Did you know that, according to a Statista study, around 2.5 billion cups of coffee are consumed worldwide every year? An unimaginable number, which becomes all the more impressive when you consider that coffee is the second most important commodity in the world after oil.

"Interesting," you might think as you raise a cup of black gold to your lips. October 1st is Coffee Day again, and in honor of our favorite beverage, we'd like to take a look back at the history of the coffee capsule.

We'll explore what International Coffee Day is all about, then delve into the invention of the coffee capsule, its development, and how it works. We'll also follow the bean on its journey through the capsule to the finished cup. Learn the story behind your beloved caffeine beverage.

October 1st – International Coffee Day

Credit where credit is due. Hardly anything or anyone is as popular in Germany as the hot bean beverage, and yet October 1st isn't a public holiday. No problem – with a cup or two, we can handle it. International Coffee Day was established by various coffee associations to appropriately celebrate our favorite beverage.

To mark the occasion, coffee-themed events and promotions are taking place around the world. Exhibitions, information sessions, and a host of discount offers are taking place throughout the country. This is a great opportunity to take a closer look at the contents of your favorite coffee capsule.

The invention of the coffee capsule – a new era begins

The history of capsule coffee begins in the 1970s.

Many of us are sure to still have the direct predecessor of today's capsule coffee machines somewhere in our homes: the filter coffee machine. In Germany, these were particularly popular from the 1950s onwards and could be found in almost every household – but nothing lasts forever.

The first single-serve coffee machines were built in the early 1970s. The goal back then was to make coffee easier to use and less effortful to prepare, all without compromising on taste or quality. The food company Nestlé quickly became the industry's driving force. In 1970, the first attempts to produce suitable capsules and machines began, which were immediately patented. The market launch finally took place in 1980.

However, the breakthrough initially stalled until more intensive marketing campaigns in the 1990s drove its popularity. George Clooney made coffee drinking sexy under the Nespresso brand, and sales increased. Twenty years later, however, things are different. Sustainability is the new sexy, and even an icon like Clooney can't distract from the fact that aluminum capsules are bad for the environment.

Since then, more environmentally friendly alternatives such as compostable coffee capsules have enjoyed increasing success. However, it will still be some time before these sustainable energy capsules reach widespread use.

From criticism of coffee capsules to sustainable solutions

It took almost five decades from the invention to the optimization of the packaging for this pre-portioned, indulgent beverage. Despite all the ease of preparation and the time savings in our fast-paced world, the capsule had one weakness from the very beginning that consistently drew criticism. Whether it was the additional waste or the complex disposal and production of aluminum capsules, they always left a bitter aftertaste to the otherwise delicious coffee: their environmental impact.

The voices are getting louder: Are there other types of coffee capsules?

It wasn't until 2000 and 2005 that the first reputable manufacturers considered alternative materials. Unfortunately, the new capsules were made of plastic and were also open to criticism. A few exceptions, such as Senseo, attempted sensible solutions as early as 2002 and launched ESE pads, which are now also available as an organic alternative .

Only in recent years have a few manufacturers entered the market with compostable alternatives. Unfortunately, to the dismay of consumers, these only offered capsules for their own machines. It wasn't until 2015 that Nespresso lost its patent for the capsule, paving the way for other providers.

Compostable capsules are largely made of bioplastics, which are made from renewable resources. A subgroup of the materials used are biodegradable plastics, which completely avoid petrochemical components (mainly petroleum), making them the best choice for the environment.

Tip : Read our article “Compostable coffee capsules – how does it work?”

An important step was therefore to give small roasters access to such filling systems so they can remain competitive. And this is where we come in. After all, it would be a shame to miss out on the variety and quality of all the regional companies that do incredibly good work. With Coffee-Up!, coffee capsule lovers now finally have a platform that offers a wide selection of compostable organic coffee capsules from family businesses and traditional roasters across Europe.

But how does the coffee actually get into and out of the capsule? How do these little everyday heroes manage to pamper us at the touch of a button?

The path of the coffee through the capsule

This is how the beans get into the capsule.

Perhaps you've ever wondered what exactly happens inside a capsule coffee machine, or whether the coffee inside is fundamentally different? We think World Coffee Day offers the perfect opportunity to take a look behind the scenes.

1. Roasting the coffee correctly

Before we explain how the ground coffee gets into the capsule, it's important to clarify the difference between portafilter machines and espresso machines. With these machines, the water generally flows through the coffee more slowly, giving it more time to absorb its aromas – a process called extraction.

With capsules, this extraction time is considerably shorter, which is why darker roasts are more suitable. These produce comparatively more ground coffee in the same amount of time.

2. Filling the roast into capsules

Now that we've clarified which coffee goes into the capsule, we'd like to mention that immediately after roasting, it's given a certain rest period. This is for offgassing—the release of CO2 after roasting—which lasts for several days.

Next, the capsules are filled in an oxygen-free environment. Depending on the design, the sealing film is applied or the capsule is sealed – and it's ready.

3. From the capsule to the cup

Once you've selected your favorite flavor, it's finally time to load it into the machine. Usually, you have to pull a lever, which causes one or more needles to pierce the capsule in the chamber. When you press the start button, the so-called thermoblock begins heating up.

This usually takes no longer than 30 seconds. The hot water is forced into the capsule at high pressure through the puncture points. Extraction takes place there until the capsule yields to the water pressure and breaks open at a predetermined breaking point. The coffee flows into your cup, and the enjoyment can begin.

Interesting fact: Capsule coffee is surprisingly creamy due to a rather random side effect. The reason lies in the CO2 content inside the capsule. It remains there in high concentrations due to the progressive outgassing after roasting, creating the crema.

Cheers to our pick-me-up

A hot cup of coffee should not be missing in any situation in life.

The perfect coffee from a capsule, however, isn't a coincidence, but rather the result of a sophisticated interplay of careful processing and sophisticated technology. Even if the aroma of the coffee beans is missing when you open the package, capsule coffee is in no way inferior to that from a fully automatic or filter coffee machine—in fact, the coffee retains its aroma longer and retains its flavor in the airtight capsule.

The criticism of capsules regarding their sustainability is certainly justified, at least when it comes to the aluminum ones. The compostable alternative , however, is an ingenious solution and the perfect choice if you want to enjoy your well-earned break at the touch of a button.

On October 1st, we celebrate our little everyday heroes, who gently wake us up in the morning and help us forget the little worries of everyday life. Which of your favorite people would you rather sit down with for a cozy cup of coffee? Treat yourself to this little break and celebrate together the world's most popular hot beverage.

Cover photo by Bethany Bellantyne. Additional photos by Jessica Lewis, Kevin Schmid, and Yanapi Senaud.

About the editorial team

Hannah Doths is an online editor who enjoys the pleasure of a hot cup of coffee not only while writing. With respect for nature, she wants to make a small contribution to the fight against climate change through her sustainable vegetarian lifestyle.