For a lot of us, knowing that the coffee at work is fantastic is one of the main things that makes commuting bearable. You can forgive a whole host of atrocities you encountered on the way to the office because you know you are able to cut a few minutes off that arduous commute as there’s fresh, delicious coffee waiting for you when you arrive.
But what is it that makes office coffee truly great? In truth, there are as many different answers for that question as there are people who enjoy coffee on a daily basis. But today, your Corporate Essentials coffee concierge team has put their heads together to come up with a list of the five essential things all great coffee experiences share.
Freshness
Because the freshest coffee is the most delicious, we list this as our first key ingredient to great office coffee. Freshness counts on multiple levels. In terms of how long ago your coffee beans were ground and roasted – the longer coffee is exposed to oxygen, the less nuanced the flavor will become and eventually the overall tone of the coffee may become overly bitter. It can also speak in terms of the flavor of the coffee as well.
Flavor
Flavor is one of the easiest ways people can describe a coffee they like or dislike. The various flavor characteristics of different tea and coffee varietals are unique, meaning that odds are there is a perfect combination out there for everyone.
Even people who think they dislike coffee can often be won over by sampling a variety of different roasts, the trick is finding a way to encourage these people to give the office coffee a chance – this is one of the reasons great coffee services provide samples to potential clients. The idea of a “tasting” is a great way to draw staff into the break room to experience changes in your office coffee menu, equipment or the coffee service in general.
Solace
Providing a respite from the cut and thrust of the days’ events is one of the key roles of a break room – and coffee can be the cornerstone of that peace. This might sound a little far fetched, but bear with me. Coffee provides energy and hydration, as well as encouraging people to take regular breaks.
Those are three keys to having a successful day, whether you are trying to focus on big deadlines, tricky negotiations or other high-stakes scenarios in the office, or simply trying to negotiate a rough Thursday morning. In-office access to the best coffee can make your break room their happy place – and everyone needs a happy place.
Refreshment
The ability to sit back in your chair and go “aaaaaah” after you take the first sip of a delicious drink is definitely a key component in great office coffee. You savor the flavor, absorb the rich aroma and suck back 12 ounces of delight as part of a break.
Breaks are a huge part of a successful workplace, allowing your staff to take a few moments here and there throughout the day to rest their eyes, renew their outlook and generally revive their spirits. More than just providing inner peace, the best coffee provides your office with the fuel that helps your coworkers get back into gear when they need it most.
Inspiration
Our fifth defining factor for great break room coffee is the inspiration it provides. By providing refreshment, coffee gives us the head space we need to look at problems with a fresh perspective. By encouraging us to take regular breaks, office coffee subtly gets us out of our cubes and boosts the odds we will interact with peers from other departments – increasing the odds we might come up with an innovative solution to a long-standing challenge.
And by simply being available in a wide array of sizes, flavors and combinations, the best office coffee gives us all something to come together and enjoy. These little things together are the ultimate component in amazing office coffee – inspiration. And inspiration is one of the greatest gifts you can give your teams.
The best office coffee can do a great deal to improve the overall atmosphere in your workplace. If you are interested in seeing how the best coffee can benefit your office, reach out to one of our coffee experts today. With going on two decades of experience in helping companies realize their office coffee potential, our team is ready and waiting to elevate your break room game.
