WATERBURY, Vt. & MILAN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Keurig Green Mountain, Inc., a leader in specialty coffee, coffee makers, teas, and other beverages with its innovative brewing technology, and illycaffè, recognized worldwide for its innovation, quality, expertise and leadership in the coffee industry, today announced a multi-year agreement to bring the illy® brand and its signature illy blend coffee to K-Cup® pods for the Keurig® hot brewing system in the United States and Canada. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
"With such a rich brand heritage and super-premium coffee, illy provides just the kind of experience Keurig fans love to discover and enjoy," said Mark Wood, Chief Product Officer, Hot Systems at Keurig. "Offering illy for K-Cup pods combines our passion for coffee and our deep commitment to deliver quality with the convenience and consistency expected from Keurig brewed beverages."
The companies plan to launch a selection of illy® coffees in K-Cup® pods beginning with limited distribution in fall 2015, with plans to expand availability in 2016. Like illy's coffees available in other formats, each K-Cup® pod will contain illy's distinctive blend of nine Arabica beans from around the world, sourced through direct trade to ensure utmost quality and traceability, according to the principles of sustainable development. The results are a consistently balanced taste that is smooth, rich, and full-bodied, and soon to be available to Keurig® users who enjoy the simplicity and consistency of Keurig® brewing.
"Over the past 82 years, the illy family has obsessively pursued its passion to offer the best coffee in the world and to be the world reference for coffee culture and excellence," said Andrea Illy, Chairman and CEO of illycaffè S.p.A. "We are pleased to extend the illy experience to Keurig users looking for a premium coffee that delivers extraordinary taste."
Over 25 years ago, illy pioneered the direct trade model by cultivating personal, long-lasting, relationships with farmers directly working with them to grow the best of the best beans and purchasing them at prices higher than market values to ensure the growers make a good profit. Through illy's Universita del Caffe, it provides hands-on instruction to growers all over the world—helping them to develop skills, techniques, and stay up-to-date on innovations in sustainability, at no cost to them.
All illy® coffee K-Cup® pods will be marked with the Keurig Brewed® seal indicating the product has passed rigorous testing, assuring the quality, taste, and integrity consumers expect from the Keurig® brand.
Keurig® hot system brewers use innovative brewing technology to deliver a fresh-brewed, perfect single cup or carafe of hot or brewed over ice coffee, tea, cocoa, or fruit brews every time at just the touch of a button. The Keurig® hot brewing system was recognized as the "Brand of the Year" in the single serve coffee maker category in the 2015 Harris Poll EquiTrend® Equity Study. For the fourth consecutive year, the Keurig® system has received the highest ranking in the coffee maker category based on consumers' perceptions of familiarity, quality, and purchase consideration.
