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Quick Guide: Starbucks K-Cup® Coffee Pods

Remember when we had to drive to Starbucks®, wait in line, and spend $5.00? Now savvy coffee drinkers get their fix at home with Starbucks® K-Cup® pods instead. Some of you are skeptical and we get it. The same Starbucks® coffee, made at home, at a fraction of the cost, seems too good to be true. But, what if it’s not? After reading this post, you too can save time and money by making your Starbucks® at home. You will learn about caffeine content, bean quality, nutritional information, roast choice, and pod design.

starbuck french roast kcups on counter with keurig brewer

Starbucks® at-home coffee comes in a variety of formats including: 

  • Ground
  • Whole bean
  • Instant
  • Cold-brew
  • Vertuo pods
  • Nespresso pods
  • K-Cup® pods

It seems they adopted an “if you can’t beat them join them” mentality. Consumers demand easier access to their coffee and Starbucks® has delivered. Since Keurig® is our BFF, we will discuss that option only in this article. 

Which Starbucks® roasts come in K-Cup® pods?

Starbucks® coffee is available in many different roasts and flavors. There are five staples that cover the entire spectrum of roasting levels. 

  • Veranda Blend (light)
  • Breakfast Blend (medium)
  • Pike Place (medium)
  • Caffe Verona (dark)
  • French Roast (dark)

There are of course special offerings along the way like Holiday Blend and a variety of flavors such as Cinnamon Dolce. 

holding a mug of starbucks french roast kcups

How much caffeine is in a Starbucks K-Cup® coffee? 

The caffeine level of any coffee varies with the roasting process. The amount of coffee used in the brewing process will also affect the caffeine content. Luckily, one of the best features of K-Cup® pods is consistency. There is little variation in the amount of coffee used in each brew. So, you only need to consider the roasting process. As a rule of thumb, light roast coffees have more caffeine than dark roast. With all that considered, on average, Starbucks® K-Cup® pods have about 13 mg of caffeine per ounce. Most Keurig® brewers make a 10-12 ounce cup. Thus, one cup has about 143 mg of caffeine.

Are Starbucks® K-Cup® pods instant coffee?

No, Starbucks® K-Cup® pods are not instant coffee. Quite the contrary, actually. They are made with 100% gourmet Arabica coffee. Instant coffee is a freeze-dried variety that melts when added to hot water. All Keurig® coffee steeps in water like a standard pour-over machine. Accept K-Cup® pods are smaller and brew faster!

Does Starbucks® K-Cup® coffee have sugar?

Standard Starbucks® K-Cup® coffee does not contain sugar. Unless it is a latte, cappuccino, hot chocolate, or other specialty drink. The same rule applies to all Keurig® coffee. The majority of pods are sugar-free black coffee. 

sumatra kcups made over ice with keurig coffee maker

Does Starbucks® make hot chocolate K-Cup® pods?

Yes, Starbucks® does make hot chocolate K-Cup® pods

What is inside a Starbucks K-Cup® pod?

There is a filter and about one tablespoon of ground coffee inside a Starbucks® K-Cup® pod. That is it! There is room to allow it to fill with hot water to steep the coffee.

All the skeptics must be gone now. There is nothing to be leery of with Starbucks® K-Cup® pods. It really is the same coffee as you get at the stores. For less money. In less time. And with less waste. 

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Keurig® Home Brewers and K-Cup® pods offered for sale on this website are only available to home consumers in the United States. We are not authorized to sell Keurig® Home Brewers or K-Cup® pods to business customers via our website please call 888 774 6939 or info@crosscountrycafe.com for further information. Best price guarantee is valid for named brand K-Cup® pods or Keurig® brewer only. K-Cup® pods and special promotions listed on crosscountrycafe.com are while supplies last, no rainchecks available. Standard shipping rates apply. Promotions may be combined with other coupon codes offered through crosscountrycafe.com. Does not apply to previously purchased items. Cross Country Cafe claims the right to adjust, change, and modify all offers without notice.

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