Monthly Archives: August 2018

4 Reasons Non-Dairy Milks are Gaining Traction

by • Beverages • Tags: , , • 0 Comments

It used to be that non-dairy milks produced from nuts, soy, and grains were reserved for a small number of people who had a particular reservation about cow and goat’s milk. How times have changed though. Not only are non-dairy milks mainstream, but they are also quickly gaining traction against the dairy industry.

According to 2017 research published by Mintel, sales of non-dairy milk products have jumped more than 60% over the last five years. It was estimated at the time that total 2017 sales would eclipse $2.1 billion. Those numbers include sales of almond, coconut, soy, pecan, quinoa, hazelnut, and flax milk.

Here are four reasons that could help explain why:

1. Saying Goodbye to Dairy

More consumers appear to be making a concerted effort to consume less dairy. According to a late 2017 survey conducted in Great Britain, roughly 20% of the population stated a desire to cut down on the amount of milk, butter, and cheese they consumed.

Roughly 28% told researchers they planned to give up cheese and milk, and 19% said they were willing to substitute what they gave up with non-dairy products. That means almond, soy, or other options instead of cow’s milk.

2. Adopting the Vegan Lifestyle

A second factor, which may go hand-in-hand with the first, is the fact that more people are electing to adopt the vegan lifestyle. That same British survey suggested that nearly 10% of Brits aim to be completely vegan by the end of 2018.

Whether or not they succeed, people who go vegan obviously cannot drink dairy-based milk. So they turn to one of the non-dairy options instead. Almond milk tops the list, according to the Mintel research, with a 64% market share. Soy comes in at 13% while coconut milk owns 12% of the market.

3. Greater Exposure

We cannot discount exposure and marketing as factors in the rise of non-dairy milks. If it were not for aggressive marketing, a lot of people now embracing the non-dairy movement would not even know they have choices. Savvy marketers have tapped into the health-conscious movement of the 2010s in the same way they did the aerobics movement of the 1980s. Their efforts have undoubtedly contributed to upward sales trends.

4. Better Quality Products

Last but not least are the better-quality products now on the market. When alternative milks first became the thing, they were not known for their rich flavor and palatable, milk-like texture. But producers have learned a lot over the last 20 years. Today’s non-dairy milks offer the highest quality they have ever offered. They are winning over more consumers as a result.

How about you? Are you a fan of almond, soy, or coconut milk? We would be happy to know what you think. One of our goals here at Galaxie Coffee is to provide the kinds of products our customers want, regardless of what those products are. If that means non-dairy milk for your office, we can handle it.

What is Third Wave Coffee?

by • Coffee, Hot Beverage • Tags: , , • 0 Comments

Do you consider coffee more than just a hot beverage loaded with caffeine and capable of waking you up in the morning? If so, you may be familiar with the phrase ‘third wave coffee’. It is a phrase that is bandied about by coffee roasters, growers, and even local baristas who fancy themselves experts in all things coffee.

So, what exactly is third wave coffee? Moreover, did coffee have first and second waves? Keep reading to learn more about what has essentially become a cultural phenomenon here in the U.S.

Definition of Third Wave Coffee

Third wave coffee is essentially coffee that is crafted as an artisanal beverage with the same attention to flavor, quality, and experience vintner’s give to fine wines. Third wave is to the coffee industry what award-winning wine is to wine tasting.

Those involved in the third wave are very particular about growing regions. They pay special attention to the quality of their coffee beans, how they mix and match those beans to achieve a specific flavor, how they roast the beans, and even how roasted beans are ground and packaged for sale.

The objective here is to produce coffee that is worth being persnickety about. Third wave coffee is considered by coffee snobs to be the best possible coffee money can buy. As such, third wave producers compete for brand loyalty.

First and Second Waves

To fully understand and appreciate third wave coffee, you probably need to understand the first and second waves. The reason for this is simple: the current third wave of coffee is not really new, it is simply a return to the way things used to be done before industrialization.

The first wave of coffee began back in the 1800s when a small number of producers decided they needed a way to mass produce and market their products. Coffee processing went from small, family-owned operations to large, industrialized factories. First wave gave us coffee in cans, vacuum packing, and household brand names like Folgers and Hills Bros.

This first wave continued into the early 1990s, when consumers began tiring of poor quality coffee purchased at the grocery store. Coffee drinkers started demanding better flavor and more choices coinciding with the rise of the coffee house culture. Second wave gave us Starbucks, flavored coffees, and Americanized lattes and cappuccinos.

Second wave morphed into third wave at the turn of the 21st century. That brings us to where we are today. Third wave coffee lovers are very particular about the flavor and quality of their coffee. They also care about where coffee beans are sourced from.

Here at Galaxie Coffee, we embrace all three waves for the benefit of our customers. Regardless of your taste in coffee and coffee preparation, we have something for your office. We take great pride in meeting the needs of our customers with a large variety of products and equipment. Whatever wave is your thing, we have you covered with our large coffee selection.