Marley Coffee - Lively Up! Organic 5 Bean Espresso

The Marley Coffees have been hit or miss for me so far. This espresso roast works well as just that, an espresso. Trying to make a regular cup just doesn't cut it. The strong notes are weakened by trying to make a regular cup. Keep the water level to 1 (or 2 if you prefer it less impactful) with the single cup button and you'll have a rather pleasant, aromatic, Lively Up! pick me up. Not overly bitter, a slightly nutty flavor makes what may be considered a "mellow" espresso. Not bad at all. Best technique for me was press and latch with a dry pod.

Wolfgang Puck's South Pacific Dark

South Pacific Dark is a bold blend that can hit the spot when you need a wake-up. Lacks the robustness of the other bold Wolfgang Puck bold varieties. Has a sharp-acidic-bitter feeling that is a bit off-putting, but I can see some may prefer this to the more round flavored dark roasts. Definitely much better hot than once it's cooled.

Probably my least favorite of the WP varieties I've tried, but heads above most medium roast coffees.

Press and latch, 1-cup water level 3 worked for me, but you may want to experiment with this one to get the most you can from this pod.

Donut Shop Classics' Donut Shop Dark

This is my favorite Donut Shop Classics variety so far. It's a good, standard, strong coffee. Not too intense, reminds me of good camp coffee, if there is such a thing. Flavor isn't over the top, but has a firm, chewy, yet dry mouth feel. Definitely gives you that morning caffeine kick. Somewhat acidic, I wouldn't want to drink two cups without having something to eat along side it.

Best brewing was with a dry pod in the single insert using the "press and latch" method (use at your own risk). Water level 3 on single cup setting. Water level 1 on the two cup setting was not good at all. Unlike some of the more premium brands, this flavor just falls apart if you try to push to a fuller cup.

Melitta - Parisian Cafe Blend

I've been fairly pleased with the Melitta European Indulgence line of coffees so my expectations were pretty high for this pod.

While this is not as intense or as full bodied as a typical dark roast, it does have some interesting attributes. It does not have a powerful aroma, and upon first sip seems to lack flavor; but upon hitting the back of the throat you get a nice aftertaste that is rather pleasant. I'd say it has a vanilla quality to it that provides a rather smooth finish. Not at all unpleasant, though that wasn't my first impression.

I was not sold on this right away. As usual I tried all the various brewing techniques and believe it or not, this one works pretty well dry in the 2-cup insert. Perhaps a little better if the pod is wet beforehand, but either or, this one is a simple brew with water level 3 on the 1-cup button.

The description on the 18 count pod box says "Rich Dark Roast with Deep Full Flavor and Smooth Finish." Though it does not seem to be that at all upon sipping, it does start to fulfill the promise upon finish.

I still wasn't feeling it though and decided to try different sweeteners. As you probably know, I lean toward light agave syrup for a sweetener, I feel it adds the least amount of outside flavor to the cup. Well the agave wasn't helping this and neither was sugar. Stevia and monkfruit 0 cal natural sweeteners only enhanced the bitterness to a near undrinkable level.

Now I'm not a big fan of honey in my coffee. I like honey, but not usually in coffee. Well we happened to have a jar of honey from a local farm, not that overly processed grocery store Sue Bee type stuff. So I gave it a whirl with a half a teaspoon. WOW! That stuff just brought this cup to life! It complimented the flavor profile nicely, smoothing out the rough edges and making it a truly drinkable cup. Being that it is lighter than my typical fare, I found myself going for another cup more often than I usually do.

So while this does not go on my "must get more now" list; it is a decent cup when using a bit of premium honey. Perhaps in the future I'll try it with different styles of honey. At least I will start trying honey more often now that I see it can be a benefit some coffee varieties.

Donut Shop Classics - Double Dip Chocolate

As you probably know by now if you've been reading this blog, I'm not a big fan of flavored coffees. So far my pod brewing experiences have not been very favorable. Well Donut Shop Classics did something right with Double Dip Chocolate! Yes, it's a flavored coffee that doesn't taste like every other flavored coffee. It smells and tastes like chocolate and not the fake chocolate flavor you get from other chocolate flavored items like soda, gum and candy.

Great to go with after dinner dessert, or a fun warm-me-up-pick-me-up on a chilly morning. It still exhibits a coffee flavor with enough chocolate to balance very nicely. This is not a coffee mixed with hot cocoa kind of thing. It's decent coffee with a subtle chocolate flavor that brings a smile to my face. Goes nicely with a slice of pie which also brings a smile to my face. ;)

Best brewing is water level 3 on the 1-cup setting with a wet pod. If you're adding cream, I'd suggest water level 2 for more flavor. I don't use cream generally, so I'm just guessing here but the coffee-chocolate balance is kind of delicate and I fear it may be destroyed by the cream if added to a bigger cup.

Café Classics Colombian Supremo

This "Medium Roast" coffee is just that; medium. Yup, it shoots for middle of the road and scores! If you are having people over and you're unsure if they like good (read strong flavorful) coffee, this one will not disappoint. I describe it as an upscale diner coffee. A little richer than typical diner swill, but not going to knock you over with intensity or robust flavor. A round, smooth mouth feel with slight bitter aftertaste not unlike most Colombian Supremos. Not my cup of tea (ahem! coffee) but a good average standby.

Brewing is simple, you can use a dry pod with the press and latch method. (Less pressing if using a wet pod.) Has enough coffee to use the water level 1 on the 2-cup setting, but for more intensity water level 3 1-cup setting is best.

Wolfgang Puck Chef's Reserve Medium Roast

This is the second Wolfgang Puck pod coffee I tried and like the first, it's a pleasurable experience. It's fairly bold for a medium roast, with a good straight up coffee flavor. It's firmly middle of the road as far as it doesn't get too bitter or have that sweetness you get from heavier roasts. Good aroma with enough zing to put a spring in your step without bowling you over. A good decent cup of coffee.

Brewing is very straightforward, single cup insert, with the press and latch. No need to wet it first. Water level 3 single cup button does the trick. (Water level 1 double cup is too weak for this pod.)

It is on the pricey side, but you do get 18 pods in a box and the flavor is well worth it.

Melitta European Indulgence - Classique Supreme

In general I've been fairly pleased with the Melitta European Indulgence coffees. This is the exception. It's a decent cup of coffee, but that's it. Nothing special, just ordinary. It is on the richer side if you brew it on the one cup setting, but overall the flavor is nothing to get excited about. A typical bitter aftertaste, but not displeasing.

The pods are pretty full, and pushes the press n lock method to the max if using the one cup insert. I used a 2 cup insert with a folded coffee filter on top to add some needed pressure. A decent cup is made with the water level 3 on the one cup setting. For those who like it not so strong, the water level 1 with the 2 cup button will work for you. I did that on the days I just wanted more in my cup. 18 pods in a box make it a pretty good buy, but there are more flavors in this line I will buy again before this one.