Keurig Debuts High-End Alta Brewer with Plastic-Free 'AltaRounds'
AI-generated image · US National Wire
The $500 machine introduces a seaweed-based coffee puck system designed to replace traditional K-Cups.
As Wired first reported, Keurig has released the Alta, a $500 home coffee brewer that introduces a new coffee delivery system called AltaRounds. According to Wired, these AltaRounds are coffee pucks coated in a seaweed-derived substance that allows them to bloom during the brewing process. The pucks, which cost $11 for a box of eight, are plastic-free and compostable, marking a shift from the company's traditional K-Cup waste profile. Wired reports that while current packaging is foil-based, Keurig plans to move to curbside recyclable paper-based packaging.
The machine features two separate compartments: one for standard K-Cups and one for the AltaRounds. The AltaRounds include QR codes that the machine scans to suggest specific drink types via a touchscreen interface. Wired notes that the brewer uses up to 10 bars of pressure to produce actual espresso, resulting in a full-bodied taste with a layer of crema.
Beyond standard coffee, the Alta includes a built-in steam wand with a magnetic whisk and vessel for creating lattes, cappuccinos, cortados, and flat whites. The system provides step-by-step guidance for milk frothing and can adjust settings based on whether the user is utilizing soy, almond, oat, or dairy milk. The machine is available in stainless steel, black, and white.