Coffee Home Direct Blog

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Posted on May 2, 2011 by admin

Why not show your mother a little extra love this year and take your traditional breakfast in bed up a notch by surprising her with a new teapot and set of tea or perhaps a snazzy new espresso maker. We know Mother’s Day is all about making mom’s life a little easier and better for the day, but we think you should go even further and pamper her with a gift that will make every morning and day a little easier and a whole lot better!

For the Coffee-Loving Mom

If you really want to go all-out, our biggest recommendation is the Gaggia New Baby Ivory Espresso Machine. This is one of our most elegant espresso machines that’s sure to delight her with it’s stunning look. It also gives her the option of making espresso with a pod or with ground coffee. This is perfect for mom’s with extra time and mom’s with no time. A pod takes just about 30 seconds and provides an instant shot of fabulous espresso to power her through the morning. Save her the hassle and time of running down to the coffee shop and allow her to feel spoiled and pampered every morning.

For the Tea Loving Mom

Our top pick is the Teaposy Gift Set. Guys, this is as easy as it gets: one-stop-shopping that looks like you picked out the perfect assortment of pieces that perfectly complement each other. This gift set comes complete with a gorgeous, extremely high quality and hand-blown glass teapot, a glass loose-leaf tea filter, two delicate glass teacups (also made from hand-blown glass) and 6 teaposies in the unique flavors of: Heart of Love, Falling Water, Butterfly, Calendula, Lady Fairy and Noble Essence. Teaposy is not only known for using supreme quality glass and handcrafting each piece, but most specifically, the teaposies. Each and every “teaposy” is a creation made from hand-selected tea leaves sewn together by hand by a master tea binder. When placed in hot water, a teaposy magically unfolds and “blooms” into a gorgeous flower. Your mother will never have experienced tea in such a way before and we guarantee you’ll impress her.

If your mom isn’t the sit-down-tea-party type, then we think she might love a new iced tea maker. Summer is just around the corner after all! Our favorite is this Hamilton Beach Iced Tea Maker. We love that you can use tea bags or loose leaf in the built-in filter, so she’ll never need to worry about buying paper filters or special cartridges. She’ll also love the slim design that allows it to fit in the side refrigerator door, saving the rest of the space for potato salad and watermelon.

(And, if she happens to watch the View, she probably saw it when it was featured and fell in love with it…) Brownie points for you! Just a thought.

Bring her breakfast in bed, a cup of hot coffee, a spectacular gift from one of our countless gift ideas, and spoil her all day long!

Posted in Gift Ideas, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

“It’s Friday, Don’t Touch My Coffee” Mugs

Posted on April 29, 2011 by admin

You know that feeling? Friday rolls around and the only thing that’s possibly going to get you through the morning and day with any amount of sanity is that coming blissful cup of coffee. And then, the Barista does something ridiculous like accidentally pushing the lid the wrong way and downing both the lid and her hand into your Americano and then having the guts to serve it to you anyway (my morning in a nutshell). Or your co-worker steals your favorite mug, or the brown slime on your year-old mug finally gets to you.

Just in case it’s not just me feelin’ this way today, I thought I’d compile some of my favorite picks for a Friday: “get your hands off-my-coffee” kinda mugs. Enjoy!

Glass-Half-Empty

This mug pretty much rocks. Sometimes, it’s just one of those days. And the fact that half your coffee is gone doesn’t help. It’s perfect for the Friday when your co-workers’ jokes about the coffee running low aren’t going to make you smile. Period.

Lock-Down Coffee Mug

Appropriate for homes where kids think your favorite mug is suitable for their morning Cheerios. There’s no putting any coffee in or pouring any coffee without, minus the key. Genius. Not a bad idea for dorm rooms and offices either.

I am Eco-Friendly. Thanks for Asking, Again.

Tired of getting grief about not being “eco-friendly” enough? Stop the talk once and for all and let your mug say it for you.

I Like my Coffee This Way.

If you’re annoyed with repeating the proper way to make your coffee day-after-day, just twist the rings and hand over your mug.

Would a Cookie Would Help?

In case a cup of coffee just isn’t gonna cut it, maybe you’ll get a smile from your cookies stashed in this mug?

Just to Make You Smile

(Good to the Last Drop)

(Latte Lover)

(Let’s Get Color Coordinated)

(Three espressos might help.)

Here’s to hoping your coffee is fantastic and nobody touches it all day.

Happy weekend!

(If you need some coffee, mugs, you should head over here.)

Posted in Just for Fun | Leave a comment

Fair Trade & “Sweatshops in the Field”

Posted on April 22, 2011 by admin

At this point, we certainly hope that it doesn’t come as a surprise that we take the environment very seriously here at Coffee Home Direct. But even though we might say that often, we thought we should clarify what we mean. We mean we will always strive to keep you up to date with information about eco-friendly coffee trends, note worthy news and helpful tips, in addition to providing you with a wide selection of eco-friendly products. Our goal and hope is that our company can help you make your coffee greener on a daily basis, (and tasting better too, of course.)

But, for Earth Day, we thought we should talk a little bit about Fair Trade Coffee. What is it? Why the price? Is it worth it? You see coffee stamped with the Fair Trade mark in many stores these days, so lets dig into it. At the basic definition, Fair Trade does two things. It guarantees a farmer a fixed price for coffee beans that will both cover the cost of production, and it connects the farmer directly to U.S. importers, eliminating a need for a “middle man.” As you can imagine, most coffee farmers are in remote areas without the capability or access to finding major distributors themselves, making their decisions and sales susceptible to crafty men who come in and offer ridiculously low prices.

The goal of fair trade is simple: to promote long-term sustainability and provide the farmers with enough income to keep their land, maintain a bountiful harvest, and live a life of quality. This means basic things like health, education for children and community development. With references to coffee farms as “sweatshops in the fields,” it’s easy to understand why it can be crucial to help these farmers. Coffee prices may be high for us as consumers, but the price per pound for farmers is sinking fast around the world, and is currently as low as $.60- .70 cents per pound. According to Merling Preza Ramos, Director of PRODECOOP Fair Trade cooperative in Nicaragua:

“The drastic fall in coffee prices means, in two words, poverty and hunger for thousands of small producers in Latin America.”

In order for a coffee to be labeled “Fair Trade Certified,” they must pay a minimum of $1.26 per pound to the farmer. Obviously, that’s a huge increase for the farmer. And, of course, it means that the price of those coffee beans you’re drinking is also going to go up. Is it worth it? Ultimately, the choice is yours and things like what you can afford also come into play. But, we think it’s worth it. Try it out: celebrate Earth Day today by getting some of your very own Fair Trade coffee. We think you might get hooked.

More info on eco-friendly coffee? Of course! Right here: Green Coffee.

Source: GlobalExchange[dot]org

Photo Credit: GreenCoffee[dot]com

Posted in Coffee Beans, Fair Trade, Green, What do you think? | Leave a comment

Ditchin’ Hot Coffee, Bring on the Iced Coffee!

Posted on April 15, 2011 by admin

Here in sunny Orange County, California, the home of Coffee Home Direct, it almost feels like Spring is already ending and Summer is just around the corner. We realize that some places might be slightly more “Spring-ish,” but wherever you are, we think chances are pretty good that you’re starting to ditch the morning hot coffee and instead, starting to think more along the lines of iced coffee. And hey, if not in the morning, we’re all pretty partial to a 3 p.m. iced coffee ’round here.

Here’s some recipes the staff at CHD thinks you might enjoy. You can whip up your own, spread the word, spice up your afternoon and add some iced coffee recipes to your collection.

For the “Caramel-icious Lover”

1 cup coffee chilled
1 cup half-and-half
1/4 cup caramel sauce
3 tablespoons sugar
Ice

Add caramel and sugar to coffee while still hot, and then allow to chill. Once cool, fill cup with ice, pour in coffee mixture, top with half and half, stir. Top with whipped topping (and perhaps a drizzle of caramel…)

For the “Calorie-Conscious-Choco-holic”

1 cup strong coffee, chilled
1/2 cup fat free milk
1/4 cup fat free frozen chocolate sorbet
Sweetener of your choice
Ice

Toss all in a blender and have at it! (Top with a chocolate chip “or two.”)

For the “Calorie Conscious”

1 cup strong coffee, chilled
1/4 cup fat free milk
1 packet Splenda (or sugar-free sweetener of your choice)
1-2 tablespoons fat free whipped topping
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Ice

Mix coffee, vanilla & Splenda. Fill cup with ice, pour in milk, and then coffee/Splenda mixture. Top with whip cream.

Need more info on good “calorie conscious” coffee decisions?
We’ve got that covered here!

*Recipes adapted from: SparkRecipes, BeliefNet and Food.com.

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Hollywood’s Biggest Accessory: The Coffee Cup

Posted on April 8, 2011 by admin

While you may not have taken a stroll through Hollywood yourself lately (or ever), chances are you’ve been accosted by OK magazines and People magazines in some grocery store check-out line and have noticed, or been forced to notice that Hollywood celebrities really like their coffee. Every magazine has some “They’re Just like You!” section, in which, although they’re probably dashing to their million dollar beach home or heading out for a sushi restaurant most of us will never enter, 9 times out of 10, they’ve also always got a giant purse in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.

It’s becoming more than a drink, more than a caffeinated beverage, it’s becoming the most widespread modern accessory in today’s world. Spanning from LA to NYC alike, the rich and famous, they’ve got the coffee buzz goin’ on. And, not only are the celebrities drinking more coffee, more of us “average” people “just like them” are in fact, also walking around flaunting our stylin’ cups of skinny caramel macchiatos. Trends are revealing more and more teenagers flocking to coffee shops because it’s the “cool” thing to do. Are they mimicking, say Mary Kate perhaps, who seems to be glued to her venti-sugar-free-vanilla-skim-latte?

Did you know that Reese Withersppon drinks grande almond strong soy lattes? Or that Nicole Kidman orders triple grande skim wet cappuccinos? Katie Holmes? Grand Half Caf Soy Latte. Elijah Wood? Venti Quad Espresso Over Ice. This is the stuff People magazine seems to think we want to know.

And, while the true, die-hard coffee lovers who can rattle off about mouth feel and doses and the proper way to perfect a shot of ristretto with just the right fineness to the crema, will scoff at the trend, the coffee shops definitely aren’t going to. Coffee has become the equalizing accessory that can make anyone look hip. It may cost $4 for that iced latte, but walking into a highschool with that, as opposed to say, a $1000 Gucci bag, pumps up one’s social status at a considerably more affordable price tag. You may not be wearing a diamond, but can you wear a venti cup? Yes!

In fact, I wouldn’t be all that surprised if eventually you can start ordering cups by color and request to have them be-decked in fake jewels. “I’ll take a fat-free skim mocha frappuccino with a 1/2 shot of vanilla and a 1/2 of caramel in the Hott Pink Cup with Silver Rhinestones. Thanks.”

Coffee manufacturers are also hitting up on the trend. Pod coffee makers are particularly relevant, since they take all but 30 seconds to make a cup of really good coffee. And they’re really trendy. According to Nespresso, even George Clooney thinks they are. And, if George Clooney thinks so, then how can they not be?

What do you think? Is this a good trend? Bad trend? You could care less how Orlando Bloom takes his coffee? Wanna be cool like George? We’ve got coffee pods too….

Posted in Entertainment, Opinion | Leave a comment

Calories in Black Coffee – Drink More, Get Thin!

Posted on April 1, 2011 by admin

Calories in Black Coffee – Drink More, Get Thin!

For the calorie conscious, each and every calorie counts, which is why coffee is toted as one of the best drinks for those counting calories for both a low-cal lifestyle and for a particular diet. That said, there’s always been controversy over just how many calories are to be found in coffee. This probably stems from the fact that you can go buy a “frozen coffee” in the form of a frozen frappuccino and find yourself downing 600 plus calories. But, that’s really not coffee. When it comes down to it, you can enjoy a cup of straight black coffee for practically no calories.

According to the USDA, one 8 ounce cup of coffee has just 2 calories. To clarify, in case that creates any confusion: that means coffee brewed with untouched coffee beans — no sugars, flavorings, spices, etc. added at any point. This means you could literally drink coffee all day long and have a really hard time topping about 30 calories. To think of it in other terms, you could drink two cups of coffee for the equivalent of the calories you would get in approximately 1 stick of sugar free gum.

Coffee as a Diet Tool

Not only are the calories in black coffee exceptionally low, making it safe for nearly any diet plan (please consult your diet if you are on a unique diet), it can also be helpful to think of coffee as a dieting tool.

1) Filling

Drinking liquids is almost always a recommended dieting tool. You can help yourself to feel fuller by consuming liquids, especially before meals, and triggering your stomach to feel fuller. Coffee is especially useful since you’ve got just about no calorie count and it offers an intense flavor. Many people have a hard time consuming straight water because it’s too bland. And the next low-cal option for beverages is found in sugar-free drinks, but they come with a lot of controversy regarding their potential to actually increase hunger instead of cut it. Coffee is safe and delicious… Win-Win.

2) Awakening

Many people turn to food as a means of waking themselves up or getting an energy boost, especially in the afternoon. A cup of coffee can offer just the caffeine boost needed to eliminate that irritating sluggish and tired feeling, hence also eliminating the desire to turn to food for snacking and munching and taking in unnecessary calories. 3:00 doldrums? 3:00 vending machine? Nah. 3:00 coffee, yes!

3) Energy Booster

Coffee can also be used as a means to increase energy before a workout and therefore increase the intensity of a workout and heighten the number of calories burned. Down a cup, and hit the treadmill twice as hard.

Choosing Calories in Coffee Wisely

While we can’t say enough about coffee as just about “calorie free,” we also realize that for some of us, straight black just isn’t going to cut it. If you want your coffee with just a little zip, try some of these tips to ensure that your morning cup of coffee doesn’t put your daily calorie count completely out of reach:

Have a sweet treat with your black coffee. You’ll get your sweet fix and even though you will probably take in the same amount of calories, the food will leave you feeling more full than a sugary beverage would.
Opt to stay away from seasonal offerings. They are particularly loaded with cream and sugar. You know what we’re talking about… Super Sugar Pumpkin Pie Lattes, Creamy Creamy Eggnogg Frappuccinos. Tasty but heavy on the kcals.
Order the smallest size on the menu, or ask for a small size poured into a large cup and diluted. (More quantity for filling potential, same amount of calories as the small size.)
Ask for the selection of low fat and sugar-free options
Request half a shot of syrup instead of a full shot
Replace cream or whole milk with skim or fat free
Avoid chocolate in your coffee
Skip the whip cream on top
Use 1 tablespoon of fat free cool whip as a splurge when you’re home
Try sugar free chai mix

Stay smart about your coffee drinking and you can drink it daily (even multiple times a day!) without taking in too many calories.

*Looking for more helpful info on coffee and health? We’ve got lots! Check us out: Coffee Home Direct.

Posted in Health, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Automatic Espresso Machines for Every Price Point

Posted on March 25, 2011 by admin

If you’ve made the decision to go for an automatic espresso machine, it can be hard to know where and how to begin. At Coffee Home Direct we strive to make sure that we have an option available for every price point. Whether you’re searching for an economy version or if you’re ready to go straight to a high end automatic espresso machine model, you should be assured that there is a product that’s just right for you. To help you, we’re offering a top pick in each price range for semi-automatics.

Most Affordable Automatic Espresso Machine.

The most affordable automatic espresso machine that we recommend here at CHD is the Cuisinart Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine. Cuisinart espresso machines prove that it doesn’t have to cost a small fortune to invest in a high quality espresso machine. We are proud to offer this machine that comes in under $150. Not only does it extract your favorite ground coffee, you can also opt for the pod portafilter for even quicker and easier espresso making. For those days when you should have been out the door 20 minutes ago, a pod espresso machine cannot be beat. And, in addition to quality espresso making, this has an included steam wand for professionally steaming and frothing milk. You’ll be able to whip up lattes and cappuccinos that taste just as good, if not better, than a coffee shop offering, but from your own home and without the cost. It boasts a professional stainless steel finish and the top doubles as a convenient cup holder and warmer. And, as an added bonus, Cuisinart gives you a tamping tool, accurate measuring spoon and stainless steel frothing pitcher. These accessories make this an even smarter, economical choice.

Mid-Range Automatic Espresso Machine.

It’s incredibly difficult to choose a mid-range espresso machine, there are so many fantastic options on the market right now. We do really love the Gaggia 12700 Espresso Semi-Automatic that gives you three different filter baskets, including single shot, double shot and pod. It has a Panarello frothing wand for exceptionally thick and creamy frothing, and one of our favorite features included is the Gaggia Rapid Steam technology. Rapid Steam cuts the wait time between coffee and steam to just seconds, allowing you to avoid the dilemma of models who require too much time to steam and therefore cause your espresso to become overly cooled. The stylish Touch Ring makes choosing a function just a simple touch. And, since this 12700 model has an electronic dosing system, it will actually program and remember your preferred espresso dose for you, ensuring your espresso will never lack the consistency you desire.

High End Automatic Espresso Machine.

The Vibiemme Dobmobar Super HX takes everything intrinsic to commercial, professional semi-automatic machines and includes them in this gorgeous model suitable for home use. It offers a coveted E-61 group head, the heaviest in its class and guaranteed consistently maintain an active water flow from grouphead to heat exchanger. The added bonus of a heat exchanger system allows you to simultaneously extract coffee while steaming your milk and it also means you can make espressos repeatedly until water tank is drained. You’ll be able to operate two separate thermostats and and use the proper heat temperatures for both the espresso and the milk steaming. A three way solenoid valve ensures that pressure never exceeds safe levels and it also enables a dry extraction that produces dry pucks much easier to dispose of. The Parker pressurtat is rated as one of the best boiler pressure regulators on the market. The steam wand and hot water tap are both multi-directional and a professional GICAR water level control regulates the internal boiler. But, just in case this all isn’t enough, accessories include: single spout portafilter, single dose filter basket, double spout portafilter, double dose filter basket and blind filter basket for backflushing.

Which Semi-Automatic is Right for You?

If these aren’t the ones for you, then go browse our entire Automatic Espresso Machine category. We’ve got an extensive array of models in each price that we think will meet all of your needs and desires. Still have questions? Facebook us or send us a shout out on Twitter and our friendly staff will answer anything you might be wondering about!

Posted in Espresso, Product Recommendations, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Coffee and Espresso Maker

Posted on March 18, 2011 by admin

We’re coffee addicts. We can’t settle for just a coffee maker or just an espresso machine. Can we? Of course not! Let’s face it: when its 5 AM and pitch black outside and we have a looming 12 hours of conference meetings to keep ourselves semi-awake for, there is nothing that’s going to cut it, minus a good solid shot of espresso.

On the other hand, for a leisurely Saturday morning when the rain is falling and the fog is coming in, who doesn’t crave a good newspaper read while a pot of coffee drips slowly in the background?

See what I mean? Okay, so it’s settled. We need both. However, if you happen to be on a conscientious budget in which there just isn’t any rationalizing a coffee maker and espresso machine, we have a solution! It’s also a very good solution for those of us who don’t have unlimited counter space to spare with stocking our dream assortment of coffee makers and espresso machines and all of the best coffee accessories that we really shouldn’t be living without.

Enter: the two-in-one coffee and espresso maker!

Coffee and Espresso Maker Combination

These machines combine the best of both worlds and choosing wisely doesn’t necessarily mean a sacrifice in quality in either one of them. Our top pick is a very affordable model that actually rarely gets associated with espresso machines, but don’t be fooled. We would like to introduce you to the Mr. Coffee coffee maker and espresso machine. If you’re thinking Mr. Coffee doesn’t equate to quality espresso, we’d like to challenge that. This isn’t a generic, wanna-be espresso maker. It’s a genuine, 15 bar espresso machine that does extract professional espresso shots. It also has a built in steam wand, which we really like. You won’t have to purchase a battery powered milk frother (one more thing to store),and you can use it just as easily to steam your water and create some Americanos for the quick wake up call.

The coffee maker, as is no surprise, is also quality and made with Mr. Coffee’s very user-friendly options. It’s even got the sneak-a-cup features so just in case you can’t wait for an entire 8 cups to brew (who can?) you can grab your own whenever you feel like it.

Stovetop Coffee and Espresso Maker

For one more take on this coffee and espresso maker idea, we’d like to throw out the suggestion of a Bialetti Mukka Express. While not theoretically extracted under pressure, and therefore not technically “espresso,” a Bialetti Moka pot, and any stovetop espresso maker for that matter, does achieve an extraction ratio and mouthfeel similar to that of espresso. The Mukka Express, though, is extra special since it has a top compartment devoted to steaming milk while simultaneously brewing the coffee. This gives you an entirely new way to make a different version of lattes and, if you do happen to have a means of frothing, cappuccinos too. It’s a little bit coffee, a little bit espresso, and a whole lotta goodness.

Go see our entire selection and pick one that’s right for you! Coffee Home Direct

Posted in Product Recommendations, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Best Coffee Makers

Posted on March 9, 2011 by admin

Staff Picks for the Best Coffee Maker

You’re about to find out some of the secret staff favorites here at Coffee Home Direct! It can be daunting and overwhelming, to say the least, to try and determine what the best coffee maker for you is. That’s when the advice of somebody else comes in really handy! So, let’s break it down by brand. Today, we’re going to give you our favorite Cuisinart, BUNN and Hamilton Beach coffee makers. More to come, so stick with us as we explore all of our brands!

CUISINART

Cuisinart is our top choice for having the best coffee maker overall. The Cuisinart motto, to help their customers “Savor the Good Life” is evident in every one of their products, in both the style and design, as well as in the features that are thoughtfully created to make life your life easier and feel more luxurious. If you want a high quality machine that holds up, that’s backed with a fantastic 3-year warranty, and a coffee maker that has a tasteful class and elegance, then we recommend Cuisinart to you.

Our top pick, and the rest of America’s top pick, is the Cuisinart DCC-1200 12-Cup Brew Central coffeemaker. Not only is it backed with the Cuisinart 3-year warranty that we admire so much, some of our other favorite features include:

Pause n’ Brew feature – grab your own cup whenever you want without interrupting the 12 cup brew cycle
Keep warm function - one of the few machines that allows you to adjust the temperature of your keep warm setting
24 Hour Brew Program – allows you to set your coffee to start automatically brewing at the hour of your choosing, any time within the next 24 hours
Comes included with a permanent gold tone filter, no need for paper filters and actually brews better tasting coffee with higher aromatic properties than a paper filter
Automatic shut-off - you can program when you want this to kick in, between 0 – 4 hours
Includes a charcoal water filter - not only removes impurities from your water for better tasting coffee, also extends your coffee maker’s life by preventing buildup
Decalcify Notification – another feature to help you help your coffee machine endure
1-4 cup Option - specially designed to adjust the coffee/water ratio if you don’t need to brew an entire 12 cup pot

BUNN

Our favorite BUNN coffee maker is the BUNN STX Specialty 10-cup thermal coffee maker. It, of course, features the trademark BUNN brew system that heats water to the optimum temperature for boiling water (200 degrees Fahrenheit) first, before the brewing ever begins. However, this particular coffee maker actually keeps a ready supply of water at this perfect temperature, so no matter when you decide a cup of coffee is in order, the water is ready and your wait time is zero. In fact, you can brew 10 cups, start to finish, in under three minutes!

It also offers the sprayhead design unique to BUNN that evenly sprays a shower of water over the coffee grounds, as opposed to dumping water on top and sitting on the grounds while brewing is occurring. This provides the most even flavor extraction possible and eliminates the opportunity for coffee to become bitter. We love this particular BUNN coffee maker because of the 10 cup size and because of the double wall thermal carafe, which not only means coffee at the perfect temperature for even longer, the carafe also happens to be unbreakable! This BUNN coffeemaker is also backed with a 3 year warranty!

HAMILTON BEACH

The top pick at CHD for Hamilton Beach is the 43254 Ensemble 12 cup drip coffee maker. This visually appealing coffee maker offers you all the basics you should require in your coffee maker, but at a slightly more affordable price than the previous two coffee makers mentioned.

The control panel on this drip coffee maker is incredibly easy to use, and we really like and appreciate the simplistic, straightforward style of this machine. It has a programmable clock and timer for setting coffee brewing to occur whenever you like, in addition to offering the Pause ‘n Serve option for grabbing your cup just as soon as you feel like it. It’s backed with a 1 year limited warranty, which is not quite on par with our top two picks, but is a big step ahead of those without a warranty. It has a unique “non-stick” hot plate and will work with both permanent or paper filters.

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Coffee and Espresso — At Work

Posted on March 3, 2011 by admin

This is THE post all employees craving better coffee and espresso at the workplace should show their employers. Nothing beats going to work when you know that there is an amazing cup of coffee just waiting for you, right? Right! So, let’s talk about why it’s not only good for you to show up at work with coffee waiting for you, but for your boss too…

Employer Benefits of Coffee and Espresso in the Workplace

Dear employer:

If you don’t think it’s worth it to have good coffee at work for your employees, all of us at Coffee Home Direct would like to tell you that you’re wrong! Here are some benefits you’ll notice: (Effective immediately)

Alert employees.
It’s true. We don’t have to remind you about the caffeine properties of coffee. With just a cup or two of coffee you will instantly have employees more on top of their game and ready to face whatever tasks you have for them with a new vigor. Nothing is worse than an entire office full of sluggish, sleepy workers. Yawning might be contagious, but so is energy!

Increased productivity. This follows suit. More alertness means employees who are going to get more work done. And, we’re pretty sure you’ll like that. Likewise, you’ll probably notice more creativity, better functioning overall, and sharper thinking skills.

Happier employees. Coffee and espresso drinks are certainly known to boost the mood. And, not only do they awaken and cause heightened senses of thinking and creativity, they can also have a calming effect. This is especially true for those of us who are used to drinking coffee on a daily basis. If, for some reason, we are unable to swing by the coffee shop and grab our favorite dark blend, we’re likely to be a little agitated for a good portion of the morning.

Employees on time.
Coffee shops are incredibly unpredictable. They may normally take 10 minutes, but they could just as easily take 20 tomorrow. The wait time is entirely out of your employees control, and let’s face it, you know they aren’t going to leave until they’ve gotten their cup. Having coffee for them at work means they’ll be on time much more regularly.

Create workplace camaraderie. Nothing makes it easier for employees to get to know each other and instill a sense of companionship and security in the workplace than gathering around for a quick refill or a short coffee break. And,
employees who feel safe and secure are going to perform better, bottom
line.

The Best Coffee and Espresso Machines for Your Office

To reduce the fears even further that bringing coffee and espresso machines into the office means all cost and no benefit, we want to share some of our favorites with you. Both coffee and espresso making is becoming even easier than ever. From a super automatic espresso machine that will do just about everything for you (except perhapsdrink the coffee) to pod coffee makers that make just one cup of whatever you would like in under a minute flat (note: no wasted employee time) to basic, standard coffee makers that now include features to adjust brew strength and temperature adjustable warming plates to eliminate overheating, no matter your preference or your budget, there are coffee and espresso machines for your office.

Coffee and Espresso Machine Options

Basic coffee and espresso machines are defined as the standard, no bells and whistles options. They will brew quality coffee, but they are probably not programmable and most likely don’t offer things like LCD screens and clocks. We would recommend a drip coffee maker for a basic option, or even a thermal coffee maker if you want to go a step higher. Thermal coffee makers are particularly useful in office settings because they are designed to keep large pots of coffee hotter and tasting fresher for longer periods of time than a standard glass carafe coffee maker would. Basic espresso machines will dispense just one shot at a time, but if you make the decision to have an espresso maker in your office, we recommend a pod espresso machine. These require no user knowledge, unlike traditional espresso machines.

Commercial Coffee and Espresso Machines

For serving large offices, one of the best options is a pour over commercial coffee maker. BUNN has many great offers that include dual carafes and brewing capacities as high as 3.8 gallons/hour. Grindmaster is another terrific option. Not only can you get commercial size coffee makers with airpots to keep coffee hotter and fresher longer, you can also get commercial sized two-in-one coffee grinder/coffee brewers if you really want to treat your employees right! Nothing beats coffee made with freshly ground beans. Grindmaster has options that include 3 warmers in one coffee maker, a feature especially ideal for settings
with large numbers. You can brew two pots of regular and one of decaf and be ready to meet everyone and anyone’s needs.

Our Favorite Commercial Pod Coffee Maker

If you want your employees living in the lap of luxury when they come to work, then we suggest treating them with something extra special! Our favorite way to do this is with pod coffee and espresso machines. Pods eliminate all the prep work, all the cleanup, take only one minute to brew a cup, and most importantly of all, offer your employees the widest variety possible. You can meet the needs of espresso drinkers, coffee drinkers, tea drinkers, afternoon iced tea drinkers, even latte and macchiato drinkers. The BUNN AutoPOD is our favorite for office settings. It has an auto-eject system that automatically ejects pods for the user and dispenses them in a dispenser (which you can install under the counter if you’d like). It will store all used pods until the end of the day, so there’s no time lost whatsoever in cleaning up after a pod machine. You could also offer your conference room guests any beverage of their choice, which we think is pretty impressive.