How to choose the right coffee beans

How To Choose the Right Coffee Beans for Happy Staff.

How To Choose the Right Coffee Beans for Happy Staff

How to choose the right coffee beans for your commercial coffee machine is more than just picking a bag off the shelf. First and foremost, your decision should factor in staff preferences, client expectations, ethical sourcing, and budget constraints. The right choice can enhance office morale, create a professional image, and ensure everyone enjoys their daily cup of fresh coffee.

Below, we’ll explore the key factors to consider when choosing coffee beans that are right for you and your coffee machine for office, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable coffee experience for everyone.

1. Staff Preferences

  • Some prefer a smooth and mild coffee, while others enjoy a strong and bitter taste.
  • Light roasts tend to be more acidic, medium roasts provide balance, and dark roasts offer a bolder, richer flavour.
  • A coffee blend can provide consistency, while single-origin beans offer unique flavour notes.

Caffeine Content

  • Higher caffeine levels are found in lighter roasts, while darker roasts have a more intense taste but slightly less caffeine.
  • Decaffeinated options should be available for those who enjoy the taste but want to avoid caffeine.
  • Cold brew coffee, a popular alternative, can offer a smoother, less acidic experience with high caffeine content.

If you need help deciding on which coffee tastes best, you can book a coffee tasting session with our sales team today. Blind test our diverse range of beans and discover your new favourite brew.

2. Client Expectations

If you are a business that often hosts clients, creating a positive and professional vibe for your clients is simple with premium fresh coffee. Enhance your company’s image by supplying coffee that’s rich in flavour and personality.

Professional Image

  • Premium coffee beans such as illy’s Classico 100% Arabica blend can elevate your office’s reputation by offering a sense of luxury.
  • Offering freshly brewed coffee instead of instant shows attention to quality and detail.
  • A high-quality hot drinks machine ensures a consistently great cup, whether hot or cold.

Variety

  • A diverse selection of fresh coffee options such as lattes, cappuccinos and other espresso-based drinks to cater to different tastes.
  • Flavoured coffee syrups and seasonal options are a great way to engage your staff and give them something to look forward to, like stocking Pumpkin Spice at the end of summer.
  • Providing dairy and non-dairy milk options accommodates various dietary needs. Connect Vending can supply both fresh and soluble milk alternatives for companies that wish to offer it.

3. Coffee Origin

The origin of your coffee beans can play a significant role in their flavour and ethical impact.

Single-Origin vs. Blends

  • Single-origin coffee beans come from one region and offer distinct flavour profiles. They’re ideal for coffee enthusiasts who enjoy unique tasting experiences, but will be pricier than a blend due to their scarcity.
  • Blended coffee beans combine beans from multiple regions, creating a balanced, consistent taste that doesn’t cost the earth, making it more suitable for office environments.

Ethical Sourcing

  • Opt for Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance-certified coffee to support ethical and sustainable farming practices. illy café have gone one step further and achieved B Corp status, proving their dedication to maintaining high standards of social and environmental performance.
  • Direct trade coffee ensures farmers receive fair compensation and promotes better quality control.
  • Ethically sourced coffee aligns with corporate social responsibility initiatives.

4. Volume and Budget

The frequency and amount of coffee consumed in your office should also impact your decision as it will affect the amount of money you’ll need to spend on purchasing new beans

Consumption Rate

  • Track how much coffee your office drinks daily to determine whether bulk purchases make sense. You can do this by assessing how often you’re buying your current coffee offering, or by conducting a staff survey. As a general rule, Connect Vending estimate around 1 cup of coffee per person in a workplace.
  • Larger offices may benefit from wholesale suppliers, while smaller teams might opt for specialty coffee subscriptions.
  • Ensure your choice of coffee bean meets the demand without compromising quality.

Cost Considerations

  • High-quality coffee doesn’t have to be expensive. Finding the right balance between cost and taste is essential.
  • Consider whole beans instead of pre-ground coffee for freshness and longer shelf life.
  • Subscription services can offer discounts and convenient deliveries to ensure you never run out. Here at Connect Vending, we have a wide range of coffee beans available from brands such as illy café, Change Please, Lavazza and our own house blend Café Bonitas. Contact our Wholesale team today to find out more.

How To Choose the Right Coffee Beans? There's lots to consider!

Choosing the right coffee beans involves balancing taste preferences, professional image, ethical considerations, and budget constraints. Whether opting for a smooth or bold flavour, single-origin or blends, ethically sourced or budget-friendly options, the right coffee choice can create a positive office atmosphere.

When considering how to choose the right coffee beans, conducting a taste test with employees, investing in a high-quality coffee machine, and staying open to feedback can help you make the best choice. With the right coffee beans, your office can enjoy the perfect cup every time.

Still can’t choose?

For those who want more diversity from their coffee beans, why not try a bean-to-cup coffee machine with dual bean hoppers as seen in our Cimbali range? Offer both decaf and caffeinated, or dark and light roasts, to suit a broader range of employees.