Beverage pod

A recyclable beverage pod comprising:

• a base having a planar portion and an elevated portion, the base being configured to be pierced by a beverage machine, the elevated portion having an elevated height relative to the planar portion greater than a piercing height of the beverage machine;
• a sidewall extending upwardly from an outer edge of the base, the sidewall having an upper rim;
• a lid sealingly coupled to the upper rim and cooperating with the base and the sidewall to define an interior volume, the lid being configured to be pierced by the beverage machine;
• and
• a removable, closed, self-contained filter separate from and not connected to the base, the sidewall, and the lid, the filter containing a beverage medium and being disposed within the interior volume, the filter being supported by the elevated portion.

A recyclable beverage pod comprising:

• an aluminum base having a planar portion and an elevated portion, the base being configured to be pierced by a beverage machine, the elevated portion having an elevated height relative to the planar portion greater than a piercing height of the beverage machine;
• an aluminum sidewall extending upwardly from an outer edge of the base, the sidewall having an upper rim;
• and
• an aluminum lid sealingly and removably coupled to the upper rim and cooperating with the base and the sidewall to define an interior volume, the lid being configured to be pierced by the beverage machine.