All the convenience of a pod-based coffee maker without all of the polluting waste, the xBloom smartens up pour-over coffee.

One category of product we’re commonly pitched, but tend to pass upon are pod-based coffee makers. The reason being, while popping in a pod and enjoying an espresso or Americano in less than a minute is inarguably convenient, anyone with a modicum of concern about flavor or the environment should respond with a “hard pass.” The xBloom coffee maker might not be so much as a compromise as an ingenious solution combining the convenience of a pod-based system and the delectable flavor a thoughtfully prepared pour-over cup of coffee.

If you’re like us, you enjoy the ritual of preparing coffee almost as much as drinking it. While the xBloom uses pods like their more wasteful counterparts, each pod is made with 100% biodegradable sugarcane fiber, each filled with whole beans from a selection of independent coffee roasters, artisan coffee shops, and even directly from growers. It’s akin to the difference between buying your fruits and vegetables from the farmer’s market versus their canned equivalents.
But back to the ritual aspect. The xBloom retains the relaxing habit of whole bean coffee preparation entails. Instead of popping in a pod, the machine uses coffee capsules designed to be manually emptied into the top of a burr grinder, guaranteeing a precise amount per serving.
That same capsule is then placed int...