Office Beverages Are More Than Just Coffee – Let’s Talk Tea

There’s nothing quite like sipping your favorite hot drink on a brisk winter day. Many of us are quick to brew a cup of our usual selection at the start of the workday, whether it’s coffee, hot cocoa, or tea. Tea is a popular beverage that is enjoyed all over the world and not just recently – tea has been a favorite drink in various cultures for centuries. Hot or cold, sweetened or unsweetened, tea is definitely a staple in the office. There are many different ways to prepare tea and be creative with your own brew in the breakroom.

If you are more of a coffee drinker, don’t worry! Just take a look at our previous blog, here

While tea is often brewed plain with a sweetener added, many cultures around the world add a little something extra. British Milk Tea is the long-standing practice of adding milk or cream to a sturdy black tea like Earl Grey or English Breakfast tea. A.H. offers a selection of strong black tea brands including Bigelow, Tazo, Lipton and Twinings. We even carry decaf black tea, green tea, and herbal teas for those who prefer non-caffeinated products. Don’t have milk on hand? Try adding some liquid half & half creamer from the coffee bar instead. A.H. offers Nestle Carnation Half & Half creamer cups for convenience. Add a bit of sweetener if you like, and you’ve created a simple but game-changing cup of British-style milk tea. 

Hong Kong-inspired milk tea is similarly created by brewing a strong black tea (Lipton is a popular black tea brand you might find in your breakroom). Here is the secret – just add a bit of sweetened condensed milk and/or evaporated milk to suit your taste. While this type of milk is not something you would typically find on your breakroom countertop, condensed and evaporated milk is easy enough for you to pick up at the store in cans. It has a longer shelf life so you can keep it on-hand for the days you want to try something different with your tea. 

Like other teas, Chai Tea is available in loose form or in tea bags. It is a wonderfully spiced tea no matter how it is prepared. If you enjoy Chai Tea, be sure to add a touch of milk or non-dairy product of your choice to fully experience this spicy tea blend. Adding a milk product can help cut the mild bitterness associated with strong black teas and offer a more mellow brew.

Don’t forget that any tea can become iced tea with refrigeration and a bit of time! Just brew your favorite tea and store it in your fridge to chill. Alternatively, you can create cold-brew tea by adding your tea bags to unheated water. You can leave your covered container outside to steep under the sun (traditional Sun Tea) or even in your office fridge. These methods will take additional time compared to brewing tea with hot water, but some say it results in a milder taste.

To jazz up your usual drink whether it is a black tea, herbal tea, green tea, or anything else, consider adding a bit of lemon juice or trying honey instead of sugar just to switch things up. Honey is a wonderful addition to tea and can subtly change the flavor in a pleasing way. There are even different types of honey that have their own unique flavor profiles. Honeys are particularly used to compliment herbal and floral tea blends.

Whether you select a soothing cup of tea or a tea with a kick of caffeine to help you through your busy workday, it can be nice to add a bit of variety to your drink. With a little creativity, you can tweak your tea recipe to perfection.

If your goal is simply to stay hydrated in the office, be on the lookout for our next blog where we go over ways to add a twist to plain drinking water.

Get Creative with your Cup of Coffee

For decades the office breakroom has been the place for employees to get their daily dose of caffeine. Many employees visit the coffee brewer for a cup of Joe to start their day off right. Some people drink their coffee black while others prefer to lighten it up with cream or sugar. Everyone has their favorite way to prepare their morning brew. Still, while the walk to the office breakroom might be the same day in and day out, there are many ways to spice up your usual beverage of choice with a little creativity.

We are all familiar with the standard powdered creamer and sugar available in most breakrooms. Zero-sugar sweeteners are a popular product as well. A.H. offers products like Truvia and Stevia in the Raw. If your breakroom provides individual liquid flavored creamers, these can be an easy way to change up the flavor. Traditional flavors include French Vanilla, Hazelnut, Irish Crème, and Vanilla Caramel while quirky seasonal flavors like Pumpkin Spice or Peppermint will add some flare. Liquid creamers aren’t just suitable for coffee alone; they pair very nicely with hot chocolate too!

There are several coffee-based drinks you might be able to create at the office depending on what supplies are available. 

Iced Coffee is a simple way to make your caffeine fix more suited to hot summer days. Brew your favorite coffee, let it chill if you have time, and pour over ice. For an even better experience, make your own coffee ice cubes ahead of time by freezing leftover coffee. Coffee ice cubes won’t water down your drink like plain water ice cubes can. 

Another easy drink to make in the break room is a mocha-style beverage. Mocha drinks combine the usual caffeine kick of coffee along with our love for chocolate. Simply add milk (or milk substitute), coffee, and hot chocolate to suit your taste. An iced mocha-style drink can offer a twist to this popular beverage. 

Additionally, you can make latte or cappuccino inspired drinks. With the help of a small, inexpensive milk frother, froth up some warm milk. Simply pour it over your finished coffee and enjoy. 

If your breakroom is equipped with a blender, create some blended drinks. Popular items are frozen hot chocolate (blend ice and hot chocolate), frozen frappe-type drinks (blend ice and coffee), or even frozen mocha-style beverages (blend hot chocolate, milk, and coffee with ice). 

Interested in trying a trendier coffee drink? Give Dalgona Coffee (essentially “whipped coffee”) a go. Add 2tbsp instant coffee, 2tbsp sugar, and 2tbsp hot water to a bowl. With a whisk or small milk frother, whip the mixture until fluffy. Pour over 1 cup of milk sweetened to your liking, stir, and taste!

Relatively new to the coffee experience is cold brew coffee. The cold brew process allows ground coffee to steep in room-temperature water for 12 hours or more. This process minimizes the chemical changes that produce the acidity and bitter flavor found in hot coffee. Cold brew coffee is rich, flavorful, and stimulating yet smoother and milder than regular brewed coffee. If you would like to make this offering available in the breakroom, just call us to get you started. 

A.H. also provides coffee and other hot beverages from a fully contained, vend coffee machine. Decaf or regular? Perhaps a Half-Caf coffee? No problem! Add in your preferred levels of sweetener and creamer with the push of a button. You can even select drinks like English Toffee, Amaretto, Caffe Mocha, or Cappuccino. There are so many variations available to try from one of our vending coffee machines. 

Keurig machines can be found in many breakrooms. The combination of various blends from different manufacturers offers hundreds of unique items that are individually brewed from these brewers. This system allows customers to easily try a variety of hot beverages.

A.H. offers a wide selection of coffee equipment designed to brew your perfect cup. From drip brewers to popular single cup machines including Keurig, pod, and gourmet bean-to-cup machines, A.H. has the perfect solution for your breakroom.

What if coffee isn’t really your style? Not to worry! Be on the lookout for our next blogs which will cover tea and water. 

COFFEE – YOU CAN FEEL GOOD ABOUT DRINKING YOUR FAVORITE BEVERAGE!

There have been many mixed studies, myths, and general confusion about coffee’s health effects. And why wouldn’t there be? Coffee is a complicated product containing over one thousand chemicals.

Occasionally, coffee has received a bad rap. In 1991 coffee was included in a list of possible carcinogens by the World Health Organization. However, by 2016 it was removed, as research discovered the beverage was not associated with an increased risk of cancer. Quite the opposite. Once smoking history was properly accounted for, they were able to determine that people who drank coffee regularly have a decreased risk of certain cancers.

Coffee hit another speed bump in 2018 when California passed legislation that coffee must bear a cancer warning label. When roasting coffee beans, small amounts of acrylamide are created – the same chemical found on burnt toast. Later in 2019, the warning labels were removed since the amount of acrylamide for roasted coffee is too low to be a carcinogenic risk.

Health Benefits of Coffee

Growing research and studies suggest that when consumed in moderation, coffee can have health benefits. A moderate amount of coffee is generally defined as 3-5 cups a day or on average 400 mg of caffeine.

Cumulative research points towards coffee reducing the following:

  • Parkinson’s disease. The Caffeine itself, not the bean, has shown positive results.
  • Unhealthy livers. Coffee has reduced cirrhosis of the liver. Studies also suggest that coffee improves antioxidant responses and reduces inflammation. This has been helpful for both liver cancer (the third leading cause of cancer death in the world) and colorectal cancer (the fourth-ranking cause of cancer death in the world).
  • Type 2 diabetes. A study found that each daily cup of coffee was associated with a 7% reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. 
  • Gallstones. These are reduced especially for men.

Research also suggests that coffee makes other positive contributions:

  • It Provides a large source of antioxidants in the Western Diet.
  • Coffee raises epinephrine (adrenaline) levels in your blood which can prepare your body for extreme physical exertion. 
  • It Can Help You Burn Fat. Almost every commercial fat-burning supplement has caffeine. It’s among a few natural substances proven to aid fat burning. Several studies show that caffeine can boost your metabolic rate by 3–11% 
  • Studies indicate that coffee drinkers live longer and have a lower risk of premature death.
  • Coffee contains nutrients – A single cup of coffee has:
    • Riboflavin (vitamin B2): 11% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI).
    • Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5): 6% of the RDI.
    • Manganese and potassium: 3% of the RDI.
    • Magnesium and niacin (vitamin B3): 2% of the RDI.
  • Coffee can improve a person’s cognitive function: alertness and ability to concentrate including memory, mood, vigilance, reaction times, and general mental function. It has had positive effects on Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia.
  • Mental state. It may have neurological benefits and act as an antidepressant. 

Is Coffee Actually Bad For You?

Take caution. While many studies point to positive health benefits from drinking coffee, human response to coffee or caffeine can vary substantially across individuals. Like many other products that have healthy components to them, it is advised to drink coffee in moderation.

Higher doses of coffee/ caffeine may have negative effects such as stomach irritation, jitteriness, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and increased heart rate.  Pregnant women are also advised to target less than 200 mg of caffeine daily, equivalent to 2 cups of coffee.

Coffee drinkers need to be careful when adding condiments to their drink.  Condiments may reduce or counter coffee’s healthy attributes. 

Findings also indicate that by Suddenly stopping caffeine intake, people may experience headache, fatigue, anxiety, and low mood for a few days persisting for up to a week. 

Well, there you have it. Depending on your own body or circumstances, you can sip your favorite drink knowing there are subsequent health benefits.

The Supply Chain And How It Effects Your Local Break Room

The COVID-19 Pandemic has created a large disruption in the supply chain that is being felt across the world. Restarting a high-demand global economy after a recession has been clunky and jerky like a sputtering old car.  

So many factors have combined to make this issue go deeper and last longer than first expected. There are many full containers sitting in port, and it will take months before this bottleneck works its way back into a normal rhythm. Another factor causing this disruption is the lack of personnel and getting people back to work. Many companies have also adopted new operational processes for social distancing and other COVID protocols that are less efficient. Add other major items to the mix, like the shortage of automobile chips, and you have a perfect storm. 

What has changed in the world of vending, micro markets, and coffee services? 

First, product availability has been a major issue. Many of our manufacturers have run out of popular brands and can’t keep up with demand. One day we will receive an item and on the following delivery, we are shorted. The manufacturers have not been forthcoming about whether the outage is a short-term or long-term issue. If we know it to be a short-term issue, we wait for the product to return; however, if the shortage is more than a couple of days, we can replace the item with a different one. A sudden move to a new item has also created shortages of the new item. This can cause empty spirals or columns.

We’ve also had several scheduled deliveries canceled because our suppliers didn’t have enough drivers to make all their deliveries.  Some of their drivers were making multiple runs but were unable to finish the week because they had already met their drivable hours for the week.

For flavored beverages that don’t have a strong brand preference, we’ve worked to keep the flavor alive by buying the flavor from whichever manufacturer has the flavor in stock.  When selecting an orange soda, our customers may receive Orange Crush, Orange Sunkist, or Orange Fanta. Our goals have changed and now we just try to get our customers some type of orange soda. There are many other beverages where we have had to make similar substitutions:  Gatorade vs Powerade, Minute Maid Lemonade vs Brisk Lemonade, Schweppe’s Ginger Ale vs Seagram’s Ginger Ale, 7 Up vs Sprite, and the list goes on.

There are other low-volume beverage flavors that the bottlers have just eliminated, so they can focus on their core items and the items that have higher profit margins.  Whether or not these flavors return is yet to be determined.

One of our major distributors has openly shared their in-bound rates and shockingly, they are only receiving about 72% of the items they order. This forces A.H. to change out candy, snack, and K-Cup items to provide what’s available.

Our commissary has also been juggling our menu due to product availability. Certain meats become unavailable or their price doubles overnight. We offered a wide variety of breads and tortillas, and now these manufacturers and bakeries have reduced their offerings to focus on the core items. Currently, it is difficult to find pesto or tomato tortillas and specialized breads and buns, i.e., pretzel buns. Some of the popular, supplemental food items like Big AZ, Tyson, or Lunchables have been getting substituted with less popular items due to lack of inventory.

Code sensitive items like dairy were having issues as schools had unpredictable start dates and attendance levels. School meal trends were off, as many students were eating in the classrooms to allow for social distancing. This created one of two scenarios for us. We either couldn’t get enough milk, yogurt and juices, or the codes were shorter than we normally receive. 

Finally, the equipment and parts themselves are more difficult to obtain. If you are hoping to have new equipment installed, the timeline will be extended. As discussed earlier, parts and equipment sit in containers, so demand is much higher than current supply.

How does this affect my break room?  

Many Operators, like A.H., strive to provide an excellent customer experience. Even with all the supply chain challenges, our Team is resilient and works through these issues. We have gone through great measures to keep our points of sale full and uninterrupted. However, based on availability, we may not always have the most popular items, a column may be empty, or a different brand of the same flavor may be delivered. 

We’re very fortunate to have great customers that have been patient with product changes and outages. We’re all in this together, so being flexible and going back to some basics is what our current situation requires. Soon, the variety of offerings will go back to normal…a time when an Orange Crush will be an Orange Crush.

Micro Markets Continue To Grow

Micro Markets are set up in break rooms and provide beverages, snacks, and food to employees. An employee simply selects items from reach-in coolers, reach-in freezers, snack racks, or shelving units. Once customers have their desired items, they check out at the unattended kiosk by scanning the items’ bar codes and then pay for them right at the kiosk.

Micro Markets have been around for approximately eleven years.  When they made their debut, many people thought that choosing items from an open market and then paying for them at a kiosk was an interesting idea but would never launch. There were many perceived hurdles early on: credit cards, reward cards, unattended/self-checkout kiosk, honesty, FIFO, etc. We had a very difficult time placing our second market and had to convince the customer that we were fully committed to making this unfamiliar concept work. Our first market, however, was a very easy placement. At A.H., we set it up in our own break room to use as a showcase and to familiarize ourselves with its nuances.

Enhancing The Office Break Room

As time marched forward, the micro markets’ presentation, variety, healthier product selection, and overall positive customer experience propelled them into many of our customers’ employee breakrooms. Vending machines still have their place and are needed in many instances, but more and more clients want the open market feel. Comparing vending machines to micro markets is like purchasing a cup of coffee through a drive-through window versus going into the coffee shop to buy it.  The drive-through window is quick and convenient, but the coffee shop provides a great experience and allows you to see the wide variety of items offered. 

When you first walk into a break room that has a micro market, you will notice the open and inviting retail atmosphere that a market creates. Brightly lit coolers, well-merchandised products, attractive graphics, and promotional monitors immediately create an interactive feeling. 

With the increased variety in a market, there is generally something for everyone. The overall number of beverage and snack offerings from respective manufacturers has increased greatly. While soda is still popular, functional drinks continue to gain market share. Whether it is energy, antioxidants, or other healthy supplemental ingredients, these new-age drinks have a wide fan base. Healthier snacks have also come a long way, and A.H. offers many delicious, guilt-free items. We also provide over-the-counter medicines and separate individual salad dressings so customers can enjoy crisp salads with their favorite dressing. 

Full-Service Office Program

The kiosk is connected to the internet, so A.H. can see real-time sales.  We know exactly what to bring the next service and can quickly observe emerging trends. If a refund is needed, this connectivity allows us to view transactions, confirm the refund, and apply it to your account.  Lost market cards that are registered can also have funds moved to new cards. Just notify us and we will move your funds from one card to a new card.

Our customers can also use an App to easily make purchases.  After checking your items, just hold your phone to the scanner and the transaction will be completed. You can view your account from your app or by going online. Your account will provide purchase history, promotions index (buy 4, get the fifth free), reward points, and your balance. One of the most underrated features is the automatic re-load setting.  When funds go below a certain level, additional funds are added to your market card account from your designated credit card, and an email confirmation is sent to you. 

Micro Market cards are provided to our customers, and they are used to store value on them. Purchasing from your micro market card or from the app is quick with the added bonus of earning promotions and reward points at the same time. 

Micro Market Solutions

Cameras used for customer compliance also adds breakroom security.  Several times we have been asked to look for other incidents that occurred in the break room. Surveillance will offer some safety assurances, but we only access it when needed. 

Micro Markets use less energy than typical vending and can save on energy costs to assist companies with their LEED Program. Efficient, LED lighting accompanied by low voltage coolers help to create a green footprint.

Micro Markets are very reliable. Most of the transactions occur with payment cards: credit, debit, or stored value cards. Even though markets can accept cash, coins are not an option. Kiosks will not accept nor payout coins……a major source for vending service calls.  It does not happen often, but with micro markets you won’t need to worry about products hanging up or drawers not opening as with vending machines.

Finally, Micro Markets have few to no touch points when making a purchase. This will give you peace of mind and complete a great micro market experience. 

On-Site Food Services, A Great Employee Benefit!

In previous blogs, we’ve discussed some excellent office amenities like coffee services, water services, pantry services, micro-markets, sparkling water units, and cold brew, nitro coffee machines. Today, we’re going to discuss one of the top amenities a company can offer their employees – on-site food services.

A.H. Dining Services is a premier food service operator that tailor makes programs to fit its client’s needs. The times of operation, the menu, pricing, payment options, and many other features for on-site food services can be customized to achieve company goals.

What Does a Full-Service Food Management Company Do?

What does a full-service management company do for its clients? Full service, food service operators will assist in the concept, design, and build-out work for your dining area. We secure health permits while maintaining operational health, sanitation, and safe procedures.  We provide and support a team that will offer a high level of professional food service best practices. They will be well trained, friendly, and ready to serve your employees. We use a top-quality supplier network from which we order, receive, and maintain fresh inventory for the operation. Menus are carefully planned and supported by chefs and cooks that have culinary degrees and expertise in cooking. Orderly record-keeping and financial statements are provided each month for client approval. Eco-friendly, green initiatives are coordinated to support and emphasize a reduce, renew, and recycle culture.

Most commonly, food service operations provide breakfast and lunch offerings in the workplace with all the beverages you would find in a restaurant.  They are well-received by management as these in-house services get people to work and keep them there through the course of the day. With such a great value proposition, this benefit will also help to recruit and retain highly sought-after and talented employees.

Maximize Employee Break Time

An employee’s break time can be maximized with either pre-packaged grab-and-go items or customized online orders which are placed ahead of time and prepaid through our app. Online orders can be managed and delivered to various areas in the building or designated cubicles.  Otherwise, items can be easily picked up in the cafeteria or from a secure thermal locker.

Another great benefit of having food service personnel on-site is that they can provide catering for meetings and special events. Custom menus can be created, or Clients can choose from standard options that include entrees, veggie trays, meat and cheese trays, fresh baked cookies, etc. Recently, we began offering individually packaged items as the pandemic created a high demand for added protection.

The Future of Industrial Food Service

The days of the old cafeteria line with an industrial food service look are gone. Traditional food service operations are being refreshed with new, touchless, hybrid layouts. The design and cabinetry are warm, inviting, and stylish to capture a similar ambiance to the most popular retail establishments. This combined with name brand, product offerings like Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ, etc. will make a favorable impression on your employees. Some of the hybrid layouts offer barista bars, delis, and demonstration cooking modules. After the kitchen has closed, the pay stations can be converted to 24-hour, self-check-out kiosks to create a convenience store atmosphere.

An on-site, food service program will make your company stand above the competition. Employees will be happier and more productive. Collaboration is most likely found in an environment where employees can gather and converse around great food and beverages. Contact A.H. to get the process started for this great company benefit.

Where to Shop for Office Break Room Snacks and Supplies

There are many different places for people to order coffee and breakroom supplies – just Google what you are looking for and you will come across an almost infinite number of sites.  You can drill down on products and find their prices, payment options, delivery terms, and more. Finding all the products in your break room, however, may require lengthy research and buying from several different sites.

Two things to remember:
1) time is money (TI$)
2) while products can be commoditized, great service cannot be. More often than not, great service will save you more money than shopping for the lowest prices. Below outlines areas where a full-service provider will save you money:

How to Encourage Employees to Return to Work

Many employees are finding it difficult to return to their workplace after working from home for so long. Working from home may have saved people hours daily just by foregoing the routine of getting ready in the morning and commuting to and from work. Old habits and the time spent going into work were most likely replaced by new habits and the time saved by staying at home.

SINGLE CUP BREWERS: K-CUPS VS PODS VS PACKETS

With so many options for brewing coffee in the workplace, it can be difficult to choose which coffee solution is the best for your office. Traditional drip brewers are still widely used in many break rooms but single-cup machines are a very popular choice as well. Lets know more about coffee pods vs k cups in detail!

WHY CHOOSE SINGLE-CUP BREWERS?

Traditional drip brewers are an economical way to provide a pot of coffee for employees, but there are some limitations. Most offices only provide one blend of coffee for their drip brewers. Coffee brewed into pots can taste burnt if it sits on the warming plate for a long period of time, and coffee brewed into thermal carafes will eventually cool down, leading to a lukewarm cup of coffee later in the day.

Creating a Snack Station in the Office

Office snack programs have changed through the years. Over ten years ago, Vending used to be the standard approach to offering snacks to employees. It is neatly contained in a box and you could subsidize the pricing in order to offer your employees reduced prices. We still have many customers that like this solution as vending itself has evolved. Vending machines accept credit cards, wallet payments or cash, and there are several apps currently entering the market that will allow for touchless transactions. Products offered in vending machines now have the calorie count printed on the front of the package. Additionally,  prepaid cards can be used to discount the price while generating loyalty points that convert to cash. Through our GlobalConnect solution, we also offer many product promotions – Buy four and get the fifth one free.