Keurig's K-Cups and Vue Packs: Is There a Big Difference?

Although Keurig's K-Cups and Vue Packs might look similar, they are actually quite different. They are different sizes and shapes, they are compatible with different Keurig brewing systems, and the flavor possibilities are different as well.

K-Cups are individual coffee and tea portion packs that are slightly taller than the newer Vue Packs. Because of this, K-Cups will only work in brewers designed for these portion packs. These brewers include the Keurig Elite, Keurig MINI, Keurig MINI Plus, Keurig Platinum, Keurig Special Edition, Keurig Platinum Plus, Keurig B155, Keurig OfficePRO, Keurig B130, Keurig B150, Keurig B3000SE, Keurig B140, and the Keurig B200.

Vue Packs are slightly more stout than the K-Cups, and are only compatible with the Keurig Vue V700 brewing system. Vue portion Packs go through a different brewing process than K-Cups. They can be brewed to the user's individual temperature, strength, and size preferences. An additional difference lies in their ability to be recycled. To be recycled, the Vue Pack's lid is peeled back to separate it from the rest of the cup. The plastic portion of the cup is recycled anywhere #5 plastics can be recycled.

Since they have been around much longer, K-Cups come in a wide variety of flavors, made by many different major coffee and tea manufacturers. K-Cups are made by companies like Bigelow, Caribou Coffee, Celestial Seasonings, Dunkin' Donuts, Folgers, Gloria Jean's, Green Mountain Coffee, Starbucks, and many more. They come in over 200 different flavor varieties, from coffees and teas, to hot cocoa and other specialty beverages, including iced coffee and tea.

The newer Vue flavor Packs have been around for much less time. Because of this, there are fewer varieties of coffee and tea available. There are currently about 40 flavor varieties available in Vue Packs. Unlike K-Cups, however, the Vue Packs do offer a new style hot beverage to consumers, with café-style beverage. With a two-step brewing process, consumers can make cappuccinos and other specialty beverages using the newer portion packs. Vue Packs are made by many of the same manufacturers of K-Cups, including Barista Prima, Caribou Coffee, Green Mountain Coffee, Celestial Seasonings, and others. As more Vue brewers are sold, additional Vue Pack flavors will likely become available, so consumers should expect more flavors to continually become available.

K-Cup and Vue Pack flavors provide users with an easy way to get their perfect cup of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or other beverage. With so many flavors to choose from, K-Cups and Vue Packs are available in a flavor to suit the tastes of just about anyone.

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