There are two main species of coffee: Robusta and Arabica. Those terms may seem foreign or even intimidating to you. But we're here to break down their differences and definitions simply. Being that there are two main species of coffees, it's common for coffee lovers to speculate on their differences. In this article, we'll go over the real differences between Robusta and Arabica coffee. More importantly, we'll explain why these differences matter. Later in this article, we'll also give you our top picks for the best Arabica coffee beans and best Robusta coffee beans. Robusta versus Arabica It should first be noted that Arabica is the bean of choice when it comes to specialty … [Read more...]
Fair Trade Seasonal K Cups® and Coffee Pods
Most coffee lovers can appreciate the challenge of scouring the net to find a brew that matches their specific taste profile. But even beyond taste, there are many other factors that come into play when shopping for that perfect blend. Factors such as recyclability, delivery form, fair trade certification, and organic status are just some of the many coffee qualities that weigh in on a customer's buying decisions. While all of us here at Best Quality Coffee each have our own preferences, there is one type of coffee category that we can all agree on: Fair Trade seasonal K-Cups®. Sounds rather specific doesn't it? But there's a reason why we love these convenient seasonal brews which we'll … [Read more...]
Best Kona Coffee Pods & Kona K Cups – Luxury and Convenience
Most coffee lovers will have heard of Kona coffee before. It's considered one of the best and consequently, most expensive coffees in the world. Kona coffee is the official market name for coffee cultivated and harvested on specific slopes within the Kona districts of Hawaii. While every coffee drinker has their own tasting profiles, most will agree that Kona coffee is amazing artisanal coffee and worth every penny. If you're looking for an exotic coffee experience in the convenience of a K-Cup or coffee pod, then read on to learn more about Kona Coffee Pods. Best Kona Coffee Pods Blue Horse Kona K Cups Blue Horse offers a superb 100% Kona K Cup that gives you the true Kona … [Read more...]
The Hunt for Teeccino K-Cups® Compatible Coffee Pods
Teeccino is a quality herbal coffee brand that's especially well-known among folks who drink coffee alternatives. Because Teeccino coffee is herbal, it's naturally caffeine-free and non-acidic. The best and most important part is that it really does taste like quality coffee. This being the case, many Keurig machine owners such as myself are naturally asking the next logical question: Are there Teeccino K cups®? We spoke to a Teeccino representative and unfortunately, the current answer is no. However, fret not. While there are no immediate plans to change their existing delivery form, we were told the idea of Teecino Coffee Pods is still on the table. In the meantime, what is a 'decaf … [Read more...]
VitaCup French Roast Review
Disclaimer. VitaCup provided us with samples of their most popular blends in exchange for an unbiased VitaCup French Roast review. All opinions expressed in this VitaCup represent solely those of Best Quality Coffee. I'm generally not a big fan of any drink that has vitamins added to it, mainly because the taste of the actual vitamins tends to stand out. For me, it's like trying gluten-free bread. While you know it can be good for your body, it may not necessarily be good for your taste buds. So when I tried VitaCup coffee for the first time, I confess that my expectations weren't the highest. The whole healthy k cup movement is new to me so having been tasked with writing … [Read more...]
Bulletproof Coffee Pods – Convenience, Health, and Taste
Most health-conscious coffee lovers are probably familiar with the Bulletproof Coffee brand. They're considered pioneers in the performance coffee industry and focus on using only the purest ingredients to maximize natural body energy. The old adage of 'you are what you eat' applies even more so when considering what you drink. Many coffee drinkers have already discovered and experienced the many health benefits that come from drinking Bulletproof Coffee. However, surprisingly there are many of these loyal Bulletproof fans who are unaware of the fact that their favorite performance coffee brand also sells Bulletproof Coffee K-Cup compatible Coffee Pods. For those who may not … [Read more...]
Discovering the Best Espresso K cups® and Coffee Pods
Keurig® took the world by storm when they introduced single-serve coffee brewers and coffee pods in 1998. Their initial round of coffee pods specifically targeted the office market bringing convenience and quality to the job sites around the world. Fast forward a few years and K cups® and coffee pods have made their way into the homes of millions of coffee lovers around the world. However, despite the wild success of Keurig's® single service coffee pods, there remained a void in the market that desperately needed to be filled. Customers were searching for the best espresso K cups® only to discover there were none. Brief History of the Espresso K Cup and Coffee Pod In 2012, the espresso … [Read more...]
McCafe Decaf K cups® Review – A Surprises for the Ages
Forget what you may or may not think about McDonald's. When it comes to trying their McCafe Decaf K cups®, all previous notions should go out the window. As experienced coffee drinker, I would have never thought in a million years that I'd be writing a McCafe Decaf K cups® review. In the eyes of some coffee snobs, this could be judged as a coffee travesty on three counts: It's fast-food coffee, it's decaf, and it's a K Cup. However, this particular brand, blend, and delivery form come together to make a surprisingly rich, flavorful, and balanced cup of Joe. In all fairness, McDonald's coffee has been enjoyed and appreciated by millions of coffee drinkers around the world. So it's no … [Read more...]
Selecting the Best K cups® and Coffee Pods on the Market
Single serve coffee pods and K cups® provide a convenient and cost-effective way of getting your morning or afternoon caffeine kick. But like sushi, K cups® can be a game of hit or miss where choosing the wrong k cup blend can leave you with a bad taste in your mouth. Fortunately, the market offers literally tens of thousands of different blends and flavors to choose from each with their own unique qualities. The only thing more diverse than the available coffee options are the actual preferences of the coffee drinkers themselves. So when it comes to finding the best K cups® on the market, it's going to largely depend on the coffee drinker's personal preferences. The following list of … [Read more...]
Maud’s Decaf Coffee Pods Coffee Review – A Full Flavored Decaf Alternative
Any decaf drinker knows that finding a comparable decaf alternative can be a challenge. Often times, the decaf version can be lacking in the same body and richness as its caffeinated counterpart. Once you've found the right brand and blend, then comes to task of seeing whether its offered in K Cup or single serve coffee pod form. These factors can make the task of finding the perfect decaf k cup blend a daunting one to say the least. This being said, we recently had the opportunity to try a non-flavored selection of Maud's Decaf coffee pods coffee pods and are very pleased to report that they all provide excellent decaf alternatives. One of the first blends we tried was the Maud's … [Read more...]
Caribou Coffee Review Medium Roast K cups®
Caribou Coffee has a special place in my coffee experience. I credit it as being one of the brands that officially introduced me to the world of gourmet coffee. Many years ago when I worked in Washington D.C., there was a Caribou Coffee cafe located right around the corner from my office building. And ever since trying their extremely smooth coffee blends, I've been a fan ever since. In this Caribou Coffee review, we take a closer look at what I consider one of the best K-Cups / Coffee pods available. It's commonly known among coffee drinkers that the whole bean version of a coffee will be fresher than the same coffee in a Keurig K Cup delivery form. As a general rule, this is true. But … [Read more...]
Decaf Krispy Kreme Medium Roast K Cup Review
While coffee and donuts often go hand in hand, many of upscale coffee connoisseurs may be hesitant to try coffee made from a company best known for its donuts. These might be the individuals who are less than hopeful that a donut company can produce the genuinely gourmet cup of coffee they're looking for. This is natural. It's almost like initially doubting whether a musician can act as well as they can sing. Few will doubt the quality and unfairly addictive taste of the Krispy Kreme donut. But how about the decaf Krispy Kreme medium roast K Cup? Let's get the first thing out of the way. This decaf blend is just as tasty as it's caffeinated coffer counterparts. Coffee lovers will be … [Read more...]
illy Decaf K Cups – Decaf Coffee the Way it Should Be
UPDATE: We are pleased to announce that the highly popular illy Decaf K Cup is now back in stock. It's no secret that many a coffee lover will involuntarily grimace when they hear the word "decaf". It can conjure up poignant feelings of disappointment similar to those I've felt when trying chocolate chip cookies made with fake sugar. Many a coffee drinker can attest to the fact that the decaf alternatives of their favorite blends simply don't taste as good as their caffeinated counterparts. I know this feeling perhaps all too well. Fortunately, illy decaf K cups® are the exception to this rule. The illy decaf K Cup has captured the hearts and taste buds of millions of coffee drinkers … [Read more...]
Coffee Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
Coffee is far and away the world's most popular beverage, with a daily estimate of 1.6 billion cups consumed globally. Such an everyday drink can easily be taken for granted. But delving into the world of coffee unveils plenty of intriguing coffee facts for the coffee lover to ponder. Coffee's Origins and Modern Day Sources Coffee facts related to the origins of these magic beans are quite interesting. It's the stuff of legend that the uniquely invigorating effects of coffee were uncovered by an Ethiopian goatherd sometime during the first millennium. This pioneer noticed that his goats began to 'dance' after feeding on the berries of a particular shrub, and before long the … [Read more...]
Benefits of Single Serve Coffee Pods and K cups®
Approximately 83% of Americans agree that their daily make or break status depends on whether they get their caffeine fix. The steam emanating from that first cup provides the soothing warmth of a security blanket. And the taste... bold, creamy, and sweet as an angel's kiss. Since the 1990s, manufacturers like Keurig with their single serve coffee pods have been helping families get their morning rush from home on an individual basis. But what exactly are these benefits? It really comes down to the C's. Cost Those fancy-named heavily sweetened caffeinated beverages at your favorite barista come at a hefty price. Sure, the $4 price point, including barista tip, seems a fair deal - … [Read more...]
Descaling – How to Clean a Single Serve Coffee Maker and Keurig Machine
Single serve coffee makers are all the rage these days, and they have become a hot gift item for foodies and non-foodies alike. You may have admired your friend's Keurig coffee machine and dreamed of having one of your own. Maybe you even bought yourself a brand new single serve coffee maker the last time they went on sale. Whether you already own one or are just thinking about buying a Keurig coffee machine, it's important to keep the appliance clean and disinfect it regularly. As is the case with all machines, treat it right and it will treat you right. Maintaining and descaling your Keurig machine or other coffee pod maker properly can vastly improve the taste of the coffee and … [Read more...]
Top 5 Health Benefits of Coffee
There are a number of reasons why coffee is the most popular beverage on the planet. Whether it be its appealing aroma or deeply satisfying flavor, coffee has many attractive qualities. But did you know that coffee confers a number of health benefits as well? Check out our list of the top 5 health benefits of coffee. Improved Energy Levels, Mood, and Brain Activity As you may already know, one of the effects of coffee is that it dramatically improves your energy levels. Improved energy levels is the main reason that most people reach for that morning cup of caffeine. What you may not know is that coffee also improves your mood and other aspects of your brain as well. The caffeine in … [Read more...]