I give the people who can function without caffeine so much credit.

But for me, that morning burst of energy is a necessary component of my day. It helps get me out of bed and allows me to get focused and ready for the day ahead of me. But full disclosure, I’m not a morning person, so there are definitely days when it’s a struggle to get out of bed and I don’t have time to brew myself a cup of coffee and I definitely don’t have time to stop for one.

So when I tell you my life has changed after stumbling upon concentrated coffee, I’m not exaggerating.

If you haven’t added this morning staple to your pantry yet, here are X reasons why you should make the switch to concentrated coffee.

1. It packs a punch.

The number one reason is right in the name — it’s concentrated. Think espresso, but without the meticulous bean grinding and special machine (and the ridiculous amount of clean-up that espresso-making entails). Find brands that source only the finest beans from places like Central America and Columbia, ideally grown at high elevations and certified 100% Arabica.

2. It’s less acidic.

As someone who loves coffee but also is prone to acid reflux, this is a big component for me. Because the coffee is concentrated, it eliminates some of the acidity that ground coffee is known for. Typically, you only need 1 to 2 tablespoons added to whatever base you use (cow’s milk, oat milk, almond milk, etc.). That’s a whole lot of acidity cut out of your morning cup of joe.

3. It’s truly customizable.

One bottle of coffee concentrate can do so many things in your kitchen. On a winter’s day, it can be added to a microwaved or stove-heated pot of milk, creating a delicious, satisfying and comforting way to start your morning.

On a 90-degree summer day, it can be added to a tall glass, filled with ice and milk, providing you the perfect drink to quench your thirst.

Or you can buy a small coffee filling machine to help you preserve the complete coffee flavor on hot summer days for long-term drinking!

And hey, are you looking to kill two birds with one stone? Add your desired amount of coffee concentrate to your morning protein shake to get all your essential nutrients in a few gulps.

Ooo! Or make your own frappe, blending up ice, milk and your favorite flavor of coffee concentrate to create a drink your local barista would envy.

The possibilities for your morning caffeine kick — or your afternoon pick me up — or endless.

4. Concentrated coffee is economical.

How much did you spend on your last trip to Dunkin’, Starbucks, or your favorite local coffee shop? I’ll be transparent, the last trip I made before work cost me $10. While of course, my iced latte was delicious (and the impulse buy bagel wasn’t too shabby either), the iced latte I make myself at home using my favorite brand of concentrated coffee is just as good — and about half the cost.

I buy three, 30-serving bottles for $50. I typically use 1 to 2 tablespoons for my morning cup of coffee and about twice a week have another cup midday. If I’m being liberal with my math and say I use 2 tablespoons per day, that’s about $.90 per cup of coffee.

Ummm…excuse me…what?

That’s simply unheard of. And it’s not like you’re sacrificing quality for this low price; on the contrary, it’s high-quality coffee made by the most advanced extracting process.

5. It produces less waste.

Tins of coffee, bags of coffee, and k-cups of coffee, all produce so much plastic. Concentrated coffee (typically) comes in glass bottles which are much easier to reuse and usually are recyclable.

6. Concentrated coffee contains more caffeine than the average cup of traditionally-brewed coffee.

Because the main goal of the extraction process is to produce the most amount of coffee in the least amount of liquid, the caffeine content is exponentially higher. Again, concentrated coffee is essentially espresso in liquid form, cutting out all the extra steps. Also, the extraction process usually utilizes cold brewing which diverts from espresso’s high heat process.

7. It’s just so easy.

I don’t think I can stress this enough. We live in a fast-paced world, with lots of items on our to-do list, and tons of activities to keep track of. Adding that extra step of brewing a pot of coffee, or carving out time to make a pit stop at a coffee shop or gas station (the true last resort) is sometimes just not possible.

That’s why keeping a bottle of concentrated coffee in my fridge has been a game-changer for my morning routine. I can quickly make it the night before, adding a tablespoon to my mug of almond milk, and letting it chill overnight. All I have to do in the morning is plop in some ice, and I’m ready to head out the door.