Is the cappuccino over?

Posted on June 20, 2015 by Sara Walker

Here 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.

The new coffee trend: adding butter

Posted on April 30, 2015 by Sara Walker

Most 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.

News from the Wholesale Coffee Company

Posted on February 28, 2015 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.

The Wholesale Coffee Company’s ethical and environmental policy

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Sara Walker

Here 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.

Top five coffee gift books

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Sara Walker

If you’re looking for a present for the coffee over in your life, how about one of these – ahem – coffee table books? Whether you’re looking to expand your knowledge of all things coffee or learn a few hints for making the perfect mug, you’re sure to find something here.

1. The World Atlas of Coffee: From beans to brewing – coffees explored, explained and enjoyed by James Hoffman. Publisher Mitchell Beazley. Available from Amazon, £14.28 for the hardback edition. This new book by champion barista and coffee roaster James Hoffmann takes a look at the history and complexity of coffee, examining different varieties of beans and the process from bush to cup.

2. Coffee obsession by Anette Moldvaer. Publisher Dorling Kindersley. Available from Amazon, £11.99 for the hardback edition. This new book will allow you expand your coffee repertoire with over 100 recipes for everything from liqueur coffees to the perfect latte.

3. Setting Up & Managing Your Own Coffee Bar: How to open a Coffee Bar that actually lasts and makes money (Coffee Boys Step By Step Guide) by John Richardson and Hugh Gilmartin. Publisher How To Books. Available from Amazon, £11.24 for the paperback edition. This is a practical step by step guide on running your own coffee bar, including advice on location, finances and marketing.

4. The Coffee Book: Anatomy of an Industry from Crop to the Last Drop (Bazaar Book) by Nina Luttinger and Gregory Dicum. Publisher New Press. Available from Amazon, £12.78 for the paperback edition. A comprehensive introduction to one of the world’s most popular products, The Coffee Book is full of facts and figures, cartoons and coffee history.

5. Uncommon Grounds: The History of Coffee and How it Transformed Our World by Mark Pendergrast. Publisher Basic Books. Available from Amazon, £6.63 for the paperback edition.This book reviews the dramatic changes in coffee culture over the past decade.

Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we’re experts in all things coffee. To browse our range of coffee beans, coffee accessories and coffee ingredients, all available to buy online at great wholesale prices, log on to www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.

Top five coffee cups and saucers

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Sara Walker

Although many of us keep a cup of coffee on the go all the time in the office to help us concentrate, sometimes there’s nothing like doing it properly. Sit down, put your feet up and relax with these lovely ‘proper’ coffee cups, complete with saucers.

1. Blue Early Bird cappuccino cup and saucer, Pip Studio

Specially made to hold that early-morning cappuccino is this pretty blue porcelain Early Bird cup and saucer set by Dutch designer Pip Studio. £13.99 for the set, available from www.cotswoldtrading.com.

2. POP coffee cup and saucer, Sagaform

This range by Sagaform draws inspiration and pays homage to both seventies product design and American fifties POP culture. Available in a range of colours. Was £15 for the set, now £8 from www.quinceliving.co.uk.

3. Jumbo cup and saucer, Festin Couquin

Perfect for a large breakfast cup of cafe au lait, his large, hand painted French pottery cup and saucer set with its attractive shape and pretty design will a little Provencal sunshine into your home. £26.50, available from www.boutiqueprovencale.co.uk.

4. Vintage postcard cups and saucers, Disaster Designs

This pretty cup and saucer is decorated with vintage-style postcards, so you can curl up with your coffee and dream of your next holiday. £11.99, available from www.mollieandfred.co.uk.

5. Butterfly espresso cup and saucer, Sophie Allport

A pretty blue butterfly adorns this fine bone china espresso cup and saucer. It’s perfect for a solitary indulgent cup of coffee, or great for impressing friends after dinner. £10, available from www.sophieallport.com.

If you’re looking for some great value coffee beans and coffee accessories to complete that special cup of coffee, look no further than the Wholesale Coffee Company. We’ve got a great online range of coffee beans, instant coffee, coffee ingredients and everything else you need, all at great wholesale prices – just check out our website at www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.

Coffee recipes: Spicy Hallowe’en coffee cake

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Sara Walker

This dark, moist, sticky cake is a must to accompany your mid-morning coffee on the 31st October, but it’s a treat at any time of year.

To serve 12 to 14, you’ll need:

650g black treacle
1 cup (2 sticks) plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
80ml very strong black coffee, preferably made from freshly ground coffee beans
600g self-raising flour
3 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
2 large freerange eggs
570g plain yoghurt or creme fraiche
icing sugar for dusting

What to do

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Grease a tin approximately 20cm by 30cm, and line the bottom and sides with greaseproof paper.
Put the ‘wet’ ingredients, i.e. the treacle, butter and coffee in a large saucepan, and heat gently until the treacle melts and everything is fully combined. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
To the now-cool saucepan, add the spices and salt. Mix to make a stiff batter, then whisk in the eggs. Fold in the yoghurt or creme fraiche, mixing until just combined, and spoon the batter into the tin. Use the back of a spoon to even the mixture out.
Bake for around 50 to 60 minutes, until a skewer inserted into the thickest part of the cake comes out cleanly, with no uncooked cake mixture adhering to it. Allow to cool slightly in the tin.
Turn the cake out onto a wire cooling rack, and remove the paper. Leave to cool, then dust with icing sugar and cut into slices.

If you’re looking to buy coffee beans online, either for making coffee to drink or for recipes, you’ve come to the right place. Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we stock a wide range of coffee beans, coffee accessories and coffee ingredients, all available to buy online at great wholesale prices. To find out more, visit www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.

Ethiopian coffee ceremonies

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Sara Walker

As the legendary home of the coffee bean, Ethiopia has a long association with the world’s favourite drink. The Ethiopian people have such respect for coffee that they’ve developed a ceremony for preparing it, which you may be offered if you visit the country or eat at an authentic Ethiopian restaurant.

The hostess of the ceremony will begin by cleaning and washing the coffee beans (known as ‘bunna’, pronounced ‘boo-na’), to remove any debris or remnants of the fibrous outer husk. They’re then placed in a long-handled pan, similar to a covered frying pan. The pan’s placed on an open fire or in a stone oven, and the hostess will shake the beans continually so they don’t burn. When the beans are ready, they start to darken, release their oils and make a popping sound and the scent of freshly-roasted coffee will begin to scent the air.

Traditionally, the roasted coffee is then pounded in a heavy wooden bowl called a ‘mukecha’, using a metal or wooden stick called a ‘zenezena’, much like a pestle and mortar, although many ceremonies are now conducted using electric grinders for convenience and consistency.

The coffee grounds are transferred to a long necked clay pot called a ‘jebena’ and boiled over the open fire before being poured into another container, allowed to cool and re-boiled up to three times. Once ready, the coffee is poured through a filter set in the neck of the jebena into tiny china cups called ‘cini’. The resulting drink should be savoured in the company of friends.

Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we’re coffee experts and are proud to supply a range of coffee beans from around the world, all at great wholesale prices. For more information about us and our products, please visit our coffee beans page.

Coffee chocolate ‘martini’

Posted on September 26, 2014 by Sara Walker

This isn’t really a martini, as the alcohol it contains is creme de cacoa and coffee liqueur rather than gin and vermouth. It looks attractive served in a martini glass though.

To make 8 servings, you’ll need:

60ml coffee liqueur, such as Tia Maria or Kahlua
240ml creme de cacoa (if you want to make a less alcoholic version of this cocktail, you could also use an equal quantity of hot chocolate, chilled.
300ml vodka
240ml espresso coffee, made from freshly ground beans and chilled
white only of one free range egg
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
12 ice cubes

Put all the liquid ingredients – coffee liqueur, chocolate liqueur or hot chocolate, vodka and coffee in a freezer-proof jug, bottle or bowl. Cover, and place in the freezer for a couple of hours.
Put the egg white in a bowl, and whisk until frothy. Spread the sugar out on a saucer. Dip the rims of the glasses first into the egg, then into the sugar. Leave them to dry, then chill them in the fridge.
Crush the ice roughly, either in a food processor or by putting them in a plastic bag and wrapping it in a tea towel. Put the bundle on a chopping board, and hit it with a rolling pin until the ice is broken into suitable pieces. Divide the ice between the eight glasses.
Pour the cocktail mixture over the ice. If you have any egg white left, use it to stick a chocolate covered coffee bean to the foot of the glass.

These coffee cocktails make something a little different to serve at a summer party or celebration. Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we stock a range of coffee beans suitable for all uses, and all at great wholesale prices. To find out more, please visit our website www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.

Beef and coffee pie

Posted on September 19, 2014 by Sara Walker

There are certain flavours that coffee complements perfectly, such as chocolate, caramel and …..red meat. You may not have thought of adding coffee to savoury dishes, but it adds a richness and intensity to beef and venison dishes that guests will appreciate but be unable to identify! This is a take on a shepherd’s pie.

To serve 6, you’ll need:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1.5kgs stewing beef, cut into chunks
75g plain flour
3 carrots, peeled and cut into slices
2 red onions
2 cloves garlic
400ml red wine
Sprig of rosemary
500ml freshly-brewed black coffee
1kg floury potatoes suitable for mashing
50g butter
50ml milk
100g mature Cheddar cheese, grated

What to do:

In a cast iron lidded casserole dish, heat the oil over a medium heat. Fry the beef until sealed on all sides, then stir in the flour with a little salt and pepper. Cook for a minute, then remove the beef and set aside.
Peel and chop the onions and add them to the pan. Add the garlic, carrots and chopped rosemary, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the wine, and bring to the boil.
Add the beef back into the pan, and pour over the coffee. Cover and cook for two hours, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and peel and slice the potatoes. Add them to the water and boil for 15 minutes or until tender. Drain, add the butter and milk and mash. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius.
Carefully spoon the mash on top of the beef mixture, and top with the cheese. Put in the oven for 15 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbling.

Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we stock a range of coffee beans at great wholesale prices, suitable for all uses including cooking. For more information, please visit our website at www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.