Wondering how to make your K-cup coffee taste better? We’ve got you covered with the best Keurig k-cups to try + our top tips for making the best k-cup coffee!
Delicious, perfectly brewed coffee at the touch of a button? Where do I sign up? Single-serve K-cup coffee pods are incredibly popular these days, and it’s easy to see why!
Not only do they produce a delicious cup of coffee in seconds, but they also come in every flavor and roast you can imagine. Seriously, there are so many, it’s hard to choose which ones to buy.
We decided to help you out by taste-tasting a variety of the most popular roasts and flavors from different manufacturers. Not surprisingly, many of them didn’t live up to our expectations and were quickly returned.
However, we did find some truly amazing k-cups that we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend or repurchase! Our favorite k-cup flavors have such deep, rich aroma and flavor, you might not even be able to tell they’re not freshly ground.
Without further ado, here are the best Keurig k-cup coffee flavors to try, test-tested, ranked, and reviewed by coffee experts at Be Your Own Barista! Be sure to read all the way to the end for our top tips for making the best k-cup coffee!
The Best Keurig K-Cup Coffee Pods To Try (According to Our Taste Tests)
1. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Single-Serve Coffee K-Cup Pods Favorites Variety Pack (My Top Pick)
If you’re looking for the highest quality and best flavor at a fair price, try one of the Favorites Variety Packs from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters! My personal favorite is the Bold Roast Variety Pack. It includes 10 each of Green Mountain’s Dark Magic, Breakfast Blend, Colombian Fair Trade, and Nantucket Blend coffees. They are all excellent, and the Dark Magic roast is fantastic for whipping up espresso-style drinks in a flash!
Although this review is for the Bold Roast Varieties, the quality of Green Mountain Coffee Pods is top-notch. You really can’t go wrong with any of their flavor options. They offer other variety packs with milder roasts and flavored coffees, as well.
What makes Green Mountain K-cups unique is that each pod is filled with freshly ground coffee. They include a specially designed paper filter inside the pod that allows the grounds to be saturated with hot water before passing through the pod. This innovative design extracts every ounce of flavor from the coffee, resulting in a rich and flavorful cup with no bitterness or acidity.
Not only is a Green Mountain Favorites Variety Pack an excellent value, the Bold Roast Variety includes a light, medium, and dark roast coffee to please every taste. This works out great for us because I prefer a dark roast while my husband and daughter prefer a light or medium roast. Of all the coffee pods I taste-tested when researching this article, Green Mountain’s were the best Keurig K-cup coffee pods I tried and I will be reordering them regularly!
–> Shop Green Mountain Coffee K-Cup Favorites Variety Packs Here <–
2. Cafe Escapes Cafe Mocha Single-Serve K-Cup Pods
Aside from the wonderful flavor of these Cafe Mocha K-Cups, I was thrilled to see that they only have 50 mg of caffeine (about 1/3 of the amount of caffeine of a regular cup of coffee). That means I can enjoy an after-dinner mocha without being awake all night… how awesome is that?!
Flavored coffee pods can sometimes be kind of weak, but that’s not the case at all with these Cafe Mocha pods from Cafe Escapes. They have all the rich, creamy chocolate flavor of a true cafe mocha. If you’re looking for instant chocolate and coffee gratification without any fuss, these will fit the bill nicely!
–> Shop Cafe Escapes Cafe Mocha Keurig K-Cups Here <–
3. Peet’s Coffee Major Dickason’s Blend Dark Roast K-Cup Coffee Pods
What impressed me the most about these coffee pods was the smooth taste and amazing aroma– they’re every bit as good as percolated or drip coffee. I think I would buy them just for the incredible smell alone!
Most reviewers love Major Dickason’s K-Cups as much as I do! However, a few did report issues with these K-cups, saying they burst in transit. Mine arrived fresh and in perfect condition. I wouldn’t hesitate to reorder them and I highly recommend giving them a try if you’re into full-bodied coffee.
–> Shop Peet’s Major Dickason’s Keurig K-Cup Coffee Pods Here <–
4. Gevalia Cappuccino Keurig K-Cup Pods w/ Froth Packets
I’ve got to be honest, I was a little skeptical about this product but my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to give it a chance. Once again, I was pleasantly surprised! Gevalia’s Cappuccino K-Cup pods are truly delicious, with just enough sweetness and a little bit of froth.
My daughter loves cappuccino but hates fussing with our espresso machine, so these are the perfect treat for her. They’re creamy and rich with a nice coffee flavor and they’re super convenient.
As good as this product is, it will never replace a real cappuccino made with authentic espresso and expertly steamed and frothed milk. But, if you want a yummy cappuccino-style drink that you can whip up with your Kuerig, you will probably love Gevalia Cappuccino K-cup pods.
–> Shop Gevalia Cappuccino Keurig K-Cup Pods Here <–
5. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters French Vanilla Decaf Coffee K-Cups
I love to break these decaf French Vanilla K-Cups out when we have company because they make the whole house smell amazing… just like your favorite coffee shop and bakery! Everyone is always amazed by how flavorful, sweet, and creamy they are, no one can tell it’s decaf.
For me, these come out perfect on the 6-ounce setting, but I prefer a stronger cup of coffee, so you should adjust according to your taste. My whole family loves Green Mountain’s Decaf French Vanilla K-cups, and we will continue to reorder them!
–> Shop Green Mountain Coffee Roasters French Vanilla Decaf Coffee K-Cups Here <–
6. Cinnabon Classic Cinnamon Roll K-Cup Coffee
It didn’t take much convincing to get me to try these Cinnabon Classic Cinnamon Roll K-Cups! They’re described as a ” light roast brew with swirls of decadent flavors of Cinnabon’s cinnamon, brown, sugar, and of course, the mouthwatering frosting” that we all love. Yummm!
These Cinnabon flavored coffee pods are delicious perfection, and I’m completely hooked. Of course, they smell incredible, but believe it or not, they really do taste like a freshly baked cinnamon roll!
I have to admit that I’ve tried other cinnamon roll-flavored coffees before, but they all had an artificial, syrupy taste. These Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll K-Cups have no chemical taste at all… they taste like real cinnamon with just the right amount of brown sugar sweetness.
They have all the flavors of a Cinnabon without all calories and fat! If you love cinnamon, give them a try… you won’t be disappointed!
–> Shop Cinnabon Classic Cinnamon Roll K-Cups Here <–
7. Cooper’s Cask Barrel-Aged Single Serve Kcup Variety Pack
As you probably already know, I have been a huge fan of Cooper’s Cask Single Origen Whiskey Barrel Aged Coffee for years. I love to keep it on hand to serve after dinner whenever we have “fancy” company over. I had not tried their Kcups until I began researching this article, though, and I can’t wait to tell you about them!
The first thing I noticed when I sampled the Kcups in this variety pack is that each one has the deep, sophisticated flavor you expect from Cooper’s Cask single-origin coffees. All of their coffee, including their Kcups, is Fair Trade Grade 1 and roasted in small batches to ensure freshness. The flavor profile is exquisitely smooth and bold at the same time.
Each flavor has its own subtle notes that come from the barrels they’re aged in:
- The Single Malt Whiskey Barrel-Aged K-cup is woody and earthy with delicious notes of tobacco, tropical fruit, vanilla, and caramel.
- The Rye Whiskey Barrel-Aged K-cup has a bright and clean flavor that’s slightly spicy and acidic with subtle notes of peach, strawberry, honey, and chocolate.
- The Thomas Tew Rum Barrel-Aged K-cup tastes of caramelized sugar, raisins, molasses, cocoa, spice, and vanilla, with a hint of oak.
- The Kentucky Bourbon Barrel-Aged K-cup is vibrant and slightly sweet, with a hint of cocoa, fruit, and just a bit of bourbon.
If you’ve been on the fence about trying Cooper’s Cask, this K-cup variety pack is the perfect way to sample their most popular flavors. I will admit that these Kcups are a bit pricey, but they’re totally worth the splurge. And the company offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, so you’ve really got nothing to lose by giving them a try.
–> Shop Cooper’s Cask K-Cups Here <–
8. Starbucks Pike Place K-Cups
They’re a staple in our house, and if you’re a Starbucks fan, you won’t be disappointed by these Kcups. They’re the perfect way to get your fix without having to leave the house on Sunday morning. And, they’ll save you a bundle over hitting the drive-through on your way to work too.
I highly recommend purchasing them through Subscribe & Save on Amazon. Not only can you save up to 40% on your first subscribe and save purchase, but you’ll also save 15% on repeat deliveries. Those savings really add up over time when compared to paying full price at your local grocery or big box store.
–> Shop Starbucks Pike Place K-Cups Here <–
How to Brew the Best K-Cup Coffee
Looking for some tips and tricks to help make your K-Cup coffee taste better? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Once you’ve chosen the best K-cup coffee pods to suit your taste, our secrets for brewing the best K-cup coffee will take your morning caffeine fix to a whole new level.
· Start with the Basics
There’s no getting around it! If you want the best K-cup coffee, you need to start with a high-quality coffee pod. We highly recommend Green Mountain Coffee Roasters K-Cups, Cooper’s Cask Whiskey Barrel-Aged K-Cups, Peet’s Major Dickason’s Blend, or Starbucks Pike Place K-Cups if you’re looking for high-quality coffee in a convenient K-cup.
Once you’ve chosen the best Keurig K-Cup coffee pods for your taste, be sure to use filtered or bottled water in your Keurig machine. Water makes up around 99% of your brew. You want it to be as pure as possible for the best Keurig coffee.
· How to Make K-Cup Coffee Stronger
Weak coffee is one of the biggest issues with K-cup coffee, but there is a way to outsmart your Keurig and get a nice, full-bodied brew.
Simply brew your K-cup as you normally would but set the machine to its lowest ounce setting. If you want, you can brew a second time with a fresh k-cup (also on the low setting) to get a full 8-ounce cup.
Unfortunately, using the eight-ounce setting with most K-cups results in watered-down coffee. That’s because you’re using the same amount of grounds and adding more water.
If you’re concerned about waste, consider purchasing a reusable K-cup filter and adding the appropriate amount of grounds to suit your taste. And, don’t forget K-cups can now be recycled, too!
· Or, Try a Bolder Roast
If your main issue is weak Keurig coffee and the hack above isn’t doing it for you, you could try a bolder roast. Since the water doesn’t stay in contact with the grounds for very long in a Keurig brewer, weak coffee can still be an issue even in the lowest setting, especially if you prefer a nice strong cup.
· How to Counteract the Bitterness in K-Cup Coffee
Keurig coffee is notoriously bitter, but there’s a way to deal with that, too. Simply add a tiny pinch of salt to your brew! It causes a chemical reaction that reduces the acidity and results in a smoother cup of k-cup coffee.
You can also add a hint of spice to your coffee to counteract bitterness and change up the flavor. We’ve got lots of great coffee add-in ideas right here!
· Get the Best Tasting K-Cup Coffee with Freshly Ground Beans
Everyone knows that freshly ground coffee just tastes better than pre-ground! Don’t forget that you can purchase a reusable filter and grind your beans fresh right before you use them. This also gives you the flexibility to use any type of beans you like, from high-quality Kona to espresso and everything in between.
· Clean That Thing
The most important step for the best K-cup coffee is to clean your Keurig machine regularly. Nothing will make your K-Cup brew taste horrible like bacteria and stale coffee buildup in a dirty Keurig machine.
The easiest way to clean your Keurig is to run white vinegar through it. Simply fill the chamber with vinegar and brew it all through the machine. Then run a chamber full of clean water through it to finish the cleaning process and remove any leftover vinegar.
Complete this process once a month, or anytime your coffee has an off-taste, or when your machine seems to be taking longer than normal to brew.
And, be sure to clean the water reservoir and pod holder at least once a week. Any leftover grounds can go rancid and have a major impact on the taste of your brew. These cleaning cups are fantastic for removing stains and residue.
Another important maintenance task that often gets overlooked is replacing the filter. Most Keurig machines have a filter in the water reservoir that reduces the mineral content and chlorine in your water. For the best Keurig coffee, the manufacturer recommends replacing the water filter every two months, or after 60 tank refills.
· Bring on the Heat
Another common issue with Keurig coffee is that the water never seems to get hot enough, especially when the brewing process is so quick.
The easiest way to counteract this issue is to run one cycle of plain water through your Keurig before you brew. This will preheat the machine so that the water is hotter, which results in a slightly stronger, hotter cup of coffee with a more complex flavor.
Final Thoughts on the Best Keurig K-Cup Flavors and How to Brew the Best K-Cup Coffee
If you’ve been reading the blog at Be Your Own Barista for a while, you’ve probably realized that I’m extremely picky about my coffee!
I have to admit that I tried 50 or more different K-cups when I was researching this article, and I ended up sending the vast majority of them back.
The ones listed above were the best K-cup coffee pods I tried, and I would not hesitate to recommend any of them or give them as gifts. In fact, I have already reordered many of them and will continue to restock them, too.
When you combine the best tasting K-cup flavors with our tips for brewing the best K-cup coffee, you’ll see that you really can end up with a great-tasting cup of coffee right at home, even if your favorite brewing method is a Keurig coffee machine.
