The first Keurig was initially introduced in the 90’s, well before it was a household staple. Essentially an overnight success, Keurig went from being unknown primarily to extreme popularity over the course of 20 years. Fast forward to today, and you can hardly visit a household without spotting one (if not two!) Keurig machines are proudly displayed on the kitchen counter.
While their K-cup product range started out with simple offerings, it has increased to better, well-known brands such as Starbucks, Dr. Pepper, Snapple, and more. With new K-cups introduced regularly, it is very easy to shop the shelves of your local grocery store and discover a whole new flavor or style of K-cup you’d never seen before.
Nowadays, it has never been easier to enjoy a latte at home, especially with the added convenience of a Keurig. If you find yourself in possession of a Keurig or similar at-home coffee machine, you will soon be overjoyed to learn how simple it is to craft one of these iced caramel lattes all on your own.
Forget expensive espresso machines unnecessary gadgets by utilizing what you already have available at your fingertips. Aside from using K-cups, we will also explore another way to make espresso with a Keurig, which is an especially helpful method for the coffee enthusiast. So, without further ado, let’s delve into the world of Keurig caramel lattes.
For an iced caramel latte, begin by brewing an espresso dark roast coffee K-cup on the strongest setting, using freshly filtered water. Top with a drizzle of caramel syrup, as well as frothed milk or your favorite creamer. Continue by adding a handful of ice, and enjoy. The biggest downside associated with this method of crafting a Keurig caramel latte is that it’s difficult to ascertain the specific age of the coffee in the pod. Essentially, you could be drinking stale or old coffee or, even worse, moldy coffee. If this isn’t a concern of yours, you don’t need to worry any further. However, for those who are concerned, there is another method to follow.
For individuals who value health as a top priority in our modern-day age, the use of a reusable single Keurig K-cup will definitely come in handy. By using a reusable cup, you can choose whichever type of coffee you’d like, further ensuring overall freshness and optimal quality. To accomplish this brewing method, you simply need to take a fresh reusable K-cup and fill it with 1 tablespoon of freshly ground espresso coffee. If you don’t have a coffee grinder, you may also buy already-ground espresso from your local grocery store or coffee shop. Fill your Keurig with freshly filtered water, and brew it in the strongest setting. You can opt to brew directly over ice or add it later on. Top it with caramel syrup to taste, and finish with frothed milk.
Ingredients:
- 1 Espresso Dark Roast K-Cup
OR
- 1 Reusable K-Cup & 1 tablespoon finely ground Espresso
- 10 ounces of Filtered Water
- Fresh Cream as Desired
- Hand Full of Ice
- Caramel Syrup for Drizzle
- Electric Milk Frother or Jar
Additional Tips and Tricks
- Ensure your Keurig machine is well maintained and cleaned often if only to ensure the highest health standards and best-tasting coffee possible. Although there has been a bit of controversy surrounding the use of a Keurig, they can be a convenient way to brew your morning coffee as long as they are properly cleaned after each use.
- Opt for a reusable K-cup rather than pre-packaged pods. Although K-cups make it easy to brew and go, they can pose various health issues when they aren’t fresh. This may be avoided by utilizing a reusable pod or by purchasing fresh K-cups directly from the source. Nowadays, there is a large variety of K-cups available, with regular, non-GMO, and even organic options to choose from. However, for the coffee lovers who appreciate single-origin and specialty beans, you might be hard-pressed to brew a Jamaican Peaberry or Kona in a Keurig without a reusable K-cup.
- Filtered water is often overlooked, replaced by a quick tap water top off into the Keurig’s reservoir. The problem with lower quality water, such as bottled or tap, is that it may house a whole slew of bacteria and contaminants you shouldn’t consume. Even a simple charcoal filter will go to great lengths in removing contaminants that impose unpleasant flavors on coffee, tea, and more.
- Recycling your spent coffee grinds is easier than ever, thanks to a reusable K-cup. Cut down on the waste associated with pre-made K-cups by utilizing a reusable cup. Once the coffee has been brewed, you can either empty it into the trash or include it as part of your home compost system. Furthermore, various houseplants are happy to utilize the nutrients used grounds have to offer, enabling you to top the dirt as a time-released fertilizer.
Final Thoughts for Keurig Enthusiasts
A coffee machine such as a Keurig easily replaces the old tried and true drip brew coffee makers of the past. And, unlike the negative comments claiming a Keurig is excessively wasteful, it’s never been more environmentally friendly with the reusable K-cup.
Those of you who love the added convenience of a speedy brew, thanks to their Keurig, will further appreciate a quick latte made at home. Trade out your boring K-cup coffee for a fun iced caramel latte you can enjoy all year long without the guilt of additional waste.