Category: Blog

Is the cappuccino over?

Posted on by Sara Walker

coffee-691464_640Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we’re not ashamed to say we’re traditionalists when it comes to coffee. We love our cappuccinos (and our lattes, Americanos and espressos as well, if we’re being honest), so the recent news that huge US chain Starbucks is gradually dropping cappuccinos from its menu came as a bit of a shock.

Apparently, the frothy milk and espresso drink is no longer seen as fashionable, with coffee drinkers preferring lattes and plainer black coffees. In Seattle, the home of the world’s first Starbucks, it’s already off the menu, and travelling to New York or San Francisco for your coffee fix won’t help you, either. There doesn’t seem to be any over-powering reason why ‘frothy coffee’ has fallen out of favour in the USA, other than that it can be harder for employees to get right as it’s fiddly, so it’s more likely to result in a less satisfying drink.
If you’re off to the USA, don’t panic – you’ll still be able to get a cappuccino in Starbucks but it will be by request only. The drink’s been on Starbucks menu for 30 years, but it’s apparently been ousted by a newcomer from down under – the flat white. Fortunately for UK coffee lovers, Starbucks UK has no plans to change the menu over here. That’s a huge sigh of relief from coffee lovers countrywide, then!

However you like to drink your coffee, don’t forget to take a look at our range of top quality coffee beans, milk, chocolate, cups and accessories, all available at great wholesale prices for your coffee business. To find out more, visit our coffee beans page on the main Wholesale Coffee Company website.

Is this the death of the office tea round?

Posted on by Sara Walker

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Once upon a time, the tea round used to be ubiquitous in every office across the country. Some larger companies employed a special tea lady, the rattle of whose approaching trolley was the signal for meetings all over the building to draw to a hasty close before all the custard creams went. In smaller companies, it was the job of the most junior member of staff to make drinks for everyone at regular intervals. Now, though, it seems that the office tea round may start to be a footnote in the history books as a new survey reveals that almost half of office workers prefer to head outside for a takeaway drink.

According to research by The Office Coffee Company, 47% of staff now head for the high street rather than the office kitchen, and only a third of offices actually supply a kettle for workers.

The reasons for this change in coffee drinking habits are multiple, but one major factor is that discerning coffee drinkers are no longer satisfied with a mug of grainy instant brew when the high street boasts a plethora of places to buy a top quality cappucino, latte, Americano or espresso. This is great news for new job starters, who might previously have felt they spent the majority of their working lives trying to remember everyone’s milk and sugar preferences!

This increasing interest in coffee is reflected in the popularity of the London Coffee Festival, a celebration of the captial’s love for coffee. Artisan coffee suppliers, demonstrations and Coffee Masters, the new barista competition with a £5,000 cash prize, make this an event with a real caffeine buzz about it.

Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we sell everything you need to help your coffee business keep up with demand, from great quality roasted and unroasted beans to cups and accessories – and it’s easy to order online, too. For more information, take a look at our main website at www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.

 

Could super-eco coffee cups be the next big thing?

Posted on by Sara Walker

california-eco-plantable-coffee-cupsAt the Wholesale Coffee Company, we’ve always concerned about environmental and ethical issues, so we were interested to hear about a new super-eco plantable coffee cup that’s helping to protect the environment.

Invented in California (where else?), the cup is being marketed by a company called Reduce Reuse Grow, and the difference is that it’s packed with seeds. The seeds are currently only suitable for use in California as the blend is a Californian native seed reforestation mix, but if the prototype proves a commercial success the company may consider introducing other seed blends for other locations. After consumers throw the cup away in a special bin, the company undertake to plant it in one of three nature parks, and say that they’ve already planted 140,000 cups.

So far, none of the big US coffee chains has adopted the cups, partly as the technology is so new but also as they’re more expensive than regular cups. The eco cups weigh in at $0.02 each (just over £0.01), making them a cent more than conventional cups. For big chains, this can soon add up, given that Americans drink around 400 million cups of coffee a day.

The Plantable Coffee Cups biodegrade completely in 180 days, and each cup is capable of growing one tree. The company’s founder, Alex Henige, is planning to use the same technology to produce other food packaging products such as boxes. It seems that there’s plenty of support for the scheme, as it raised $20,000 in a month through a crowd-funding Kickstarter campaign to enable to cups to be produced commercially.

These cups are still at an early stage in their commercial development, but we’ll be interested to see what happens longer term.

In the meantime, take a look at our range of paper cups on the Wholesale Coffee Company main website.

The new coffee trend: adding butter

Posted on by Sara Walker

wcc article 3Most of us enjoy adding a little something to our coffee, but we normally draw the line at milk and sugar. Perhaps, for a special occasion, you might toy with a little brandy, chocolate or flavouring, but that’s not what we drink everyday.

Now, US technology millionaire Dave Asprey wants to change all that. Apparently, the best thing you can add to coffee still comes out of a cow – but it’s butter, not milk.

Already popular in the US, the craze is starting to catch on over here amid claims it can aid weight loss. On the ace of it, that doesn’t seem likely – the brew contains, in addition to filter coffee, a whopping four tablespoons of fat. This consists of two spoons of unsalted butter, and two further spoons of coconut oil, all of which replaces the more usual splash of semi-skimmed.  The resulting drink is known as a ‘bulletproof coffee’ – sounds lovely!

The drink contains around 500 calories, instead of the normal 20 or so for coffee with semi skimmed milk. It must also taste pretty oily. Its inventor, though, sings its praises, claiming it was inspired by the Tibetan habit of adding yak butter to tea. He credits the buttery brew with helping him slim down from 21 stone to a healthier weight.

Th odd trend has now made it to the UK, and you can buy it in several London cafes, who claim it’s becoming more popular. The scientists, however, are sceptical. Dr Sally Norton, a leading weight-loss consultant and NHS surgeon, says there is no scientific basis that would support the use of this coffee for weight loss.

Inventor Dave Asprey has plans to open the first ‘bulletproof’ cafe in the US shortly, but we think the UK may be a bit further behind!

Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, you can’t buy a coffee-with-added-butter – but you can buy a range of top quality coffee beans, all at great wholesale prices. For more information, please visit our coffee beans page.

The chemistry of coffee

Posted on by Sara Walker

wcc article 3Most of us drink our cup of coffee without thinking too much about what’s in the cup, but what we’re tasting can be very complex. Roasted coffee beans are made up of around 1,000 different compounds which combine to give your morning cuppa that unique flavour. Some of these compounds exist naturally in the raw bean, and others appear as a result of the roasting process.

The best known compounds are alkaloids, of which everyone can name at least one – caffeine! More correctly known as 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine, it’s naturally present but varies according to the type of bean and the preparation method.

Scientifically, caffeine is a secondary compound as it’s not essential to the survival of the plant. Plants have evolved to produce caffeine as a form of natural pesticide, as it’s toxic to fungi, insects and even to other plants. The caffeine is stored in vacuoles, specific cells that work like a locked cupboard, keeping the compound safe until it’s needed. Caffeine is safe for humans to ingest in the doses that we drink it in, and in fact has a number of health benefits.

Another natural compound found in coffee beans is  a bitter alkaloid called trigonelline. This degrades during roasting to produce two further compounds – niacin (vitamin B3) and pyridines. Niacin is vital for digestion, and also performs a range of other important functions in the body including repairing DNA damage. Pyridines contribute to producing the sweet, earthy aromas produced when coffee is roasted.

With all that going on, it’s no wonder that the flavour of coffee varies so much depending on country of origin, roasting time, roasting temperature, storage, growing season and much more. Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, though, you can be sure of a top quality blend all the time, as a great wholesale price. Visit our main website at www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk to find out more and browse our range.

Can drinking coffee cut your risk of diabetes?

Posted on by Sara Walker

wcc article 3Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we to hear about the health benefits of our favourite drink, coffee. Now, it seems that there’s some good news for coffee lovers who like to drink a moderate daily amount.  A new study of almost 9,000 people by University College London researchers has revealed that regular coffee drinkers tend to have lower BMI measurements and smaller waist sizes than non-coffee drinkers. A large waist and a high BMI are linked with metabolic syndrome, which increases the risk of diabetes, stroke and heart disease.

The researchers found that coffee drinkers had around a quarter fewer symptoms of metabolic syndrome compared to non-coffee drinkers, as polyphenol compounds in the drink combats inflammatory chemicals.

A recent study led by the Harvard School of Public Health seems to support the research. Test subjects who drank an increased amount of coffee (one additional cup daily over a four year period) had an 11 per cent lower risk of type 2 diabetes that those who made no changes. Conversely, those who decreased coffee consumption by more than a cup a day had a proportionately increased risk of type 2 diabetes. The Harvard study covered both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee and analysed data taken from three other studies.

The researchers pointed out that the findings appeared to show a link between drinking a moderate daily amount of a reduced risk of diabetes, but that coffee is only one of many factors that influence risk. Maintaining a healthy weight and taking plenty of exercise remained the most important factors in combating the disease.

Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we’re proud to supply top-quality beans with  a strong environmental and ethical pedigree. When you order your coffee beans online, you can rest assured you’ll receive a product that’s not only delicious and great value for money, it also won’t cost the earth. Find out more at www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.

 

News from the Wholesale Coffee Company

Posted on by Sara Walker
Indonesian orangutans are in danger of extinction. We're supporting International Animal Rescue in their rescue project.
Indonesian orangutans are in danger of extinction. We’re supporting International Animal Rescue in their rescue project.

Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we’ve been busy behind the scenes giving our website a new look and feel. We’ve still got all our great products available, but we’ve made it much easier for you to find your way around the website and to see any special offers we’ve got running. It’s also easier to view lots of products at a glance to compare them, and we’ve improved the filter options as well.

Charity work

We’ve always concerned about environmental and ethical issues, and as of 2015 we’re supporting with International Animal Rescue as one of our charities. The charity works worldwide, rescuing and protecting vulnerable animals as well as playing a part in conservation. Individual projects include rescuing dancing bears in India, freeing and caring for captive primates all over the world and running a sterilisation programme for stray dogs and cats to help control population problems in developing countries. Once rehabilitation is complete, animals are returned to the wild, but the charity will also provide permanently care where necessary. Our wildlife is constantly under threat from the pressure of expanding human populations, so part of the charity’s work is also to protect endangered species. They also work with developing nations to educate against cruel or inhumane treatment, and help build a better future for the world’s animals.

Current projects include a campaign against the illegal hunting of migrating birds in Malta, and work in Indonesia helping protect orangutans. Also in Indonesia, a small nocturnal primate called the slow loris is in danger of extinction, as many have been poached and sold as pets. International Animal Rescue runs a rescue and rehabilitation centre and are working to reduce and eventually stop the illegal trade.

We’re proud to be associated with International Animal Rescue, and we feel their work is a great fit for our ethical coffee provision.

To find out more about the Wholesale Coffee Company or to browse our new website, visit www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.

 

Merry Christmas from the Wholesale Coffee Company

Posted on by Sara Walker

We’re nearly at the end of 2014, and we’d like to thank all our customers for your support throughout the year. We wish you a very Merry Christmas, and hope 2015 will be a healthy, happy and prosperous year for you all.

Fun Coffee Facts

Coffee is the second most traded global commodity after oil.

In Africa,  raw coffee beans are made into a kind of sweet to chew by being flavoured with spices

As you might expect, it’s the Americans who top the charts for coffee consumption, with an estimated 450 million daily cups. Only an estimated 52% of the population drink it, though.

The US city where you expect to find the most coffee houses is Seattle.

In Italy, cappuccinos are only drunk at breakfast time. The name ‘cappuccino’ comes from the brown and cream habits worn by Capuchin monks.christmas-wholesale-coffee-company

Although coffee bushes fruit from their second year, it takes five years for them to grow to full maturity. Their normal lifespan is around 15 to 20 years, but some have reached 60 years.

Each coffee bush yields sufficient beans annually to make around 0.5kg of roasted coffee.

Coffee hasn’t always been popular. It was banned in Mecca in Saudi Arabia as it was believed to encourage radical thinking. When it arrived in Europe in the 16th century, the Church lobbied for coffee to be banned due to its stimulating effect. Famously, though, the then pope, Clement VII, tasted to and pronounced it delicious. After this papal blessing, coffee houses began to spring up all over Europe.

A standard cup of coffee contains around 150 milligrams of caffeine. For most people, this is a ‘therapeutic dose’, or the amount needed to have an effect.

For all your 2015 coffee needs, including coffee beans, flavoured syrups, coffee ingredients and accessories, don’t forget to visit us at www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.

 

Health benefits of coffee

Posted on by Sara Walker
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Studies show that drinking coffee has both benefits and risks

If you’re among the millions of people who can’t start the day without a decent cup of coffee first thing in the morning, you’ll already be know how the drink can help you feel more alert and energised. But is your daily cup of coffee doing you any good? We take a balanced look at the benefits and risks of your favourite drink.

Health benefits of coffee

s well as the common energising benefits, studies have shown that drinking coffee could have some lesser-known advantages for your health advantages.

According to research, coffee can help stave off Alzheimer’s disease and decrease the risk of gout (an extremely painful disease in which a build up of uric acid causes arthritis) in men over 40. It also protects against liver diseases such as cirrhosis.  

According to a 2012 study*, caffeine can increase the effectiveness of common painkillers such as paracetamol. The study compared the pain-relieving results of with and without added caffeine, and concluded that there was a small but statistically significant benefit of added caffeine used at doses of 100 mg or more (roughly equivalent to a standard mug of coffee) for all pain conditions and painkillers. Painkillers with added caffeine are now routinely available without prescription.

Coffee has also been shown to help improve memory, particularly in the elderly, and to help prevent type 2 diabetes. Finally, the chemicals found in coffee are being investigated with a view to creating new drugs to treat heart disease.

Health risks of coffee

If you’re a longterm coffee drinker, you probably already know that drinking coffee (particularly strong, black coffee) can cause tooth discolouration over a period of time. To help mitigate this, clean your teeth afterwards with a toothpaste containing baking powder and visit your dentist for regular checkups.

A 2010 study claimed that coffee decreases blood flow to the heart, but on investigation the National Health Service stated that ‘the actual effect was modest and unlikely to have any adverse health effects. It is normal for arteries to dilate and constrict throughout the day, for example, with exercise.’ More information on the effects of coffee and decrease blood flow can be found on the NHS website here.

In an article published in the Daily Mail on 14 November 2014, Dr. Duane Mellor, assistant professor of dietetics at the university of Nottingham, said he was aware of all the studies and that he doesn’t advise his clients to give up coffee as they were a healthier alternative that sugary soft drinks.

He did, however, advise steering clear of coffee drinks that were high in sugar. He added that it is a myth that coffee and tea are dehydrating.

* Derry CJ, Derry S, Moore RA. Caffeine as an analgesic adjuvant for acute pain in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012 Issue 3. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009281.pub2

The Wholesale Coffee Company’s ethical and environmental policy

Posted on by Sara Walker

environmentally-friendly-coffeeHere at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we pride ourselves on offering great value for money, and providing top quality products at competitive prices. Just as we don’t compromise on the quality of our coffee beans, we also don’t compromise on our environmental and ethical policy. Our coffee beans are supplied by Cafés Silvestre, a Spanish company who are continually reviewing their different products and processes and their impact on the planet.

Rainforest Alliance™ Certified coffee 

All Cafés Silvestre blends contain at least 30% Rainforest Alliance™ Certified coffee (RFACC). Buying products with the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ guarantee helps support the rights and well-being of farm workers, the conservation of natural resources and the protection of wildlife and the environment.

Environmentally friendly packaging

It’s not just the environmental impact of the coffee beans that’s being assessed, either, as Cafés Silvestre uses Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified carton boxes for packaging most of their products. The FSC are working to make sure that our forests are carefully managed to ensure the harvest of timber is carried out in an environmentally sensitive way to maintains the forest’s biodiversity, productivity and ecology.

Non-chemically decaffeinated beans

All Cafés Silvestre’s decaffeinated coffee beans have been decaffeinated using the water process, so we can guarantee that no chemicals or acids have been used. Other commercial methods of decaffeination involve adding a solvent such as ethyl acetate or methylene chloride, but Cafés Silvestre’s beans are processed using water and carbon filters for a purer product.

Recycling

Cafés Silvestre has a committed programme of recyling, and empty coffee sacks are collected and reused for agricultural purposes. Any surplus cardboard and plastics are sent to recycling centres to be processed and reused, and any industrial machines not in use are broken down and sent to the appropriate recyling centres.

Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we’re proud to supply such top-quality beans with such a strong environmental and ethical pedigree. When you order your coffee beans online, you can rest assured you’ll receive a product that’s not only delicious and great value for money, it also won’t cost the earth.