Introducing the Keurig Alta System
The AltaRound, a coffee puck consisting of grounds encased in seaweed-derived gel, represents a significant packaging innovation. These transformed pods are accompanied by a new machine, the $500 Alta, which marks Keurig’s initial venture into high-pressure espresso extraction, operating at up to 10 bars, comparable to standard espresso machines.
The integration of the pod and machine showcases striking technology, with the coffee maker scanning QR codes on the pucks to suggest beverages via a touchscreen. This represents a futuristic reinvention, emphasizing both environmental initiative and coffee quality in an ambitious redesign for Keurig’s consumer market.
The Keurig Alta Brewer: Sizable Yet Stylish
Keurig’s lineup of coffee makers ranges from basic to sophisticated, and the Alta stands out as the brand’s most substantial offering to date. The appliance is quite large, occupying 19 inches by 10 inches of counter space and standing 1 foot tall. It features a removable 70-ounce water tank at the back and a steam wand with a pitcher at the front.
Pods are deposited into the top of the machine, directly beneath an electronic display, necessitating an additional 8 inches of vertical clearance for operation. Used pucks and liquids are collected in a compartment on the machine’s left side. Given its numerous components, the coffeemaker requires ample counter space, and its cord is noted as being somewhat short, requiring careful placement planning.
Despite its size, the Alta’s aesthetics are appealing. It resembles a retro espresso maker more than a typical pod machine, with a smooth, subtly 1970s-inspired shape and a bright white finish. The absence of visible buttons or an immediate display contributes to its sleek appearance, with brewing functions managed via a compact digital screen on top, similar in size to a smartphone.
Setup involves Wi-Fi syncing, with the touchscreen guiding the initial configuration, enhancing the Keurig’s already intuitive process. Each Alta puck features a QR code that the coffee maker scans, prompting several suggested beverages. This system provides an expanded and modernized Keurig experience, though its $500 price point suggests a premium feature set.
Insights into the New Keurig Alta Pods
While the new machine is visually striking, the AltaRounds are the primary innovation. Each 14-gram pod resembles a damp espresso puck, encased in a thin, NSF-certified seaweed film. This material is resilient, allowing users to handle and insert the AltaRound into the brewer without concerns about loose grounds. Post-extraction, the pucks largely retain their integrity, marked only by needle-like piercings.
Compared to the hard plastic K-Cups, this system is designed with sustainability in mind. However, a current drawback is that each AltaRound is sold in a non-recyclable foil wrapper. While Keurig has indicated that paper-based packaging is forthcoming, the system presently generates more waste than traditional espresso, drip, or filtered coffee methods.
Sampling the Keurig Alta’s Coffee Lineup
The initial AltaRound lineup is limited but entirely new to the Keurig ecosystem, currently offering Light, Medium, and Dark Roast pucks, along with a single Caramel flavor. More options are in development. Conveniently, the coffee maker also includes a slot for older-generation plastic K-Cups, allowing users to brew existing favorites without fully committing to the new system.
The Alta is capable of brewing a wide array of beverages, from rich, short espresso shots to frothy lattes and standard drip coffee. Barista skills are not required, as the machine scans each pod, recommends a drink, and automates the extraction process. Even the milk frother is machine-driven, utilizing a magnetic spinner in the pitcher to assist with timing and foaming dairy.
Customization options are available, including manual frothing and adjustments to coffee strength, temperature, and size across three levels. The steam wand can also create cold foam or hot froth. Keurig provides suggested recipes for more intricate drinks, such as an espresso martini or a salted caramel latte, offering a broad range of beverages that may require sampling several AltaRounds to find personal preferences.
The double-shot dark roast was particularly impressive, brewing opaque with an appealing crema, a quality not typically seen with K-Cups. When combined with steamed milk, it produced a flavorful cappuccino, latte, and cortado, approaching the caliber of espresso machine-made drinks.
In comparison to conventional espresso, the coffee was noted to lack some body. Both single-shot and double-shot AltaRounds weighed just under 14 grams, with the latter yielding approximately 98 grams of coffee, resulting in a 1:7 ratio, which is far from the ideal 1:2 espresso shot. While the dark-roast AltaRound offers a pleasantly bold and bitter taste, it lacks the acidity and concentrated flavor expected from a barista-quality shot. Despite not being true espresso, its ease of brewing and shelf stability (nine months sealed, 30 days opened) make it a satisfactory option.
The light- and medium-roast Alta pods were less appealing. When brewed as a hot 8-ounce cup (the recommended method), both pods exhibited increased acidity, with the light roast adding a hint of fruitiness. However, despite being brighter, these two coffees were described as bland and flat.
The brewed cups also presented a faint, off-putting woody note, which was more pronounced in the medium roast. This tasting note intensified when served iced. The Keurig Alta reduces the extraction temperature for cold beverages, a setting that does not seem to enhance the AltaRounds. Mixing either roast profile with milk helps mitigate this issue; however, the machine generally performed better for hot beverages.
The caramel AltaRound was more favorably received, even by a reviewer who does not typically sweeten coffee. Blending sweet and toasted flavors, this puck successfully emulates a homemade syrup experience, particularly in a hot drink with milk. Similar to the other pucks, the underlying coffee flavor is straightforward but pleasant, making it an occasional enjoyable cup.
Overall, the brewed AltaRound coffees were not found to be a significant improvement in flavor over traditional K-Cups, though the coffee maker’s expanded options are considerably more comprehensive than previous models.
Verdict on the Keurig Alta
For long-time Keurig users, the Alta represents a substantial overhaul. The system provides espresso-like brewing, a sleek machine, and the redesigned AltaRound pods. The move towards more environmentally conscious coffee brewing, particularly with this packaging (despite the current plastic wrapper), is a positive step for single-serve coffee. The Alta follows other plastic-free pod systems, marking Keurig’s contribution to reducing brewing waste.
However, this innovation comes at a considerable cost. The new brewer set is priced at $500, including 32 AltaRounds, which is significantly higher than K-Cup brewers that can be found for as low as $50. Refills for the pucks are sold at $11 for an eight-count box, with a $1.50 discount per box for AutoRefresh subscriptions. Even with the discount, this amounts to over $1 per cup, making it pricier than brewing coffee at home with a drip machine.
The coffee flavors, according to the source review, do not justify the increased expense. At this price point, alternatives such as an automatic drip brewer or a semi-automated espresso machine, both allowing the use of fresh coffee beans, might be considered. Nevertheless, for those seeking the convenience of shelf-stable pods for espresso drinks while maintaining loyalty to Keurig coffee, the Alta is a worthwhile redesign.
