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Top five coffee coasters

Posted on August 5, 2014 by Sara Walker

Every cup of coffee needs a home. Protect your desk or coffee table from heat rings, splashes and spills with a coaster – we’ve picked out five of our favourites.

1. Ceramic camper van coaster, The Mosaic Garden

These lovely hand-painted 10cm by 10cm ceramic coasters have been fired to give a wipe-clean glossy, heatproof finish. They’re backed with cork so they won’t scratch furniture. These coasters are also available in a range of other designs including seagulls, puffins, mallards and bees, and cost £4 each. For more information, see www.themosaicgarden.co.uk.

2. Glass swallows coaster, In-Spaces

This glass coaster has a sandblasted swallow and wave design and is fitted with non-slip rubber feet to protect furniture. Hand made to order, the coaster measures 10cm by 10cm and is washable in warm water. Each coaster costs £12.50, available from www.in-spaces.com.

3. Wooden coffee coaster, Wooden Toy Gallery

These wooden coasters spell out the letters of ‘coffee’ and would make a perfect parking spot for your favourite mug. Made from eco friendly teak plywood, they measure 10cm square and come in sets of two, four or six. Prices start at £5.98 for two, woodentoygallery.co.uk.

4. Pantone coaster set interior shades, Berry Red

What a fantastic present for a printers’ or graphic designers’ office. This set contains six coasters in contemporary interior shades of celery, warm grey, heather, grape juice, shrub green and printers’ blue. Each 10.5cm square coaster is laminated, wipe clean and has a cork backing. Priced at £15 for the set, visit www.berryred.co.uk for more information.

5. Tickets please coasters, ATA Designs

These ‘tickets please’ cork-backed coasters were inspired by London transport’s double decker bus, and are part of the “All Things British” range by ATA designs. Made from melamine, they’re heat resistant and measure 10cm square. Priced at £19 for a set of four, made to order. For more details, see www.atadesigns.com.

Now you’ve got your coasters, you’ll be needing a cup of coffee to put on them. For the best in coffee beans at great wholesale prices, please visit our website, www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.

Coffee all over the world: Colombia

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Sara Walker

Continuing our series on coffee production around the world, we take a look at Colombia in South America, probably the part of the world most associated with coffee.

Colombia ranks very highly in terms of production, and is the second biggest producer of Arabica beans which are of higher quality than robustica. There are almost 600,000 coffee producers in Colombia and the cultivation, trading, processing, transportation and marketing of the beans provides employment for many. Colombian coffee is mostly grown on thousands of small family-run farms, owing to the terrain which is rugged and lacking in the space needed for large commercial farms. While this environment produces good quality beans, it makes transport to the processing centres very difficult. thousands of small family coffee farms across the country. An extremely rugged landscape provides the perfect natural environment for the growth of the coffee. But a terrain so rugged has also made it historically difficult to transport the harvested coffee beans to production and shipment centers. The region is also subject to occasional earthquakes, which destroy the infrastructure of the roads so that even today the most practical form of transport is often Jeep or mule train.

As many varieties of Colombian coffee beans are naturally resistant to crop diseases, there’s been a lot of enthusiasm in recent years about producing organic coffee which is now forming a small but significant part of the market.

Colombia’s coffee market is regulated by the Colombian Coffee Federation, which guarantees growers a minimum price for their crops. The Federation also invests in education, healthcare, transportation and transportation for coffee growers, and supports environmentally friendly growing techniques.

Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we’ve got a wide range of coffee beans available from all over the world, all at great wholesale prices. For more information, please visit our website www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.

Top five coffee storage jars

Posted on July 31, 2014 by Sara Walker

Whatever type of coffee beans you prefer, you’ll need a way of storing them so they’re not exposed to light, air or damp. We’ve picked out five of the best coffee storage jars for your kitchen or office to keep your favourite drink fresh.

1. Ceramic jar, Beau & Elliot Home

Sturdy, practical ceramic jar from boutique British brand Beau & Elliot Home. Comes with an engraved wooden lid which is air-tight and practical too, ideal for keeping those coffee beans in tip top condition. £12, available from www.hintonshome.com.

2. Qdo birdie storage can, Pernille Vea

Designed in Denmark, this birdie storage can will cheer up your kitchen or workspace with its quirky expression. Made from porcelain and silicon, it features an air-tight, sealed lid and eyes that pop out for added ventilation. Available in three sizes, prices start from £12.99 from www.scandinavianshop.co.uk.

3. Heather storage jar, Puji

Make sure even your coffee wraps up warm with this porcelain storage jar, featuring a chunky knit design ‘sweater’ in a soft heather colour. These medium sized jars have an air-tight lid and are perfect for keeping your coffee safe. Reduced from £19 to £16.15, available from www.puji.com.

4. Ceramic mason jar, Mrs Allsorts

This jar with its green lid and ‘blackboard’ label is a practical choice in offices, where different people are looking for the coffee! Write the contents on the front with chalk to keep everything clear. Priced at £5.99, available from www.mrsallsorts.com.

5. Owl storage pot, Hunkydory Home

This little fella will keep a close eye on anyone trying to steal your coffee beans! Made from hardwearing ceramic, he costs £30 from www.hunkydoryhome.co.uk.

And of course, you’ll be needing some coffee beans to keep in those jars and pots. Visit www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk for our full range of coffee beans, all available at great wholesale prices.

Top five coffee pots

Posted on July 30, 2014 by Sara Walker

If you like to brew your coffee the simple way, then you’ll need a coffee pot. We take a look at five of the best enamel coffee pots and cafetieres on the market.

1. Red classic espresso maker, La Cafetiere

Featuring a high quality aluminium body, this stylist hob espresso pot comes in three, six and nine cup sizes. It’s safe on gas, electric and radiant heat sources and the simple, classic design will look good in any kitchen. Prices start from £19.95, available from http://www.lacafetiere.com. Perfect partner: Super Forte Blend Coffee Beans

2. Bistro coffee pot, Nick Munro

Inspired by the designers love of penguins (yes, really!) this sleek Bistro Coffee Pot is made from high grade hand polished polished stainless steel and has a capacity of 0.5 litres. Priced at £19.95, available from www.black-by-design.co.uk. Perfect partner: Suprema coffee beans

3. Enamel coffee pot, Joules

This enamel pot is influenced by the vintage enamelware to be found in brocantes all over France. Decorated in Joules’s Crème Floral design, this coffee pot isn’t suitable for brewing coffee but will keep your drink warm until required. It’s also virtually unbreakable, so it’s ideal for camping or picnicking. £26, available from www.hintonshome.com. Perfect partner: Caribana blend coffee beans

4. Folklore coffee pot, Nina Jarema

From the Folklore collection comes this nostalgic enamel coffee pot, featuring motifs and silhouettes inspired by the villages, forests and folklore of Nina’s native Ukraine.£14.95, available from www.cloth-ears.co.uk. Perfect partner: Forte blend coffee beans

5. Meadows cafetiere, La Cafetiere

This pretty yet functional cafetiere would grace any breakfast table with its elegant floral design in duck egg blue and polished steel. Available in an 8 cup size (1000ml / 35 fl. Oz) size, it costs £31.95 from www.lacafetiere.com. Perfect partner: Suprem blend coffee beans

You can find our full range of coffee beans at www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk, so you can be sure of a great cup of coffee however you choose to brew it.

Coffee hydrotherapy

Posted on July 26, 2014 by Sara Walker

You may think you know everything about drinking coffee, but now there’s another way of getting your caffeine. Hydrotherapy – a non-chemical way of washing out the intestines and colon with warm water – has been known for thousands of years, and many modern hydrotherapists are now offering the treatment with various additions to the water, including different herbs and…..coffee.

Hydrotherapy practitioners say it’s a safe way of removing a build up of toxins in the colon and giving you more energy, and it can apparently also help calm intestinal problems and bloating. Modern lifestyles such as the use of chemical cleaners and pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals in food mean that we’re more prone to allergies and intolerances than ever before, and toxins can accumulate in the liver, making you feel tired and sluggish.

Coffee is said to be particularly effective at cleansing the liver and colon, reducing pain and helping with nervous tension. It’s also said to have astringent purposes, as well as mechanically cleaning out toxic substances, and stimulating the colon without irritating the stomach, making it ideal for people who have a low tolerance to caffeine.

Fans of the process claim it makes them feel lighter and more relaxed as well as more energetic, and the treatment can help to kick start a period of convalescence or a diet. If you’re thinking of giving it a go, always consult your GP before trying any new treatments, and use a registered practitioner.

Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company we think we’d rather stick to drinking coffee, and with a range of coffee beans from all over the world, all at great wholesale prices, you’re sure to find something you love. For more information, or to view our range of coffee accessories, milk portions or flavoured syrups, please visit our website.

Coffee all over the world: Hawaii, Mexico and Puerto Rico

Posted on July 13, 2014 by Sara Walker

Although the European climate isn’t conducive to growing coffee commercially, the plants thrive throughout varied locations in the rest of the world. North America doesn’t produce its own coffee, with the exception of the Hawaiian islands which are famous for the Kona variety that’s considered to be of very high quality and much in demand. Although Kona isn’t the only variety grown in Hawaii, it’s certainly the best known and most sought after.

To produce the distinctive taste, the bushes are planted in volcanic soil on the active Mauna Loa volcano. The afternoon sun isn’t too intense thanks to a thick cloud canopy, and the new trees generally flourish to produce the berries that go on to become Kona.

Meanwhile, Mexico produces coffee on a far bigger scale. Although the individual farms tend to be small and family run, there are over 100,000 farmers and Mexico is at the forefront of the world’s coffee producing counties, with farms being primarily located in the south. Mexican beans are ideal for dark roasts and are often used as part of blends.

Puerto Rican coffee production today is fairly modest compared to the glory days of the 19th century, when the country was the sixth highest exporter of coffee in the world. A combination of natural disasters such as hurricanes combined with competition from other countries led to a drop in production, but now the Puerto Rican coffee industry is on its way back up again, with the emphasis this time on quality rather than quantity. The island has two major growing regions, but producing different but highly regarded coffee.

Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company we have a range of coffee beans available from different regions around the world, all at great wholesale prices. For more information, please visit our coffee beans page.

Know your coffee: roast types

Posted on July 11, 2014 by Sara Walker

Roasting is the process of turning raw, green coffee beans into drinkable coffee, and it has a huge effect on the finished flavour of the bean. Remember that the process will vary between manufacturers, so the only way you can really be sure of finding a roast you like is to taste it

Light roasts

Beans that have been lightly roasted are light brown in colour, and are generally used for milder coffee blends. In addition, there’ll be no oil on the surface of these beans, as the oils won’t have had time to reach the surface of the bean during the roasting process, so they won’t have that hard, shiny appearance.

Medium roasts

As the name suggests, these beans are darker in colour than the light roast, have a stronger flavour and a non-oily surface. This roast is probably the most common as it suits most people’s taste, and it’s the one most often found in America.

Medium-dark roasts

These are a halfway house between the milder medium roast and the full-on dark roast. The beans are a deep, dark colour with some oil on the surface, and a slightly bitter aftertaste.

Dark roasts

At the extreme end of the spectrum are shiny, blank dark roasted beans with an oily surface and strong bitterness. There’s still a lot of variation in this band, and some dark roasts will be much darker than others. This is the variety that’s used to make espressos, and needs to be finely ground to release as much flavour as possible.

Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we’ve got roasts to suit all palates and budgets. From raw green coffee beans to dark roasts, we’re sure to have something you’ll love at a great wholesale price. For more information, please visit our coffee beans page.

Frozen coffee almond cream desserts

Posted on July 6, 2014 by Sara Walker

With the weather heating up, lunch or dinner guests will appreciate these light frozen puddings to finish off a summery meal.

To serve 6, you’ll need:

2 teaspoons espresso coffee, made from good quality, freshly roasted and ground coffee beans
60ml milk
2 freerange gg whites
60g of icing sugar, sieved
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
60g finely chopped almonds
240ml double cream

What to do:

In a small heavy bottomed saucepan, gently heat the milk until almost boiling then add the coffee. Allow to stand for three or four minutes, then strain through a fine mesh sieve. Discard the coffee grounds. Set the milk aside to cool.

Beat the egg whites until foamy. Add the icing sugar a little at a time while continuing to beat until the mixture stands up in stiff, shiny peaks. Gradually add the cold coffee-infused milk, almond extra and chopped almonds.

In a separate bowl, whisk the double cream until it stands up in stiff peaks, then carefully fold it into the egg mixture.

Spoon the mixture into individual, freezerproof bowls or ramekins and place in the freezer for three or four hours or overnight. To serve, remove from the freezer twenty minutes before needed. If liked, top with a drizzle of chocolate sauce and a few extra almonds.

Easy chocolate sauce

60g butter
60g golden syrup
60g good quality cocoa powder
tablespoon Amaretto liqueur or Amaretto flavoured syrup (optional)

Put all the ingredients in a heavy bottomed saucepan, and melt slowly over a gentle heat, stirring constantly. Allow to cool a little before serving.

Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we stock a wide range of ingredients for brewing, cooking, baking and generally enjoying your coffee, all at great wholesale prices. Find flavoured syrups, green and roasted coffee beans, cups and stirrers, hot chocolate, milk and more at wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.

Growing your own coffee part 1

Posted on June 28, 2014 by Sara Walker

Coffee needs a very specific climate to grow, and for the most part the UK is too cold and damp, so growing your own coffee beans for consumption isn’t really practical. It may be possible to grow your own coffee tree in a greenhouse or conservatory as a novelty, though.

For the best results, you should start by planting a freshly picked coffee cherry, which for most UK gardeners isn’t a very practical option.

If you do manage to get your hands on a coffee cherry, make sure it looks bright and healthy with no diseased areas. Wash it, and put it, still damp, into a small container. Leave it for a few days or even weeks, until the fibrous outer coating starts to deteriorate and open. Rub the cherry in your hands until the husk comes away, then remove and wash the coffee beans, which will be pale green in colour. Put them in a bowl of clean water, and discard any beans that float.

Soak the beans in water for 24 hours, then plant them in a container of potting compost, watered until it’s just damp. Make a small hole, put the bean in flat side down and cover it with a light layer of soil. The germination period is normally around three months, but could be as long as six months. Water the seeds daily, but be careful not to over-water as coffee dislikes a wet environment.

Don’t forget that while it’s not possible to grow coffee commercially in the UK, you can order it in the UK. Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we stock a wide range of blends and beans from green beans to espresso, all at great wholesale prices. In addition, we stock coffee ingredients such as flavoured syrups and accessories like cups, lids and stirrers. To find out more, visit www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.

The history of coffee: Coffee spreads throughout the world

Posted on June 25, 2014 by Sara Walker

As coffee became increasingly popular, the fact that it was only cultivated in Arabia began to prove a bottleneck. Arabia was keen to continue controlling the global supply, and guarded the plants jealously, but in the late 17th century the Dutch finally succeeded in getting their hands on some seedlings which they tried to plant in India. This initial attempt failed, but they managed to cultivate the plants in Batavia, on the island of Java in what is now Indonesia. The coffee plants thrived, and soon production spread to nearby islands.

In the early 18th century, the Mayor of Amsterdam gave a young coffee plant as a gift to the French king, Louis XIV, who ordered it planted in the Royal Botanical Garden in Paris. A few years later, Gabriel de Clieu, a young French naval officer, managed to take a seedling from this plant and smuggle it to Martinique where it was duly planted and thrived. That single plant is credited with being the parent of the 18 million coffee bushes that were to cover the island over the next few decades, and which also became the foundation of many of the Caribbean and South and Central American bushes.

In a little over a century, coffee was firmly established as a valuable commercial crop. Travellers and traders began to carry the seeds around the world, and new bushes were planted across the globe in different environments. By the end of the 18th century, coffee was well on its way to becoming the global crop it is today.

Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we’re keeping up with the proud history of coffee by supplying top quality coffee and coffee accessories at great wholesale prices. For more information, please visit www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.