a beginners guide to choosing keurig kcups

The Keurig coffee maker is quickly rising in popularity across North America. Gone are the days of purchasing the old fashion coffee brewer, with separate filters to purchase and a glass pot to wash. The Keurig coffee maker brews in a few easy steps. Just put in a new K-Cup portion pack and press the start button. Within 30 seconds, you have a freshly brewed cup of your favorite gourmet coffee or tea.

But what if you don’t know what your favorite coffee is? Keurig provides nearly 200 different coffee, tea and hot cocoa K-Cups from which to choose! With so many options, the coffee selection process can seem like an impenetrable jungle of hard-to-understand descriptions and unfamiliar varieties. If you aren’t an expert at “coffee jargon” and aren’t up for endless flavor experimentation, then it is best to do a bit of research before you buy. After all, you want as few hurdles between you and that steaming cup of coffee as possible.

One of the biggest factors in the flavor of coffee is the roast. Before you choose between popular brands and specialty flavors, it helps if you understand the flavor differences created by the roasting process. The beans are made darker through processing at a higher temperature, often for a longer length of time. The roast helps to determine the richness, bitterness, and smoothness of the cup of coffee.

Light Roast : Milder tasting coffee. Beans are characterized by a golden brown hue and dry surface. Sometimes acidic tasting or may lack body. Light roasting preserves more of the natural subtle flavors of the coffee beans, allowing the drinker to taste differences in bean quality.

Medium Roast : Offers a balanced flavor with a less acidic taste. Medium roasting may create a slightly sweeter taste than a light roast. Beans are characterized by a medium, chocolate-brown hue. Compromises between the natural bean flavor and the flavor produced through the roasting process.

Dark Roast : Full-bodied coffee with a smoky or spicy taste. Beans are characterized by a dark brown hue and shiny, somewhat oily surface. Derives most of its flavor through the roasting process and may lose some of the natural bean flavor.

Once you’re aware of the type of roast you prefer, you can easily seek out different coffees in that category. For instance, if you enjoy a light roast, you may want to try Van Houtte Costa Rica Coffee or Timothy’s Morning Blend Coffee. Medium roast aficionados can choose between great options like Green Mountain Coffee Roasters’ Nantucket Blend or Tully's Full City Roast. If you’re a fan of dark roasts, you may prefer Caribou French Roast Coffee or Gloria Jean’s Black Gold Coffee.

There may seem to be an unlimited number of factors that go into the creation of a type of coffee. Don’t let yourself become overwhelmed with coffee possibilities. But, if you put your taste buds to the test, you will soon figure out which roast is right for you. Before you know it, you may even end up a coffee connoisseur! And then you can wow your friends with your new knowledge of the gourmet coffee world.

About CoffeeCow

CoffeeCow.com goes to great lengths to provide the highest quality products, the fastest service, and the deepest discount prices you will find on Keurig coffee makers , coffee pods, and a wide selection of related coffee supplies. Developed by coffee professionals with over 35 years of experience in fulfilling any coffee service need, CoffeeCow offers all the coffee conveniences for your home or office. Visit http://www.coffeecow.com for more information.

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find the best coffee

The social beverage of the word, coffee, is by far one of the most satisfying addictions one can have. That aroma of a fresh brewed cup of coffee can awaken the senses like nothing else. That first sip of sweet espresso or well made Turkish coffee can entice even the most devout coffee hater. Not any old coffee will drive men to tears over its savory goodness.

Choosing the right coffee blend is an art form. You can compare it to those who choose wines for gourmet dinners. Coffee is no different. Following are several tips to help you on the way to finding great coffee.

1. Do yourself a favor and avoid buying name brand coffee. All that you are doing is helping them pay for their substantial marketing machine.
2. Look for local roasters. They take great pride in their coffee beans and the roasting process. You may find a gem.
3. Roasting is one of the keys to a great coffee. Light roasts typically go way of being acidic in flavor. Dark roasts are more bitter and “full” or “medium” roasts are balanced between the two.
4. The higher quality coffee lends themselves to distinct flavors and sweetness regardless if they are dark roasts, medium or light roasts. A good bean roasted lightly will still be sweet with a touch of bitterness whereas a good bean dark roasted will be akin to a desert that contains nuts.
5. People like to think that certain countries produce different types of coffee. The best coffees produced tend to be suited to darker or lighter roasted coffees. Light to dark the countries are: Central America, South America and Caribbean, Africa and then finishing up with Indonesia and India.
6. Use coffee beans roasted for less than ten days prior. Older beans will simply taste like boring, unsweetened cocoa.
7. Grind your coffee beans minutes before actually brewing. This will give you the height of flavor and substance in your morning cup and make those gourmet coffee recipes shine above and beyond.

Arabica vs. Robusta

When you buy coffee at a Starbucks or online you will generally be buying Arabica coffee beans. Purchasing from a deli (typically an Italian-run one) will be a blend known as Robusta. Robusta is a bitter coffee with twice as much caffeine as Arabica beans.

Arabica is the choice of gourmet coffee drinkers all over the world. It is a subtle flavor that is sweet and nutty, but pleasant. Robusta is simply just too bitter and is really your grandfather’s blend and should be avoided for social coffee drinking.

All of this information is for naught if you do not get yourself a quality coffee maker in order to brew your favorite beverage. One-cup coffee makers are great because they keep your coffee fresh by the cup with no sitting around to get stale and lifeless. Espresso makers with milk steamers are great if you wish to experiment with your coffee. You do not need to spend hundreds of dollars on a machine either. Go with the best that fits your budget.

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