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Best Keurig Coffee
Find out more about the different coffee K-cups available for Keurig coffee machines and brewers. Learn more about what K-cups are and get more information on some of the most popular brands and flavors that you can use to brew coffee in your Keurig machine.
Published November 10, 2022
Chandra Melo
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
Keurig are massive at the moment, and it can feel like there is coffee for them available from every coffee brand, roaster and shop that you like. Many coffee brands are also offering their own K-cup range for customers to use to brew their own coffee from the comfort of their own home. If you’ve bought a K-cup machine for yourself or are considering getting one, then choosing the right coffee to brew in it is going to be one of the biggest decisions you’ll face.
Which Pods to Get for a Keurig Brewer
Kurig machine brewers are made to work with K-cups exclusively. You’ll need them to be able to brew any coffee with the machine, except for if you are using one of the coffee machines that are compatible with using two different brewing methods at a time, such as K-cups along with drip coffee.
Keurig machines may also work with different types of coffee pods. There are add-ons that you can purchase for a Keurig machine to widen your options, such as a reusable filter basket, or filter adaptors that you can use to add coffee that you have freshly ground yourself rather than a K-cup for brewing in your Keurig.
Bear in mind, however, that there are certain coffee capsules and coffee pods that are not compatible with the Keurig brewers. For example, you won’t be able to use Nespresso coffee pods with a Kerig machine and vice versa.
What is the Difference Between K-Cups and Coffee Pods?
Learning about Keurig coffee makers can make it easier for you to understand K-cups and how they differ from a standard coffee pod. Although the terms tend to be used interchangeably quite a lot these days, the two are not actually the same. Coffee pods are similar to tea bags, usually made from filter paper, and they contain coffee grounds. On the other hand, a K-cup has a hard plastic outer and is sealed with foil to keep the coffee grounds within it fresh. ‘Coffee pod’ has become a term that is often used to refer to any type of pre-packaged ground coffee for a single-serve machine. However, remember that all coffee pods are not going to work with a Kuerig machine as some might be designed for use with competitor brewers.
Are K-Cups Compatible With all Keurig Machines?
Yes, however, every Keurig coffee machine won’t use the same type of K-Cup. Years ago, when Keurig as a brand was quite new on the scene, the same K-cup was used by all the machines that were on offer, which was more convenient but did mean that there was a limited range of options. However, with several companies coming up with and selling unofficial versions of coffee pods to use with the Keurig, the new coffee maker line that was introduced in 2014 took a different size and shape of K-cup to get around the problem. Any unapproved or unofficial pods will be rejected if you’re using one of these newer brewers.
Types of K-Cups Available
If you have a Kurig machine and are looking for the right coffee to use with it, then you’ll likely come across a range of different K-cup types while searching, including standard K-cups. For example, you can get K-mugs, which offer a bigger and stronger brew in comparison with the standard option. They are meant for use in a single-serve brewer and come with enough coffee to make a large 16oz cup. You can also get Rivo pods, which will work with the Keurig Rivo espresso machine for brewing espresso-like shots, and Vue pods, which work in the Vue machine and are the first recyclable K-cup type. There is also the K-carafe, which will work in the Plus Series and can make a huge amount of coffee, with the ability to get six cups of coffee from one pod.
Choosing the Right K-Cups
Whether you have a Kureg machine and need some coffee for it, or are planning to get one in the future, there is no end to the choice available when it comes to the coffee you can get. Some of the most popular options for Keurig coffee pods include:
Newman’s Own Special Blend K-Cups
Combining dark-roasted Indonesian beans with a Central American medium roast, this collection offers a strong flavor and body that you can’t miss even when the coffee has additions like cream, milk and sugar. It is also a fantastic ethical choice, as the company sends all their profits to environmental charities. It also offers recyclable pods and Fair-Trade coffee products.
Krispy Kreme K-Cups
This blend combines a range of medium and lightly roasted Arabic beans. It’s a great starter option and may be a great coffee option for you if you like a milder brew, with a punchy taste that offers a bold caffeine punch. The K-cup pods themselves are Certified Kosher and can be used in all Keurig brewers. With over thirty pods in one pack, this one will keep you going for a while.
Folgers Classic Roast Keurig K-Cups
A well-known and popular coffee brand that’s in the kitchen in many households across the US, Folgers is a name that you can rely on. And the Classic Roast offers a blend that offers a very strong aroma and a full-bodied, rich flavor that will linger in your mouth for a while without any bitterness. It has enough strength to still be noticeable if you add anything to coffee, making it a fantastic choice if you like a milky brew or add sugar.
Caribou Coffee Blend K-Cups
One of the best-selling products from Caribou Coffee, this blend combines a range of fruity coffee beans from South and Central America that perfectly balance out and complement the spicy, smoking Indonesian beans. The brew is complex yet smooth, tasting amazing whether you like to drink it black or add milk, cream, or sugar to it.
Starbucks Pike Place Roast Coffee Pods
The Pike Place blend is the first medium coffee roast that was served at the first Starbucks location at Pike Place when the hugely popular chain opened for the first time all the way back in 1971 in Seattle. It’s just as popular today as it was back then, with customers loving this flavor both in the shop and in their own Keurig coffee makers at home. A well-balanced blend with hints of chocolate and nuts, you can’t go wrong with this one.
Green Mountain Nantucket Blend K-Cups
The Nantucket Blend from Green Mountain offers a mixture of smoky Sumatran coffee beans and fruity African coffee beans. Caramel notes are added to the blend, with a hint of French roast. This blend is a popular choice among coffee lovers who like a unique, bold cup with a rich body and complex flavor. It is Fair Trade Certified and doesn’t include any added preservatives or ingredients.
McCafé Premium K-Cups
If you like coffee from McDonald’s, then you’re certainly not on your own. The McCafé range coffee is really good, and the K-cups that allow customers to brew their own at home are popular and in high demand. McCafé K-cups have quite a generous content, making it an ideal choice for mornings when you need to rush out of the house but don’t want to miss out on your favorite coffee. It’s one of the major competitors along with big brands like Starbucks, and a great choice for those who like a milder up.
Original Donut Shop K-Cups
If you enjoy a strong cup of coffee, these coffee pods for Keurig machine from Donut Shop offer everything you want, minus a bitter or burnt taste. Since they are packaged straight away after the coffee is roasted and ground, you can count on these pods to always give you the freshest flavors.
Dunkin’ Original Blend K-Cups
This smooth, medium-bodied brew is great for getting you awake in the morning and giving you the kick you need. Made with the same tasty, high-quality one hundred percent Arabica beans that are used in the Dunkin' Donuts cafes, it offers a familiar, consistent flavor that you can get in your own kitchen. The cups can be used with the most current Keurig machines and can be recycled.
Starbucks Vanilla K-Cups
Vanilla flavor coffee is great for anybody who likes to enjoy their brew sweeter, without the need to add more calories to the cup. This K-cup option from Starbucks is made with a high-quality blend that is roasted for a while longer compared to other medium options. This results in a taste that is naturally bright, perfectly matching the added vanilla flavoring. You can use them with any Keurig brewer or other suitable coffee maker, and the beans have been sourced ethically and responsibly.
Keurig is one of the most popular options out there when it comes to brewing your own coffee at home. With a range of single-serve coffee K-cup options available, choosing the right coffee for you can be overwhelming. There is something for everybody, no matter how you like your coffee.
About the author
Chandra Melo
Marketing as job, barista as passion. An authentic coffee lover, looking for the next fantastic cup of coffee that I will fall in love with. Coffee, for me, is more than a beverage. It's about community and connection - how can all the world consume the same fruit? And differently? How can we have so many different tastes? I also don't know. And because of this, I feel in love each day more for this world. Happy to share and make a change in the coffee community.
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