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Joined: 10 Sep 2009 Posts: 973 Location: North Carolina
Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 2:56 am Post subject: Eric's K-Cup Reviews
I enjoy K-Cups, so I decided to post a review of my samples. I employ a 1 to 4 star rating system along with a quick summary by brand. I also include a numeric rating system along with some commentary about my tasting results. The K-cup machine I use for testing is the Keurig B40 "Elite Brewing System". I set it for the smallest drop size possible with my unit (8 fl oz), which produces 7.25 fl oz in the cup. The link below shows the template that forms the basis of my rating scale - The score is converted from a fraction to a decimal, divided by 2, and added to 50 to arrive at the final score:
*****Coffee People *****Coffee People French Roast 90 *****Coffee People Organic 90 *****Coffee People Santa's Buzz 88 *****Coffee People Black Tiger 86 *****Coffee People Jet Fuel 86 *****Coffee People Tree Hugger FTO 86 *****Coffee People Wake-Up Call 86
Caribou Coffee ***Caribou Blend 85 Caribou says this coffee offers a big-bodied, syrupy taste with a clean, snappy finish. The secret of this blend's relaxed complexity is a rich hearty Indonesian bean, perfectly proportioned with Central American and South American varieties for lively fruit tones. The brewed aroma is mild to non-existent. The first sip presents medium acidity and citrus across the tongue with a hard to place finish – nutty is as good a descriptor as any – that tames the acidity properly. The mouth feel is full for this style, and not thin by any standard. As it cools It remains lively yet not bitter. This is an above average K-Cup and a decent cup overall. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is similar to the Green Mountain Kenya AA, and except for the aroma, similarly enjoyable.
**Caribou Mahogany 83 Caribou Coffee describes Mahogany is a dark brew that is rugged by nature and roasted to perfection. Coffees from Sumatra, Guatemala, and El Salvador are combined to achieve a perfectly balanced blend. Sumatra provides Mahogany's bold dry spice and aromatic wood flavors, while the hint of floral and vanilla of Guatemala wonderfully complements the primary Indonesian flavors. The brewed aroma smells a little charred, kind of like a large chain’s dark roast coffees smell. The first sip is smooth, balanced, slightly tingly, and a bit subdued. The mouth feel is medium. As it cools more complexity comes out. The brighter tastes round out the darker, heaver finish that I guess the Sumatran imparts. It gets a little bitter at the finish. Maybe it just reaches for too broad a flavor profile for the format. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is not bad, but not one I will keep in the rotation.
Coffee People ***Coffee People Black Tiger 86 Coffee People invites you to explore the dark side with this full-bodied, dark-roasted coffee they describe it as earthy, with a pungent aroma, dark, with light acidity and a rich finish. The brewed aroma is mildly nutty and smoky. The first sip presents a pleasant medium acidity along with a smoky, cocoa and chocolate bittersweet finish. The mouth feel is medium full and syrupy thick. As it cools the sweetness intensifies with rich dark chocolate in the finish. Overall, I like Coffee People offerings and this cup delivers decent results for a dark roast cup. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop makes a decent cup of coffee.
****Coffee People French Roast 90 Coffee People says this coffee is the darkest of their roasts and its toasty aroma and crisp molasses flavor is not for the faint of heart. The brewed aroma is dark and toasty with a hint of sweetness – this cup might have the strongest aroma I can recall. The first sip presents in your face char and dark smoky notes and just a tinge of a sweet tingle – this cup is similar to that dark char-like bittersweet flavor found in the popular Coffee People Jet Fuel K-Cup. The mouth feel is full, rich, and creamy. As it cools the tingle remains as does the bittersweet dark molasses taste. This is a coffee that makes no apologies for being the darkest the roaster offers, but it is not bitter or unbalanced and does provide a classic example of the French roast style. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop packs some real kick and should take its rightful place among the strongest, darkest, K-Cups available.
***Coffee People Jet Fuel 86 Coffee People says Jet Fuel is a dark, full-bodied XX bold coffee that packs a punch. The brewed aroma is not very distinct for a dark roast K-Cup – they usually are quite aromatic – but its coffee after all, not cologne. The first sip presents a charred wood taste with a bittersweet finish. The mouth feel is medium to full and very bold. As it cools some acidity joins the charred flavor while the bittersweet taste asserts itself fully. Most Cups that start like this one end up either bitter or cloying at the end, but not this one. Jet fuel remains consistent from start to finish while honoring the roaster’s skillful blending. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is as bold a cup as any I have tried this side of Van Houtte’s Eclipse Blend.
****Coffee People Organic 90 The roaster says this is their own certified 100% organically grown full city dark roast three bean blend. Sweet, smooth and cheery, it's delicious both as a brewed coffee or as an espresso. This smooth blend gives you an intense flavor with sweet overtones and a pleasant finish. The brewed aroma is toasty and warm. The first sip presents shocking acidic tingle from so dark a roast along with a really nice nutty, almost caramel smoky finish. The mouth feel is medium and cradling. As it cools the brightness gives way a little to allow for the cup to develop a mildly bittersweet and nutty finish. The cup is smooth, not bitter, and complex. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is absolutely delicious.
***Coffee People Santa's Buzz 88 Coffee people describes this as a blend of outstanding world coffees as not quite a dark roast, rather a "full roast" blend. The result is smooth yet bold, with a satisfying finish. The brewed aroma is nice and toasty. The first sip presents bright acidity balanced with a woodsy middle followed by a sweet finish. The mouth feel is medium full and borderline syrupy. As it cools more of a bittersweet taste develops. I like this one quite a bit. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop beats a lump of coal any day of the week.
***Coffee People Tree Hugger FTO 86 The roaster invites you to wrap your taste buds around this chocolaty medium roast Certified Fair Trade and Organic coffee with sweet berry notes. The brewed aroma is sweet smelling. The first sip delivers a chocolate bittersweet taste with a mild to medium tingle from the acidity. The mouth feel is syrupy at 7.25oz. As it cools it gets a bit sweeter but I get a little bitterness too. Overall, I like this cup’s taste. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz has a good flavor blend that does not take risks and offers a nice sweetness.
***Coffee People Wake-Up Call 86 The roaster says this dark roast full-bodied coffee kicks things off right with its rich flavor and lively finish. The brewed aroma is rich and a bit smoky with a hint of molasses. The first sip presents a dark, nutty, molasses like bittersweet taste but only a hint of smoky char. The mouth feel is medium and smooth. As it cools the smoky char steps forward and eclipses the initial sweetness, but brightness joins the mix too – interesting! The cup is not bitter and has a nice taste for a dark roast coffee. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop fills the bill for a bold cup of coffee especially if French roast is too dark for your taste.
Diedrich Coffee **Diedrich Morning Edition 83 Diedrich describes their K-Cup as A full-bodied, full roast with creamy vanilla sweetness, aromas of leather and spice and a hearty satisfying finish. The brewed aroma is very light. The first sip is bright and slightly sweet with an earthy finish. The mouth feel is medium bodied and smooth. As it cools the earthiness dominates while the brightness and sweetness fades. This is an interesting taste, not bitter, not sharp, but not flat or bland either. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is a good way to start the day off right.
Gloria Jean’s ****Gloria Jean’s Black Gold Extra Bold 90 Gloria Jean’s Black Gold Extra Bold has medium bodied bold dark roast with a smoky flavor and tranquil finish. Balance of strength and flavor of smoke and chocolate characterize this blend of coffees from the high mountain regions of Costa Rica and Indonesia. The brewed aroma is rich and smoky. The first sip presents a smoky slightly charred taste that fits the style well. The mouth feel is medium full and rich. As it cools, a sweetness along with a mild acidic tingle rises out of the darkness to remind you how balanced this blend really is. Those seeking a bright or super chocolaty sweet cup need to look elsewhere. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is one I keep around for that kick in the pants first cup of the day coffee.
**Gloria Jean’s Butter Toffee 82 The roaster describes this as having a smooth creamy taste with a touch of caramel toffee. The brewed aroma is very nice – smells like toffee. The first sip offers up a hint of the toffee found in the aroma leaving me to wish it were more intense. The mouth feel is medium light and delicate. As it cools the coffee taste comes through a bit more but is very light, and the toffee taste is more noticeable as well. It does not turn bitter, but the flavor in the cup never matches the heavenly aroma, and the cup thins a little more than I care for after cooling. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop was fun to try but not one I would purchase by the box. Thanks to GmanJenks for the sample.
***Gloria Jean’s Mudslide 88 The roaster describes this as The decadent taste of rich, creamy chocolate. The brewed aroma is chocolaty, but not to the point of being overwhelming and artificial. The first sip presents a medium strength acidic tingle along with a nice chocolate flavor. The mouth feel is medium and smooth. As it cools the flavor remains quite consistent. This coffee fulfills in the cup the promise made by the aroma. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is a nice version of a chocolate flavored coffee and should surely please fans of these flavors. Thanks GmanJenks for the sample.
Green Mountain ***Green Mountain Autumn Harvest Blend 86 Green mountain describes this blend as using a palette of lighter and darker roasted coffees offering the clean, bright flavors of exceptional Central American coffees, and the sweet smoke and caramel of our French Roast. The result is crisp and vibrant. The brewed aroma is a mild but fragrant chocolate smell. The first sip presents excellent tingly sweet caramel with a smokey, chocolaty finish. The mouth feel is medium to light and very smooth, but I wish it was more full bodied. As it cools, the profile the darker roast comes on a little stronger but does not overpower the chocolate sweetness and tingly brightness of the lighter roast beans. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is a really well crafted blend and I do not hesitate recommending a box of this fine coffee.
***Green Mountain Breakfast Blend 89The roaster describes this as offering a snappy, crisp, and citrusy Central American coffee matched with the sweetness, body, and depth of an Indonesian bean. The powerful brewed aroma is nutty with hints of cocoa. The first sip presents a pleasant grapefruit acidity and a cocoa and raisin finish. The mouth feel is medium and smooth. As it cools the balance of bright and sweet plays out without any bothersome astringency. This is a good tasting cup of coffee and although I do not find the body and depth the roaster describes, it is adequate for the style. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is a great way to start the day. Thanks to GmanJenks for the sample.
**Green Mountain Colombian Fair Trade Select 83 The roaster describes this as a sunny, warming cup with aromas that recall Gramma’s homemade apricot jam. In the cup, look for lime-citrus brightness and flavors of green apples and sun-plumped raisins. Its finish shimmers with sweet notes of grape and walnut. The first sip presents mild acidity, but not the citrusy sweet explosion the roaster experiences, and the finish has what could be considered a walnut-like flavor. The mouth feel is medium and smooth. As it cools the profile remains extremely consistent, with little variation from the initial sip. This coffee is pleasant tasting and mild. I personally like more flavor notes, but this is still good coffee. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is recommended if you like mild coffee with no suprises. Thanks to Josh for the sample.
****Green Mountain Double Black Diamond 90 The Roaster says this is their darkest extra bold coffee is heavy-bodied, with rich roast notes, smoke, and caramel. On a darkness scale of 1–10, this one goes to eleven ( I love the “This is Spinal Tap” reference!). The brewed aroma is smoky. The first sip is dark caramel molasses sweetness with medium acidity. The mouth feel is medium full and creamy. As it cools, the smoke and sweet mingle with the tingle till the end. The cup is free from bitterness and offers a great example a of balanced dark roast cup. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is an explosion of dark roast but not burnt flavor dark roast fans are sure to enjoy.
***Green Mountain Spicy Eggnog Fair Trade 85 The roaster describes this as K-Cup’s taste as rich cinnamon and nutmeg. Warm flavors of the holiday season. The brewed aroma is eggnog and spice. The first sip is bright and acidic developing into an artificial tasting sweetness layered with nutmeg spice. The mouth feel is medium light and delicate. As it cools the sweet taste rises while the brightness tempers. I like this flavor. I like it better with cream since adding dairy converts an average to good flavor into a decent substitute for a real glass of spicy eggnog. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is recommended because it makes a good cup of flavored coffee and a great low calorie - low cholesterol substitute for a popular holiday drink
***Green Mountain Gingerbread Fair Trade85 The roaster says this has the flavors and aroma of fresh-baked, warm gingerbread. The brewed aroma is gingerbread – absolutely 100%. The first sip presents mild to medium acidity and the taste of gingerbread or gingersnap cookies. The mouth feel is light and delicate. As it cools, not much happens to the taste – just the acidity to let you know this is coffee, and gingerbread. I am not a huge fan of flavored coffee, but this one was fun to try and it lives up to the promise of gingerbread taste and aroma. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop smells wonderful and tastes decent too and would be perfect to serve with gingersnap cookies.
***Green Mountain Holiday Blend Fair Trade 86 The roaster describes this as an elegantly balanced blend of light and dark roasted coffees. Deliciously rich and aromatic. The brewed aroma is moderate caramel with a hint of nuts. The first sip is a wonderful mix of acidity and caramel/milk chocolate sweetness. The mouth feel is medium and rich and creamy. As it cools there is a hint of astringency, but the sweet flavors almost but not quite bury this less desirable nuance. This K-Cup is like a milder, not quite so smooth version of Tree Hugger. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is very good and earns a recommendation.
***Green Mountain Kenya AA Extra Bold 86 Green Mountain describes their Kenyan is fruity and wine like, with medium to heavy body and a rich blackberry finish. and the brewed aroma is citrusy and sharp. The first sip is noticeably sharp, but not overly sharp with a mild tingle. The mouth feel is medium and silky. As it cools the acidity remains sharp and bright, mellowing some, but not to a strawberry sweetness. The finish is not bitter, and I like this cup. This light medium roast K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop a nice change of pace from dark or French roast cups that are so popular.
***Green Mountain National Wildlife Blend 87 The roaster says coffees from farms surrounding the El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve in Mexico provide the cup with plentiful body, as well as a unique, spicy chocolate note, and flavors of ripe, dark fruit. The brewed aroma is light and floral with a nutty hint. The first sip is bright and lemony. The mouth feel is medium and silky. As it cools the brightness maintains well and some nutty sweetness develops in the finish too. The cup stays bright without turning bitter, and is enjoyable. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop makes a great breakfast blend type coffee.
***Green Mountain The Perfect Peach Fair Trade 85 The roaster describes this as Deliciously refreshing. Bursting with the flavors of a ripe, juicy peach. The brewed aroma is peach. The first sip presents mild acidity and a peach like taste. The mouth feel is medium light and silky. As it cools there is no change in taste. The coffee component is of more than adequate quality to provide a satisfactory vessel for the peach flavor. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop tastes like peach flavored coffee and will please someone who, like me, is perfectly fine with the taste of peaches
***Green Mountain Pumpkin Spice 85 Green Mountain wants you to Indulge in the fragrance and flavors of the season by experiencing fresh-baked pumpkin pie redolent with warm spice notes and creamy body and sweet, creamy flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg. The brewed aroma is spicy like hot pumpkin pie. The first sip reveals brightness and tingle sneaking past the spices. The mouth feel is between thin and medium, and smooth. As it cools, a little bitterness slips past the flavoring, but I find this characteristic refreshing since not much else in the cup is reminding me of coffee. This is not coffee with pumpkin flavors and spices, rather it is pumpkin spice (allspice, clove, cinnamon, brown sugar) delivered in a coffee solution. This is my first flavored coffee review though, so I am trying to be fair to the style and format. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is a great way to get pumpkin taste for pumpkin pie lovers, but coffee lovers will have to be satisfied with a light, bright cup trying to climb out from beneath the avalanche of desert flavors.
****Green Mountain Spring Revival FT 90 Green Mountain describes their K-Cup as a journey through three classic coffee growing regions. From Rwanda, astonishing clarity and floral aromas. From Mexico, subtle spice and warmth. And from Colombia, lush fruit notes and walnut accents. Together, the ensemble offers a refreshing take on the season: bright, but not too brisk; warm, but not too roasted; and sweetness from beginning to end. The brewed aroma is actually lemony. The first sip explodes with berries and lemons – zing!. The mouth feel is medium and silky smooth. As it cools the floral notes taper just enough to let a hint of bitter-sweetness develop at the finish. This is an exceptional coffee with a complex blend of flavors that complement each other very well. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is top notch and I look forward to its return this season.
***Green Mountain Sumatran Reserve FTO Extra Bold 85 GMR says this is coffee is deep and deliciously dark, offering a sweet palate of brown sugar and spice notes. Look for lots of body in this big, bold K-Cup coffee. The brewed aroma is heavy and nutty. The first sip presents a mild acidity and a nutty, toasty finish. The mouth feel is medium and smooth. As it cools the acidity fades and a spicy taste dominates, but this cup does not turn bitter. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop has a pleasing taste if Sumatran coffee is your “cup of tea” .
***Green Mountain Summer Safari Blend FT Extra Bold 2010 85 The roaster describes this as is sweet-toned and light-bodied, refreshing and remarkably balanced blend of crisp, clean South American coffees blended with slightly wild East African beans. The brewed aroma is mild raisin and nut. The first sip presents a mild acidic tingle and very mild sweetness along with slight wood and astringency in the finish. The mouth feel is medium and velvety. As it cools it settles into a balanced and clean finish. The 2009 sample I reviewed left me feeling that this was not my favorite K-Cup. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is one I am glad I did not skip this season.
**Green Mountain Summer Safari Blend FT Extra Bold 2009 74 The roaster describes this as is sweet-toned and light-bodied, refreshing and remarkably balanced blend of crisp, clean South American coffees blended with slightly wild East African beans. The brewed aroma is mild raisin and nutty. The first sip presents a mild tingle and very mild sweetness along with astringency in the finish. The mouth feel is medium thick. As it cools it sweetens with a bit of the raisin from the aroma but the bitter/sour taste is still present. This is not my favorite K-Cup. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is one I will skip next season.
***Green Mountain Wicked Winter Blend Fair Trade Extra Bold 88 Wicked Winter™ Blend brings together the warmth and subtle earthiness of Indonesian coffee with the mellow brightness of Central and South American beans. The result is a toasty, subtle caramel cup with a chewy, chocolate body and a hint of nutty sweetness in the finish. The brewed aroma is like dark roasted nuts. The first sip is lively and complex for a dark roast. The mouth feel is medium full and smooth. As it cools a caramel sweetness answers the bright acidity. There is a hint of bitterness in the last sip, but not any more than most K-Cups out there. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop brings together a complex mix of tastes in what I consider a wonderful blend. Too bad it is a seasonal.
**Green Mountain Wild Mountain Blueberry FT 83 The roaster describes this as the sweet flavor of juicy sun-kissed blueberries, baked to perfection in a buttery crust. The brewed aroma is like smelling Blueberry muffins baking. The first sip is not as blueberry filled as the aroma, and that taste is still dominant, but a sweetness from the coffee presents itself as well. The mouth feel is light and delicate. As it cools nothing really changes – blueberry and a fair yet weak coffee taste. This cup is a bit more than a delivery system for blueberry flavored caffeine by bringing some decent coffee taste too – I think it be better if it were offered as an extra bold since it is a bit thin, or short of that then go nuts and max out the blueberry flavor. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop fills the bill if you are craving blueberry flavored coffee, but better flavored coffee is available.
Timothy's World Coffee **Timothy’s Colombian Dorado 81 The roaster describes this as Intense fragrance with exotic floral notes, balanced body and acidity, distinctive fruity and citric overtones. The brewed aroma is absent save for a hint of roast nut and the promised floral notes. The first sip is balanced, clean, with mild acidity. The mouth feel is light and silky. As it cools it sharpens slightly, but nothing dramatic. This coffee does not taste bad, but it does not explode with flavor either – I guess a balanced clean cup deserves a place at the coffee table too. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is smooth, not bitter, and is perfect for introducing someone who asks “where is the Maxwell House?” to single serve coffee.
****Timothy’s Donut Blend 90 The roaster describes this coffee as smooth and bright, with good body and a clean finish. The brewed aroma is sweet and mild. The first slurp presents a lively yet smooth and balanced blend similar to a good island coffee – believe the hype – this one is for real. The mouth feel is medium light and delicate. As it cools the pleasant balance between acidity and body remain perfect. Pleasing is the word that comes to mind to best describe the taste. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is highly recommended.
***Timothy’s Mexican Organic 85 The roaster describes this as sweet, spicy, smoky and smooth. It is a sublime balancing act resulting in a magnificent cup of coffee. It is OCIA certified. The brewed aroma reminds me of brown sugar. The first sip is moderately acidic – just enough to balance the brown sugar sweetness. The mouth feel is a medium rich and creamy smooth texture that strengthens as the cup cools. As it cools the sweetness and acidity decrease and an earthiness strengthens but the cup does not turn astringent. This coffee is rich, sweet, mildly acidic blend that really works well together to produce a balanced but not boring cup. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is worth trying for yourself.
***Timothy's Parisian Nights Extra Bold 85 Timothy’s describes this coffee as smokey, powerful, and invigorating, and a classic Parisian roast in a thick burly format. The brewed aroma is smokey and nutty. The first sip is dark and smokey with a char finish common to French roast coffee. The mouth feel is medium full and rich. As it cools the char notes stand out from what is otherwise a balanced cup. This one is heavy enough that one every now and then is plenty for me, but that describes most French roast coffee for me. The taste is pleasing enough and dark enough to satisfy the mud in the cup crowd, but I like the blends that throw a little acidic tingle into the mix and this one does not offer this. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is a winner if “burly” dark extra bold coffee suits your style.
***Timothy's Moka Java 87 Timothy's describes this coffee as a medium blend of Ethiopian and Sumatran coffees. The brewed aroma is pleasant in a nutty and spicy sort of way. The first sip presents tangy acidity blended with a sweet nutty finish. The mouth feel is medium and smooth. As it cools it remains fairly consistent with the yin and yang sharp – even a bit citrusy - taste followed by a mildly bittersweet finish. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is an interesting blend that might not appeal to everyone but I like the bright taste so this cup stays in my rotation.
**Timothy’s Nicaraguan FTO Extra Bold 83 The roaster describes this as This medium roasted pure origin coffee is certified organic. A well-rounded coffee that awakens your senses as you indulge in the full-bodied and smooth flavor – can they be any more vague than this description? The brewed aroma is medium with caramel sweetness. The first sip presents an earthy, woodsy taste with a hint of bittersweet acidity in the finish. The mouth feel is medium and smooth. As it cools it sharpens and the turns a bit astringent. This one does live up to the roaster’s understated promise that this is coffee and will taste like coffee. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop got a little too sharp in the end to make it, in my opinion, to three stars.
***Timothy’s Rainforest Espresso Extra Bold 88 The roaster says this coffee comes from the top 1-5% of Arabica specialty grade, Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee beans that are strong and full bodied with a sweet, smooth and richly satisfying flavor. The brewed aroma is dark cocoa. The first sip is a bittersweet cocoa taste with a pleasant mild tingle and a hint of smoky char. The mouth feel is medium and smooth. As it cools the bittersweet cocoa taste strengthens while the smoky char all but disappears. This one is enjoyable with its sweet smoky flavor and no detectable astringency in the finish. The cup is rich, smooth, tasty, balanced and interesting enough to deliver an enjoyable experience. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is definitely recommended.
Timothy's Sweet Summer Raspberry 87 The roaster describes this as a sweet and aromatic cup of coffee that smells like fresh-picked raspberries and has the bright, sweet-tart flavor of raspberries blended with a smooth mild coffee. The brewed aroma is mild but tart and fruity. The first sip is balanced acidity and a mild raspberry flavor – very clean. The mouth feel is medium light and delicate. As it cools the tart raspberry taste strengthens with out becoming bitter. This one is much more subtle than the Van Houtte Raspberry Truffle, but comparing the two is not fair – this one by design is lighter since it is a summer seasonal. With this cup I still taste coffee – I like that. I am not a big iced coffee drinker but this is the one I would try over ice. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is a decent light, subtle, flavored coffee that probably would be great over ice too – recommended. Thanks Gmanjenks for the sample.
Tully’s Coffee ***Tully’s French Roast 86 The roaster describes this as powerful and intense with a smoky, decadent finish. It's the ultimate expression of European coffee. French Roast is an extra bold coffee that’ll satisfy your taste for a bold and rich brew. The brewed aroma is dark and smoky with a bit of char. The first sip tastes the same as the aroma smells - dark and smoky with a bit of char, but also with enough acidity to keep the cup moderately lively. The mouth feel is medium and creamy – not as heavy as Coffee People’s French Roast. As it cools the flavor sweetens a bit and the hint of initial char diminishes but does not completely disappear. This is a good representation of the French Roast style, and it makes a decent cup of dark (but not too dark till it’s only char tasting) coffee. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is worth trying if you are a fan of French roast coffee or if you like milder coffee but want to try a “milder” dark roast. Thanks Josh for the sample.
Van Houtte **Van Houtte Colombian 100% Medium 83 The roaster describes this as a smooth-tasting coffee with lively acidity and a wonderfully sweet, wine-like flavor. The brewed aroma offers a hint of nut and smoke. The first sip is mild and smooth with little change from the middle through to the finish. The mouth feel is medium light and delicate. As it cools it remains mildly acidic and does not turn bitter. I think it is a bit weak, but considering my preference for extra bold varieties, this might be someone else’s perfect cup. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop was fun to try but not one I see a box of in my future.
****Van Houtte Costa Rica Tarrazu Light Roast 90 This single origin coffee is very aromatic, smooth tasting with a great body. Its sweet flavor and excellent acidity make it outstanding.Wow - what a great aroma and taste. This coffee is bright and tingly with a nice sweet finish and a medium mouth feel. After cooling, it rounds out with less snap but more of a bittersweet finish. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is one of the best I have tried to date.
****Van Houtte Eclipse Blend Extra Bold 93 The roaster describes this as a powerful coffee with a bold caramelized taste and a syrupy body with interesting spicy flavors. Deeper flavor with more intensity. The brewed aroma is smoky. The first sip presents a nice tingle that stays in the background while a strong flavor of bittersweet bakers chocolate dominates the middle and is joined by some smokiness in the finish. The mouth feel is full and creamy. As it cools caramel sweetness joins the bakers chocolate and smoke. This is an intense yet complex coffee that pushes the limit of what a dark roast K-Cup can offer. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop might just be the gold standard by which other dark roast extra bold K-Cups should be measured.
**Van Houtte Ethiopian Limu 83 Van Houtte describes this medium roast coffee as light bodied with a slightly sharp and tangy acidity with a wonderfully light flavor of berries and subtle spices. The brewed aroma is strong and rich. The first sip is mildly acidic and semi-sweet but not berry like to me. The mouth feel is medium full. As it cools, I get a little bitterness. The caramel dominates and the acidity hides in the background, but overall this cup is balanced. It is not bad tasting, but it reminds me more of a dark roast Kenyan than a medium roast Ethiopian. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop smells awesome and tastes decent, just don’t expect to find the fruit bowl of flavors promised in the description.
**Van Houtte Honduras Medium Extra Bold 83 - The roaster informs us that this coffee offers a soft aroma, delicate acidity yet intense body with delightfully sweet and woodsy notes.Good smell, medium acidity, cocoa sweetness, medium body, bittersweet as it cools, and the taste is good but not as smooth and balanced as the Costa Rica Tarrazu. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is good, but my tastes prefer different flavors more.
****Van Houtte Napoletano 91 The roaster describes this dark roast coffee as having dark, strong, caramelized flavors, woodsy, syrupy and lingering – a true Italian-style coffee. The brewed aroma is dark and rich with hints of sweet caramel. The first sip comes off with mild acidity and a strong bittersweet dark roast that stops just short of earning char as a descriptor. The mouth feel is medium and creamy smooth. As it cools the flavor is not bitter and remains consistent with the first couple sips. Although this is not listed as extra bold, don’t be fooled – this one has plenty of flavor and does not thin out towards the end. This cup reminds me of what I like about good dark roast coffee. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is worthy of a strong recommendation if you are a fan of the darker roast style
***Van Houtte Kenya Kilimanjaro Extra Bold 87 Van Houtte describes this cup as being deeply aromatic with a vibrant acidity. Solid body and intensely dark flavor. The rich brewed aroma is better than average. The first sips tingle combines with strawberry sweetness. The mouth feel is full bodied. As it cools much more sweetness and dark roast flavor comes out. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is quite different than the Green Mountain Kenya AA as that cup presents sharper winey notes. I like this K-cup a lot.
***Van Houtte Raspberry Chocolate Truffle 88 The roaster describes this as rich coffee enhanced with chocolate and juicy raspberry flavors. The brewed aroma is chocolate and raspberry. The first sip is chocolate and raspberry dancing across the stage set by a bright coffee. The mouth feel is medium and sweet. As it cools chocolate and raspberry flavors abound. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is just what chocolate and raspberry lovers should look for.
***Van Houtte Winter Blend 86 The roaster describes this medium roast as a rich and flavorful blend, with intense woodsy notes and subtle acidity. The brewed aroma is mild and sweet with a hint of nuttiness. The first sip presents a medium tingle and brightness. The mouth feel is medium and velvety. As it cools the sweetness found in the aroma shows up in the cup to add some depth of flavor without diminishing the brightness. This very clean cup is similar to a breakfast blend type coffee, but a little darker and sweeter, which I like. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop will satisfy most, but if lighter and brighter is your favorite taste then this is a must try.
Wolfgang Puck ****Wolfgang Puck French Roast 91 The roaster describes this as the aromas of France and invites you to “profitez des bons moments” (enjoy the good moments)! Dark Roast Extra Bold Strength. The brewed aroma is dark and smoky with a hint of char. The first sip presents a lively acidity I did not expect that lingers and mingles with the bittersweet dark roast flavors that develop in the finish. The mouth feel is full and creamy resembling the Coffee People version of French roasting more than the Tully’s in this regard. As it cools the dark roast bittersweet flavor strengthens without becoming bitter. The Wolfgang Puck French Roast K-Cup holds it’s own compared to other heavyweights in the French roast arena. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is a proper representation of the style with enough deviation from the norm to keep things interesting and earns a strong recommendation.
***Wolfgang Puck Rodeo Drive 88The roaster describes this as medium roast and mellow medium body. The brewed aroma is very nice with a roast nut smell – on of the better aromas from a K-Cup. The first sip - mild acidity, some tobacco and earthiness in the finish. The mouth feel is medium and rich. As it cools everything tones down and all that is left is an average cup of coffee – not bitter, not burnt, just coffee. The roaster aimed for a blend that is medium roasted and mellow – these marks are met in this cup. I could see serving this to anyone who likes coffee, but especially someone who does not want a strong dark cup. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is worth recommending if a mild cup is your desire. _________________ My Pod, K-Cup, & Nespresso Reviews Please Join the SSC Folding Team!
Last edited by EricBNC on Thu Sep 02, 2010 2:41 pm; edited 67 times in total
Joined: 23 Aug 2008 Posts: 2848 Location: Baltimore
Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 3:07 am Post subject: Re: Eric's K-Cup Reviews
EricBNC wrote:
****Van Houtte Costa Rica Tarrazu Light Roast 80
I like that one too. Nice that you'll be doing k-cups now in addition to pods! You started off in the k-cup world, right? _________________ Grindmaster OPOD, Keurig B40, Nespresso D90, Clever Coffee Dripper + Hario Skerton mill
Josh's Pod Guide, K-cup Line-up, and Nespresso Encapsulation
Joined: 10 Sep 2009 Posts: 973 Location: North Carolina
Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 3:15 am Post subject:
That's what brought me to this forum originally. Since I have plenty of K-Cups and my Keurig isn't going anywhere soon, I thought I would offer my opinions. This first cup was a random selection that turned out surprisingly well. I wish they all could be this good. _________________ My Pod, K-Cup, & Nespresso Reviews Please Join the SSC Folding Team!
Joined: 18 Nov 2008 Posts: 893 Location: Sarnia, Ontario
Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 4:19 am Post subject:
Yes, I can remember liking that one alot. It's pretty good for a light roast. _________________ Keurig B66
Nespresso Le Cube----oui, oui
Bunn My Cafe (Refurb)
Joined: 10 Sep 2009 Posts: 973 Location: North Carolina
Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 5:21 pm Post subject:
**Van Houtte Honduras Medium Extra Bold 83 - Good smell, medium acidity, cocoa sweetness, medium body, bittersweet as it cools, and the taste is good but not as smooth and balanced as the Costa Rica Tarrazu. _________________ My Pod, K-Cup, & Nespresso Reviews Please Join the SSC Folding Team!
Last edited by EricBNC on Sun Aug 15, 2010 5:40 pm; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 10 Sep 2009 Posts: 973 Location: North Carolina
Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 1:26 am Post subject:
***Van Houtte Kenya Kilimanjaro Extra Bold 87 Van Houtte describes this cup as being deeply aromatic with a vibrant acidity. Solid body and intensely dark flavor. The rich brewed aroma is better than average. The first slurps tingle combines with strawberry sweetness. The mouth feel is full bodied. As it cools much more sweetness and dark roast flavor comes out. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is quite different than the Green Mountain Kenya AA as that cup presents sharper winey notes. I like this K-cup a lot. _________________ My Pod, K-Cup, & Nespresso Reviews Please Join the SSC Folding Team!
Last edited by EricBNC on Sun Aug 15, 2010 5:40 pm; edited 2 times in total
Joined: 10 Sep 2009 Posts: 973 Location: North Carolina
Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 3:13 am Post subject:
**Van Houtte Ethiopian Limu 67 Van Houtte describes this medium roast coffee as light bodied with a slightly sharp and tangy acidity with a wonderfully light flavor of berries and subtle spices. The brewed aroma is strong and rich. The first slurp is mildly acidic and semi-sweet but not berry like to me. The mouth feel is medium full. As it cools, I get a little bitterness. The caramel dominates and the acidity hides in the background, but overall this cup is balanced. It is not bad tasting, but it reminds me more of a dark roast Kenyan than a medium roast Ethiopian. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop smells awesome and tastes decent, just don’t expect to find the fruit bowl of flavors promised in the description. _________________ My Pod, K-Cup, & Nespresso Reviews Please Join the SSC Folding Team!
Joined: 10 Sep 2009 Posts: 973 Location: North Carolina
Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 6:23 pm Post subject:
***Van Houtte Kenya Kilimanjaro Extra Bold 87 I have upgraded the score on this pod.
As much as I like this cup, the Fratello Kenya AA Dark pod would win out if I could only have one or the other. That said, In the future I will try to compare K cups only to other K cups and pods to other pods. Since someone with a Keurig likely will not buy pods the extra information would not be helpful and the purpose of this thread is to review K-cups, not to extol the virtues of another single serve coffee format. Pods get enough attention in other sections and threads in this forum that a visitor should get a pretty good idea of their ability to deliver unique ranges of flavor compared to most K-Cups without much trouble. _________________ My Pod, K-Cup, & Nespresso Reviews Please Join the SSC Folding Team!
Last edited by EricBNC on Sun Aug 15, 2010 5:40 pm; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 10 Sep 2009 Posts: 973 Location: North Carolina
Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:04 am Post subject:
***Coffee People FTO Tree Hugger 86 The roaster invites you to wrap your taste buds around this chocolaty medium roast Certified Fair Trade and Organic coffee with sweet berry notes. The brewed aroma is sweet smelling. The first slurp delivers a chocolate bittersweet taste with a mild to medium tingle from the acidity. The mouth feel is syrupy at 7.25oz. As it cools it gets a bit sweeter but I get a little bitterness too. Overall, I like this cup’s taste. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz has a good flavor blend that does not take risks and offers a nice sweetness.
To me this tastes like a milder version of Green Mountain’s Wicked Winter Blend. A bit darker roast would make this cup sweeter, but The Coffee People already have plenty of dark roasts available. _________________ My Pod, K-Cup, & Nespresso Reviews Please Join the SSC Folding Team!
Last edited by EricBNC on Sun Aug 15, 2010 5:40 pm; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 10 Sep 2009 Posts: 973 Location: North Carolina
Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 1:17 am Post subject:
***Green Mountain Wicked Winter Blend Fair Trade Extra Bold 88 Wicked Winter™ Blend brings together the warmth and subtle earthiness of Indonesian coffee with the mellow brightness of Central and South American beans. The result is a toasty, subtly caramelly cup with a chewy, chocolate body and a hint of nutty sweetness in the finish. The brewed aroma is like dark roasted nuts. The first slurp is lively and complex for a dark roast. The mouth feel is medium full and smooth. As it cools a caramel sweetness answers the bright acidity. There is a hint of bitterness in the last sip, but not any more than most K-Cups out there. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.5oz drop brings together a complex mix of tastes in what I consider a wonderful blend. Too bad it is a seasonal. _________________ My Pod, K-Cup, & Nespresso Reviews Please Join the SSC Folding Team!
Last edited by EricBNC on Sun Aug 15, 2010 5:41 pm; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 10 Sep 2009 Posts: 973 Location: North Carolina
Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:07 pm Post subject:
***Green Mountain Kenya AA EB 86 Green Mountain describes their Kenyan is fruity and winey, with medium to heavy body and a rich blackberry finish. and the brewed aroma is citrusy and sharp. The first slurp is noticeably sharp, but not overly sharp with a mild tingle. The mouth feel is medium and silky. As it cools the acidity remains sharp and bright, mellowing some, but not to a strawberry sweetness. The finish is not bitter, and I like this cup. This light medium roast K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop a nice change of pace from dark or French roast cups that are so popular. _________________ My Pod, K-Cup, & Nespresso Reviews Please Join the SSC Folding Team!
Last edited by EricBNC on Sun Aug 15, 2010 5:41 pm; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 10 Sep 2009 Posts: 973 Location: North Carolina
Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 9:15 pm Post subject:
***Green Mountain Autumn Harvest Blend 86 Green mountain describes this blend as using a palette of lighter and darker roasted coffees offering the clean, bright flavors of exceptional Central American coffees, and the sweet smoke and caramel of our French Roast. The result is crisp and vibrant. The brewed aroma is a mild but fragrant chocolate smell. The first slurp presents excellent tingly sweet caramel with a smokey, chocolaty finish. The mouth feel is medium to light and very smooth, but I wish it was more full bodied. As it cools, the profile the darker roast comes on a little stronger but does not overpower the chocolate sweetness and tingly brightness of the lighter roast beans. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is a really well crafted blend and I do not hesitate recommending a box of this fine coffee. _________________ My Pod, K-Cup, & Nespresso Reviews Please Join the SSC Folding Team!
Last edited by EricBNC on Sun Aug 15, 2010 5:41 pm; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 10 Sep 2009 Posts: 973 Location: North Carolina
Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 2:46 am Post subject:
**Caribou Mahogany 83 Caribou Coffee describes Mahogany is a dark brew that is rugged by nature and roasted to perfection.
Coffees from Sumatra, Guatemala, and El Salvador are combined to achieve a perfectly balanced blend. Sumatra provides Mahogany's bold dry spice and aromatic wood flavors, while the hint of floral and vanilla of Guatemala wonderfully complements the primary Indonesian flavors. The brewed aroma smells a little charred, kind of like a large chain’s dark roast coffees smell. The first slurp is smooth, balanced, slightly tingly, and a bit subdued. The mouth feel is medium. As it cools more complexity comes out. The brighter tastes round out the darker, heaver finish that I guess the Sumatran imparts. It gets a little bitter at the finish. Maybe it just reaches for too broad a flavor profile for the format. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop is not bad, but not one I will keep in the rotation. _________________ My Pod, K-Cup, & Nespresso Reviews Please Join the SSC Folding Team!
Last edited by EricBNC on Sun Aug 15, 2010 5:41 pm; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 10 Sep 2009 Posts: 973 Location: North Carolina
Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 12:34 am Post subject:
Thanks for the kind words Billy. I have the decaf Sumatra and Daybreak Blend on deck, so I will post a review of those soon. I had high hopes for the Mahogany since the whole beans get a lot of love from customer reviews, but the whole bean flavor does not always translate fluently into the language K-Cups speak.
On another note, here is one I really love:
***Coffee People Santa's Buzz 88 Coffee people describes this as a blend of outstanding world coffees as not quite a dark roast, rather a "full roast" blend. The result is smooth yet bold, with a satisfying finish. The brewed aroma is nice and toasty. The first slurp presents bright acidity balanced with a woodsy middle followed by a sweet finish. The mouth feel is medium full and borderline syrupy. As it cools more of a bittersweet taste develops. I like this one quite a bit. This K-Cup brewed at the 7.25oz drop beats a lump of coal any day of the week. _________________ My Pod, K-Cup, & Nespresso Reviews Please Join the SSC Folding Team!
Last edited by EricBNC on Sun Aug 15, 2010 5:42 pm; edited 1 time in total
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