Subj : Keurig's new K-Rounds coffee pods are plastic-free and could fina To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Wed Mar 13 2024 17:45:05 Keurig's new K-Rounds coffee pods are plastic-free and could finally make single-serve coffee-making sustainable Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2024 17:31:29 +0000 Description: Keurig just reinvented K-Cups by throwing out the cups and squeezing your favorite coffee and it might be a sustainability game changer. FULL STORY ====================================================================== Keurig, the company that got us all hooked on single-serve coffee systems and has helped us churn through billions of plastic throwaway K-cups, just reinvented its single-serve system in what may be the most sustainable way: K-Rounds. K-Rounds are plastic and aluminum-free, highly-compressed coffee ground pods held together by an ultra-thin layer of plant-based material ( alginate ). As one Keurig exec described it, "Its just coffee in those pods." Keurig / Dr. Pepper unveiled the new ground coffee pods on Wednesday in four sizes: single-shot Espresso, dual-shot Espresso, regular cup of coffee size, and a larger iced coffee K-Round. Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 2 (Image credit: Future) Along with the new K-Rounds, Keurig unveiled its Alta Brewer, which is custom-built for the new pods. Keurig squeezed a little intelligence into the Alta, which can adjust the brew based on the code markings on each K-Round pod. (Image credit: Future) After that, the system works much like a regular K-Cup coffeemaker: You drop in the K-Round, close the top and the system pierces the compressed pod and sends the heated water through it to produce a cup of coffee. The Alta is also backward compatible with K-Cups there's a dedicated slot for the cups which Keurig told me they are not phasing out (at least not yet: there are all those legacy coffee makers to support). After brewing, all thats left is a squished coffee ground husk that's designed to be compostable, though Keurig has yet to get the K-Rounds certified for composting. (Image credit: Future) If successful, K-Rounds could have a measurable impact on the environment. According to one report , we create approximately half a billion metric tons of coffee capsule waste each year. Keurigs new coffee compression technology has other benefits beyond sustainability. The pods are smaller than their K-Cup counterparts and may be more efficient as well as producing, possibly, better coffee. Keurig execs noted that baristas usually tamp down coffee grounds to improve the extraction yields and these highly compressed pods may provide a similar result. While Keurig let me touch, smell, and even break a pod, there was no K-Round-based coffee to drink, so I can't confirm their claims. Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 2 (Image credit: Future) While K-Rounds are sure to cut down the non-compostable plastic waste from K-Cups, there are still questions about how Keurig can provide similarly sustainable K-Round packaging. One option theyre considering is cardboard tubes. Unlike K-Cups that you might leave in the cabinet for a year, K-Rounds have about six months of shelf life and once you open their outer packaging and put them on the kitchen counter, they only offer around a month of freshness. Keurig has yet to set a price for K-Rounds pods, though they admit the initial pricing might be premium. Similarly, theres no release or pricing for the compact, new Alta brewer. The company is planning a fall beta test. Im hoping I can get on the list to see if squeezing coffee grounds is the key to better taste and more sustainability. You might also like De'Longhi vs Breville: which brand makes the best coffee makers ... How does a bean-to-cup coffee machine work? The best coffee maker: top coffee machines for everyone .... Coffee maker vs espresso machine: which one is best for you ... ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/home/keurigs-new-k-rounds-coffee-pods-are-plastic-fr ee-and-could-finally-make-single-serve-coffee-making-sustainable --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .