The Complex History of Keurig and K-Cups

Before Keurig, coffee at your desk was pretty bad. Old, burned out, made by someone who would rather eyeball it poorly than measure it right. Just absolutely gross. After Keurig? You can make your own coffee, cup by cup, exactly when you need it. The single-cup brewer was an elegant solution to an all-too-common problem. At least, that’s how it started.

In this episode of Release datewe delve into the history of the Keurig, and the ways in which the idea became much bigger than anyone expected. K-Cups and Keurig machines became ubiquitous in offices across the United States, and then quickly began invading our homes as well. But as David Pearce, eater Melissa McCartt and creator and champion barista Morgan Eckroth discover that super-convenient coffee comes at a cost. For us, for the environment, and for the whole concept of “good coffee.” Keurig has spent years trying to account for all of these things, while also trying to catch up with the coffee culture it may have left behind.

This is the fourth episode of the fourth season of the series Release date. If you haven’t yet seen the story of the Harmony remote, the Roomba vacuum, or the Nest thermostat, be sure to catch up! It’s smart home season, and we’re having a blast. Here’s how to get every episode and all the other fun stuff as soon as it drops:

If you want to learn more about the early days of Keurig, here are some links to get you started: