// WIRED US/UK — MOBILE & WEB
Keurig Alta Brewer Review: Brand-New Tech, Classically Good Coffee
Ahead of my virtual taste-test briefing for the new Keurig Alta brewer, it was 9:50 am and I was panicking. Pesky time zones be darned; the meeting I thought was taking place in two hours was actually in 10 minutes. That led to the first of many positive interactions with this machine—I had it fully set up, connected to my Wi-Fi, and ready to brew in less than seven minutes. That's about as intuitive a setup process as one could hope for with a first-of-its-kind coffee machine. (We won't talk about the amount of packaging scattered all over my kitchen floor during the aforementioned meeting.)
The Keurig Alta looks like something straight out of a design convention. It almost looks like spaceship decor with its curved white lines and sleek components (it also comes in black and stainless steel). Whereas some inexpensive Keurigs—the kind that sell for $50 during shopping holidays—can feel cheap and plasticky, this machine feels high-end from top to bottom. The cup holder is metal, the cup and whisk for the steam wand are magnetic, and the reservoir bin is slim and reversible. Both drip trays tuck away seamlessly without adding extra bulk.
The top of the machine has two compartments. On the right side, you'll find the standard Keurig K-Cup basket, with the typical needle at the bottom to pierce the cup. On the left, though, is a new compartment for the brand-new Keurig AltaRounds ($11 for a box of 8). These little pucks are the latest in Keurig's coffee technology and are like nothing I've seen before. The whole package comes at a high price point, but compared to in-home espresso makers, it's not unreasonable.
If you've ever used an espresso machine or watched a barista pull shots, you'll be familiar with the process of filling a portafilter with ground coffee and tamping it down. The Keurig AltaRounds look similar to this puck of coffee. Each puck is coated in a substance derived from seaweed, and that layer of “glue” holding the AltaRounds together allows them to bloom inside the machine. They're available in four varieties right now: dark roast, medium roast, a caramel blend, and double-shot espresso, with light-roast coffee and single-shot espresso varieties coming soon. The AltaRounds are stamped with a QR code that the machine reads in a split second when you insert them into the left touchscreen compartment.
The machine then recommends different drink types (more on that in a second.) When spent, the pucks are collected in a waste bin and can be popped into your home compost or simply tossed in the garbage. While they're currently shipping in foil-based packaging, they'll eventually be wrapped in paper-based packaging, which will be curbside recyclable. This plastic-free coffee delivery system is a first for Keurig and really appeals to me. I've tested machines like the Bruvi BV-01, which has biodegradable pods, and technically Nespresso pods are recyclable, but most municipalities require that you send them to Nespresso for recycling via the mail, which is not exactly convenient. Keurig has a bad reputation for its K-Cups being wasteful; these little AltaRounds are the opposite.
The resulting brews I've tried have been fantastic. The Alta uses up to 10 bars of pressure to brew actual espresso, rather than using the concentrated coffee some pod machines label as “espresso.” Plain old coffee has a layer of crema and a rich oiliness that offers a full-bodied taste and viscosity that I wouldn't typically associate with pod coffee makers. I'm not usually a flavored-coffee person, but even the caramel blend is delicious, with a sweet scent and a cozy taste that isn't overdone. My friends who have gotten an under-oath sneak peek couldn't believe their eyes or taste buds, either. My initial skepticism was quickly overshadowed by sheer excitement.
The Alta brewer has a nifty touchscreen interface that will suggest different drinks based on which AltaRound you're using. You can favorite these drinks for quick access, but na