The Decline of K-Cups; the Black Panthers and Breakfast

So, it's Presidents Day, which is allegedly the day Americans honor George Washington (and other former presidents) but in practice it's just a day off for bankers and Wall Street folk. Let's now think fond thoughts about this nation and its sometimes tasteful, sometimes totally hilarious governing body.

Equally important: It's Eater's first ever breakfast week. Here's everything you need to know. Do you have any deep thoughts about breakfast sandwiches? Weigh in here, and if you haven't yet had breakfast consider this your warning: Go do that now.

In related news, a new report points out coffee's big carbon footprint; a new study says eating breakfast may prompt exercise; a little known fact about the Black Panthers and breakfast; K-cups are in decline; and (great timing) new breakfast items at IHOP and Starbucks.

— Even those who study coffee's carbon footprint have been missing the boat on the entire environmental impact in each cup because they've forgotten to consider the milk. It's no secret that most people doctor each cup of drip coffee with a splash of cream or milk and that latte and latte-like drinks account for a growing percentage of coffee shop sales. TakePart lays it out: "The milk math ... was incriminating. Milk represents 60 to 70 percent of the carbon footprint of a cup of coffee with a few tablespoons of milk; for a latte, it’s more like 80 or 90 percent."

— According to a new study in the American Journal of Nutrition, eating breakfast could prompt people to be more active. Especially for those who are overweight, a breakfast of around 700 calories may encourage activity and lead to the consumption of smaller meals later in the day.

— The Black Panthers are in the news this week because of Beyoncé, so Vox.com looked into the organization that in 1969 then FBI director J. Edgar Hoover described as "the greatest threat to internal security of the country." One of the reasons the Panthers were considered a "threat"? They used to give free breakfast to children.

— Keurig has been struggling lately, so it should come as no surprise that K-cup sales are down.

— IHOP clearly got word of our breakfast week festivities and took this opportunity to re-release its double-dipped French toast. This thing is coated in cornflakes AND oatmeal, which is every Paleo dieter's nightmare. It looks... crunchy? Tomorrow, Starbucks releases another two new drinks: One that sounds really good if potentially too sweet: the Smoked Butterscotch Latte; and one that sounds somewhat less good: the Citrus Green Tea Latte.

— Bonus video: Eggslut's Breakfast Sandwich