☕ When Coffee Gets Recalled: What Ink-Contaminated Pods Teach Us About What’s Really in Our Cup

"Oh no! What’s this?"
That’s exactly what I said when I stumbled upon the recent nationwide coffee pod recall. If you missed it, certain flavored single-serve coffee pods made by New Mexico Piñon Coffee were pulled from shelves due to potential ink contamination. Yes, printer ink. The stuff that belongs in documents, not in your morning brew.

The FDA stepped in after discovering that ink from printed packaging might have seeped into the pods. And while no illnesses have been reported yet, the idea of sipping coffee laced with ink residue is enough to make any coffee lover pause.

Now, this isn’t a fear-mongering post. I’m not here to tell you to panic or toss your Keurig in the trash. But I am here to share a story and hopefully, offer some peace of mind, plus a little inspiration to reconnect with what makes coffee joyful, meaningful, and above all, safe.

Why This Recall Hits Home

At Win Win Coffee, we roast with care because we believe every cup should be clean, honest, and brewed with your well-being in mind. We don’t just say that, we live it.

This recall hit especially close to home because one of our longtime customers, Jessica from Denver, sent us a message last week:

“I’ve been using store-bought pods for years out of convenience… but after reading about the recall, I realized I had no idea what was actually in my coffee. That’s when I remembered how smooth and fresh your beans tasted at the farmers’ market years ago. I placed an order right away. I’m done compromising.”

Jessica’s story is one we’ve heard more than once. In a world of mass-produced shortcuts, it’s easy to lose track of what’s in our cup, until something wakes us up.

What’s Actually in Your Coffee?

Here’s the thing most people don’t realize: coffee is one of the most chemically treated commodities in the world. From synthetic flavorings to packaging glues and dyes, there’s often more than just coffee in those convenient pods.

When we started Win Win Coffee, we made a simple commitment: to roast small-batch, specialty-grade beans with zero artificial additives, using fully traceable, ethically sourced coffee from farmers we know by name. We use compostable packaging, not just because it's better for the planet, but because it’s safer for you.

Our customers drink Win Win not just because it tastes great, but because it gives them peace of mind. You know what you’re sipping. No surprises. No ink.

From Convenience to Ritual

Let’s be honest, single-serve coffee pods are popular for a reason: they’re convenient. And in today’s rush-rush world, we all want fast and easy. But convenience shouldn’t come at the cost of quality or your health.

What if I told you that making better coffee at home doesn’t have to be hard?

Take it from Brian, one of our earliest subscribers in Brooklyn. He’s a dad of two under five, works remote tech support from 6am, and doesn’t have time to tinker with scales and timers.

He told us:

“All I did was switch to your pre-ground medium roast, poured it into my $20 pour-over cone, and in 4 minutes I had a cup 10x better than any pod I’ve used.”

Sometimes, slowing down just a little lets you enjoy a lot more.

Turning a Scare Into a Wake-Up Sip

Coffee recalls like this one are jarring. But they also give us the chance to rethink our habits. To move from blind convenience to conscious enjoyment. From mystery ingredients to mindful choices.

And that’s what we’re about here at Win Win. Great coffee should taste good, feel good, and do good. It’s a win for you, a win for farmers, and a win for the planet.

Your Next Step (No Pods Required)

If you’re ready to taste what clean, trustworthy coffee really is, we’ve got you. Whether it’s our customer-favorite Courage Blend, our rich Dark Roast, or our Flavor Explorer Sampler, you’ll know exactly what you’re sipping.

Because at the end of the day, the only thing we want in our cup… is coffee.

No ink. No weird chemicals. Just good beans, better stories, and a community that cares.

🛒 Explore our beans at winwin.coffee
☕ Drink better. Feel better. Be a part of the win.