There are few things in life as satisfying as that first sip of a much-needed coffee. A great cup has the power to change the course of a morning!
In a workspace, having quality coffee is the difference between making a good impression and a great impression with clients and staff alike. In a recent Nescafe survey over a quarter of employees even stated that the availability of high-quality coffee in their office improves their daily work life to a great extent.
But what makes a quality cup of coffee? And how can you tell it apart from the rest? In this article, we explore all you need to know.
- Prioritise coffee freshness
Less expensive coffee that is made in bulk, such as that which you’d get at a supermarket, is often less fresh than that which is vacuum packed by local sellers. Buying freshly blended coffee from a local roaster ensures that fresh coffee taste that we all know and love. Be sure to keep your packets airtight and away from bright light too!
- Consider using filtered water
As the second half of the heavenly duo of coffee beans and water, water has a key role to play in the taste of your coffee. Avoid tap water if possible, which contains a lot of chlorine, and opt for either filtered water or bottled water instead.
- Keep your coffee machine clean
It almost goes without saying, but it’s also easy to forget… Keeping your coffee machine clean is essential for making the perfect brew! All storage containers and grinders should be cleaned every two weeks in order to avoid oily build up and to dissolve mineral deposits. You can either use speciality coffee cleaner or a solution of vinegar.
- Choose high-quality filters
Cheap filters are very often not oxygen bleached or are made with dioxin; this can impact on the quality of your coffee by reducing flavour slightly. Try to look for “oxygen-bleached” or “dioxin-free” filters to prevent your coffee from tasting off.
- Choose direct trade
Whilst all of these factors can improve the flavour of your coffee a little, there is one thing that really counts… The blend. After all, making coffee is both an art and a science; buying from passionate direct trade suppliers ensures that you get a cup that reflects this. Due to different brewing processes, different roasting processes and even different bean sources, you’ll notice a fuller flavour from even the first sip. You’ll also find a variety of tastes to choose from, as opposed to the generic coffee taste you might get from your average coffee brand. Our Sumatra coffee, for example, is defined by its rounder, earthy flavours whilst our Colombia coffee is smooth and sweet.