#BeckThinks

No lie. I was embarrassed to type this title. Extraneous foreign language alert! This KCup literally says “Hot Fudge Brownie With Hot Fudge.” Why the French, Guy? Aren’t you Italian anyway?   I really wanted you to redeem yourself, Guy. I was rooting for you. Now, its time to give you a piece of my caffeinated mind.  Fragrance:   The smell started out nicely. A dark roast with some warm chocolate. Upon closer inspection, it smells like fake chocolate flavor syrup. Flavor:  I confess. I’ve cheated. I added a LOT of milk to this bitter, syrupy brew. If you wonder what a brownie from a low-powered Star Trek food replicator probably tastes like, it’s this. Chemical, cloying, almost chocolate.   Am I turning into a “get off my lawn” lady or are flavored beans just failing left and right?? If you’re going to flavor your beans, use the highest quality ingredients you can find. If you’re cutting quality corners for mass production, I probably won’t drink it. You can tas...

  A dark roast called “Breakfast Blend?” Seems counterintuitive to me.   Fragrance: When an American orders coffee with their breakfast, they likely expect a full mug of dark liquid with no additives. When Italians order coffee with their breakfast, it comes as no surprise when they are served a very small cup of strong espresso and a bit of steamed milk dusted with cocoa powder. (IMO, this says a lot about the Italian philosophy of taking mealtime slowly, including the time to savor and appreciate your food and drink.) This full mug of dark liquid with no additives smells just like that very small Italian cup.   Flavor: With the exception of the milk, this mug also tastes like that tiny cup. Bold hits of espresso roast, dark chocolate, and that blessed nutty, carbon flavor that keeps me coming back for another sip. NOW I get why this is labeled the way it is!  It’s not “breakfast blend.” It’s “VENETIAN breakfast blend.”   Recommended for: Mangia bene ! Take y...