Ahead of my virtual taste-test briefing for the new Keurig Alta brewer, it was 9:50 am and I was panicking. Pesky time zones be darned; the meeting I thought was taking place in two hours was actually in 10 minutes. That led to the first of many positive interactions with this machine—I had it fully set up, connected to my Wi-Fi, and ready to brew in less than seven minutes. That's about as intuitive a setup process as one could hope for with a first-of-its-kind coffee machine. (We won't talk about the amount of packaging scattered all over my kitchen floor during the aforementioned meeting.)

The Keurig Alta looks like something straight out of a design convention. It almost looks like spaceship decor with its curved white lines and sleek components (it also comes in black and stainless steel). Whereas some inexpensive Keurigs—the kind that sell for $50 during shopping holidays—can feel cheap and plasticky, this machine feels high-end from top to bottom. The cup holder is metal, the cup and whisk for the steam wand are magnetic, and the reservoir bin is slim and reversible. Both drip trays tuck away seamlessly without adding extra bulk.

The top of the machine has two compartments. On the right side, you'll find the standard Keurig K-Cup basket, with the typical needle at the bottom to pierce the cup. On the left, though, is a new compartment for the brand-new Keurig AltaRounds ( $11 for a box of 8) . These little pucks are the latest in Keurig's coffee technology and are like nothing I've seen before.

Source link