k cups

Until yesterday I didn't realize that the little plastic tubs of coffee you use in single-serve coffee machines are call "k cups" (specifically for use in Keurig machines, or those like them, or something).

Lately I've been thinking how great it would be to have my first cup of coffee at home in the morning. Not a whole pot, not a travel mug, etc. Just a single mug that is literally the first thing I do.

So is there such a thing as decent k cup coffee? I have to admit everything I've had has been pretty bad.

basis wrote:So is there such a thing as decent k cup coffee?

I haven't used my Keurig brewer in about 3 years, so it's possible things have changed, but I don't believe there is. For awhile I was using the "roll your own" K-cup that you fill with coffee of your choice, but it was exceptionally messy and cumbersome and still didn't produce as good a cup as I wanted. Finally, I found the AeroPress, and it was the answer to my prayers. I've used it 5 days a week, every week, for the past several years.

The k-cup coffees I've had have all been mediocre at best.

For a great single cup I'd recommend either an Aeropress or a Clever Coffee Dripper.

Or even just a french press- it only takes 10 minutes to make a cup of french press coffee and that includes microwaving water to boiling (don't worry I throw in a chopstick so I don't get burned by exploding water), extraction and measuring out coffee.

I should have been a little clearer. My normal weekend method is a kettle and french press, but I work much earlier than my wife and running the grinder or even the microwave is too much. I know the Keurigs make noise too, but it doesn't last as long. I'll look into the AeroPress, thanks.

basis wrote:I should have been a little clearer. My normal weekend method is a kettle and french press, but I work much earlier than my wife and running the grinder or even the microwave is too much. I know the Keurigs make noise too, but it doesn't last as long. I'll look into the AeroPress, thanks.

I've got an electric kettle to go with the AeroPress...a hot water dispenser would be even better. Still, if you can't run a grinder, your chances at getting a really good cup decrease dramatically.

Anyone have any suggestions if you have a Keurig? I got one as a hand-me-down from my parents, and haven't ordered any cups yet, but got a large collection of their old ones (my parents got a larger model actually, they love the thing).

It's not nearly as good as my normal french press method, but it is super conveniant, so would be great before work. I did try out the Green Mountain Extra Bold and thought it was a good cup of coffee, but nothing exceptional. Any good ideas would be appreciated

This is somewhat an aside- I don't get how the Keurig can produce such mediocre coffee whereas my Nespresso machine produces delightful espresso every time...

jpschust wrote:This is somewhat an aside- I don't get how the Keurig can produce such mediocre coffee whereas my Nespresso machine produces delightful espresso every time...

I've noticed the Nespresso machine produces a product not dissimilar to some of the best I've had at cafes, but chalked this up to my own belief that even the best espresso tastes pretty nasty...but I kid, of course...kinda.

I too have one. It's in my cabinet now, because once you have Inteligentsia coffee, we can't go back. We tried to use the ground coffee in the one cup thingy, but it just isn't the same, too watery or something. I just keep it now for when my dad visits and needs a cup of decaf. I usually just get the Paul Newman breakfest blend. They all taste the same to me. I've now had the Senso and the Keurig, and the Cuisinart grind and brew, is back on the counter.

bjackson wrote:Anyone have any suggestions if you have a Keurig? I got one as a hand-me-down from my parents, and haven't ordered any cups yet, but got a large collection of their old ones (my parents got a larger model actually, they love the thing).

It's not nearly as good as my normal french press method, but it is super conveniant, so would be great before work. I did try out the Green Mountain Extra Bold and thought it was a good cup of coffee, but nothing exceptional. Any good ideas would be appreciated

Hmmm... I posted a reply earlier but it seems to have been lost. We have a Keurig, Aeropress and Saeco espresso machine (and a Cuisinart coffeemaker somewhere in the basement). The Keurig is not bad for a quick cup out the door for my wife and maybe another later in the day. Coffee People's Donut Shop and Jet Fuel and very good and can be had from Amazon for about $20 for a box of 50. People like to dis the Keurig but with a goo K-Cup it's not a bad option. The Aeropress can certainly make a better cup, but not so much better that it's worth the added hassle.

And while I have Intelligentsia all day long at work and can appreciate a good cup of coffee I don't agree that the Keurig isn't a good option for a quick cup.

I get my "K" cups from Bed, Bath and Beyond. They are about $10.00 for 18 cups. They have all sorts of flavors and even some different teas. I make the green tea almost every day, and it tastes great to me. I also like the donut shop cups. They have variety boxes where you can try everything. My son like the hot chocolate K cups. It seems the varity is endless. Check it out at B,B & B.

Dear Spiny, Rasbry, and any other unfortunates like myself who seemingly lack the necessary number of taste receptors to demand only the finest fresh ground coffee on a daily basis:
My personal favorites are Donut House by Coffee People, Newman's Own Organic, and Green Mountain Nantucket Blend. I also have to say that some of the seasonal flavored coffees I've tasted have been very enjoyable as well (a guilty pleasure).
I normally drink 3 or 4 cups a day and the best deal I have found is the Amazon ,KCUP Club. I have 1or2 50 count boxes @ 17.85 a box shipped to me on a monthly basis and my cost comes out to about 35 cents per cup.
Any other closet coffee philistines in LTH Land ? Come out and let others know about your KCup preferences it's cathartic

spinynorman99 wrote:And while I have Intelligentsia all day long at work....

I wanna work in your office!

Three cheers for John@thebar! You are too funny. Thanks for the tip on the KCup Club on Amazon. That is a deal!

To razbry et al.:
Unfortunately, Amazon has decided to raise the price of a 50 ct. box of Kcups by $6.00 since my last delivery. Ouch!

If you don't already have a Keurig maker and are looking for a one-cup solution, Flavia has discontinued their own label coffee and now uses Alterra in their packs. Huge improvement. Never going to be as good as a french press or a really good drip machine with freshly ground beans, but I now don't have as much of a problem drinking the free stuff in the office because some of the Alterra options are pretty good.

I'm convinced that the kcup solution represents a permanent improvement in the same sense that the Kindle does over paper books (and I intend that analogy in all its good and bad). So I bought a single-cup maker (I don't remember the model, it's $99 at BBBY and you pour in water for each cup). So far, I've had 5-6 different kcups and all have been between "acceptable" and "bad"... I'm guessing because in these little cups you're getting a lot of coffee "dust", a la most cheap tea bags, which means you're getting a lot of salty notes, which I really don't like.

But I am undaunted. There's simply no way there's not good coffee coming in this format, even if it's not here yet.

Best I've had so far: Tully Kona.

I don't know if this really satisfies your original request, but I love my Bialetti Moka Express

http://www.bialettishop.com/MokaExpressMain.htm

It is cheap as can be and has been making my morning coffee every morning for over five years.

I have used it to make "cafe americano" (which is simply espresso with hot water, either from the electric kettle or heated in the micro wave) which works pretty good for me when I want a "standard" cup of coffee.

I get a 1/2 lbs of beans ground from Star Coffee Bar every two weeks and I am set.

bjackson wrote: I did try out the Green Mountain Extra Bold and thought it was a good cup of coffee, but nothing exceptional. Any good ideas would be appreciated

My in-laws use a Keurig machine and I always get the opportunity to sample a few different types every Xmas. I was pleasantly surprised by the Green Mountain Extra Bold "Dark Magic." Definitely the best I've had.

Has anyone tried these from Lavazza? Are they K cup compatible? These may be the answer for me, but I hate to spend almost $60 for them to not work out. I haven't found a k cup i like yet.

http://www.amazon.com/Lavazza-Espresso- ... 62&sr=8-50

After further review, it looks like they are proprietry and can only be used in their machine, one review says not compatible, the search continues.

I believe that they are only compatible with a lavazza blue system. Meaning not with Kuerig. I have both a Kuerig and Aeropress. The Aeropress makes amazing coffee. I love my Aeropress and have stopped using my Kuerig except in coffee emergencies.

Check out this youtube video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtD8u9oSG4A