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CNET
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
Want the Best Possible K-Cup? I Tested More Than 40, and These Are My Picks
What to skip: Revv No Surrender This coffee pod did little to rev my engines. Katherine Peach/CNET I found Revv No Surrender coffee disappointing for a few reasons:The blend reminded me of coffee from a pot that was left sitting on the burner for too long. The K-Cup tasted sour and astringent, followed by a burnt and bitter finish. Second, No Surrender claims to be the jolt you need as an early grinder, but it's made with 100% arabica beans. Straight arabica means it's likely to possess a typical caffeine boost without the naturally higher caffeine content of the robusta bean. (None of the K-Cup boxes gave caffeine information.) Finally, No Surrender arrived unannounced in the Keurig Coffee Lovers' Collection variety pack. I bought a box of the brand to test because No Surrender wasn't listed as part of the collection on the Keurig website. Not a style that I needed in excess of. What to try instead: Tactisquatch Tactisquatch by Black Rifle Coffee is smooth and toasty with a nice jolt of caffeine. Keurig If looking for a dark roast without much bitterness, I recommend trying Tactisquatch by Black Rifle Coffee Company at 68 cents per pod in the 22-count box on Keurig. The flavor is toasted and robust with a smooth finish. Tactisquatch also doesn't claim to be made with 100% arabica beans, so it likely includes the robusta bean for an extra dose of caffeine. It could be the jolt you're hoping for. What to skip: Starbucks Verona After tasting Starbucks' Verona blend, I'm starting to see why Romeo and Juliet ended up like it did. Katherine Peach/CNET Most people heading to Starbucks aren't going for its excellent drip coffee, but the Starbucks Verona K-Cup tastes like something has gone wrong in the roasting process. It is a hard pass for me because it smells burnt, tastes bitter and leaves an unpleasant tannic residue on the tip of my tongue. The brand markets Verona as a mid-dark on the label, but it tastes like an overcooked French roast. Are there better options out there, even by the same brand? Absolutely. What to try instead: Barista Premium Try Barista Premium instead of Starbucks Varona. Keurig The Barista Prima Coffeehouse Colombia is a single-origin alternative with deep toasted notes of walnut that don't overpower. I could see many people reaching for this first thing in the morning for an eye-opener. I also find it a little acidic, but it's a solid option considering it's a medium roast that leans dark. The K-Cups are 62 cents per pod on Keurig and found online at retailers like Amazon. What to skip: Seattle's Best Breakfast Blend Seattle's Best was one of the worst. Katherine Peach/CNET Despite tasting this K-Cup several times, the Seattle's Best Breakfast Blend is a medium roast that delivers a combination of muddiness upfront and a sweet yet musty finish. (I did confirm the best buy date is fine for almost one more year. Of course, the "best buy" date on a coffee label isn't an indicator of freshness.) Overall, this blend lacks the brightness and citrus notes listed on the box. I found the earthiness overwhelming and would need plenty of milk and sugar to balance out the flavor. Plus, at 56 cents per pod on the Keurig site, this isn't even the cheapest K-Cup option available. What to try instead: Illy Classico Choose Illy Classico over Green Mountain for a medium breakfast blend. Illy Illy Classico is another brand commonly found in the grocery store or on Keurig for $1.30 per pod. It's toasted and rounded in flavor for a medium roast without verging into overcooked. This isn't the most complex of blends but it's likely to please anyone interested in a solid, international coffee. What to skip: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Colombia Select Green Mountain's Columbia Select started smooth but finished surprisingly bitter and flat. Katherine Peach/CNET I selected the Green Mountain Single-Origin Colombia Select because it was the only option with a Fair Trade Certified label from my local grocery store. While I appreciate sustainable sourcing, I found this K-Cup to be inconsistent. Even when it started smooth, it finished surprisingly bitter and flat. The aroma is sweet but is missing the claims of cocoa and caramel tasting notes. The Colombia Select also arrived as part of the Keurig variety pack and the flavor still disappointed. Granted, it's not as muddy as some of the other Green Mountain blends but the finish carried an essence of twig that just couldn't meet the label's aspirations. What to try instead: Philz Tesora I liked Philz Tesora with its smooth, toasted flavor and full-bodied texture. Philz For a medium roast with responsible sourcing, try Philz Coffee Tesora blend, at 78 cents per pod on Keurig. Tesora has a smooth, toasted flavor and full-bodied texture. This pod also claims notes of chocolate and caramel similar to the Colombia Select. The blend is bright overall to balance the nuttiness. Plus, Philz Coffee claims a range of partnerships for sustainability, fair labor conditions and social programs. What to skip: Gevalia Signature Blend Gevalia's signature blend was hardly offensive but there are plenty of others I would choose over it. Katherine Peach/CNET Labeled as a mild blend, the Gevalia Signature Blend light roast is bright and a little sour. If you want a true light roast, though, then it's better to go with another blend because this one is quite toasted. This K-Cup is also more bitter than I anticipated, which does mellow as the coffee cools. The Signature Blend also finishes with wet, earthy notes that are more musty than herbaceous. This is hardly an offensive blend, but there are just better options out there. What to try instead: Coffee People Morning Blend Coffee People's Morning Blend is a delightful light roast for daily drinking. Coffee People Coffee People Morning Blend is a better light-roast alternative. The Morning Blend is one of the few light-roasted blends that is truly mild with low acidity. It's also nutty with a light body that allows for a satisfying viscosity at the start of the day. While Coffee People Morning Blend isn't my top choice for a light roast, I found the pods consistent and highly drinkable at 39 cents per pod in a 24-count on Keurig.
CNET
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
Want the Best Possible K-Cup? I Tested More Than 40, and These Are My Top Picks
What to skip: Revv No Surrender This coffee pod did little to rev my engines. Katherine Peach/CNET I found Revv No Surrender coffee disappointing for a few reasons:The blend reminded me of coffee from a pot that was left sitting on the burner for too long. The K-Cup tasted sour and astringent, followed by a burnt and bitter finish. Second, No Surrender claims to be the jolt you need as an early grinder, but it's made with 100% arabica beans. Straight arabica means it's likely to possess a typical caffeine boost without the naturally higher caffeine content of the robusta bean. (None of the K-Cup boxes gave caffeine information.) Finally, No Surrender arrived unannounced in the Keurig Coffee Lovers' Collection variety pack. I bought a box of the brand to test because No Surrender wasn't listed as part of the collection on the Keurig website. Not a style that I needed in excess of. What to try instead: Tactisquatch Tactisquatch by Black Rifle Coffee is smooth and toasty with a nice jolt of caffeine. Keurig If looking for a dark roast without much bitterness, I recommend trying Tactisquatch by Black Rifle Coffee Company at 68 cents per pod in the 22-count box on Keurig. The flavor is toasted and robust with a smooth finish. Tactisquatch also doesn't claim to be made with 100% arabica beans, so it likely includes the robusta bean for an extra dose of caffeine. It could be the jolt you're hoping for. What to skip: Starbucks Verona After tasting Starbucks' Verona blend, I'm starting to see why Romeo and Juliet ended up like it did. Katherine Peach/CNET Most people heading to Starbucks aren't going for its excellent drip coffee, but the Starbucks Verona K-Cup tastes like something has gone wrong in the roasting process. It is a hard pass for me because it smells burnt, tastes bitter and leaves an unpleasant tannic residue on the tip of my tongue. The brand markets Verona as a mid-dark on the label, but it tastes like an overcooked French roast. Are there better options out there, even by the same brand? Absolutely. What to try instead: Barista Premium Try Barista Premium instead of Starbucks Varona. Keurig The Barista Prima Coffeehouse Colombia is a single-origin alternative with deep toasted notes of walnut that don't overpower. I could see many people reaching for this first thing in the morning for an eye-opener. I also find it a little acidic, but it's a solid option considering it's a medium roast that leans dark. The K-Cups are 62 cents per pod on Keurig and found online at retailers like Amazon. What to skip: Seattle's Best Breakfast Blend Seattle's Best was one of the worst. Katherine Peach/CNET Despite tasting this K-Cup several times, the Seattle's Best Breakfast Blend is a medium roast that delivers a combination of muddiness upfront and a sweet yet musty finish. (I did confirm the best buy date is fine for almost one more year. Of course, the "best buy" date on a coffee label isn't an indicator of freshness.) Overall, this blend lacks the brightness and citrus notes listed on the box. I found the earthiness overwhelming and would need plenty of milk and sugar to balance out the flavor. Plus, at 56 cents per pod on the Keurig site, this isn't even the cheapest K-Cup option available. What to try instead: Illy Classico Choose Illy Classico over Green Mountain for a medium breakfast blend. Illy Illy Classico is another brand commonly found in the grocery store or on Keurig for $1.30 per pod. It's toasted and rounded in flavor for a medium roast without verging into overcooked. This isn't the most complex of blends but it's likely to please anyone interested in a solid, international coffee. What to skip: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Colombia Select Green Mountain's Columbia Select started smooth but finished surprisingly bitter and flat. Katherine Peach/CNET I selected the Green Mountain Single-Origin Colombia Select because it was the only option with a Fair Trade Certified label from my local grocery store. While I appreciate sustainable sourcing, I found this K-Cup to be inconsistent. Even when it started smooth, it finished surprisingly bitter and flat. The aroma is sweet but is missing the claims of cocoa and caramel tasting notes. The Colombia Select also arrived as part of the Keurig variety pack and the flavor still disappointed. Granted, it's not as muddy as some of the other Green Mountain blends but the finish carried an essence of twig that just couldn't meet the label's aspirations. What to try instead: Philz Tesora I liked Philz Tesora with its smooth, toasted flavor and full-bodied texture. Philz For a medium roast with responsible sourcing, try Philz Coffee Tesora blend, at 78 cents per pod on Keurig. Tesora has a smooth, toasted flavor and full-bodied texture. This pod also claims notes of chocolate and caramel similar to the Colombia Select. The blend is bright overall to balance the nuttiness. Plus, Philz Coffee claims a range of partnerships for sustainability, fair labor conditions and social programs. What to skip: Gevalia Signature Blend Gevalia's signature blend was hardly offensive but there are plenty of others I would choose over it. Katherine Peach/CNET Labeled as a mild blend, the Gevalia Signature Blend light roast is bright and a little sour. If you want a true light roast, though, then it's better to go with another blend because this one is quite toasted. This K-Cup is also more bitter than I anticipated, which does mellow as the coffee cools. The Signature Blend also finishes with wet, earthy notes that are more musty than herbaceous. This is hardly an offensive blend, but there are just better options out there. What to try instead: Coffee People Morning Blend Coffee People's Morning Blend is a delightful light roast for daily drinking. Coffee People Coffee People Morning Blend is a better light-roast alternative. The Morning Blend is one of the few light-roasted blends that is truly mild with low acidity. It's also nutty with a light body that allows for a satisfying viscosity at the start of the day. While Coffee People Morning Blend isn't my top choice for a light roast, I found the pods consistent and highly drinkable at 39 cents per pod in a 24-count on Keurig.
CNET
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
Best in Brew: 5 Excellent Keurig K-Cups to Make Your Morning Cup (I Tested More Than 40)
What to skip: Revv No Surrender This coffee pod did little to rev my engines. Katherine Peach/CNET I found Revv No Surrender coffee disappointing for a few reasons:The blend reminded me of coffee from a pot that was left sitting on the burner for too long. The K-Cup tasted sour and astringent, followed by a burnt and bitter finish. Second, No Surrender claims to be the jolt you need as an early grinder, but it's made with 100% arabica beans. Straight arabica means it's likely to possess a typical caffeine boost without the naturally higher caffeine content of the robusta bean. (None of the K-Cup boxes gave caffeine information.) Finally, No Surrender arrived unannounced in the Keurig Coffee Lovers' Collection variety pack. I bought a box of the brand to test because No Surrender wasn't listed as part of the collection on the Keurig website. Not a style that I needed in excess of. What to try instead: Tactisquatch Tactisquatch by Black Rifle Coffee is smooth and toasty with a nice jolt of caffeine. Keurig If looking for a dark roast without much bitterness, I recommend trying Tactisquatch by Black Rifle Coffee Company at 68 cents per pod in the 22-count box on Keurig. The flavor is toasted and robust with a smooth finish. Tactisquatch also doesn't claim to be made with 100% arabica beans, so it likely includes the robusta bean for an extra dose of caffeine. It could be the jolt you're hoping for. What to skip: Starbucks Verona After tasting Starbucks' Verona blend, I'm starting to see why Romeo and Juliet ended up like it did. Katherine Peach/CNET Most people heading to Starbucks aren't going for its excellent drip coffee, but the Starbucks Verona K-Cup tastes like something has gone wrong in the roasting process. It is a hard pass for me because it smells burnt, tastes bitter and leaves an unpleasant tannic residue on the tip of my tongue. The brand markets Verona as a mid-dark on the label, but it tastes like an overcooked French roast. Are there better options out there, even by the same brand? Absolutely. What to try instead: Barista Premium Try Barista Premium instead of Starbucks Varona. Keurig The Barista Prima Coffeehouse Colombia is a single-origin alternative with deep toasted notes of walnut that don't overpower. I could see many people reaching for this first thing in the morning for an eye-opener. I also find it a little acidic, but it's a solid option considering it's a medium roast that leans dark. The K-Cups are 62 cents per pod on Keurig and found online at retailers like Amazon. What to skip: Seattle's Best Breakfast Blend Seattle's Best was one of the worst. Katherine Peach/CNET Despite tasting this K-Cup several times, the Seattle's Best Breakfast Blend is a medium roast that delivers a combination of muddiness upfront and a sweet yet musty finish. (I did confirm the best buy date is fine for almost one more year. Of course, the "best buy" date on a coffee label isn't an indicator of freshness.) Overall, this blend lacks the brightness and citrus notes listed on the box. I found the earthiness overwhelming and would need plenty of milk and sugar to balance out the flavor. Plus, at 56 cents per pod on the Keurig site, this isn't even the cheapest K-Cup option available. What to try instead: Illy Classico Choose Illy Classico over Green Mountain for a medium breakfast blend. Illy Illy Classico is another brand commonly found in the grocery store or on Keurig for $1.30 per pod. It's toasted and rounded in flavor for a medium roast without verging into overcooked. This isn't the most complex of blends but it's likely to please anyone interested in a solid, international coffee. What to skip: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Colombia Select Green Mountain's Columbia Select started smooth but finished surprisingly bitter and flat. Katherine Peach/CNET I selected the Green Mountain Single-Origin Colombia Select because it was the only option with a Fair Trade Certified label from my local grocery store. While I appreciate sustainable sourcing, I found this K-Cup to be inconsistent. Even when it started smooth, it finished surprisingly bitter and flat. The aroma is sweet but is missing the claims of cocoa and caramel tasting notes. The Colombia Select also arrived as part of the Keurig variety pack and the flavor still disappointed. Granted, it's not as muddy as some of the other Green Mountain blends but the finish carried an essence of twig that just couldn't meet the label's aspirations. What to try instead: Philz Tesora I liked Philz Tesora with its smooth, toasted flavor and full-bodied texture. Philz For a medium roast with responsible sourcing, try Philz Coffee Tesora blend, at 78 cents per pod on Keurig. Tesora has a smooth, toasted flavor and full-bodied texture. This pod also claims notes of chocolate and caramel similar to the Colombia Select. The blend is bright overall to balance the nuttiness. Plus, Philz Coffee claims a range of partnerships for sustainability, fair labor conditions and social programs. What to skip: Gevalia Signature Blend Gevalia's signature blend was hardly offensive but there are plenty of others I would choose over it. Katherine Peach/CNET Labeled as a mild blend, the Gevalia Signature Blend light roast is bright and a little sour. If you want a true light roast, though, then it's better to go with another blend because this one is quite toasted. This K-Cup is also more bitter than I anticipated, which does mellow as the coffee cools. The Signature Blend also finishes with wet, earthy notes that are more musty than herbaceous. This is hardly an offensive blend, but there are just better options out there. What to try instead: Coffee People Morning Blend Coffee People's Morning Blend is a delightful light roast for daily drinking. Coffee People Coffee People Morning Blend is a better light-roast alternative. The Morning Blend is one of the few light-roasted blends that is truly mild with low acidity. It's also nutty with a light body that allows for a satisfying viscosity at the start of the day. While Coffee People Morning Blend isn't my top choice for a light roast, I found the pods consistent and highly drinkable at 39 cents per pod in a 24-count on Keurig.
Free Malaysia Today
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Free Malaysia Today
Latibule Coffee offers smooth espresso topped with retro charm
The menu at Latibule Coffee is limited and that's a good thing. (Dinesh Kumar Maganathan @ FMT Lifestyle) PETALING JAYA : Have you ever stepped into a space and, ever so subtly, felt like you've been transported to a different era? The mood shifts, the atmosphere draws you in, and even the aroma in the air seems to lift you up. Walking into Latibule Coffee in Ara Damansara – a Japanese kissaten-inspired coffeehouse with retro-modern finishes and oriental jazz playing softly in the background – you might find yourself thinking: this is the closest you'll ever get to time travel. The brainchild of Shum E Yern, Latibule Coffee takes its dark roast coffee brewing very seriously – promising a caffeinated experience unlike any other. The menu here is limited, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Shum E Yern (right) and Samuel Hau are coffee lovers who want to create a unique experience for their customers. (Dinesh Kumar Maganathan @ FMT Lifestyle) Shum, together with his partner Samuel Hau, knows exactly what they're doing, offering customers – especially coffee and tea lovers – a curated experience that prioritises taste, comfort, and a touch of aromatic pizzazz. At Latibule Coffee, the star is their dark roast – a deliberate nod to the traditional kissaten style. 'If you go to Japan, all the kissaten serve dark roast kaw kaw,' Shum enthused, adding the cafe's vibe was inspired by his travels to Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Instead of a generic dark roast, Shum and his team worked closely with their roaster to create a unique profile: just dark enough to develop rich coffee oils without burning the beans. It's this attention to detail that led to one of their most distinct offerings, the Slippery Espresso, an intense shot of special dark roast with a velvety layer of oil. The Slippery Espresso is definitely a must-try for coffee lovers. (Dinesh Kumar Maganathan @ FMT Lifestyle) 'Most people don't like espresso because it's too intense or sour,' Shum explained. 'But if you try this, maybe you can accept it. When you drink, it's not sharp. It's smooth.' Like the kissaten of post-war Japan – quiet retreats for writers and thinkers – Latibule Coffee offers a similar sense of calm. Fittingly, latibule means 'sanctuary' in Latin. Tables for two, some tucked into cosy corners, invite guests to unwind. Small signs on each table gently ask patrons to lower their voices, so everyone can enjoy the music and the atmosphere. Nothing goes to waste here, with tea made from coffee byproducts. (Dinesh Kumar Maganathan @ FMT Lifestyle) Beyond the slippery espresso, Latibule Coffee's Sibeh Dirty Latte is a must-try for avid coffee drinkers. Unlike the conventional version, this uses freeze-distilled sweet milk, giving it a slightly yoghurty texture. When poured into a shot of Slippery Espresso, you get a cold latte that's smooth, creamy, and almost dessert-like – perfect for the hot weather. While the staple oolong and white teas are available, Latibule Coffee also offers something truly unique: three types of tea made from coffee plant by-products – coffee leaf, coffee blossom, and coffee cascara, which is the dried husk of the coffee cherry. The Japanese drip coffee has a smoky profile and no bitter aftertaste. (Dinesh Kumar Maganathan @ FMT Lifestyle) For those who enjoy earthy, slightly herbaceous flavours with floral notes and a hint of caramel, the Coffee Leaf Tea is worth a try – though it's definitely an acquired taste. The Coffee Blossom Tea, on the other hand, is pale in colour and boasts a sweeter, lighter, and more floral profile that, strangely enough, evokes a sense of lighthearted happiness. Feeling peckish? The Chocolate Terrine is a rich, velvety mix of fudge, cake, and mousse. It's pure indulgence in a tiny loaf. Chocolate lovers, you might want to keep this one all to yourself. The Egg Puddings are also a treat, with a jiggly texture reminiscent of tau foo fah. The original flavour is already delicious, but you can take it up a notch with the rum and raisin version – an indulgent way to wind down after a long day at work. Ultimately, if you're looking to enjoy a rich cuppa with Canto-pop and jazz playing in the background – perhaps while reading a book and soaking in a moment of solitude – Latibule Coffee is the place to be. Latibule Coffee 21-1, Jalan PJU 1A/20, Ara Damansara, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor For location, click here. Business hours: 12pm-7pm (weekdays), 11am-7pm (weekends) Follow Latibule Coffee on Instagram.
CNET
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
Put a Better K-Cup in Your Keurig. I Tried More 40 Coffee Pods to Find the Best in 2025
What to skip: Revv No Surrender This coffee pod did little to rev my engines. Katherine Peach/CNET I found Revv No Surrender coffee disappointing for a few reasons:The blend reminded me of coffee from a pot that was left sitting on the burner for too long. The K-Cup tasted sour and astringent followed by a burnt and bitter finish. Second, No Surrender claims to be the jolt you need as an early grinder, but it's made with 100% arabica beans. Straight arabica means it's likely to possess a typical caffeine boost without the naturally higher caffeine content of the robusta bean. (None of the K-Cup boxes gave caffeine information.) Finally, No Surrender arrived unannounced in the Keurig Coffee Lovers' Collection variety pack. I bought a box of the brand to test because No Surrender wasn't listed as part of the collection on the Keurig website. Not a style that I needed excess of, unfortunately. What to try instead: Tactisquatch Tactisquatch by Black Rifle Coffee is smooth and toasty with a nice jolt of caffeine. Keurig If looking for a dark roast without much bitterness, I recommend trying Tactisquatch by Black Rifle Coffee Company at 68 cents per pod in the 22-count box on Keurig. The flavor is toasted and robust with a smooth finish. Tactisquatch also doesn't claim to be made with 100% arabica beans, so it likely includes the robusta bean for an extra dose of caffeine. It could be the jolt you're hoping for. What to skip: Starbucks Verona After tasting Starbucks' Verona blend, I'm starting to see why Romeo and Juliet ended up like it did. Kather Most people headed to Starbucks aren't going for its excellent drip coffee, but the Starbucks Verona K-Cup tastes like something has gone wrong in the roasting process. It is a hard pass for me because it smells burnt, tastes bitter and left an unpleasant tannic residue on the tip of my tongue. The brand markets Verona as a mid-dark on the label, but it tastes like an overcooked French roast. Are there better options out there, even by the same brand? Absolutely. What to try instead: Barista Premium Try Barista Premium instead of Starbucks Varona. Keurig The Barista Prima Coffeehouse Colombia is a single-origin alternative with deep toasted notes of walnut that doesn't overpower. I could see many people reaching for this first thing in the morning for an eye opener. I also find it a little acidic, but it's a solid option considering it's a medium roast than leans dark. The K-Cups are 62 cents per pod on Keurig and found online at retailers like Amazon. What to skip: Seattle's Best Breakfast Blend Seattle's Best was one of the worst. Katherine Peach Despite tasting this K-Cup several times, the Seattle's Best Breakfast Blend is a medium roast that delivers a combination of muddiness upfront and a sweet yet musty finish. (I did confirm the best buy date is fine for almost one more year. Of course, the "best buy" date on a coffee label isn't an indicator of freshness.) Overall, this blend lacks the brightness and citrus notes listed on the box. I found the earthiness overwhelming and would need plenty of milk and sugar to balance out the flavor. Plus, at 56 cents per pod on the Keurig site, this isn't even the cheapest K-Cup option available. What to try instead: Illy Classico Opt for Illy Classico over Green Mountain for a medium breakfast blend. Illy Illy Classico is another brand commonly found in the grocery store or on Keurig for $1.30 per pod. It's toasted and rounded in flavor for a medium roast without verging into overcooked. This isn't the most complex of blends, but it's likely to please anyone interested in a solid, international coffee. What to skip: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Colombia Select Green Mountain's Columbia Select started smooth but finished surprisingly bitter and flat. Katherine Peach/CNET I selected the Green Mountain Single-Origin Colombia Select because it was the only option with a Fair Trade Certified label from my local grocery store. While I appreciate sustainable sourcing, I found this K-Cup to be inconsistent. Even when it started smooth, it finished surprisingly bitter and flat. The aroma is sweet but is missing the claims of cocoa and caramel tasting notes. The Colombia Select also arrived as part of the Keurig variety pack and the flavor still disappointed. Granted, it's not as muddy as some of the other Green Mountain blends, but the finish carried an essence of twig that just couldn't meet the label's aspirations. What to try instead: Philz Tesora I liked Philz Tesora with its smooth, toasted flavor and full-bodied texture. Philz For a medium roast with responsible sourcing, try Philz Coffee Tesora blend, at 78 cents per pod on Keurig. Tesora is a smooth, toasted flavor and full-bodied texture. This pod also claims notes of chocolate and caramel similar to the Colombia Select. The blend is bright overall to balance the nuttiness. Plus, Philz Coffee claims a range of partnerships for sustainability, fair labor conditions and social programs. What to skip: Gevalia Signature Blend Gevalia's signature blend was hardly offensive, but there are plenty of others I would choose over it. Katherine Peach/CNET Labeled as a mild blend, the Gevalia Signature Blend light roast is bright and a little sour. If you want a true light roast, though, then it's better to go with another blend because this one is quite toasted. This K-Cup is also more bitter than I anticipated, which does mellow as the coffee cools. The Signature Blend also finishes with wet earth notes that are more musty than herbaceous. This is hardly an offensive blend, but there are just better options out there. What to try instead: Coffee People Morning Blend Coffee People's Morning Blend is a delightful light roast for daily drinking. Coffee People Coffee People Morning Blend is a better light-roast alternative. The Morning Blend is one of the few light-roasted blends that is truly mild with low acidity. It's also nutty with a light body that allows for a satisfying viscosity at the start of the day. While Coffee People Morning Blend isn't my top choice for a light roast, I found the pods consistent and highly drinkable at 39 cents per pod in a 24-count on Keurig.
