Kitchen brands are becoming eco-conscious, opting for plastic-free, compostable materials in their appliances. We’ve seen this in the new Caraway coffee maker, which uses a plastic-free brew path- only glass and stainless steel. Keurig is following suit with its new Keurig Alta automatic coffee machine that uses compostable coffee pods called AltaRounds.
The move comes after the brand received widespread criticism for its K-Cup pods, which only end up in landfills. The new pods are 100% compostable, albeit not entirely plastic-free. They still use plastic for the outer wrap. The pods contain expertly roasted, premium coffee beans, ground and pressed using baristas’ tamping techniques, then wrapped in a protective plant-based coating.
You can dispose of the AltaRounds much like regular coffee grounds. You can compost them, throw them in the bin, or use them right away as fertilizer. The pods are still compatible with classic K-Cups, and each comes printed with a unique QR code that helps the new Alta machine dial in the perfect brew.
Once inserted, the machine scans the code and automatically adjusts the temperature, brew style, and pressure. The pods also come in various sizes to brew different coffee beverages, from bold espresso with rich crema to cold coffee. At launch, they will be available in two styles: coffee and double-shot espresso, with additional styles planned for the future.
Meanwhile, the Alta brewer delivers up to 10 bars of pressure using 37 micro-spikes that puncture the AltaRounds to extract espresso with authentic crema. It also comes with a steam wand and milk frother. The machine features an intuitive color touchscreen interface that lets you customize drinks and explore new recipes. You can also choose preset coffee beverages. The machine automates the brewing or espresso-making for convenience.
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Images courtesy of Keurig
