Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Aquires Tully’s Brand and Wholesale Business
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. has announced that it has completed the acquisition of the Tully’s Coffee® brand and wholesale coffee business from Tully’s Coffee Corporation for the purchase price of $40.3 million. Initially announced on September 15, 2008, the transaction was completed after receiving the required shareholders’ vote and satisfaction of the required closing conditions, as set forth in the Asset Purchase Agreement previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company financed this purchase through its existing $225 million senior revolving credit facility.
Tully’s retail locations will continue to operate under license and supply agreements with GMCR. The retail and international business will remain an independent company, operating under the name of TC Global, Inc., owned by its existing shareholders, and managed by its existing management team. As previously disclosed, the Company anticipates that this transaction will be neutral to slightly accretive to its earnings per share for the first twelve months of its ownership, and accretive thereafter.
What does this mean for single serve coffee? Everything. We love Tully's coffees and now moving forward we'll be assured they'll be around forever. A big thanks to Green Mountain for acquiring Tully's and continuing to expand into new and exciting areas in single serve coffee.
Terra Keramik Coffee, Espresso, and Cappuccino Cups Arrive for Review
We've featured the Terra Keramik cups before, but now we've got hands on samples of each of their cups. We've been pining for a hand glazed, hand painted, barista competition grade set of mugs here at Single Serve Coffee for quite some time. Each handcrafted piece of Terra Keramik’s tableware is triple fired for maximum durability, finished in a choice of eight brilliant colored glazes, and accented in platinum (YES PLATINUM). Lead-free and cadmium-free for an absolute food-safe finish, these mugs are the mugs to have for the rest of your life.
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March 27, 2009
Review: Green Mountain Fair Trade Wild Mountain Blueberry K-Cups
We decided to give some of our old favorites another try as we wait for newer seasonal varieties to arrive, so our first pick was Green Mountain’s Fair Trade Wild Blueberry K-Cups. A quick look on Green Mountain’s website reveals that the company got its start in 1981 when they opened a small café in Waitsfield, Vermont and roasted their coffee on-site. Some of their first commercial clients were restaurants & inns within the area, but shortly thereafter, skiers from neighboring states started asking the café if they could have its coffee shipped to their homes. This growing demand would eventually give birth to the company’s first mail-order business. As of 1993, the company has been publicly traded on NASDAQ and has quickly established itself as one of the nation’s leading specialty coffee companies not to mention the pioneering force partnering behind the introduction of the Keurig single serve coffee system. Today the company also sells many other coffee & tea brands including Newman’s Own, Caribou and Celestial Seasonings.
Microsoft Surface - Single Serve Coffee Table Computing
Microsoft launched the Microsoft Surface just about 2 years ago, but we recently found out these coffee tables of the future are now available. That's right - you can now order via the Microsoft Surface web site a coffee table that we can only imagine costs more than your current one. Not sure how spill proof these coffee tables are, but if we ever get one we think we might put our coffee on the end table instead.
We love the Single Serve Coffee Forums, and we really love our forum members. Forum member Josh has posted an extensive coffee pod review and tasting guide, and we have to say we're impressed. Now to be fair - over the years there's been tons of different guides (a big thanks to Vydorscope and Jolly for theirs), so let's just say we're not saying this is the first or last - but it's really well done. Thanks to Josh for putting it together, and we think it will be a great resource for any Single Serve Coffee reader.
REVIEWER BIAS:
I tend to prefer unflavored medium- and dark-roasted coffees. I'll make the occasional exception for a fantastic or intriguing coffee that falls outside my comfort zone. I have little interest in decaf pods (sorry!) because I'm practically immune to caffeine, but I'll try them if they're available. Questions and suggestions are welcome!
TASTING:
All of my reviews are based on an 8-ounce cup brewed using my Senseo. I pre-wet the pods. After brewing, I always take a few sips black before adding a squirt of half and half.
RATING SYSTEM:
This may evolve, but for now I'll just divide the coffees into four tiers. Within a tier there's no explicit ranking. I'll stick to alphabetical order.
Top 10 Best Selling Single Serve Coffee Makers - March 2009
This is the first time we've done our Top 10 Best Selling Single Serve Coffee makers in 2009, and the list is full of surprises. The Aeropress from Aerobie is now #1 with 5 of the top ten list getting consumed with Keurig designed single serve coffee makers. The Bosch Tassimo Suprema Hot Beverage System continues to shine on the top 10 list, but the older Braun models are no longer available. It's interesting how the Hamilton Beach Brew station continues to make the list, and Nespresso rounds out the top 10 with their affordable Essenza model.
Do you think these coffee makers represent the best selling or the best? What single serve coffee makers do you think should make a best of list regardless of sales? Sound off in the comments and let us know.
Imagine sacrificing yourself each day to prevent Coffee and Tea stain rings on your coffee table. Stan does this each day, and does it with style. Stan will fit both mugs and glasses, so in the evening you can have Stan save that same coffee table from a nasty ring of beer. Stan is a cousin of Dead Fred and he retails for $10.
Starbucks Starbucks VIA Ready Brew Tumbler - Instant Coffee On the Go
Starbucks is officially entering the instant coffee game with their new Ready Brew tumbler. Each tumbler pack comes with six ready brew packets of Columbian or Italian Roast coffee. The tumbler holds up to six VIA Ready Brew packets, allowing you to drink coffee literally 'on the go.' You simply pour a packet into your tumbler, add hot or cold water to the fill line, stir and drink.
We've yet to try this instant wonder, but reader Rich M. wrote in the following:
I received my Starbucks instant Italian blend coffee yesterday and had a cup this morning. It was nothing short of horrible. Very weak taste and not what I would come to expect from Starbucks at all.
We'll get one to review soon to be our own judge, but instant coffee doesn't sound very Starbucks does it?
We've just received a set of the Organa Tea Pods to try out here at Single Serve Coffee. We're big afternoon tea drinkers usually opting for a lemon tea or Earl Grey depending on our caffeine needs. The Organa Tea Pods are Certified USDA Organic Tea Pods, which makes your tea a little bit more natural.
There's a large variety of flavors available including:
Island Coconut K-Cups from Green Mountain are simply one of our favorite seasonal K-Cups. The sweet smell of coconut combined with a smooth blend of coffee makes for a morning treat each year it arrives. And since Spring vacation is coming up, and you may or may not be traveling to an exotic beach given the economy, we think indulging in a little coconut treat for yourself is just what the doctor ordered.
We recently got a ton of pictures sent in from a Senseo tasting event, and we really thought we'd share our favorites - Kevin from the Office. Yep - imagine on The Office everyone enjoying a nice frothy cup of Senseo coffee. Imagine getting to chat with Kevin about how much he likes his coffee. Nice.
Looks like Kevin has the base model which we think he'll love. What to learn more about the Senseo? Read our review here.
According to Time, Caffeine is #6 on the list of top 10 food trends for this year - especially caffeinated foods. We love caffeine in our single serve coffee, but we're not sure we need more of it from other sources throughout the day. But if you do really want to eat some caffeine, there are now caffeinated sunflower seeds, potato chips and candies.
Handpresso DomePod - Portable Espresso with Ground Coffee
Handpresso has announced a Handpresso DomePod which uses ground coffee instead of ESE espresso pods. Personally we prefer less mess when making out portable espresso, but if you're a true espresso snob you're going to want to grind and use your own. The DomePod allows you to pack up your favorite Arabica, Robusta, or Fair Trade coffee instead of being able to source your coffee in ESE pod form. The patented Handpresso Domepod system makes it easy to empty the coffee grounds – a simple click on the dome is enough. You can fill 3 DomePods and take them with you in the included case.
We were recently introduced to the My-Kap reusable lid for use with used K-Cups in your Keurig machine. The My-Kap allows you to re-use the Cup several times. Each time, you can fill it with your choice of coffee. Re-using your K-Cups saves up to 20 cents per cup, reduces waste, and allows you to enjoy an infinite selection of coffee varieties.
The My-Kap is easy to use, dishwasher-safe, and durable. It does not require altering the Keurig machine at all. Peel the foil off the top of your used K-Cup, rinse it, put in a spoonful of your desired coffee, and press the My-Kap in place; then insert into the machine as you would a regular K-Cup.
Each My-Kap comes with detailed, illustrated instructions on using, storing and cleaning it. Also included is a tool that helps get the My-Kap back off of the K-Cup after using it.
After lots of different coffees, we find a somewhat fine grind along with a bolder coffee works best. We also preferred the 6 oz size using our Keurig Platinum brewer. The My-Kap is compatible with any Keurig brewer, however the My-Kap was not designed or manufactured by Keurig. It is not endorsed by Keurig for use in either the K-Cup or Keurig Brewer. Also please note that it is not for use with ESE PODS.
This is the kind of story you either think is great or appalling. We don't condone this type of business, but given the tough economic times it could be much much worse. So what's the true recipe for success and coffee - topless servers, and to be fair it's both men and women of all shapes and sizes. The coffee shop has been open for about 3 weeks now, and from our coffee shop sources in Maine - doing great.
The one thing that comes to mind is - hot coffee and bare flesh don't go well together. So coffee servers - make sure you take your time, serve your coffee, and when the economy turns around maybe go the more traditional coffee shop route.
What do you think? Do you think this is a good idea or just a bad idea in bad times?
Nespresso CitiZ Single Serve Coffee and Espresso Maker Arrives for Review
The new line of Nespresso slim coffee machines, the CitiZ will be available very soon, and we've just received one of these retro style wonders to review. Inspired by a modern city skyline (especially when you sit more than one next to each other), the CitiZ single serve coffee and espresso machine is quite breathtaking. The new line consists of 3 machines in 8 different colors, has an automatic standby mode to save energy. Expect a full review soon.
Sporting a rich blend of Irish Creme, creamy vanilla, and a buttery hint of graham crackers these coffee pods look to have an amazing flavor as well as being a little filling. We love our Irish Creme (especially this time of year), and think these coffee pods from Baronet look to bring out the green in your cup of single serve coffee.
Portability in coffee tables has not existed until now - we give you the Case Folding Coffee Table. The table folds itself into a case when not in use and is made of easy open/close birch wood pieces each spring loaded with locking hinges. It can take loads of up to 100 lbs, and is handmade in California. A big thanks to Beth for sending this in.
The On-Orbit Coffee Cup uses surface tension to hold liquid in zero-g, and was invented by astronaut Donald Pettit after a mission or two of coffeeless space flights. The cup isn't real yet (it's just a render), and we're not sure most people would even get a chance to use one in zero G unless the number of ways to get off the planet improves, but it does inspire us to think of the future that never seems to come of space travel to distant stars sipping on single serve coffee.
Aloha Island Coffee has something no other coffee pod maker has - Certified Organic Coffee Pods. So if you're looking to make sure there is only natural goodness in your cup of single serve coffee, you're probably going to want to go organic. We've been drinking the Surf's Up Breakfast Blend for the past two weeks each morning, and without cutting to the chase - this is excellent coffee.
The coffee pod weighs in at 8 grams.
The Paradise Blend Surf's Up Breakfast Blend Certified Organic Coffee Pods come packed in a 18 count box for $17.99. So expect to pay a little more for your cup of single serve coffee, but the results are worth it. That puts each 8 gram coffee pod at about $1.00 a cup, but as we all know - organic products typically cost a bit more. How does the Surf's Up Breakfast Blend hold up?
We currently take our Keurig Mini B30 just about everywhere we know good coffee won't be in our travels. Do you have cool places you take your Keurig Mini? Sound off in the comments and/or send us in pictures to:
February 2009 Monthly Round-Up for Single Serve Coffee
Another month goes by as we head into the final phase of Winter here in the US. Make sure and get a cup of single serve coffee to keep warm, and expect lots of news and reviews this March including coffee pods from Aloha Island Coffee, Vietnamese coffee, and others.
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Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Aquires Tully’s Brand and Wholesale Business 
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We were recently introduced to the My-Kap reusable lid for use with used K-Cups in your Keurig machine. The My-Kap allows you to re-use the Cup several times. Each time, you can fill it with your choice of coffee. Re-using your K-Cups saves up to 20 cents per cup, reduces waste, and allows you to enjoy an infinite selection of coffee varieties.
Another month goes by as we head into the final phase of Winter here in the US. Make sure and get a cup of single serve coffee to keep warm, and expect lots of news and reviews this March including coffee pods from Aloha Island Coffee, Vietnamese coffee, and others.
Review: Jacobs Monarch T-Discs for Tassimo
