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How to provide the perfect cup of coffee every time

Brewing the perfect coffee starts with choosing the right commercial machine, selecting high-quality beans and milk, offering personalization options and maintaining your equipment.

Image: Adobe Stock.

October 16, 2023 by Sam Roberts — Digital Marketing Manager, Connect Vending

How can you, as a coffee service provider, ensure that your coffee service is consistently perfect? From the machine to beans, and maintenance to personalization, there are many factors that contribute to making the perfect office coffee.

In this article, we'll explore each of these crucial elements and equip you with the knowledge to make the perfect office coffee, a reality.

1. The right commercial coffee machine

There's no route to perfection in the coffee world without having a dedicated office coffee machine, as much as you may love the consumer Nespresso machine or think your home instant coffee is top notch, you just won't come close without having an automatic machine to do the heavy lifting.

Choosing the right commercial coffee machine, however, can make a world of difference in the quality of your brew. There are several key factors to consider.

Size and capacity.Assess the size of the customer's office and the number of coffee drinkers. A small office may do just fine with a compact single-cup brewer, while a larger workplace might require a high-capacity machine capable of handling a steady stream of coffee vends without long queues.

It's also important to consider the storage space in each of the hoppers, as the smaller these are the more downtime the machine will have — and no machine means no chance of perfection.

Brewing options. Different machines offer various drinks, including flat white, latte, cappuccino and more. Consider the preferences of the client's personnel to determine which options are essential, and make sure the machine you choose can either cater for these as standard or can be configured.

Some office coffee machines will have added extras like the ability to create cold brew coffees, something which helps create the perfect cup of coffee on a warm day in the office.

Quality and reliability. We cannot stress how important this point is — invest in a high-quality, reliable office coffee machine that can handle regular use without malfunctioning or delivering inconsistent drinks. You may have to pay more for your equipment, but in the long run it's a really worthwhile investment.

Brands like la Cimbali, Rex Royal and Franke are all high-end machine manufacturers who take reliability and consistency very seriously. They've a huge amount of experience in the commercial coffee machine space and invest heavily in R&D to make sure their products are innovative and premium.

Remember that your choice of coffee machine sets the foundation for your office coffee culture, so choose wisely.

2. The right coffee beans and milk

Now that you have the right coffee machine in place, it's time to focus on the ingredients. The quality of your coffee beans, milk and other consumables plays a crucial role in creating the perfect cup of office coffee.

Coffee beans. Choose high-quality coffee beans that are freshly roasted and come from a reputable roastery. The best quality coffee comes from bean-to-cup machines, so we will double down on our earlier statements on how important it is to use fresh ground coffee, not instant.

Consider the taste preferences of the personnel in the client's office; some may prefer a light roast with fruity notes, while others may crave the boldness of a dark roast. Either way, you can't achieve office coffee perfection without looking at these factors.

Most coffee machine operators will have their preferred suppliers for coffee beans, which is developed over years of coffee machine installations and operating. When installing multiple office coffee machines, make sure that the customer has had the opportunity to taste coffee from each our coffee beans before selecting one — it's that important.

Milk. For coffee creations like lattes and cappuccinos, fresh milk is a must. Provided your machine is a premium brand, you'll be able to specify a fresh milk coffee machine, with some even coming with dual milk options. This is as important as choosing the right coffee bean, as an office coffee machine that is brewing coffee using powdered milk will not hit the spot.

You may also want to consider some non-dairy milk options such as oat milk or almond milk.

3. Personalization options

One of the joys of office coffee is the ability to personalize each cup to individual tastes, and when it comes to coffee, the definition of the word "perfection" is subjective. What works for one person might not be right for everyone else, so to be perfect, you're better covering all the bases. Here are some options to consider.

Syrups and flavorings. Stock a variety of syrups and flavorings like vanilla, caramel and hazelnut. These can transform a simple coffee into a customized masterpiece and help your staff feel like they're in a high street coffee shop.

Sweeteners. Offer a selection of sweeteners, including sugar, honey and artificial sweeteners, to cater to different preferences. It's considered a faux pas in some circles to use white sugar in coffee, so make sure that you offer brown sugar for the diehards to enjoy!

Toppings. Consider having toppings like whipped cream, cocoa powder or cinnamon for those who want to take their coffee to the next level. Let's be real, no one has ever said no to a powdering of chocolate on their cappuccino.

By offering a range of personalization options, you'll cater to the diverse tastes of your customers and make the office coffee experience even more enjoyable.

4. Regular maintenance and cleaning

Maintaining your commercial coffee machine is paramount to ensure consistent quality and longevity, though many forget it when considering office coffee machine options. Regular cleaning and maintenance not only keep your machine in optimal condition but also contribute to the health and safety of the customer's office.

The customer should assign someone in the office to perform daily cleaning tasks, such as emptying and cleaning drip trays, wiping down the machine and ensuring milk frothing components are spotless. Otherwise, the service provider must manage this on their behalf.

Brewing the perfect office coffee isn't just about the coffee itself; it's about the entire experience. It starts with choosing the right commercial coffee machine, selecting high-quality beans and milk, offering personalization options and maintaining your equipment.

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