Category: Blog

From time to time, we like to bring you news from the wackier side of coffee (remember avocado lattes, anyone? How about coffee with yak butter in it?) Whether it has an unusual ingredient added or it’s served in an ‘interesting’ way, it sometimes seems there’s pretty much nothing that hasn’t been added to poor old coffee at some point. (Personally, we like ours plain and …er….coffee flavoured.)

By comparison, this new trend seems almost reasonable! It’s called a ‘proffee’, and it’s a blend of coffee and protein. Coffee is well known for being a stimulant, and we’ve posted before about how it can give athletes a slight edge in high-energy challenges. Protein, as every fitness fanatic knows, is essential for muscle recovery and also for helping to build lean muscle rather than fat. It was probably only a matter of time before someone decided to put both things in the same cup – and the proffee was born.

To make one, all you need is one (or two) shots of espresso and either some protein powder or a low-fat protein milkshake. Seems like proffee is normally served cold, which sounds marginally more appetising – hot milkshake sounds like a bit of a curdled mess! Just add the cold coffee, milkshake and some crushed ice to a big travel cup, shake it all up and set off for your 10-mile run. Proffee is currently trending on social media and lots of people are talking about the brown sludgy drink – we’re not convinced it’s not just a waste of a good cup of coffee, though.

Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we specialise in top quality coffee beans and ground coffee at competitive wholesale prices. To browse our range, which also includes coffee accessories, tea and more, visit our online shop at www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.

Some big news for the world of coffee this week. Scientists have re-discovered a rare wild coffee that was previously thought to be almost extinct. Why is this so exciting? The more diversity in plants the better, as it helps guard the species against extremes of climate and environment. Having more varieties available helps give greater protection against a poor harvest.

The current coffee market relies on two types of coffee, Arabica and Robusta. Arabica is more difficult to grow and has a smaller yield so is more expensive. It’s often blended with the cheaper Robusta. The new variety, Coffea stenophylla, has the advantages of growing at warmer temperatures and being more resistant to drought.

Dr Aaron Davis, who has the fantastic job of being head of coffee research at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, says that although other wild coffees exist they don’t normally taste great. The Stenophylla, however, tasted ‘amazing’. When a panel of coffee connoisseurs tasted Stenophylla against Arabica, over 80% of the judges couldn’t tell the difference between the two. This is great news for the coffee industry.

Until recently, experts thought that Stenophylla was extinct outside the Ivory Coast. Some specimens were, however, discovered growing wild in Sierra Leone where it was grown commercially as a crop up to a hundred years ago. Scientists will plant some seedlings later this year so that they can start to study Stenophylla’s potential as a commercial crop. Dr Davis warns that we won’t be seeing it on the shelves any time soon but we could see it starting to make an appearance as a specialty coffee in the next five years or so.

If you can’t yet get your hands on any Stenophylla, you can still order our fantastic wholesale coffee beans from our range, all available at competitive wholesale prices. Just visit the coffee beans section of our website to find out more.

Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we’ve always known how important coffee was – and not just for drinking. You can use the leftover grounds for anything from fertiliser to face scrub, and now, an organic chemist from the Bionanotechnology group at Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands may have invested a way of using the humble coffee capsule in a home Covid test!

Like most of the rest of the world, Vittorio Saggiomo was confined to working at home when he made the discovery. Barred from using the normal resources of his laboratory he looked around for new materials for his research in making cheap, readily available home Covid tests – and his eye fell on his coffee pod machine.

Up to the present date there are two types of test readily available. One is the PCR test which looks for antibodies as evidence that your immune system has been exposed to the infection. These are very accurate, but have to be processed in a laboratory and as such are relatively time consuming and costly. The other type of test is the LFT or Lateral Flow Test, which looks for active infection in mucus or saliva. These are much quicker and cheaper, but also notoriously less accurate. The challenge to date has been to produce a test which is cheap both to manufacture and administer and made from materials readily available. This is the problem that Vittorio Saggimo may have overcome.

His breakthrough uses the already-known loop-mediated isothermal amplification method, which uses reaction tubes that work in a similar way to a PCR test but will also give a visual readout of a positive or negative result. He combined the reaction tubes with a special wax which would melt at a specific temperature, then looked around for the perfect housing material – coffee capsules! The resulting test has yet to be peer-reviewed, but has been successful in small-scale tests so far. The idea would be that people could test themselves at home and then heat the capsules to get a visual result quickly and easily. The tests would also be easy to make, and, as a bonus, largely recyclable.

While there is still much to do before this test could come to market, it looks like a promising start – we’re keeping our fingers crossed.

‘Summer’ might be a little premature, but the clocks have gone forwards and the weather’s improving so that’s good enough for us – it’s time to break out the iced coffee! Nothing beats relaxing at the weekend with the papers and a tall, iced coffee to hand. Here are our favourite recipes so that you can DIY at home.

1. Coffee tonic. This slightly unlikely combination took social media by storm earlier in the year, and it’s current hot trend. Unlike many ‘trendy’ drinks it’s very simple to make – all you need is cold-brewed or cold espresso, ice and tonic water. Put six to eight ice cubes in a tall glass and half fill the glass with tonic water. Then pour the cold espresso into the glass very slowly. The layers will separate and you’ll get a social-media-pleasing effect with fizz on the bottom and coffee on the top. For a twist, try using flavoured tonic water.

2. Regular iced coffee. This is plain old simple iced coffee, but with a little twist! When you next make cold-brewed coffee, make up an extra batch and put it into an ice cube tray. Then, when you fancy a delicious, iced coffee use the coffee ice cubes instead of plain water. That way, your drink will still be ice cold but it won’t get gradually diluted as the ice melts – because no-one wants soggy coffee.

3. Iced maple latte. This one is a little more indulgent. Make up 150ml strong black coffee and allow it to cool completely. Put it in a blender with six ice cubes, 150ml milk and a good shot of maple syrup, then blend until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and serve. This works with lots of other flavoured syrups – try hazelnut, chocolate or vanilla.
For the best in wholesale coffee supplies, delivered direct to your door, take a look at our range of top quality coffee beans at www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.

Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we’re always looking at ways to reduce our carbon footprint. We’re always keeping a careful eye on the links in our supply chain, from the impact of the plants themselves to the packaging. What happens after our delicious coffee has been used for its intended purpose though, and been brewed and drunk? You can still make use of the coffee grounds. Here’s how.

1. Skincare: coffee grounds make a great exfoliator. Homemade preparations are usually too harsh to use on the face but they’re great for the hands and body. Just drain used coffee grounds and squeeze them in a filter made of kitchen roll so that they’re as dry as possible. Mix with half the quantity of coconut oil (so for example mix two tablespoons of grounds with one tablespoon of oil). It’s great for removing dry skin, and perfect for gardeners – just keep a tub by the sink. Thanks to the coconut oil, it moisturises too.

2. Icy conditions: used coffee grounds instead of salt on pavements? It’s not as unlikely as you might think! Krakow in Poland is running a pilot scheme to use coffee grounds on park pathways. The coffee grounds have been collected from 50 volunteer coffee shops, and so far the scheme has been a success. It’s cheaper for the city, the residue helps improve ground and it’s less harmful to pets than salt. So far there are no plans to introduce this in the UK, but we think it’s a great idea.

3. Washing up: in the same way that coffee grounds are useful as an exfoliator, they’re also good for cleaning cookware. Make them into a paste with a small amount of cooking oil, and work them into stubborn stains with a cloth. Afterwards, wash as usual with warm soapy water.

4. Stop stubborn smells! Put a shallow bowl of uncovered coffee grounds at the back of your fridge and it will absorb unpleasant odours from strong-smelling food.

5. Coffee grounds are vey high in nitrogen, so can be safely added to the compost heap and used on the garden.

To browse our full range of delicious coffee in both ground and whole bean options, please visit the coffee bean section of our website at www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.

Over the years, athletes and keen amateur sports enthusiasts alike have looked for ways to keep performing consistently. Workout routines could include protein shakes, electrolytes or more personal choices such as coconut water. Now, researchers led by the University of Coventry have discovered that there may be a link between drinking coffee and attaining peak performance.

The research included gathering data from almost 50 amateur cyclists who had been exercising regularly for at least a year. Participants were divided into two groups depending on their coffee consumption, which ranged from one to five cups a day. Some participants were then given a cup of regular caffeine instant coffee, while others were given a non-caffeinated placebo. After an hour, both groups were asked to cycle five kilometres on a static exercise bicycle while being timed. Those who’d been drinking coffee saw an average 1.7% improvement in their performance, which could be just enough to tip the balance in a race situation. The results did not appear to be related to how much coffee participants normally drank.

This study followed on from previous research which concluded that caffeine can help alleviate fatigue and improve neurological performance. The new research, though, has been the first to concentrate on whether caffeine has any affect on the increase of capability and performance among sports people.

While the study had a relatively small number of participants, it does seem to have established a link between caffeine and improved sports performance. If you love coffee anyway, then drinking a cup before your workout could be no bad thing! (Don’t suddenly expect to turn into Usain Bolt, though.)

Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we specialise in delicious, high quality coffee at wholesale prices, suitable for domestic or commercial use. To find out more, visit our main website at www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.

Ah, coffee. You don’t need to tell us how great it is – we’ve sung its praises for years. Coffee’s antioxidants can help prevent a range of health complaints, including diabetes, liver disease and even Alzheimer’s. This is a new one on us, though – a Spanish university has released the results of a new study claiming a link between coffee and the reduction of age-related hearing loss in men.

Research carried out at the Antonymous University of Madrid indicates that men who drink at least one and up to four and a half cups of coffee a day reduce their chances of losing their hearing as they age by 15 per cent, compared to non-coffee drinkers.

Researchers took data from almost 37,000 men and women who were middle-aged and older to reach their conclusions. The reason for the results could be attributed to coffee’s known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and the good news is that you can apparently take your coffee however you like – black, white, decaffeinated, filtered, instant – to get the benefit of the results.

The researchers found that the results only applied to male participants, though, and females saw little or no improvement. This is thought to be because women are already less susceptible to age-related hearing loss as their higher oestrogen levels offer better protection, so drinking coffee offers less benefit.

The research – which took place over 11 years – involved checking the hearing of participants at the beginning and end of the study and allowing for other factors such as work-related hearing loss.

Well, we’ve always known coffee is fantastic – and now it seems other people are more likely to hear us say so! To take a look at our range of delicious coffee, all available at great wholesale prices for domestic or commercial use, take a look at our main website www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.

Many of us need our daily dose of coffee more than we’ve ever needed it before, with additional stress caused by changes in routine. It calms us down, relaxes us and has a range of health benefits from lowering blood sugar to delivering antioxidants.
Now, a new preliminary study carried out by 50 researchers has revealed that the reason that coffee could helping your mood and your health could be down to something called epigenetics (no, we’d never heard of it either).

Epigenetics relates to outside factors that can turn genes on and off. In this case, the ‘outside factor’ was the drinking of coffee and tea, and the study looked at how could alter the expression of genes (without altering the underlying DNA sequence). In the case of coffee, this process is known as DNA methylation as it adds methyl groups to the DNA molecule. There is some evidence that coffee can actually help to repair damaged DNA, which could be why researchers have seen some positive results on diseases like Alzheimer’s. The reason this new study took the combined efforts of 50 authors is that it correlated results from around 15,800 people and 15 separate original studies. Although the new study is preliminary and is still being peer reviewed, it could give us an insight into why coffee has the health benefits found by other research.

While we may be struggling slightly to get our head around epigenetics, one thing we do know for sure is that coffee is delicious and forms an essential part of our working day! If you feel the same way, then take a look at the product page of our website to browse our range of top quality beans and ground coffee, all available at great wholesale prices.

Everyone has had a different experience during lockdown and while some of us have benefited from increased time to exercise, others have found that the lack of a structured routine has prompted a less healthy regime. If you’re starting off 2021 with the intention of eating more healthily, then the good news is that coffee is definitely on the menu. Not only does it have numerous health benefits, but it can also fit into a lower calorie diet as a mug of black, unsweetened coffee contains less than five calories. The important thing to be aware of is what you’re adding to your drink, as some ‘indulgent’ coffees can be surprisingly calorific. Here’s a breakdown per standard size mug:

• Plain black coffee – less than five calories
• For each teaspoon of sugar you add, you’re adding 16 calories
• Add 30ml skimmed milk for 10 calories, 30ml semi skimmed milk for 14 calories or 30ml whole milk for 22 calories
• Add 30ml cream for 70 calories (most commercially made coffees with cream contain a lot more than 30ml!)
• Add a teaspoon of chocolate sprinkles for 25 calories

Some commercially prepared drinks with all the trimmings (milk, cream, sugar, syrup, topping) can weigh in at a hefty 500 calories – you’d only need to drink one of those every weekday to be consuming an extra 2,500 calories a week, equivalent to a whole day’s energy requirements! If you can, it’s much better to prepare your own coffee at work or home so that you know exactly what goes into it – takeout can then be kept to an occasional treat. Swap full fat milk and cream for lower fat options to create a healthier drink. For the best in top quality coffee, suitable for both home and commercial use, browse our range of coffee now including beans, ground and decaff options, all available for direct delivery.

Everyone’s spirits need a little lift during the winter months, and this year we all need it more than ever! If you’re in an area where you’re still allowed to meet friends and family outdoors, then why not serve up one of these festive coffee recipes to keep hands warm and spirits up? They’re all very easy and can be made in a cafetiere.

Spicy coffee (serves 4) – for a warming spicy blend, put 60g of freshly ground coffee in a warmed cafetiere, and add one teaspoon of cinnamon, 2 teaspoons of ground cardamon and 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg. Pour over 900ml hot water and allow to steep for around three minutes. Add a splash of brandy and sugar to taste, then pour into tall glass mugs and top with whipped cream and a sprinkling of brown sugar.

Gingerbread coffee (serves 4) – flavoured syrups are a great way of giving coffee a festive twist, and we’ve chosen gingerbread syrup for this idea. Brew black coffee for four using 60g freshly ground coffee and 900ml hot water. While it’s brewing, pour a shot (30ml) of gingerbread syrup into each cup. Pour the coffee over, add whipped cream and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a ginger biscuit on the side. Other flavoured syrups that work well at this time of year include praline and cinnamon.

Caramel fudge coffee (serves 4) – this is our most indulgent recipe, but it is that time of year after all! You’ll need some caramel syrup for this one – you can either use readymade or make your own. To make your own, you’ll need 200g sugar and 250ml water. Put the sugar and around 75ml of water in a saucepan over a medium heat and watch it like a hawk! Don’t let it boil until the sugar is completely dissolved, or it will burn. Once dissolved, let the mixture boil for around two minutes until it starts to turn darker. As soon as this happens, whip it off the heat as it can burn very easily at this stage. Add the remaining water very carefully, as the mixture will have a tendency to splash. Let it cool a little before stirring. The mixture will keep in the fridge for several months. When you’re ready to use it, brew black coffee for four. Put a shot of syrup in each mug and top with the coffee. Add whipped cream on top, and decorate with chocolate sprinkles and small chunks of fudge.

For all your wholesale coffee supplies, whether it’s to use at home or for your commercial coffee business, take a look at our main website at www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.