Starbucks Corp., Seattle, announced the November launch of Starbucks Coffee K-Cup Portion Packs for the Keurig Single Cup Brewing system. The branded K-Cups will be available throughout grocery stores and specialty retailers in the United States later this year. Starbucks is the exclusive licensed super-premium coffee brand for the Keurig Brewer, which is produced and sold by Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (GMCR), Waterbury, Vt.

“We are excited to expand our presence in the multi-billion dollar single-cup coffee category with the introduction of Starbucks Coffee K-Cup Portion Packs, which offer a convenient at-home brewing solution utilizing the popular Keurig Brewer,” said Jeff Hansberry, president of Starbucks Global Consumer Products Group, in a statement.

Starbucks Coffee K-Cup Portion Packs will launch in food, drug, mass, club, specialty and department stores in time for the holidays. Starbucks Coffee K-Cup Portion Packs will be available in Canadian consumer packaged goods channels in March 2012 and on Starbucks’ and GMCR’s direct-to-consumer websites in August 2012. Availability at Starbucks retail stores in the United States and Canada is targeted for later in 2012.

“We plan to build Starbucks’ system-wide sales of K-Cup into a $1 billion business over time,” Hansberry said.

Starbucks Coffee K-Cup Portion Packs will be available in Starbucks’ most popular coffee varieties, including Breakfast Blend, Pike Place Roast, House Blend, Sumatra and French Roast. Starbucks Coffee K-Cup Portion Packs will be available in 10-count, 16-count and 54-count packs.

“Starbucks’ 40 years of expertise in sourcing and roasting the world’s finest coffee beans allows us to deliver the aroma, body and rich flavor of Starbucks coffee in a K-Cup,” Hansberry said. “Now, coffee lovers will have another way to easily enjoy a perfect cup of Starbucks coffee at home.”

In addition, two selections of Tazo Tea will be available in K-Cup Portion Packs: Tazo Tea Awake and Tazo Tea Zen. Tazo Tea K-Cup Portion Packs will be available in 10-count and 16-count packs.