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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my first keurig

I was initially skeptical when a good friend mentioned that I must purchase a Keurig Single Cup Coffee Brewer. Greg, who unfortunately lives out of town, is the same friend who's opinion I trusted most. With a little online research and a lot of assurance from him, I decided to purchase the Special Edition B60 Single Cup Coffee Brewer. Now with the machine and its many varieties of coffee, tea and cocoa packets in my possession, I was ready to start brewing.
Since my past consisted of only owning multi-cup drip coffee makers, I was excited to realize my days of chugging hours old sludge were over. I always despised making a full jug of four, eight or twelve cups of coffee each day, just to pour the majority away hours later. What a waste. In the present, my life has changed with the Keurig Single Cup, brewing one delicious hot cup of coffee or tea at a time. It's been 10 years since the introduction of the innovative Keurig single-cup brewing system. Sometimes I'm slow in realizing new advancements and the Keurig is no exception. Since you can't make up lost time, I shall move forward with my large variety of coffees, teas, and cocoas and start making some delicious treats.
Let us first start with the type of water to use. Tap water is fine, however I suggest bottled spring water if you want a better tasting coffee. Next, you will have to shop for the patented Keurig K-cups. They offer more than 190 varieties of coffee, tea, and hot cocoa. Varieties of coffee from light to extra bold, flavored, decaffeinated, half-caffeinated, to full caffeine all from famous name blends. Several different varieties of tea are also available, as well as Ghirardelli Premium Hot Cocoa. My favorites included Emerils Big Easy Bold Coffee with its invigorating deep smokey flavor, and the Celestial Seasonings Decaffeinated Green Tea with its smooth flavor and natural goodness using a compound that occurs naturally in the tea leaves. I found the full-bodied brew of this green tea an evening delight, relaxing me prior to bedtime.
Now that you made your choice of coffee or tea, all you have to do is turn on the brewer, and fill with the desired amount of water. The brewer will notify you when the right amount of water is in the machine. Place a single serve cup beneath, choose your cup size and hit brew button. Wow, this is simple! In less than a minute the Keurig well say when the cup of coffee or tea is ready. After using the coffee maker cup the manufacturer recommends, you can rinse out the machine by brewing a cup of hot water without a K-cup. This ensures a perfect cup for the next person who may choose a different flavor. This is especially helpful for the Keurig coffee maker in the office. Speaking of office, now I know where i'll put my Second Keurig Coffee Maker . If I only had a summer home. Before I forget, I must once again thank Greg for another excellent recommendation.

Second Keurig Coffee Maker

spas and keurig a perfect marriage

Did you know there has been an increase in spas located directly in medical and dental offices. Being directly involved in the dental profession, I personally know many dentists that have provided the opportunity for their patients to relax during their dental visit. They provide, many times at little to no cost, relaxation services including full body, head, eye, foot, hand, or neck massage, relaxing music, movies, televisions on ceilings, vibrating chairs, facials, make up applications, and aroma therapy. These Dental spas are where people can get their dental work performed in a relaxing state and environment.
Now imagine this tranquil ambiance of the spa environment office paired with a $20 dollar multi-cup sludge machine providing stale coffee. Well this scenario actually was occurring in one of my good friends practice. I could not imagine how he went the whole 9 yards without realizing the final yard required a premium beverage experience. This is where the Keurig single cup coffee maker comes in with its sleek design and its near 200 varieties of premium coffee, tea, and cocoa. In less than 60 seconds a clients palette can be tantalized with Timothy's finest caffeine free Chamomile Tea, or the luxuriously deep flavor of Ghirardelli Premium Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa. Maybe Van Houtte Classic Creme Brulee Coffee might be ones calling. Or how about the fine quality of Celestial Seasonings Decaf Green Tea. I think you're getting the point. 
With all the money spent on technology for televisions, lasers, computers, vibrating chairs, and massage tables, most medical and dental offices surprisingly notice the coffee maker being the most cost effective way to make patients feel cared for and special.  A Keurig Coffee Maker ideally should be placed in the waiting room where patients can browse the selection and make a cup of delight at the touch of their fingertips.  The anxious, nervous patient can relax with a cup of green tea, waiting moms can recharge with a cup of cappuccino, and kids love the sweet taste of cocoa. 
As more people are demanding and paying for a spa like experience in all professional settings, it seems consistent that the Keurig Coffee Maker provides the perfect partner in this endeavour. So hear me all health professionals; if you're creating a spa experience for your clients, please provide them the perfect complementary beverage from Keurig.  It will help build patient trust, provide comfort and added relaxation, and most importantly boost patient referrals.

Keurig Coffee Maker

keurig more than coffee

All of us who own a Keurig Coffee Maker can attest that this single cup coffee brewer is the epitome of kitchen excellence. These coffee makers are able to brew a cup of hot, delicious coffee in less than a minute, all with no clean-up.  The keurig is noted for using its patented K-Cups, with over 190 varieties of pre-measured gourmet coffee from a variety of premium brands. Its one-touch technology provides precise control over brewing, leaving no messy grinding or clean up. Simply lift the lid, insert a single K-Cup, close the lid, and select a cup size.  The Keurig Special Edition B60 machine also includes a generous 48 oz. removable water reservoir which supplies an endless reserve of hot water.  Instant hot water for warming up a cold baby bottle, or quickly thawing out food directly from the freezer. 

Its sharp design allows the B60 Keurig Coffee Maker to blend nicely with all countertop decor. So go ahead and fill the water reservoir and press the ON button. However, this time make something other than a flavorful coffee. Wait, something other than the classic breakfast pick me-up? Sure, let me list the many culinary alternatives for the Keurig:

1.Oatmeal or Hot cereal: Pour your mix into a bowl and place it under the Keurig machine. This time, start a cycle minus the patented K-cup. You guessed it! Out comes hot water right into the bowl. Stir and slightly cool. The healthier alternative to nuking water and still ready in under 60 seconds.

2. Instant Soup: Preparation is the same (a recurring theme with all Coffee Alternatives). This time its a wonderful bowl of soup most enjoyed on cold snowy nights.

3. Teas or Hot Cocoa: Speaking of snowy nights, reach into the Keurig Carousel for one of the large selections of Keurig K-cup teas, or how about a delicious Ghirardelli Premium Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa. Partial to your favorite bagged tea or powdered cocoa...no problem. Hot Water coming up!

4. Jello: Whenever a recipe (like jello) calls for a cup of hot water, I have it at the touch of my fingertips. Oh what a sweet treat!

5. Instant Noodles: My favorite! Any grocer has a large variety of instant noodles, however, let me suggest your cities Asian Grocers. The selections are endless, with varieties coming from several countries along the Pacific Rim. After pouring hot water from your Keurig, allow to sit (most under 4 minutes), and Presto!....a light and wonderful tasting dinner.

Keurig Coffee Maker