Starbucks announced the Verismo consumer coffee machine in 2012.
The Verismo system was designed as an at-home, single-serve brewer that could make Starbucks brewed coffee and espresso-based drinks. It used sealed, pre-portioned pods, including coffee and espresso varieties, with milk pods available for drinks such as lattes.
Starbucks announced the system in March 2012 and positioned it as a premium alternative in the growing single-cup market. The machines became publicly available later that year, with sales through Starbucks, online channels, and selected specialty retailers in the United States, Canada, and other markets.
Verismo is often confused with Keurig because both use single-serve pods, but they were different systems. Starbucks also sold Starbucks coffee in compatible K-Cup packs through a partnership with Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. Verismo was Starbucks’ own branded platform, intended to prepare both brewed coffee and espresso beverages at home.