What to miss: Revv, don’t give up
This coffee pod did little to rev my engines.
Revv No Surrender coffee disappointed me for several reasons:The mixture reminded me of coffee from a pot that had been sitting on the burner for too long. The K-Cup tasted sour and astringent, with a burnt and bitter aftertaste. Secondly, No Surrender says this is what you need for early grinding, but it’s made from 100% Arabica beans. Pure Arabica means that it will likely have the typical higher caffeine content without the naturally higher caffeine content of Robusta beans. (None of the K-Cup boxes included caffeine information.) Finally, No Surrender appeared without prior notice in the Keurig Coffee Lovers’ Collection set. I bought a box of this brand to try because No Surrender was not in the collection on the Keurig website. This is not the style I was looking for.
What to try instead: Tactisquatch
Black Rifle Coffee’s Tactisquatch is smooth and toasty with a nice dose of caffeine.
If you’re looking for a dark roast without too much bitterness, I recommend giving it a try. Tactisquatch by Black Rifle Coffee Company 68 cents per capsule in a box of 22 on Keurig. The palate is toasty and robust with a smooth finish. Tactisquatch also doesn’t claim to be 100% Arabica beans, so it likely contains Robusta beans for an extra dose of caffeine. This might be the push you’re hoping for.
What to miss: Starbucks Verona
After trying Starbucks’ Verona blend, I’m starting to understand why Romeo and Juliet turned out the way it did.
Most people who go to Starbucks don’t want to try excellent drip coffee, but the Starbucks Verona K-Cup tastes like something went wrong during the roasting process. This is a difficult transition for me because it smells burnt, tastes bitter, and leaves an unpleasant tannic residue on the tip of the tongue. On the label, the brand positions Verona as a semi-dark variety, but it tastes like an overcooked French roast. Are there better options, even from the same brand? Absolutely.
What to try instead: Barista Premium
Try Barista Premium instead of Starbucks Varona.
Coffee shop Barista Prima Colombia is a single-origin alternative with deep, toasty walnut notes that aren’t overpowering. I have seen many people reach for this first thing in the morning to open their eyes. I also find it a little sour, but it’s a good option considering it’s a medium roast with a dark undertone. K-Cups sell for 62 cents per cup on Keurig and can be found online at stores like Amazon.
What to miss: Seattle’s Best Breakfast Blend
Seattle’s Best was one of the worst.
Even though this K-Cup has been tried several times, Best Breakfast Blend in Seattle is a medium roast that combines a hazy start with a sweet but musty finish. (I have confirmed that the best buy date is still valid for almost another year. Of course, the “best buy” date on a coffee label is not an indicator of freshness.)
Overall this blend lacks the brightness and citrus notes in the box. The earthiness was overpowering and required a lot of milk and sugar to balance out the flavors. Plus, at 56 cents per pod on Keurig’s website, it’s not even the cheapest K-Cup option.
What to try instead: Or Classico
Choose Illy Classico over Green Mountain for a medium-heavy breakfast blend.
Or Classico This is another brand that can usually be found at the grocery store or Keurig priced at $1.30 per capsule. It’s toasted and has a rounded flavor for medium-rare without being overcooked. It’s not the most complex blend, but it’s likely to appeal to anyone interested in strong international coffee.
What to miss: Green Mountain Colombia Select coffee roasters
Green Mountain’s Columbia Select started smoothly but ended surprisingly bitter and bland.
I chose Green Mountain Single-Origin Colombia Select because it was the only option with the Fair Trade Certified label at my local grocery store. While I appreciate sustainable sourcing, I find this K-Cup to be inconsistent. Even when it all started smoothly, it ended surprisingly bitterly and flatly.
The aroma is sweet, but there are no notes of cocoa and caramel. Colombia Select also appeared as part of the Keurig selection of strains, and the taste was still disappointing. Sure, it’s not as cloudy as some of Green Mountain’s other blends, but there’s a twig note on the finish that just doesn’t live up to the label’s expectations.
What to try instead: Philz Tesora
I loved the Philz Tesora for its smooth, toasty flavor and rich texture.
For a responsibly sourced medium roast, try Coffee Phil’s Tesora blend for 78 cents per capsule on Keurig. Tesora has a delicate, toasty flavor and rich texture. This pod has notes of chocolate and caramel similar to Colombia Select. Overall the blend is bright to balance out the nutty notes. Plus, Phil’s Coffee announces a number of partnerships for sustainable development, fair labor conditions and social programs.
What to miss: Gevalia proprietary blend
Gevalia’s signature blend is hardly offensive, but there are plenty of others I’d prefer over it.
Designated as a mild blend, the light roast Gevalia Signature Blend has a bright and slightly sour flavor. However, if you want a proper light roast, it’s better to choose a different blend because it’s quite toasty. This K-Cup is also more bitter than I expected, and it mellows out as the coffee cools. The Signature Blend also ends with damp, earthy notes that are more musty than herbaceous. This is hardly an aggressive mixture, but there are better options.
What to try instead: Coffee People Morning Blend
Coffee People’s Morning Blend is a delicious light roast for everyday use.
Coffee People Morning Blend is the best light roast alternative. Morning Blend is one of the few light roast blends that is truly smooth and low in acidity. It’s also nutty, with a light consistency that provides a nice viscosity to start the day. Bye Coffee People Morning Blend It’s not my first choice for a light roast, I found the pods to be stable and very drinkable at 39 cents for a 24-count pod on Keurig.
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