Keurig’s Plastic-Free Pod Coffee System Has Finally Arrived, and We Tried It First

In 2024, Keurig introduced a new single-serve coffee system called Alta, inviting a select group of media to witness its unveiling in Manhattan. The Alta is a significant advancement for Keurig, featuring 100% aluminum- and plastic-free pressed coffee rounds, known as AltaRounds. The pods are finely ground, pressed like a barista tamping espresso, and coated with an NSF-certified plant-based material to preserve flavor and aroma.

Each pod contains a recipe QR code that the machine reads to determine brewing specifications, eliminating the need for manual adjustments.

The Alta, which looks and functions like a modern espresso machine, can brew up to 10 bars of pressure, producing espresso with up to 10 bars of pressure, forcing hot water through 37 small spikes puncturing the coffee pod. This allows for precise flow rate, pressure, and water temperature, delivering a proper espresso shot with a frothy crema.

At its launch, the Alta is available with six plastic-free AltaRounds (caffeinated) and the ability to brew classic plastic K-Cups, offering over 500 varieties from 80+ brands. Keurig machines have long been popular for their ease of use and decent coffee quality, but they were not eco-friendly. The Alta addresses this issue by offering a solution with less daily plastic waste.

However, each AltaRound is still wrapped in plastic, though the brand is working to transition to paper wrappers in the near future. The pods are shelf-stable for nine months when wrapped, and up to 30 days when unwrapped. Users are encouraged to dispose of spent pods like normal coffee grounds, including composting. The Alta is currently available for preorder as a $500 bundle, including the brewer, six boxes of AltaRounds, and glassware from Ethan Rode of FLUR. Orders begin shipping on October 21st.