SEATTLE — Starbucks Corp. will start selling its Keurig coffee pods at U.S. grocery stores and specialty retailers beginning in November.
Many coffee companies have started to concentrate on the single-serve coffee pods that consumers brew at home because it is a fast growing business. Starbucks hopes to build its K-cup deal into a business worth more than $1 billion.
The Keurig coffee system is made and sold by Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc., with Starbucks serving as the exclusive licensed coffee brand. The companies announced their partnership in March.
The Starbucks packages of K-cups will come in 10-count, 16-count and 54-count packs in flavors such as Breakfast Blend, Pike Place Roast, House Blend, Sumatra and French Roast. The Seattle company will also have Tazo Tea flavors Awake and Zen available in 10-count and 16-count packs.
The K-cup packages will be in Canadian stores in March. They will also be available at Starbucks and Green Mountain's web sites in August. Starbucks shops in the U.S. and Canada will likely have the packages later next year.
Starbucks is already a player in the single-cup market. Last year it rolled out Via Ready Brew instant coffee.
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