Category: Coffee Service

Coffee and blueberries in the same mug aren’t usually thought of as a delicious combination enjoyed during a morning or afternoon break at work. However, in honor of National Blueberry Month, let’s explore how Orlando and Central Florida employees can enjoy the flavor of blueberries with their favorite coffee or espresso-based beverage.

There are two ways to enjoy a cup of coffee with hints of blueberry. The first is to add blueberry flavoring or syrup, and the second is to enjoy a beverage made from Harrar beans.

Blueberry Flavoring can be added at one of two different stages during the coffee creation process. The first options occur immediately after the beans have been roasted. While the beans are still hot, blueberry flavoring is added as a coating to the outside of the beans to create a layer of flavor. The beans are then sold to consumers. After the beans are ground and later brewed, the blueberry flavor, which was on the outside of the beans, mixes with the ground coffee and creates a blueberry-flavored beverage.

The second way to add blueberry flavor is to purchase or prepare blueberry syrup and add it to a freshly brewed cup of Joe. With this option, Orlando and Central Florida consumers can decide how little or much they want to add. If making the syrup from scratch, only three ingredients – fresh blueberries, water and sugar – and sometime are needed. 

Harrar coffee beans, the other option, are from the Oromia region of Ethiopia and are one of the oldest types of bean still in production. Grown on small farms at elevations between 4600 feet and 6500 feet, the beans are dry processed, which means they are harvested and processed by hand and then dried in the sun. The end result is a bold and complex coffee with notes of blueberries as well as apricots and a hint of jasmine. 

If the traditionally flavored types are preferred by your Orlando and Central Florida employees, there are a lot of options available from French-vanilla and hazelnut to different roasting processes and types of beans. And that doesn’t include the all of the espresso-based beverages that can be made with those beans. Make it easier on your employees to find their favorite beverage during the workday with office coffee service (OCS).

OCS lets your Orlando and Central Florida employees know that you value them. In return, energized and hydrated employees are more creative and productive. It’s a win for everyone. For more information about our OCS options, please call The Vending Station at (407) 891.7632. We look forward to customizing a solution that fits your organization’s specific needs.

Coffee is important, especially to the 63 percent of American adults and Orlando and Central Florida individuals who drink it daily in 2019. The reason why it is important will vary based on the individual, but there is one overarching theme that has impacted the industry as a whole. 

Consumers’ values, especially toward coffee and where it comes from, have changed. Not only are Orlando and Central Florida consumers more aware of what they are drinking but they also consider sustainability, grower/roaster transparency and wellness benefits when choosing their beverages. The results of the National Coffee Association’s (NCA) newest report, 2019 National Coffee Data Trends (NCDT), reflects these ongoing changes.

To better understand three of the top trends included in the NCDT report, it’s important to first define the categories or terms that the NCA uses in the report.

Traditional – Not Gourmet: “not brewed from premium whole bean or ground varieties”

Traditional – Gourmet: “brewed from “premium varieties””  

Gourmet Beverages: includes two distinct sub-categories (1) espresso-based beverages, and (2) non-espresso-based beverages (ex. cold brew)

Three of the top trends in 2019 are

• The percentage of gourmet beverages consumed by Americans the previous day increased to 61 percent. Drilling down a level, espresso-based beverages increased to 24 percent while non-espresso-based beverages increased to 11 percent. Traditional – gourmet decreased by 1 percent to 15 percent.
• More often than in previous years, coffee and espresso-based beverages today are being prepared out of the home and enjoyed after the traditional breakfast hour. This shift in consumer behavior is reflected by the 6 percent decrease since 2012 of survey participants who brewed their coffee at home, and the 5 percent increase by those who enjoyed a coffee or espresso-based beverage made outside of the home.
• For those in the under-40 demographic, 80 percent of survey participants were aware that cold brew is an option. 89 percent were also aware of ready-to-drink (RTD) choices. The increased awareness of cold brew and RTD beverages offers manufacturers an opportunity for innovation, whether in preparation methods or types of ingredients.

Do your Orlando and Central Florida employees feel the same way about their office coffee service (OCS) options? The Vending Station offers an extensive OCS and can help your organization customize the best solution for your employees from coffee and tea to cold beverages, healthy options or fresh food. To learn more or schedule a product sampling, please contact us at (407) 891.7632.

“Just like eating fruits, vegetables and other plant-based foods, regular tea consumption has been shown to have significant health benefits.”

– Peter Goggi, President of the Tea Council of the USA.

The weather may be warm outside, but that doesn’t mean Orlando and Central Florida employees can’t enjoy a delicious cup of hot or cold tea during their workday or on the weekend. With so many different types available, it can feel overwhelming when trying to choose one. Let’s take a step back and start at the beginning.

Tea starts as a single plant, the Camellia sinensis. How the leaves are cared for, plucked and dried or oxidized will determine the end result. The five main types are black, white, green, oolong and puerh (or dark). 

Black tea is the most commonly consumed type in the world. In the United States, over 80 percent of the tea consumed is black. The key is to make sure that the leaves are fully fermented or oxidized.

Green tea is known to have many health benefits including stress reduction and improved memory, attention and brain function. To make green tea, the leaves are heated after being plucked to prevent oxidation.

Oolong tea is made by only partially fermenting the leaves. Once the plucked leaves have withered, they are then fermented before beginning the drying process.

White tea is one of the most unique types. It can only be produced by following strict harvesting and processing guidelines developed in the Fujian Province in China. A simple description of the process includes the following steps. The leaves are hand-picked, delicately handled, steamed and then dried. 

Puerh or “dark” tea is also unique because it is aged for decades before it is consumed. By storing it for so many years after processing, the microbes on the leaves are able to ferment to create a distinct beverage.

To brew an excellent hot beverage, the Tea Council of the USA recommends following the Four Golden Rules:

• “use a teapot 
• bring fresh, cold tap water to a full boil (Note: If your water is heavily chlorinated or contains other objectionable odors, filter before boiling) 
• use one teaspoon or one tea bag per cup 
• pour boiling water over bag and brew by the clock 3 to 5 minutes and serve”

The following times are recommended steep times for creating the perfect cup: white for 1-3 minutes, green for 3 minutes and black, oolong and dark for 3-5 minutes.  To make smaller quantities of iced tea, pour the hot beverage over ice, and enjoy. (Be careful when pouring hot water into a glass. Hot water can cause the glass to crack.)

Whether Orlando and Central Florida employees choose black, green or herbal tea will depend on their taste preferences and the health benefits they are looking for. The best approach to meet a variety of needs is to offer a wide selection of different hot beverages as part of your break room’s office coffee service. And don’t forget to offer cream, including a dairy-free option, and sugar for those who don’t drink their tea or coffee black. 

For more information about customizing your coffee service or other break room refreshment services, The Vending Station can help. We offer comprehensive vending services including snack, cold beverage and fresh food vending machines, micro-markets and pantry service. To schedule a product sampling, call us today at (407) 891.7632.

Morning jolt, liquid energy, or as many Orlando and Central Florida residents also know it, coffee is crucial for a successful work day. In fact more than 60 percent of adults recently surveyed by the National Coffee Associated shared that they had consumed coffee at some point during the previous day. Rather than worrying about how many people drink coffee each day, employers should be more concerned about which types of beverages those individuals drank. Providing only traditional coffee in the break room for 60 percent of adults definitely won’t meet the work day demand for different types of coffee bean-based beverages.

Current and potential employees have a number of must-have requirements when it comes to their workplace office coffee service (OCS) and are willing to go off site to find them if they aren’t available in the break room. Must-have doesn’t mean like-to-have or would-be-nice. Must-have means critical, essential, imperative, indispensable, integral, necessary, needed, required, requisite, or vital. To meet Orlando and Central Florida’s employees’ demands and compete with off-site options, break room benefits including OCS needs to exceed current employee expectations. Keeping employees on site for coffee breaks isn’t the only thing employers should consider.

Excellent OCS can also be used to meet a variety of expectations among the different generations of your current employees and to recruit new employees. If you’re looking for a way to improve your break room benefits, boost your Orlando and Central Florida break room experience with our top 5 OCS must-haves:

• Cold brew: It has a smoother taste and lower acidity level than traditional coffee, and is now available almost everywhere.
• The right combination of brewing equipment: Whether it’s traditional brewing equipment (traditional brewers, single-cup brewers, or bean-to-cup brewers), advanced brewing technology or both, provide equipment that will brew an excellent cup of coffee and barista-quality espresso-based beverages.
• Consider the optimal mix, varieties, and quality of coffee beans as well as a well thought out menu offering teas and non-caffeinated hot beverages. Rotate the selections, ask for feedback, and use that feedback to improve your services.
• Offer sought-after snacks, fresh food, and cold beverages including delicious water from a bottle-less water filtration system.
• Provide nicely organized and fully-stocked OCS condiments including a variety of sugars and sweeteners, dairy and non-dairy creamers, stir sticks, and environmentally-friendly cups, lids, napkins, and utensils.

Which office coffee service must-haves are already available in your Orlando and Central Florida break room? Whether you have none or just a couple of them, we can help you transform your break room into a valued employee benefit. For more information or to upgrade your current space, call The Vending Station at (407) 891.7632. We look forward to hearing from you.

Four cups of coffee. That’s all the caffeine it takes to trigger a protective effect in the human heart. Researchers have known for awhile that drinking coffee plays a positive role in lowering the risk of developing type II diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, but the how remained somewhat elusive. Until today. Researchers at the Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University and the IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine in Duesseldorf, Germany have discovered new knowledge about how caffeine interacts with cells in the human body.

All living beings, including humans, are made up of cells. In fact, there are about 200 different types of cells in a human body that do everything from creating linings to repairing different parts of the heart muscle. It’s the caffeine in those four cups of coffee that triggers the domino effect which ends with the protection and repair of the heart muscle.

In a very simplified explanation, caffeine is like the hand that knocks over the first domino in a long line of dominoes. Each time a domino falls, it starts a new reaction in the next domino until the very last domino tips over, and the process is complete. For one of the types of cells in the human heart, caffeine creates an environment where the heart muscle cells are protected from damage or repaired when damage happens.  

In a different line of dominoes, caffeine is one of the many components that help Orlando and Central Florida employees stay healthy. Healthy employees then contribute to the process of creating a successful workplace by being productive, alert, and energized. Employers have the opportunity to play an important role in this line of dominoes by providing a variety of snacks and beverages that contain caffeine in the break room vending machine.

Coffee isn’t the only beverage that contains caffeine. Both hot tea and cold sweet tea contain caffeine although the caffeine levels will vary based on the type of tea. Matcha (tea) has the most caffeine followed by Yerba Mate, black tea, and oolong and green tea. Other cold beverages with caffeine include carbonated colas and energy drinks. Caffeinated snacks include products made with chocolate, protein bars, energy bars, espresso beans, and energy gum.Thankfully, there is a caffeinated option for almost everyone.  

Which caffeinated break room beverage or snack do your Orlando and Central Florida employees seek out the most? Is it coffee, or maybe something else? In any case, it is important to learn your employees’ preferences to be able to encourage them to stay onsite and visit the break room instead of leaving the premises and going to a local cafe or restaurant. The Vending Station would like to help your organization customize your employee break room to meet your employees’ coffee, snack, and beverage wishes. For more information about about micro-markets, coffee service, or vending services, contact us at (407) 891.7632. We look forward to working with you.

Getting together with friends to grab a cup of coffee and catch up is a popular activity for many Orlando and Central Florida residents. But what about at work? Do those same individuals have the opportunity to enjoy a hot caffeinated beverage with their colleagues and talk or collaborate about work-related topics? If they don’t, it might be time to look at a new approach for combining coffee and collaboration at work.

You might be wondering what the connection between coffee and collaboration is. Before we get to that, let’s look at the benefits of collaboration by themselves. Collaboration, at its core, is the act of freely sharing knowledge quickly and easily. The result of collaboration is an increase in innovative products and solutions, which leads to improved employee engagement and satisfaction. In the long run, profitability also often increases. Unfortunately, a third of Orlando and Central Florida employees don’t experience the level of collaboration that they need to be successful.

This is where a cup of Joe comes into the picture.

Coffee, or more specifically the caffeine found in it, positively affects the outcome of group performance when the individuals in that group consumed caffeinated coffee beforehand. Recent research at The Ohio State University found that coffee made people more positive by making them more alert. This in turn created a better personal and group experience and better overall team performance results. Another related study found that the participants who consumed coffee in a group setting were also more likely to participate in the conversation and spent more time talking on-topic.   

To increase the likelihood that coffee and both spontaneous and planned collaboration occur more frequently, there are a few changes that can be made to your Orlando and Central Florida work environment.

Start by creating “collaboration zones.” That will mean different things to different organizations. For some, it might entail updating the office break room to include a micro-market and coffee service with lots of smaller tables and seating areas that encourage conversation. Other Orlando and Central Florida businesses might prefer multiple smaller locations throughout the building with coffee service and vending machine snacks and beverages.

The key is to customize the space to fit your organization. That’s where The Vending Station comes in. We help Orlando and Central Florida businesses discover the right combination of beverages, snacks, and food to create a break room that supports employee collaboration. For more information or to take the first step, call us at (407) 891.7632. We look forward to collaborating with you.

Did you know that the United States imported 19.2 percent or the largest amount of coffee of all of the countries that imported coffee in 2017? That’s almost double the amount imported by the next country on the list (10.7 percent by Germany). Given the large amount imported, and the fact that Orlando and Central Florida production of coffee is very small, the majority of the coffee consumed in the U.S. is grown overseas.

Why is this important?

Because in many locations around the world, the amount of land used for growing coffee plants is expanding and causing increased deforestation which contributes to erosion, water pollution, the spread of pests and diseases, and the disruption of local micro-climates. But it doesn’t have to be this way, and a number of the world’s leading coffee companies are blazing a new trail in Indonesia’s Bukit Barisan Selatan (BBS) National Park.

The BBS National Park, a protected area, is home to Sumatran tigers, rhinos, and elephants, and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The rainforest is also home to coffee production with 26,000 tons of robusta coffee beans (15 percent of the world’s robusta beans) coming from within the park each year. Recently, those corporations as well as Indonesia’s BBS National Park, the Indonesian government, and local farmers agreed to and signed a Collective Statement of Intent that aims to stop deforestation, protect the habitat for wildlife while supporting economic development.

Why robusta beans?

Robusta beans are important because they account for 40 percent of global coffee production. They have several unique benefits including:

• grow at sea level, are a hardy plant, less susceptible to disease/insects, and easier to care for   
• require low production costs and produce more finished product per acre  
• contain almost double the caffeine content compared to arabica which creates a strong,  full-bodied beverage with a distinctive, earthy, and bitter flavor
• contain more antioxidants, almost 60 percent fewer lipids, and almost half the concentration of sugars than arabica
• have lower levels of acidity
• used primarily in instant espresso and as a filler in ground coffee blends

Don’t be frightened away from coffee made with robusta beans because of the natural bitterness and earthy flavor. A high-end specialty robusta can taste just as good as or better than a low-end arabica. And don’t forget that robusta contains more antioxidants and caffeine, both of which offer multiple health benefits for your Orlando and Central Florida employees.

Whether your Orlando and Central Florida organization would like to add coffee service to your office break room or just enjoy a few different coffee flavors, The Vending Station can help. Not only do we offer a variety of coffees and teas, but we also offer vending services including micro-markets, healthy vending, and pantry service. For more information about any of our vending services, call The Vending Station at (407) 891.7632. We look forward to hearing from you.

What is a relatively easy way to improve productivity at your Orlando and Central Florida office? The answer is to provide your employees with a higher-quality coffee service in the office break room. A generic bean brewed in a traditional pot that sits all day is no longer an acceptable option. Today’s employees expect up-to-date brewing technology that creates beverages such as lattes and cold brew as well as a simple cup of coffee that can compete with their regular out-of-the-office purchase.

The Current Situation

This isn’t to say that Orlando and Central Florida employees don’t drink caffeinated beverages brewed at work. According to a recent study by Packaged Facts, “68 percent of at-work coffee drinkers usually drink coffee made or dispensed onsite at their workplace.” David Sprinkle, research director for Packaged Facts,  recently wrote, “Office coffee is a thriving industry that’s expected to continue to see sales growth [grow] through 2021. Among the market’s key growth factors is the increasing realization that companies need to provide higher-quality coffee…Not only will great coffee keep employees onsite at work, but it could also provide extra incentive to get to the office in the first place.”

The Challenge

Orlando and Central Florida employers need to determine how at-work options can be improved and turned into a sought after employee perk. Great coffee might also retain employees in a competitive job market. Currently, there is a wide gap between what employees look for and what they find in the office break room. Quality beans and flavors seem to be missing from their workplace options. Employee satisfaction with the types of roast (dark, light, etc.) and selection/variety are also low.

The Solution

To learn how to overcome those challenges, it is important to understand how current trends are impacting employers. Trends that are causing change in today’s market include generational differences, the super-premium bean trend that offers exotic and unique flavors, coffee type and variety expansion, brewer variety and versatility expansion, product and services expansion, technology applications, and industry consolidation.

Orlando and Central Florida employers then need to consider the impact of employee time spent away from the office to purchase a cup of joe against lost productivity. Research by Packaged Facts found that “when office coffee service is successfully integrated as a productivity tool it often translates to growing a company’s bottom line.” Happy, caffeinated employees plus an improved bottom-line sounds like a win for everyone.

While there are many different solutions that can create a sought-after experience, one suggestion to consider is to start by offering two distinct roasts—one dark and one light. Many are happy to choose one or the other as long as the flavor is high-quality. Over time, a larger product assortment can be included to meet and exceed employee expectations. Whether your office break room needs a full coffee service overhaul or just a few new high-quality varieties, The Vending Station can help. Contact us at (407) 891.7632 for more information about our coffee service as well as other vending solutions.

Coffee’s reputation has changed.

The Orlando and Central Florida beverage is no longer seen as harmful and damaging to your health. In fact, the International Agency for Research on Cancer determined, after reviewing 1000 previously completed studies, that coffee cannot be classified as a cause of cancer anymore.

Now, there is one more reason to add to the list of why it is beneficial. Recent research performed by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that “people with colorectal cancer (CRC) who drank at least four cups of coffee per day after their diagnosis had a significantly lower risk of early death – from either their cancer or any cause – than those who didn’t drink coffee.”

Let’s take a look at five other reasons why the hot, caffeinated beverage is more than just an energy boost.

• decreases the likelihood of developing heart disease, lowers your risk of type 2 diabetes, fights depression, decreases the likelihood of developing Parkinson’s disease, and helps your liver;
• reduces the chance of developing dementia or cognitive impairment in women 65-80 (2 to 3 cups per day);
• can decrease pain sensitivity in those with chronic pain;
• reduces the risk of developing oral, pharynx, liver, prostate, and endometrial cancer, and melanoma;
• increases the chance of living longer when compared to non-coffee drinkers (3 cups per day).
  

Those are some spectacular benefits. Fortunately, there is an easy way to make sure that your Orlando and Central Florida employees have access this great protector while at work—offer coffee service in the office breakroom. When developing specialty coffee service, consider the following:

• brewing systems: single-cup brewer, pour-over brewer, automatic brewer, or bean-to-cup brewer
• beans (source and roasting process): locally roasted, national brands (value & specialty), and espresso
• cream & sugar trends: dairy and non-dairy creamers, and sweeteners
• other beverage options: hot tea, hot chocolate, and water filtration

And don’t forget to offer your Orlando and Central Florida employees healthy snacks and beverages to enjoy with their favorite cup of joe. Whether it’s combining coffee service with pantry service or a micro-market, The Vending Station can help. Contact us at (407) 891.7632 for more information.

It looks like hot tea is at it again! Researchers have discovered another reason why enjoying a hot cup of tea is beneficial for your Orlando and Central Florida employees’ health.

A recent study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology  examined the beverage preferences of 1,600 individuals and their likelihood of developing glaucoma. Researchers found a direct relationship between consuming hot tea daily and a reduced risk of developing glaucoma (compared to those who did not consume hot tea). Drinking at least one cup of hot tea per day decreased the odds of developing glaucoma by 74 percent.

​What is Glaucoma?

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, glaucoma is a disease that occurs when unwanted fluid collects in the front part of the eye and damages the optic nerve often causing blindness in those over 60 years of age. Catching it early, however, can reduce its severity.

Researchers know that “tea contains phytochemicals and flavonoids, which have been observed to have anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, antioxidant and neuroprotective properties” and that those antioxidant properties “may play a protective role in glaucoma.” But glaucoma isn’t the only health problem that can be positively impacted by drinking hot tea regularly. Other benefits of consuming hot tea include:

• Lowered LDL or “bad” cholesterol;
• Reduced risk of stroke, heart disease, and death from cardiovascular disease;
• Decreased risk of certain cancers and neurological decline;
• Improved muscle mass and increased bone mineral density, which helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis; and
• Increased exercise endurance, focus, energy levels, and memory.

Consider the positive impact that these benefits could have on your Orlando and Central Florida employees. In addition to improved focus, mental clarity, concentration, and higher energy levels, healthy employees are likely to have increased morale, productivity, and fewer sick days. There is a definitive connection between employee health and a business’ bottom line. When an organization has healthy employees, that organization is likely to have a financial advantage in its industry.

To make sure Orlando and Central Florida employees have access to hot tea as well as coffee and snack options onsite, consider providing coffee service, bottled water, and healthy snacks in your office breakroom. Whether you prefer to use vending machines, pantry service, or a micro-market, The Vending Station can help develop a customized plan that will meet your needs. Contact us at (407) 891.7632 to learn more.

 

Reference

Wu, C.M., Wu, A.M., Tseng, V.L., Yu, F., & Coleman, A.L. (14 December 2017). Frequency of a diagnosis of glaucoma in individuals who consume coffee, tea and/or soft drinks. British Journal of Ophthalmology. doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2017-310924