I Love Coffee: Keurig Single-Cup Brewing System Review

Coffee and I have had a love affair for at least 30 years now. I watched my parents get up each morning and share coffee before they started their day. I joined in when I was about 16. I drank a huge café au lait each morning while living in Paris during college – dipping my crusty baguette into the warm, frothy drink. I cut out coffee when I was pregnant (x2) and I probably needed to go into therapy to deal with the loss.

When I started running four years ago, I always had a cup before a run and still do. I never knew if this was good or bad (my colon said it was bad if things didn’t get resolved before a run). I was thrilled to learn from several sources (including this article in Runner’s World) that coffee/caffeine could actually boost performance and help quicken recovery. True or not, I am going with that theory because it supports my daily habit. Same way I support my wine habit with reports that it’s good for my heart, my immune system and even my memory (what is it that I’m reviewing right now?).

You see, while I’m sure I get a boost from the caffeine, my daily cup (or cups) of coffee have become a ritual. Sometimes I can’t wait to get out of bed so I can have my first cup.  It’s kind of like an old friend (who doesn’t talk back).

I am a traditionalist when it comes to my coffee. I don’t enjoy fancy drinks like triple mocha cappuccinos with five shots, no foam, one pump of syrup and a dash of urine. I just like a strong, rich blend with lots of half and half. I brew a pot every morning for my son and I to share. Mid morning I usually stop and get another cup of coffee just to round out my a.m. ritual.

Recently, Staples (yes, the office supply place) asked if they could send me a Keurig 145 Single-Cup Brewing System to review. I have used these before – my in-laws have one and several doctor’s offices I’ve visited have them as well. I’ve always thought they were a neat concept (being able to choose the hot drink you like and brew it up quickly), but I could never justify the price ($79 to $200 depending on the size and the features. This particular one is $129 but has a $25 rebate right now). The kids were pretty excited because in addition to making coffee, you can also do hot chocolate, chai and flavored teas in the Keurig.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you’ve never used a Keurig, here is my sorry attempt to demonstrate it:

Pros:

• Convenient and Quick – From start to finish, making a cup of coffee in the Keurig takes only seconds (unless the water needs to heat, then it might be a minute). For someone who lives alone, the Keurig could be the perfect, personalized solution. Also, the Keurig is a great method for quickly getting your travel mug filled with coffee before heading out the door in the morning.
• No mess – No need to put in or dispose of a filter. No coffee grounds spilled on the counter. No coffee dregs in the bottom of your mug.
• Customized - Perfect for an office so that everyone can choose their own type of coffee and flavor.
• Hot Coffee – I like my coffee very hot when it is first brewed. I find that many regular brew pots deliver warm coffee, but not hot coffee. The Keurig will give you HOT coffee immediately and every time.
• Taste – I don’t think the coffee from a Keurig maker will ever compare to what you get in a traditional coffee maker. However, for a quick and easy cup of coffee, the taste is acceptable. While I found the taste of some brands (Green Mountain specifically) to be lacking, other brands were more full bodied and rich like Caribou. This said, there are countless brands and flavors to choose from, so I think there is probably something for everyone.

Cons:

• Price – The average cost of a cup of regular brewed coffee at home is .13¢ (factoring in the cost of coffee pots and filters) {source}.  The K-Cups cost on average of .50¢ if you buy them in bulk. That adds up over time. I did see that you can buy your own K-Cup filter and use your own ground beans. Now, that’s a brilliant idea (it’s about $18 and can be found here).  That said, I guess using a K-Cup at home is still MUCH cheaper than visiting the local coffee shop.
• Taste of Tea/Hot Chocolate – I tried a K-Cup of the Celestial Seasonings Sleepy Time and it tasted pretty awful compared to what I make with a regular tea bag. I suppose you could just put your own tea bag in the spot where the K-Cup would go. My daughter did not care for the hot chocolate because she found it watery – she asked if we could use milk in the Keurig (NO!).
• Impersonal (for lack of a better word) – This may sound hokey,  but people can bond over a shared pot of coffee, like my son and I do. You wait for it to finish brewing, you pour a cup for yourself and the other person while you talk and connect. You top off each other’s coffee, etc. The Keurig doesn’t allow for this type of scenario. It’s more of an individual activity if you know what I mean.
• Environmental Impact – Billions of plastic K-Cups are sold each year. From what is said on the Keurig site, they are not currently recyclable. This means several billions of cups end up in landfills each year just for the convenience of having a quick cup of coffee. Keurig’s response: “The challenge of protecting the freshness of roasted coffee while using environmentally friendly packaging is one that both Keurig and the coffee industry are committed to overcoming. We are very sensitive about the waste created by the K-Cup® packs and are investigating alternative materials. Finding a solution for this is a priority for us, and one we hope to have before long.”

My Final Conclusion: Overall a quality product and perfect under certain conditions like in an office setting or for someone who lives alone. Also, the Keurig would be ideal if you need to quickly head out the door and put your travel mug underneath for a fast cup o’ Joe. Although the taste did not always meet my standards, I think this is more of an issue of the brand of K-Cup than the Keurig itself. I need to find the brands/flavors that I like the most. I will not replace my coffee maker with this one, but it is nice to have both options.

Coffee drinker– yes or no?

What type of coffee maker do you use?

Have you ever used a Keurig? Which do you prefer – regular brewer or Keurig?

 

SUAR

Full disclosure: Staples provided Shut Up + Run with these items for review. The thoughts and opinions expressed are strictly my own.