My sample of Newman’s Own Special Blend (Extra Bold) is the last of 3 samples sent to me by my friends at Keurig.  As you may recall, I wasn’t a fan of the Gloria Jean’s Hazelnut that they sent me, but the Tully’s Kona was a top 5 coffee (so far anyway), and if I’m engaging in the art of thruthiness; the Newman’s Own (from Green Mountain) is no slouch either.

One of the lessons I’ve learned while navigating the K-Cup Challenge is that if the K-Cup is from Green Mountain, and it says Extra Bold on it, there’s a better than average, actually a better than excellent chance that the coffee is going to be really, really good.  Not to once again spoil the suspense, but Newman’s Own is anything but the exception to that rule.

The Description

It seems only natural that two companies with a shared vision of a better world would unite to bring you exceptional Fair Trade Certified™, Organic coffee and the chance to make a difference.

Ok, admittedly, that doesn’t say much about the coffee, but as I’ve mentioned before, Green Mountain, as well as the Newman’s Own brand do more than their fair share to make the world a better place.  If this box of coffee is to be believe (and a box has never lied to me), Paul Newman has given over 200 million to thousands of charities worldwide.  Granted, not one of those charities was the Tony Fund, but I’m smart enough to know that lot’s of people have it worse than me, so I won’t hold it against Paul.  Besides, how awesome was Slapshot?

With the description a bit of a letdown, at least as far as telling me what this coffee should taste like is concerned, let’s try something else.

Tasting Notes

This inspired blend of medium roasted Central American coffees and darker-roasted Indonesians is rich and robust, with ample body to stand up to all the cream and sugar that you might want to add to the party.

The Aroma

Newman’s Own Special Blend oozes a cloud of sweet roasted delight. One whiff and I knew I was in for a treat.

Drinking it black

There are two types of coffee that I really like; that which makes me think, and that which is so damn delicious that I can’t concentrate. As is par for the course with the Newman’s Special Blend, it’s both.

While listed as a medium roast, it drinks like an amalgamation of the best traits of light, medium, and dark roast blends.  It’s smooth on the tongue like a light blend.  It’s medium body suggests a medium roast, but the finish…oh the finish.  It’s woody like a good dark roast.  Now I can’t say if that wood is cherry, cedar, or oak (I don’t eat a lot of wood), but I’m fairly sure it’s not maple (it doesn’t taste syrupy).  Whatever it is, it’s well executed.

What was I talking about?  I’m sorry, I got lost in my coffee.

With Cream and Sugar

While the blend certainly doesn’t need cream and sugar, you’re not going to do it any harm either.  It welcomes them both as equal partners.  I had nearly forgotten that I had mixed them in when I was greeted with a splash of caramel and cocoa goodness.  The experience was like tasting Newman’s Own Special Blend again, for the 2nd time.  Only it was completely different and every bit as good.  Call it two cups for the price of one.

Final Thoughts

Sweet, delicious, and enjoyable.  It truly is a light, medium, dark roast in one with characteristics that every coffee lover will enjoy. Toss in the fact that it’s Fair Trade, and Organic Certified and well, seriously, what are you waiting for?

Shameless Plug

Look, I’m going to level with you.  I’m not under contract with Keurig.  They don’t pay me to say nice things.  Truthfully, I don’t care if you drink coffee brewed from K-Cups.  I also don’t care if your TV doesn’t have a remote (or a color picture), if you watch your movies on VHS (or reel to reel), and listen to your music on 8 Track.  Clearly you’re a man/woman of the past.  You’re retro, a throwback.  I respect that.  Modern technology, like indoor plumbing, just isn’t for everyone.  Heck, maybe you’re Amish.

Keurig certainly doesn’t expect that everyone will want the convenience of a great tasting, one-touch cup of coffee.  Keurig is cool with you just being you (I’m not actually authorized to tell you what Keurig thinks, and in fact, I’m making this all up as go along), but just so you know…when you’re ready, they’ll be there for you.  And you can bet, they’ll have a home brewer (like the very awesome B70) with your name written all over it (metaphorically speaking).

Oh, and while you’re here, check out the growing list of reviews in the K-Cup Challenge.

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