What difference does a machine like this make in the quality and taste of coffee it’s producing compared to other Keurigs? Keurig has made a significant effort to address a core issue with its machines – brewing a quality cup of black coffee – with its Brew ID technology. This smart feature allows the coffee maker to recognize the brand and roast of the coffee pod being used. It then automatically adjusts the brewing temperature and water flow according to the coffee roaster’s specific recommendations.
However, the speed at which water flows through coffee pods raises questions about the water-to-coffee ratio and potential over or under-saturation. Keurig explains that the new K Cafe Smart Single Serve Coffee Maker retains the five-needle entry system for pods, a feature superior to older models with only one needle. This “multi-stream technology,” as Keurig calls it, ensures more thorough saturation of the coffee grounds compared to a single stream which might just tunnel through. Furthermore, pressure controls have been integrated into this model, enabling the water to pass through the grounds with varying force, allowing for either lighter or stronger extractions.
To put this to the test, we conducted a blind taste test. We compared a Green Mountain Dark Magic dark roast brewed using the K Cafe Smart to a freshly-brewed pour-over of the same coffee brand and roast, using bagged grounds. The result was surprising: we couldn’t distinguish between the two. This outcome is a notable success for Keurig, especially considering the common experience of weak, sour, and under-extracted coffee from pod-based machines.
