Senseo was kind enough to send over a sample bag of their new 10% Kona Coffee Blend coffee pods to review, and we're glad they did. We've been anticipating how good these coffee pods would and could be, and are pleased to say up front - pretty darn good (think Larry David saying that). Kona Coffee tends to be milder and easier on the stomach and palette, and the 10% Kona Coffee blend coffee pods are no exception.
We've yet to try the Cafe Noir Senseo coffee pods, but many readers and reviewers claim an almost french roast like flavor with a full body. We're game, and think it's nice to see Senseo having a full roundup of coffee pods instead of just light, medium, and bold.
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September 24, 2009
Senseo Breakfast Blend Coffee Pods
Senseo has released a Breakfast Blend Coffee Pod for your Senseo or other single serve coffee pod brewer. The breakfast blend coffee pods are on the milder side, and are a welcome addition to the Senseo line of coffee pods. You may also want to check out their Senseo Kona Blend coffee pods we featured earlier this month as well.
Senseo has a something very exciting for your single serve coffee pod brewer - Kona 10% Coffee Pods. This blend of Kona beans from the Hawaiian Kona belt is enhanced by Arabica beans from the finest coffee growing regions create the perfect balance for this mild brew. Kona coffee gets it's unique flavor from the volcanic soil it grows in, and the cooling tropical breezes that provide an optimum condition for these yummy beans. Due to the rich climate of the Hawaii islands the outcome is a brew balanced in acidity with tones of fruit and chocolate. Coupled with a bold aroma and surprisingly smooth taste this blend is truly a lesson in escapism (we think anything Hawaii related is a bit escapist).
We just got a box of the Brazil Daterra Sweet Blue coffee pods, and we have to say - wow. Not only did these coffee pods deliver on their sweet promise, but they had rich chocolate and orange notes as well. The acid factor here is low, and we like the reference to Kenyan coffee in the description, but think this coffee stands alone.
Maxwell House Maxwell House 100% Arabica Coffee Pods
We just got word that Maxwell House has coffee pods for your single cup coffee pod brewer. Maxwell House is the coffee that started it all their signature blend has always been "Good to the Last Drop". The Maxwell House Maxwell House 100% Arabica Coffee Pods feature the distinct flavor and aroma of 100% Arabica Beans, and the coffee pods are 8.5 grams in weight and packed in a 14 count box.
We've gotten several write ins from Single Serve Coffee readers on how they're enjoying the Senseo Breakfast Blend coffee pods. We'll take their word for it. The Breakfast Blend coffee pod is a smooth and bright morning coffee, and a great way to start your day. They come packed in 4 - 18 count bags for a total of 72 fresh and flavorful coffee pads.
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.
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.
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?
When you purchase the Cafe Halo coffee pods, part of the proceeds go to humanitarian causes. The coffee pods come in 6 packs (that's all we could find so far) in 16-count bags, and flavors include Sumatran, Ethical Addition, Columbian, and others.
USDA Certified Organic Coffee Pods from Aloha Island Coffee
Aloha Island has something that no other coffee company has - Certified Organic Coffee Pods. That's right, and their line is called USDA Certified Organic Paradise Blend Coffee Pods. These tropical coffees have high standards, and cool names including one of the following 4 flavor profiles:
Cafe Pods has a very interesting coffee pod in both espresso (44mm) and coffee pod size (62mm). This pure 100% African Arabica coffee, is AA Estate Grade. This coffee has orangey undertones, and is all you would expect from an African coffee with a smooth subtlety and fantastic acidity. This is limited edition, and a one batch one roast so once its gone its gone.