Each week I review a new delicious K-Cup on an "official" coffee grading system that emphasizes four critical categories: (1) Aroma; (2) Strength; (3) Taste; (4) Marketing Tactics that Forced Me to Force My Office to Purchase Said K-Cup. I conclude each review with an Overall grade. Due to the lack of a K-Cup of the Week last week, I am throwing down two K-Cups this week. They are both from Starbucks and are part of their 'Single-Origin' blend series: Rift Valley (Rwanda) and Laguna de Ayarza (Guatemala).
Aroma: Rift Valley (8); Laguna de Ayarza (8)
I find that each time I walk into a Starbucks (excluding "We Proudly Brew" locations), I am greeted by a consistent and familiar coffee scent -- one that is different from that of Dunkin' Donuts or other coffee roasters. It's the smell of a deep coffee roast mixed with hardworking Apple electronic products. Somehow, even hailing from single-origins, these coffees emanate that same familiar Starbucks scent that keeps me coming back for more coffee.
Strength: Rift Valley (8); Laguna de Ayarza (8)
Starbucks characterizes both K-Cups as a "Medium" roast profile -- one that is "balanced, smooth & rich." I find that Starbucks blends give me the proper surge I am looking for in a coffee. These coffees are no exception.
Taste: Rift Valley (7); Laguna de Ayarza (8)
Starbucks explains on its packaging that "[s]ingle origin coffee gets many of its distinguishing characteristics from the terroir- the soil, climate, and elevation particular to where its cultivated. And like fine wines, the resulting flavor is unique to its origin, with a taste all its own." I have never been to Rwanda or Guatemala. I am not sure what the soil tastes like there. However, I did find the Laguna de Ayarza cup to be a bit smoother than the Rift Valley. The Rift Valley K-Cup had more of a cocoa flavor, than the Laguna de Ayarza -- which is not a bad thing necessarily. I just prefer a more pure coffee taste -- which is what I got from the Laguna de Ayarza.
Marketing Tactics that Forced Me to Force My Office to Purchase Said K-Cup: Rift Valley (10); Laguna de Ayarza (10)
Starbucks. Single-Origin. Rwanda. Guatemala. Enough said.
Overall: Rift Valley (8); Laguna de Ayarza (9)
I really enjoyed drinking both K-Cups. Starbucks already produces one of my favorite go-to K-Cups in Pike Place. I put the taste of these K-Cups on par with Pike Place. However, these single-origin K-Cups are going to run you a few extra bucks. If you find them on sale (like I did at Publix), I recommend you give them a shot.