Keurig Opens Alta Preorders as Lavazza Discounts Compostable Tabli Coffee Maker

Keurig first showed the Alta two years ago and introduced its puck-shaped replacements, called AltaRounds, which wrap pressed coffee grounds in a plant-based coating derived from seaweed. The pucks are 100 percent compostable, but they currently come in plastic wrappers to keep them fresh. Keurig is working to transition to paper wrappers, according to CNET, as cited by The Verge.

The Alta is now available for preorder at $499.99 and will ship starting October 21st. Color options include graphite, sandstone, and sandstone mixed with a satin stainless gray finish. At launch, the machine is offered only as part of a bundle that includes a collection of glassware and six boxes of AltaRounds. Six caffeinated AltaRounds varieties will be available, with light roast, medium roast, and flavored options.

Keurig describes the Alta as one of its most expensive consumer-focused machines because it also works as an espresso maker. After an array of spikes punctures an AltaRound, hot water is pushed through it at high pressure, and a built-in frother finishes the drink with milk foam. The machine is designed to be as easy to use as Keurig's older models: users do not need a grinder or a tamper. Each AltaRound carries a QR code that the machine reads to determine brewing instructions, including pressure and temperature. Manual adjustments are not required, and a large touchscreen display lets users select drink recipes. The Alta is also Wi-Fi connected so it can be updated with more recipes and options as new AltaRounds varieties are released.

TechRadar reported that the Lavazza Tabli has been discounted to £133 at John Lewis, down from £199.99, a 33 percent reduction. The deal applies to all three colorways: black, brown, and white. The Tabli launched in the UK a few weeks ago. It uses tabs made from 100 percent compressed coffee rather than plastic and metal pods. TechRadar's reviewer, who was testing the machine, said the tabs are mess-free, hold together without crumbling, and are as simple to use as Nespresso capsules. The process involves placing a tab inside, closing the lid, and selecting a drink size: single, double, or lungo. The machine does the rest.

The reviewer said the resulting espresso was smooth and better than coffee from any pod, and that it works on its own or as a base for a longer drink. A spent pod drops into a bin inside the machine still in one piece, ready to be tipped into household food waste or a compost heap. Tabli coffee tabs cost around 50p each, while Nespresso Vertuo pods are closer to £1, according to TechRadar. Tabli tablets currently come in six varieties, and the reviewer expected the options to expand rapidly. TechRadar also noted that Keurig announced a day earlier that it would phase out its K-Cups in favor of AltaRounds.

Keurig's AltaRounds and Lavazza's Tabli tabs both replace conventional single-serve plastic or metal capsules with compressed coffee, though Keurig's pucks are still individually wrapped in plastic for now. The Alta costs $499.99 and requires a bundle purchase at launch, while the Tabli discount lowers the machine's upfront price in the UK.