scored a "satisfactory" overall result.
The only product to receive a "good" rating was the "Fairglobe Faire Bio Kaffeepads Crema" from Lidl for 0.12 euros per pad, making it the test champion.
Despite their convenience, many consumer coffee pads contain harmful substances like furan and glyphosate, potentially posing health risks. Consumers may want to consider non-contaminated alternatives to ensure their daily brew is safe and enjoyable.
