The way we drink coffee is changing. More people are looking for speciality coffee on the go - without queues, expensive equipment or compromising on quality.
That’s where Cups Full comes in.
Founded by Katherine, Cups Full was inspired by a simple frustration: great coffee was either inconsistent, inconvenient or overly complicated. After discovering coffee bags in Japan, she set out to create a better solution - combining premium speciality-grade coffee with the ease of a compostable, portable brew.
In this founder Q&A, we explore how Cups Full is redefining coffee bags in the UK, why more people are switching to portable speciality coffee, and how everyday coffee rituals are evolving.
What inspired you to launch Cups Full, and how did a trip to Japan help shape the idea?
I always found accessing a top quality coffee the way I like it inconsistent and expensive out of home (or you have to queue for too long), or fiddly and messy at home. I didn’t get it. It’s especially difficult if you’re on the move or moving quickly through life on transport, at work or travelling. When I went to Japan that problem continued, until I discovered some hook-over-the-cup coffee bags. Little single serve bag you rip the top off and pour water over. I took them everywhere with me. I could finally choose my favourite ground coffee and brew it really conveniently. I brought them home and did something about it when the time was right!
For those discovering Cups Full for the first time, what makes speciality coffee bags different from instant coffee or traditional brewing?
Speciality grade coffee is high in antioxidants and we optimised our blends for this. They have all these functional benefits (including caffeine) but unlike any other product there’s no regulation to advertise this which I thought was missing a trick! Our coffee bags are compostable, more generous than others, higher quality and optimised for very high levels of polyphenols and ranked for caffeine levels (lab tested). They brew in both hot and cold water, too. They work a bit like instant in the sense that by the time the water has cooled down, they’re ready to drink - but the quality cup of a premium, coffee-snob level specialty grade filter coffee.
Why do you think more people are embracing convenient speciality coffee for travel, commuting and everyday life?
Costs of coffee are rising dramatically due to significant climate change issues and poor crops and this means cafe costs are too much for people. Hybrid working also means people need flexible options as well as Gen Z driving more coffee personalisation and subscriptions to independent speciality coffee brands. Coffee on the go, functional benefits in drinks along with a drive for sustainability and travel coffee mugs means now is the time for coffee bags (good ones). There’s also a growing trends and demand for cold brew.
Cups Full combines convenience with quality - was that balance something missing in the coffee market when you started?
Yes, everything usually comes with compromises, even those with all the fancy setups, once you’re out the door you’re reliant on what you find out - and how many times have you bought a bitter, expensive coffee and felt crap after?
What should coffee lovers know about coffee bags if they’ve never tried them before?
Don’t discredit them because you’ve tried bad ones in the past, or because you think it needs to be in cafetiere - these don’t! They’re generous enough and high quality enough to mean you CAN have a top-notch coffee experience without the hard work or expense. Compost them to help the planet, too!
Your blends focus on Peace, Pace and Power - what was the thinking behind creating coffees around mood, energy and ritual?
All three. They’re tailored to how you feel at different times of the day and also makes it easier to share. The amount of times you make a pot with someone and someone adds water to theirs or prefers it their way, now you can have whatever you like.
How do you source and develop blends that deliver both flavour and function?
Without giving away our secrets, we optimised and tested blends to reach the levels we were happy with
What role does coffee play in creating daily rituals, from slow mornings to moments of focus?
We aim to help people make “full cup moments” where they think my cup is full due to the freedom that the coffee brings (and brand)! Whether that’s up a mountain, nailing a meeting/pitch, getting on an exciting flight or simply chilling at home. We aim to replace fussing and faffing with more fulfilment instead. Customers and affiliates are also encouraged to share their moments and get kickbacks for inspiring others to buy coffee.
For people wanting to upgrade their everyday coffee without expensive equipment, where should they begin?
They should try our bags!!! Access to speciality coffee without any compromises!
Sustainability matters to many of our readers - how does that influence the way Cups Full operates?
We work with an amazing roaster who also helped us ensure our origins and supply chain were efficient and sustainable. Our bags are compostable (made of bioweb) and pouches recyclable. We’d love to have compostable pouches but that would create freshness problems for the coffee. We’re keen to limit packaging too, so have the bags loose, which we’ve got great feedback for.
What misconceptions do people have about convenience coffee and how is Cups Full challenging them?
People think (I don’t blame them) that you can’t have premium coffee in a filter bags. In the past this was true (hence why I don’t blame them) but the manufacturing and quality has now reached a point where we can confidently compete in all areas of coffee rituals, not just last resort choices.
What makes a really good cup of coffee, in your view - and what do people often overlook?
The grind level matters: too much and you over extract (leading to dryness) or under extract (sour and thin) thanks to the release (or not) of things like oils, sweetness and other compounds. It's so subjective otherwise e.g. roast level (light is more fruity, dark is more heavy). For me, top quality speciality coffee beans, medium roast and I like rich and strong chocolatey notes, and a really strong cup - medium to dark roast. If you have great coffee you don’t need milk or sugar. No bitterness and no jitters (thanks to the polyphenols).
My advice is to just try us ha! And buy all three to see which you like best from Peace, Pace and Power
For travellers, festival-goers or busy professionals, what makes portable speciality coffee such a game changer?
No heavy equipment, no queues, no inconsistencies, to faffing/washing up, no spillages and it makes it easier to share and enjoy at everyone’s taste.
What trends in coffee culture are exciting you right now - from wellness to brewing to how people drink coffee?
Personalisation, portability and empowering brands that are really purpose-led (unlike big coffee). People want more control and there’s also an exciting push for wellness - I hope everyone learns how good polyphenols are for you from our bags, too!
What does ‘fill your cup’ mean to you personally, beyond coffee?
Be free! Take more risks, enjoy the moment and the journey. Have kindness and patience and surround yourself with great people. I’m all about experience over the material, personally - and making the most of all our limited time here.
Cups Full taps into a growing shift towards convenient, high-quality coffee that fits around real life.
Whether you’re travelling, commuting or simplifying your morning routine, speciality coffee no longer needs equipment, queues or compromise. With a focus on portability, sustainability and functional blends, Cups Full is helping redefine what everyday coffee looks like.
As demand grows for coffee on the go and alternatives to instant coffee, it’s clear this is more than a trend - it’s a smarter, more flexible way to drink coffee. https://www.cupsfull.co.uk/
