Cafe Classics Kona Blend

This stuff is not bad at all. It has the mellowness of kona and enough solid coffee flavor to show some strength. I'd call it a medium roast. Now this is nothing like real 100% kona, but it does hint at some of the nice aspects of kona to it. Round, soft flavor, a unique flavor that you don't usually find in your average cup-a-joe.

I know I'm always toting my preferences for strong, bold coffee, but true kona is my exception. After drinking gallons of it in Hawaii many years ago, I've been looking for that experience again. Most "kona" coffees you can find are really blends, not true 100% kona, and don't offer the same experience at all.

Off the island kona gets quite expensive and it probably goes stale quite fast, since I've not had the same kona experience since being on the big island.

Overall, Cafe Classics Kona Blend is a satisfying cup; good for those mornings that you're not looking for a kick in the head, but a relaxing, sleeping in late, kind of morning.

Brewing is best by using the single serve insert, wet the pod first, press and latch, level 3 water on the single cup button.

Wolfgang Puck Provence French Roast

 

This stuff is a couple bucks more expensive than most, but considering the taste and the fact that there are 18 pods in a box, it's well worth it.

These are good and strong, have a great bold flavor with an acidic bite similar to espresso and give you a kick in the head that keeps you coming back for more.

Yeah, I liked these. Only good way to brew this to wet the pod (you MUST wet the pod) in the single serve insert. Press hard and latch. I'm sure I'll eventually break my machine doing that, but it really is the only reliable way to brew a good cup. Using the double insert allows the water to flow around the pod and using the folded filter for pressure method still doesn't produce as good a cup as the "press and latch" method.

This stuff is strong enough that even I will occasionally use the low water level on the two cup setting. Usually, and for a good strong cup, the high water level on the single serve setting will do the trick.

Happy sipping!