Do you love the rich, intense flavor of espresso?
A strong shot of espresso and its wonderful aroma make for a refreshing coffee with a nice kick.
If fall into this category of coffee lover, you’re going to love our picks for the best espresso K cups for your Keurig or pod coffee maker.
We’ve tested all the top brands and narrowed it down to these pods that will give you an authentically delicious cup of espresso every time.
Whether you’re a beginner or a coffee connoisseur, we know you’ll find the perfect k cup for your needs on this list.
11 Best Espresso K Cups to Buy In 2021
The best espresso K cups offer the same flavor all of us expect from an espresso.
These top three best espresso K Cups for Keurigs are chosen by our editors.
For even more variety, see all options listed below.
1. Café Bustelo Espresso Style K Cup Pods
- Contains 6 boxes of 12 caf bustelo espresso-style dark roast k cup pods (72 count total)
- Made from 100% pure, high-quality coffee beans roasted to perfection
- Dark roast coffee with a robust, full-bodied flavor and captivating aroma
- Bold sabor latino that stands out, with or without cream or sugar
- K-cup pods compatible with keurig k-cup brewers, ideal for creating coffee beverages like cortaditos
Café Bustelo Espresso Style K Cup Pods make a rich, full-bodied cup that could match the best espresso available.
There are no additives, so you get the full flavor and aroma of the coffee.
This K-cup aims to recreate the flavor of a cafecito (Cuban Espresso).
A bold drink with a lovely aroma, the Café Bustelo Espresso Style works great as a standalone beverage.
However, you could also add a touch of milk and brown sugar for the more authentic cafecito taste.
While decaf espresso K cups are not available yet, buying a can of coffee is a fair option as well.
I think it is a better idea to buy a can over pods of the Café Bustelo Coffee Espresso for your Keurig.
To use the can to make Café Bustelo in a Keurig, simply add the coffee to a reusable K-cup.
2. Lavazza Espresso Classico Keurig Rivo Pack
- 72 lavazza packs
- Designed to work with the keurig rivo brewing system
- Enjoy a great single shot of espresso anytime
Lavazza Espresso Classico Keurig Rivo Pack has its sights set on a more authentic espresso taste and feel.
These pods work with the Keurig Rivo system and are brewed at conditions closer to those needed for a perfect cup of espresso.
These are perhaps one of the best Keurig Rivo pods available.
There is no cause to complain about the espresso brewed by these pods.
Even purists could shower some praise on this full-bodied espresso.
Lavazza Classico pods do a pretty good job and bring the convenience of Keurig to espresso lovers.
I’d say there are limitations with the Rivo itself, but still, this pod and machine combo works fantastically!
3. Green Mountain 1120 Rainforest Espresso Coffee K-Cups
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Timothy’s or Green Mountain Rainforest Espresso Coffee K-Cups pack an espresso roast worthy of note.
Plus, there’s an implied Keurig seal of confidence in the quality of these K-cups.
Timothy’s K-cup contains approximately 25% more coffee than conventional Rainforest Espresso K-cups.
This extra touch of coffee is put to good use in making a bold, smooth, full-bodied brew that so deliciously matches an espresso.
As a bonus, it has much lower acidity than a conventional espresso.
The extra amount of coffee can sometimes feel like added bitterness, but that’s no more troublesome than a regular espresso.
4. Brooklyn Beans Express-O Coffee Pods
- This strong coffee is extra bold dark roast espresso coffee . extra fresh and filter brewed, using
- This coffee is strong. hold-on-to-the-overhead-subway-strap-for-dear-life-type of strong. rich, full
- Carefully selected and expertly roasted beans provide a bold taste and great aroma. to start enjoyin
- Brooklyn bean coffee beans are roasted locally in small batches, to ensure high quality coffee and f
- Brooklyn beans coffee pods are compatible with most keurig brewers. brooklyn beans roastery is not a
This dark roast espresso, or as the company calls it, Express-O is a great combination of flavor and aroma.
Brooklyn Beans Express-O pods are packed completely with 100% Arabica beans.
The extra dark roast makes for one kickass strong K-cup.
Factor in the rich, full-bodied beverage, and you’ve got yourself a great express-O.
The seller calls it “souped-up” extra bold coffee, and they aren’t far from the truth.
It packs a punch and delivers the kick we’ve all come to expect from a good cup of espresso.
5. Glorybrew – Lady Vanilla
- 100 percent compostable** k cups alternative made entirely from bio-based materials more eco-frien
- Satisfaction guarantee we guarantee a product with superior taste over common plastic coffee pods f
- Bpi certified the biodegradable products institute ensures that our pods meet the astm d6400 or d68
- Full compatibility works in single serve brewers / keurig machines that accept k-cup pods, includin
- Creamy vanilla flavor proud to offer vanilla bean flavoured pod coffee for keurig machines. no adde
Fancy a vanilla espresso? Lady Vanilla has you covered!
This K cup for Gourmesso Glorybrew has coffee sourced from Central America and South America.
And of course, there’s a touch of that vanilla flavor that makes it all come together so wonderfully.
A perfect blend of medium roast coffee, with its strong flavor enhanced by vanilla, is a great pick for your casual espresso.
Plus, the aroma is really something to love.
It’s also more environmentally responsible than regular K cups.
Glorybrew K cups are Rainforest Alliance certified. Equally important – they’re certified by BPI to be 100% compostable.
6. Barista Prima Espresso Roast Coffee Keurig K-Cups
- Includes barista prima coffeehouse italian roast k-cups 96ct for keurig brewers - packaging may vary
- Brewing occurs inside the k-cup so no flavor residue is left behind to spoil the next cup.
- Single-serving packaging means no mess or wasted pots of coffee; for use with keurig brewers
- Keurig brewed has been dedicated to the art and science of bringing you the coffee & tea you love, e
- Please note the packaging change: due to a recent packaging change, the graphical design of the k-cu
An extra bold dark roast, the Barista Prima Espresso Roast Coffee Keurig K-Cups do not disappoint.
The drink claims its inspiration from the classic Italian espresso.
That is certainly a tall order. Rather than make the comparison, I’d rather dismiss the claim as an over-enthusiastic marketing pitch.
I wouldn’t be so willing to overlook if these K-cups had no redeeming features of their own.
The beverage is strong and delicious, with a flavor that’s tough to beat.
It is on the expensive side, but the flavor is worth the extra money spent.
7. 1850 by Folgers Black Gold Dark Roast Coffee
- Contains 1 box of 10 1850 black gold dark roast k cup pods (10 count total)
- Dark roast coffee with sweet dark cocoa notes and smooth flavor
- Crafted with time-honored roasting and grinding techniques
- Beans are evenly fire-roasted for consistent coffee flavor with less bitterness
- Convenient k-cup pods are made to work with your keurig brewer and brew in less than a minute. k-cup
Folgers wants you to see the 1850 coffee as a remembrance of the company’s past.
As such, this coffee has the attributes that play on the 170-year-old tradition and legacy of the brand.
The impressive taste of the coffee and its careful preparation are the highlights.
1850 by Folgers Black Gold Dark Roast Coffee is made entirely out of premium arabica beans to give it that rich flavor.
But to keep up with tradition, the dark roast takes an old-timey twist.
The beans are fire roasted, steel cut, and carry the promise of a dependable and wonderful blend.
And wonderfully strong it is.
There is an unmistakable touch of rich, dark chocolate that works great with a clean and crisp finish.
This one’s strong and flavorful, exactly the qualities we want in the best espresso K cups.
A 170 year old roasting process and a modern Keurig – what unlikely companions!
8. illy K Cup Pods – Intenso
- Coffee k cup convenience: illys coffee is roasted to perfection and then air cooled to create a dist
- Dark roast: composed of 9 of the finest arabica coffee sources worldwide, intense, dark roast is int
- Worlds most ethical coffee: illy caf was named on ethispheres list for the seventh consecutive year,
- 100 percentage arabica coffee: we could offer you every roast and blend under the sun, but wed rathe
illy Intenso is an intense blend of the finest arabicas sourced from around the world.
The company says they bring together nine well-regarded arabica varieties from around the world and create an expert blend.
The experience of the company and the careful preparation ensure that we get a stunning brew.
It’s strong, flavorful, and just what we need for the espresso-style K cup brew.
Intenso brews a smooth and balanced coffee with a very inviting aroma.
I could see myself wafting through the air following the aroma like they do in cartoons.
The robust coffee has a full-flavored taste that works delightfully well for espresso and also for making a latte or cappuccino.
9. Glorybrew – The Knight – Dark Roast
- 100 percent compostable** k cups alternative made entirely from bio-based materials more eco-frien
- Satisfaction guarantee we guarantee a product with superior taste over common plastic coffee pods f
- Bpi certified the biodegradable products institute ensures that our pods meet the astm d6400 or d68
- Full compatibility works in single serve brewers / keurig machines that accept k-cup pods, includin
- Creamy vanilla flavor proud to offer vanilla bean flavoured pod coffee for keurig machines. no adde
Glorybrew’s The Knight is a dark roast made from a blend of the finest coffees of Central and South America.
The region is well-known for its fine coffees and an expert blend really seals the deal.
This K-cup brews a strong, full-bodied shot that comes remarkably close to the intense espresso experience that we love.
We could be sold on taste alone, but there’ more to like about these K cups.
The coffee is Rainforest Alliance certified. Another highlight is that these are compostable and biodegradable K cups.
Gourmesso Glorybrew pods are made from bio-based materials and are 100% compostable and biodegradable.
The caveat is, they need industrial composting facilities and can’t be used in the home compost bin.
Still, a big step in the right direction.
Glorybrew has a pretty good collection of K cups, and they could all be used for brewing a strong and flavorful cup of espresso.
If The Knight doesn’t answer to your preferences, also check out The Noble, The Duke, Sir Hazelnut, and Lady Vanilla.
10. Glorybrew – The Duke
- Glorybrew's medium-roast blend has a bright, pleasant aroma with medium acidity and mellow toasted n
- Rainforest alliance certified -these beans are certified sustainable by the rainforest alliance, and
- 100% compostable and bpi certified - the purpod100tm means that no petroleum-based plastics are used
The Duke has a medium roast profile that goes perfectly well with a strong cuppa.
Quite often, we tend to ignore the espresso capabilities of medium roast coffee.
The preference for darker roasts is understandable, especially when we’re using the Keurig to get an espresso touch.
However, the flavors that a medium roast brings to the table aren’t something to overlook.
A strong and flavorful coffee can do wonders to the taste of coffee.
The Duke has a medium acidity and shows off pleasant toasted notes for taste.
Brewing a small but strong shot gives the coffee a better chance to show off its aroma and be more pleasing to the palate.
It certainly feels right at home as an espresso K cup.
11. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Vanilla Espresso Roast
- The lusciously rich flavor of sweet vanilla cream
- Light roast, caffeinated coffee
- Made with arabica beans
- Certified orthodox union kosher (u)
- Ensure high-quality coffee every time with pods specially designed to work in keurig coffee makers
- Contains 24 k-cups
- Lusciously rich and smooth with the flavors of sweet vanilla cream
- Delicious light roast coffee
- K-cup perfect for keurig single cup brewers
- K-cups also compatible with new keurig 2.0 brewer
- Contains 24 k-cups
- Lusciously rich and smooth with the flavors of sweet vanilla cream
- Delicious light roast coffee
- K-cup perfect for keurig single cup brewers
- K-cups also compatible with new keurig 2.0 brewer
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Vanilla Espresso Roast is a delicious espresso roast tempered with vanilla.
The balanced taste comes from the bold flavor of the espresso meeting the mild touch of vanilla.
As a combination primed to work, this also takes away any lingering bitterness attempting to make its way to your cup of coffee.
These K-cups don’t contain any sugar or artificial sweeteners, so the flavor speaks volumes about this roast and coffee.
Editor’s Choice: Glorybrew – The Knight – Dark Roast
The Knight loves good coffee and brews a pretty strong cup.
Brew a small shot and this dark roast will deliver a beverage that gets pretty close to espresso goodness.
If you’re using a more espresso-inclined machine like the Keurig K-Cafe, use the shot (2 oz) option.
The Knight K cup will ensure you get a remarkably strong cuppa.
You could enjoy the strong brew, or use it as a base to whip up a remarkably delicious latte or cappuccino.
Making Espresso In A Keurig Brewer — Things You Should Know
Does Keurig Sell Espresso K-Cups?
Yes, Keurig does sell espresso K-Cups.
However, they are much more expensive than other brands.
For example, a box of Lavazza espresso K-Cups costs about $19.99 on Amazon, while a box of Starbucks espresso K-Cups costs only $11.99.
So if you’re looking for an affordable option, you may want to try one of the other brands.
Is K-Cup Espresso Any Good?
Yes, K-Cup espresso is actually surprisingly good.
It’s not as high quality as a fresh espresso, but it’s a great option when you’re in a hurry.
The pods are sealed so the coffee stays fresh, and they’re easy to use – just pop them into your Keurig machine and hit the button.
Plus, there are a variety of K-Cup flavors to choose from, so you can find one that suits your taste.
Are Keurig Espresso Pods Worth it?
Yes, they are! The K-cups have always been a game-changer.
Their versatility becomes more apparent considering they can conjure a decent espresso out of a Keurig.
While the “purist” requirements certainly can’t be met, the espresso K-cups do a great job.
The espresso K-cups shouldn’t be dismissed lightly.
They may seem like a stretch for coffee enthusiasts, but they certainly are well prepared and equipped for the job!
It’s amazing how well Keurig pods brew a cup that’s strikingly close in flavor and aroma to a “genuine” espresso.
Can A Keurig Make Espresso?
A Keurig coffee machine cannot make espresso in the conventional sense.
A “genuine” or authentic espresso needs finely ground coffee.
Water at a temperature of 190-195 degrees Fahrenheit and at least 9 bars of pressure is passed through the coffee.
Even good quality espresso makers struggle to meet these, and other specific requirements for an espresso.
A Keurig brewer does not heat water to the specified temperature and certainly doesn’t work with pressure.
So, it could be argued that Keurig brewers cannot make espresso.
Purists would agree with that sentiment.
For example, the Keurig competitor Nespresso deals expressly in espressos and makes a great effort in maintaining the temperature and pressure requirements.
Keurig did make an effort for espressos with the Keurig Rivo.
Though it certainly is feature-rich and useful machine, it isn’t quite the best pick for brewing an espresso.
Starbucks too made a similar attempt by focusing on the Verismo system rather than on Starbucks espresso k cups.
An excellent option right now is the Keurig K-Cafe Coffee Maker.
It doesn’t fit the pressure or temperature requirements for a conventional espresso, but Keurig has skillfully made up for this shortcoming.
The coffee maker has an option to brew a “shot”.
This delivers a concentrated coffee at 2 oz. If you’re using a good K cup, this strong taste is easy to enjoy.
The coffee maker also has a built-in automatic milk frother.
Users can just hit a button and get the right frothed milk for their cappuccino or latte.
Making A Great Espresso With Your Keurig
Most Keurig machines aren’t quite primed to deliver a shot of genuine espresso.
Choosing the right K-cup can get you pretty close to a decent espresso while enjoying the convenience of a Keurig.
This not only leads to convenience, but also to a superior taste and a full bodied flavor.
Getting hold of the best espresso K cups goes a long way, especially in creating the rich, full-bodied feel and complex aroma of an espresso.
