Up until about 2 weeks ago, all I could have told you about Van Houtte coffee is that it might be from Canada, it’s pretty hard to find, and the guy on the box has a pretty sweet mustache.  Thanks to my friends at Keurig, I can now also tell you that Van Houtte makes a pretty darn good cup of coffee.

About 2 weeks back I received 4 boxes of Van Houtte from Keurig, which is a nice hookup to have since, as implied in that first paragraph up there, Van Houtte is a little harder to find than most other varieties of K-Cups.  In fact, none of my other K-Cup Challenge sponsors even carry it.  Honestly, I have no idea why that is.  Anyway, I’d been desperate to try the brand for some time now, especially since it was the last K-Cup company (at least that I’m aware of) that I hadn’t tried at least one coffee variety from.  So long story short, I’m sitting on 4 boxes of Van Houtte Coffee (figuratively of course), and will be reviewing them shortly, but today’s review focuses on the decadently dark Eclipse Blend, which also happens to be my favorite of the 4.

The Description

This powerful has a bold caramelized taste, a syrupy body with interesting spice flavors. This Extra Bold K-Cup offers a deeper flavor and more intensity.

What It Says on the Box

Not much – and half of it is in French.

The Aroma

Everything about Eclipse Blend screams dark roast, and it starts with the aroma.  It’s thick and captures what I think is the essence of a European coffee house.  Fans of the darkest of darks will find the aroma irresistible.

Drinking it Black

“Whoa, that’s dark”.  That was my first reaction, and my second, and my third.  To say the flavor is deep or robust is an understatement.  The flavor reminds me a bit of those chocolate covered espresso beans, without the chocolate of course.  We’re talk about seriously strong coffee flavor here.  It so think you can practically chew it,  and I couldn’t be more satisfied.

With Cream and Sugar

For guys like me who don’t generally prefer black coffee, this may be among the finest dark roast I’ve tried to date.   The caramel flavor Van Houtte mentions in the description ads a subtle, and totally unexpected hint of sweetness to what otherwise is among the darkest (if not the darkest) blend I’ve tried to date.  I’d put it in the same class as Green Mountain’s Dark Magic, which, as I’ve noted several times before, is among my very favorite K-Cups.

Although cream and sugar softens the blend a bit, the strong, rich, and powerful coffee flavor remain – and does so largely unchanged.  I’m struggling to find the superlatives.  This stuff is awesome.  The box I have isn’t going to last long.

Final Thoughts

What an great introduction to Van Houtte coffee Eclipse Blend has been for me.  Nice job on the first impression guys – and I’m not talking just about the mustache.  Van Houtte’s Eclipse is a deep, intensely flavorful blend, that despite its extraordinarily dark nature, doesn’t taste the least bit harsh or burnt.  I can’t recommend the Eclipse Blend enough for lovers of dark roast coffee.  Those who prefer medium roast may want to think about brewing it on a larger setting.  Those who prefer light roasts should probably skip this one altogether.  Me, I’m going to go have another cup or two.

Shameless Plug

I feel like I shouldn’t even have to write this part today.  I mean, Keurig Brewers are awesome; you know that.  Van Houtte Eclipse blend is awesome; you know that too (because I just told you).  These things should sell themselves, but well, this is what I do, so here goes…

It’s the holidays, man.  You should be thinking about gifts, and not just any gifts, the kind of gifts that people remember, the kind they appreciate.  Stuff they want.  I’m not talking about a pair of socks, or even one of those robot vacuums that does all the work itself (not that a Roomba isn’t great), I’m talking about the single most significant coffee innovation of your lifetime – The Keurig Brewer.  We’re on the verge of a tipping point here, so lest you, and your friends be left out, get yourself, your mama, and everyone else you know a Keurig Brewer.  It’s the future; stay ahead of the curve.

Oh, and while you’re at it, pick up a few boxes of Van Houtte Eclipse Blend.  It’s hands down the best coffee you can get that out of a yellow box that has a dude with a mustache on it.  That’s the truth!