5 Best Dark Roast K Cup - Reviews & Top Picks 2022

Looking for the best dark roast k cup for your single-serve coffee maker and you have no idea where to start? Don’t worry, you have just come to the right place.

A k-cup single-serve coffee maker is perfect for anyone looking for an easy and affordable way to make coffee every day without having to deal with large and expensive coffee machines. It allows you to brew your cup in less than a minute with no mess at all and your coffee will always taste better.

Now, after you got your single-serve coffee maker, you need to get some k cup coffee pods, but with the wide variety of pods available in the market with different flavors, you may get confused about which one is the best for you.

However, if you are one of those people who prefer dark roast coffee, rather than a light or a medium roast, then you should consider trying dark roast coffee k cups. For six years, our team of coffee experts has tested over 20 of the best dark roast coffee k cups brands on the market in order to help you choose the right option for your coffee needs.

PRODUCT

DETAILS

OUR RATING

SAN FRANCISCO BAY

OneCUP French Roast Dark Roast Compostable Coffee Pods

French Roast.
Naturally Caffeinated.
Eco-Friendly, Commercially Compostable.

OUR #1 RATED

 5/5

5 OUT OF 5

IN THE BEST COFFEE MAKERS CATEGORY

VICTOR ALLEN'S COFFEE

K Cups Italian Roast Single Serve Dark Roast Coffee

100% Arabica Coffee.
Compatible with Keurig Coffee Makers.
Italian Roast.

OUR #2 RATED

 4.5/5

4.5 OUT OF 5

IN THE BEST COFFEE MAKERS CATEGORY

PERFECT SAMPLERS

Dark Roast Coffee Pod Variety Pack

40 Unique Dark Roasts.
Compatible with All Keurig K Cup Brewers.
So Many Dark Roast Blends.

OUR #3 RATED

 4.3/5

4.3 OUT OF 5

IN THE BEST COFFEE MAKERS CATEGORY

DEATH WISH

Dark Roast Death Cups Single Serve Coffee Pods

World’s Strongest Coffee.
Fair and Organic.
Bold Flavor.

OUR #4 RATED

 4/5

4 OUT OF 5

IN THE BEST COFFEE MAKERS CATEGORY

DUNKIN DONUTS

K-cups Dark Roast Coffee

Kosher Certified.
Single-Serving Packaging.
100% Arabica Coffee.

OUR #5 RATED

 4/5

4 OUT OF 5

IN THE BEST COFFEE MAKERS CATEGORY

What Is Dark Roast Coffee?

The coffee roasting process is one of the most important factors that affect coffee flavors. It works by transforming green coffee beans into flavorful and aromatic coffee and it has different levels that include light, medium, and dark roast and each one of these levels has its own characteristics.

The dark roasting method was first invented in Italy, France, and Spain. Unlike light and medium roast coffee beans, dark roast beans are exposed to more heat (about 465º) for a longer time which results in blackish-brown and shiny dark roasted coffee beans.

This process affects the density, caffeine level, flavor, and body of the coffee beans by providing a syrupy, nutty, and chocolatey dark roast flavor, additionally, dark roast coffees are characterized by a robust and full-body profile due to the oil brought out by the longer roasting time. Plus, as the coffee beans roast darker, both the caffeine content and origin flavors roast out.

Who Needs to Purchase the Best Dark Roast K Cup?

The majority of people think that dark roast coffee contains more caffeine than light and medium coffees because they have a bold flavor. But the truth is that they contain less caffeine than light roasts. That is because light Roasts are cooked for a shorter time and at a lower temperature what makes them retain more caffeine from the original green coffee bean.

However, roasting coffee beans does not affect the caffeine content that much and the caffeine level will depend on the brewing methods and the grind size.

Dark roasts are less acidic compared to light roasts. Which is good for you if you suffer from a sensitive stomach. Additionally, thanks to antioxidants and other healthy components released in the process of dark roasting, dark roast coffees tend to have many other health benefits.

They can boost your brain health, reduce inflammation, boost mental health and lower the risk of heart conditions, diabetes, and cancer. Furthermore, unless you add cream, sugar, or any other fat full toppings, dark roasts do not contain any calories what makes them perfect for all coffee lovers concerned about their health.

How Do I Choose the Best Dark Roast K Cup?

Having a Keurig coffee maker at home or any single-serve coffee machine is a blessing since you can try different flavors and strengths whenever you like. However, with hundreds of k cup varieties with different flavors and roast levels available in the market, one gets confused about which one to choose.

Here are some things to take into consideration before deciding which k cup pods are the best for you.

Start by finding the right k cups for your coffee maker. You may think that all k cup types can work with your machine but no, they are not. For example, K-cups are specifically designed to be used in the Keurig single cup coffee maker only. And although Keurig has recently changed the name of their “K-CUP” to “K-CUP PODS”, k cups are still very different than regular paper coffee pods.

Next, check the roast level of your coffee. Coffee beans tend to have different roast levels, some people prefer light roasts that have a smooth taste while others prefer dark ones that have a stronger taste, just know your preferences and get your favorite. However, all the coffee k cups on our list are dark roast coffees.

Finally, the flavor of your k cups. As we mentioned before, k cups come in different flavors including fruit, caramel, nuts, etc., and sometimes they are from different origins (Ethiopia, Mexico, or Peru), so just pick your favorite and always go according to your budget.

What Is the Best Dark Roast K Cup?

With the wide range of coffee k cups varieties, choosing the right ones for your single-serve coffee maker is a bit challenging especially if you are a newbie to the world of coffee.

Therefore, in this list of our five favorite dark roast coffee k cups, we tried to cover everything you need to know about each brand, its features, pros, and cons to help you choose just one to suit your coffee preferences.

Best Dark Roast K Cup Reviewed in details 2022

SAN FRANCISCO BAY

OneCUP Coffee Pods

 4.5/5

 5/5

San Francisco Bay is a well-known coffee brand that needs no introduction. It is a family-owned American company that is famous for the production of high-quality and flavorful coffees. Their OneCup French roast compostable coffee pods are made with biodegradable plant-based materials to eliminate plastic waste, they are also compostable, work great and taste even better.

This blend is made with 100% Arabica coffee what makes it full-bodied, rich, dense, and smooth. The beans used are from Central and South America and they are roasted very darkly until the flavor oils rise to the surface of the bean. To achieve an intense and smoky flavor with a subtle sweet aftertaste.

Moreover, this aromatic dark roast has a smoky taste with notes of toasted almond, cocoa, and sweet vanilla bean to take your coffee experience to another level. Plus, these k cups are also easy to use and compatible with Keurig single-serve coffee makers.

PROS

CONS

VICTOR ALLEN'S COFFEE

K Cups Italian Roast Single Serve Dark Roast Coffee

 4/5

 4.5/5

Victor Allen’s Coffee is a coffee company that has been in the market since 1979. They are known for high-quality, roaster-fresh perfection, they source 100% Arabica beans from all over the world and use precision roasting techniques to ensure their customers get the very best coffee.

Their Italian Roast Single Serve Dark Roast Coffee is no exception. They are made with 100% Arabica beans which means they feature a full body with a dark but not too dense coffee flavor. Plus, they do not contain any gluten and they are not genetically modified ingredients as well.

Additionally, they come in a pack of 80 dark roasted K-cups in sturdy packaging that helps keep the coffee fresh for so long plus, you don’t have to worry about your k cups opening or crushed.

They also come in a wide selection of coffee choices allowing you to choose from light, medium, and dark roasts. They are compatible with Keurig single-serve coffee makers including Keurig 2.0.

PROS

CONS

PERFECT SAMPLERS

Dark Roast Coffee Pod Variety Pack

 4/5

Perfect Samplers pack comes with 40 different dark roasts to please the needs of all coffee lovers. It includes different brands like SkinnyGirl, Copper Moon, Double Donut, EKOCUPS, Cake Boss, and much more!

This pack is designed for all bold and dark roast coffee lovers with a wide variety of different dark roasts, including Italian and French roasts in addition to more generalized dark roasts such as Dark Espresso and Sumatran blends. Samplers pack is also perfect to offer as a gift for any coffee lover to explore different coffee flavors each time.

Moreover, these k cups are convenient and easy to use with all Keurig single-serve coffee brewers, plus, they are thoroughly inspected before packaging to ensure the coffee is always fresh.

PROS

CONS

DEATH WISH

Dark Roast Death Cups Single Serve Coffee Pods

 4/5

DEATH WISH is a famous coffee company that is known for producing the world’s strongest coffee as it contains more caffeine to give you the energy you need to start your day fresh.

Their dark roast death cups single-serve coffee pods are no exception! They have a bold flavor with a smooth and subtle flavor profile with hints of cherry and chocolate that is less acidic with no bitterness. All their coffees are made with 100% Arabica and Robusta coffee beans exported from all over the world to deliver a rich and bold taste every time.

The coffee beans used are also USDA certified, organic, and fair trade to ensure you get a natural cup of joe every day without harming your stomach. Plus, the death cup pods are sturdily made and recyclable and will keep your coffee fresh for as long as possible.

Moreover, they are compatible with all Keurig single-serve coffee makers including Keurig 1.0 and 2.0, in addition to Breville coffee machines, Cuisinart, and Mr. Coffee.

PROS

CONS

DUNKIN DONUTS

K-cups Dark Roast Coffee

 4.5/5

 3.8/5

 4/5

Dunkin’ Donuts is as famous for their coffee as they are for their donuts and they are known as America’s Favorite Coffee. Their Dunkin Donuts K-cups are filled with Dark Roast Coffee that is made with 100 % Arabica coffee beans what gives it a rich, bold, and smooth taste.

With these Dunkin’ Donuts K-Cups, you will enjoy a delicious, aromatic, and bold cup of coffee every time. The coffee is roasted to perfection and ground fresh to offer a remarkably rich, smooth, and beautifully balanced taste with milk, cream, and flavored coffee creamers.

Moreover, they are nicely packed what means you no longer have to worry about the mess and wasted pots of coffee everywhere. Plus, they are compatible with Keurig coffee brewing systems.

PROS

CONS

Our Choice

All in all, the above-mentioned five k cups are a perfect choice for all dark roast coffee lovers out there. But we would like to recommend just one option we really liked: San Francisco Bay OneCup French Roast Dark Roast Compostable Coffee Pods.

If you are a coffee expert or just a normal coffee lover who has been drinking coffee for a long time, then you must have heard about this amazing coffee brand.

The OneCup dark roast compostable coffee pods live to the San Francisco Bay reputation by offering a smooth, rich, and smoky coffee with hints of toasted almond, cocoa, and sweet vanilla for a sweet aftertaste. The pods are easy and convenient to use and designed to be used with all Keurig single-serve coffee machines.