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The Evolution of Office Coffee in America

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Having coffee in the office is a normal part of work life in America. In fact, long before coffee houses became a thing in this country, groups of workers were chipping in at the office to make sure there was a regular supply of coffee on hand. Today, not having coffee in the office is rare.

The question is, how did we get here? That depends on who you ask. Historians generally agree on how coffee made it to the Americas and what made it popular here. But what took coffee into the office remains a matter of debate.

Coffee Replaces Tea

Tea was the preferred hot beverage from the birth of the colonies right up until the start of the Revolutionary War. From the end of the revolution through the Civil War, coffee’s popularity grew in the U.S. By the mid-1860s, smart business owners whose coffee sales were limited to families and small coffee houses started looking for bigger and better sales avenues.

Some started selling to cowboys out west while others tapped into California’s mining market. Still, having coffee in the office didn’t quite catch on. The office environment was still quite limited back then, and offices were not large buildings with hundreds of employees. They were one- and two-room spaces occupied by family-run businesses.

Then came the industrial era and two world wars. That is when large-scale employment and the offices that came with it began to flourish. It is when office coffee finally came into its own.

From Instant to Drip Brew

History is pretty clear on the evolution of coffee up through the start of the industrial era. This is where it gets a bit fuzzy. As best we can tell, office coffee became a thing in the years following World War II. That makes sense, given the big push toward industry and manufacturing. But office coffee in those days was instant coffee.

It was not until Starbucks came onto the scene in the 1970s that coffee providers realized they could install brewing equipment in customer offices to offer them the same high-quality technologically advanced equipment experience they got at the coffee house. Once the equipment started flowing, so did the coffee.

By the late 70s and early 80s, instant coffee in the office had been mostly replaced by drip brew. Coffee service providers like Galaxie Coffee started popping up all over the country. Advancements in technology led to better brewers, better coffees, and eventually the coffee pods we are also familiar with today.

Office Coffee is Still Evolving

It would be foolish for us to assume that office coffee is done evolving. It isn’t, and never will be. Our industry continues to innovate and change. We continually search for better beverages and more technologically advanced equipment.

If you are interested in learning about coffee service for your office, feel free to reach out to us. Galaxie Coffee is proud to serve the greater New York area with the finest beverages and best equipment in the industry.

Coffee and Alcohol: A Match Made in Heaven?

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We have entered that strange time of year when it is hard to decide between a hot cup of coffee and a cold beer. You love both; so much so that you cannot decide between one or the other. Why not have both. But together in the same beverage? Yes, you can.

You could make the case that coffee and alcohol are a match made in heaven. One gives you the kick of caffeine along with an aroma that is unmatched by any other beverage. The other gives you the deep, rich flavor of barley and hops combined in a perfect pairing. Together… well, watch out!

The Coffee Beer Revolution

The marriage between craft beer and coffee wasn’t on anyone’s radar 10 years ago. It is now. Go to any major city and dig around until you find a craft brewery. Chances are you will find an artisan coffee shop somewhere within reasonable proximity. You might even find the two establishments swapping beverages.

There are two ways to make a coffee beer. The first is to add ground coffee directly to a beer batch during the fermenting process. This gives the beer a very dark and robust flavor that really allows the coffee to do magical things. Different coffees can be used to achieve different flavors.

The other option is to add cold brew coffee to finished beer. This creates a more subtle taste that still allows the beer flavor to dominate the show. On the positive side, cold brew is not nearly as acidic as drip brew, so it doesn’t drastically alter the taste of beer.

Introducing the New Coffee Cocktails

Coffee cocktail drinks date back to the Irish coffees and white Russians of the 1950s and 60s. However, there is a new coffee cocktail scene emerging in the nation’s biggest cultural centers. Right here in New York for example, coffee cocktails are the hottest thing at upscale bars, nightclubs, and restaurants.

Talented mixologists are combining traditional coffee and espresso with alcoholic beverages like brandy, vodka, angostura bitters, hazelnut liqueur, and even absinthe. Some of these drinks will knock your socks off – and then some. They are the perfect way to finish off a great meal or prepare for the first round of hors d’oeuvres.

Not Just for Breakfast Anymore

We are not serving coffee beer or coffee cocktails here at Galaxie Coffee. No, we will stick with nonalcoholic beverages including the best coffees, teas, juices, and bottled water. In the meantime, remember that coffee is not just for breakfast anymore. It is appropriate anytime of the day and in a variety of forms – from classic drip brew to cold brew and coffee beers and cocktails.

Galaxie Coffee is proud to be an office coffee service leader throughout the greater New York area. Please contact us for more information about setting up service for your workplace. We supply both the beverages and equipment to make your office a happier, more delicious place to work.

What is the Best Time to Drink Your Coffee?

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We would be willing to wager that most of our customers utilizing traditional hot brew coffee machines get a fresh pot of coffee going first thing in the morning. Our single cup customers begin seeing the coffee capsules flying as soon as staff members start arriving for the day. With that said, here is a question: what is the best time of day to drink your coffee?

As strange as it sounds, the question is not random. It has been suggested drinking coffee first thing in the morning may not be the wisest choice if you are hoping to realize the maximum benefits from your beverage of choice. Waiting a few hours might be better.

Coffee, Caffeine, and Cortisol

Many studies have been done explaining the health benefits of drinking coffee. Some research indicates that getting the greatest health benefits out of coffee is likely influenced by the time of day you consume. Apparently, coffee consumption is best when cortisol levels in the body are low. The lower the cortisol, the better coffee is for you. The interesting thing is that the body starts producing cortisol the minute you wake up.

90 Minutes to Peak

It takes roughly 90 minutes from the time you wake up for cortisol levels to peak. So if you wake at 6:30, your body will peak somewhere between 8 and 9 a.m. Your body will then hit another peak somewhere between noon and 1 p.m., and then again between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., making each of these times perfect for that cup of office coffee.

The point here is that perhaps it is better to wait until after cortisol levels peak before having that first cup in the morning. Researchers suggest that consuming earlier not only reduces the benefits of coffee but could also make you more tired at the same time.

Great Coffee Any Time of Day

Thankfully, there is no right or wrong time to drink coffee. Even better is the fact that there are great coffees for any time of day. Start your workday with a great cup of hot brew as you plot and plan for the next eight hours. Grab a cold brew at lunch to complement the great sandwich you brought from home. Avoid ‘leaded’ in the afternoon so as to not keep yourself up at night, choosing a delicious decaf coffee instead.

We have them all here at Galaxie Coffee. Our product list includes dozens of different coffees for traditional equipment and the newest single-serve brewers. Along with great coffee, we also provide our customers the finest teas, juices, and bottled waters.

It looks like first thing in the morning is not the best time to drink coffee if you want to maximize its health benefits. Even so, any time of day is appropriate to enjoy a good cup of coffee just for what it is.

3 Interesting Facts About Paper Coffee Cups

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The paper coffee cup has almost all but replaced foam cups in many parts of the country. In New York City, a law passed in 2015 banned the use of foam food containers within city limits. Elsewhere, local and state leaders have taken steps to reduce the use of foam products by encouraging businesses to switch to alternatives.

Here at Galaxie Coffee, we are big fans of paper coffee cups. Our customers are too. In light of all that the paper coffee cup has done to reduce the amount of foam going into landfills, we thought it might be interesting to discuss three facts about paper coffee cups a lot of people don’t know.

1. They used to be sealed with clay or wax

Paper drinking cups have been around for quite a while. In fact, their roots can be traced back to the early 1900s and high rates of infection among schoolchildren and train station passengers who used community cups. The obvious need to put an end to those infections gave us single-use paper cups.

The first single-use paper cup was developed at the turn of the 20th century. Its success led to the Dixie cup’s introduction in 1908. Back then, paper cups were sealed with clay in order to make them waterproof.

Unfortunately, clay distorted the flavor of the beverage being consumed. It also caused problems with condensation on the exterior, leading manufacturers to transition to wax. Wax solved the flavor problem quite nicely. However, it didn’t do much for the condensation problem. So manufacturers kept looking for a better sealant.

2. They are now sealed with PE

Manufacturers eventually hit on the idea of sealing paper cups with a thin layer of polyethylene (PE). Because polyethylene is a plastic, it makes the inside of the cup waterproof and prevents significant condensation on the exterior. PE also holds up better than both wax and clay against hot liquids. Indeed, polyethylene paved the way for paper coffee cups that were unheard of before it was introduced.

As a side note, a new sealant was introduced in Finland in 2017. It is fully compostable and decomposes much more quickly than polyethylene. It also does not contaminate the recycling stream so there is no problem throwing paper coffee cups coated with this sealant in with other recyclable products.

3. They are often made with recycled paper

Finally, single-use paper coffee cups are often made from recycled paper. Manufacturers prefer virgin paper for any cup with a surface that comes in direct contact with food or liquid, but that’s not an issue for coffee cups sealed with polyethylene. That makes recycled paper a more attractive option.

Paper coffee cups are just one of the many products we provide customer throughout the greater New York area. For a complete list of our products and services, give us a call. One of our customer service representatives would be more than happy to discuss your office coffee needs with you.

5 Regions Whose Coffee You Should Try in 2019

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If you have ever heard someone speaking about the flavor notes of coffee and thought that person was just being snooty, think again. Snootiness may have been part of the equation, but coffees from different regions of the world do taste quite different from each other.

To this end, we encourage you to sample some brews from various regions around the world. If you can get beyond traditional American coffee, you realize that there is an entire range of subtleties and flavor notes that define what is arguably the world’s most popular beverage. To get you started, here are five regions whose coffees we recommend you try this year:

1. East Africa

The two most prolific coffee producers in East Africa are Ethiopia and Kenya. History suggests that Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, though that has never been conclusively proven. At any rate, Ethiopian coffee tends to be bold, full flavored, and rich with earthy notes. Kenyan coffee, by contrast, tends to be sharp and fruity. It also has a very rich aroma that sets it apart from other African coffees.

2. Central America

Guatemalan coffee is the most recognized coffee from Central America. Its rich, distinctive flavor comes from the volcanic soil the region is known for. Guatemalan coffee is deep and complex with a somewhat spicy flavor. If you are looking for something with medium body and more balance, try coffee from Costa Rica. A combination of regional weather and processing practices give this coffee a distinct flavor.

3. South America

Colombia and Brazil are two popular sources of South American coffees. In fact, Colombian coffee is considered in some circles as the standard by which all others are judged. Both regions are known for medium-bodied coffee with good balance and low acidity.

4. Asia

Though we do not normally associate Asia with high quality coffee, some exceptionally good coffees come from Indonesia and Vietnam. Indonesian coffees tend to be aged over time, resulting in medium body and low acid content. Coffee from Vietnam is mild, slightly acidic, and well-balanced. It is a frequent choice for blending.

5. Hawaii

Although Hawaii is a state rather than a region, no list of this sort would be complete without recommending Kona coffee. Kona is a uniquely Hawaiian coffee grown on the slopes of an active volcano. Hawaii’s climate provides natural cloud cover during the afternoon hours and just enough rain on a daily basis to create a rich, delicious flavor unlike anything else.

Needless to say that the regions listed in this post only scratch the surface. There are dozens of countries around the world where dedicated growers are producing some excellent beans. Just remember that processing, roasting, and blending all affect the overall taste of a cup of coffee.

If you would like more information about bringing coffee service to your office, feel free to contact us at your leisure. Galaxie Coffee is proud to serve the tri-state area with a fine selection of coffees, teas, and other beverage choices.

Galaxie’s Success Profiled by Automatic Vending

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Galaxie's Success Profiled by Automatic VendingIt has been said that the best kind of attention in business is positive attention from others in the same industry. If it’s true, and we believe it is, that makes it all the more special that Galaxie Coffee was recently profiled by Automatic Vending in an excellent article written by Emily Refermat. Our thanks go out to Emily and the entire Automatic Vending staff.

Automatic Vending is a digital and print magazine devoted to the retail vending and beverage sectors. It is one of the most respected publications in the industry, making it all that more important that they chose to profile our company. Through Refermat’s writing, we were able to tell the Galaxie story in a way that we hope will inspire our customers, our employees, and other entrepreneurs who are not sure they have what it takes to succeed.

Built from the Ground Up

Galaxie CEO Ed Seidenberg provided most of the information for the article. He began by explaining that our company was built from the ground up by five partners who started Galaxie way back in 1969. Back then, office coffee service was in its infancy. Galaxie’s original staff was tasked with the difficult job of convincing employers to give up their coffee clubs in favor of weekly coffee delivery from a managed provider.

Those early days were not easy, but the company maintained steady growth by offering quality along with convenience. Over the next 30 years Galaxie expanded from a small facility in Massapequa to a larger facility in West Babylon, and then on to our Farmingdale headquarters. What started as a business serving a small number of customers in the Massapequa area eventually became one that services all of the greater New York metro and beyond.

It is About Quality and Variety

Ed was quick to point out that two of the keys to our success have been quality and variety. Quality has always been our number one priority, whether we sell drip coffee, single cup pods, bottled water, or juices. We want our customers to choose Galaxie because the coffee and other beverages we supply are delicious. That commitment to quality is one of the things that has allowed us to leverage our own branded coffees to such a large degree.

In retail, variety also helps a lot. So over the years, we have acquired a number of competing coffee companies along with a janitorial supply company. The combined acquisitions have allowed us to expand our product inventory considerably. Today we not only deliver coffee, but we also carry a full line of additional beverages along with breakroom paper products and janitorial supplies.

After 50 years of steady growth and success, Galaxie Coffee is still a family affair. Ed’s wife is part of the business, as are Neil Robbins – the son of one of the company’s original partners – and his two sons. Their vision and leadership are that which motivate us to continue working hard on behalf of our customers.

Embrace the Winter Season with Traditional Drip Coffee

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Coffee trends come and go with the passing seasons. But if you stop and think about it, you come to the realization that traditional drip coffee has withstood the test of time. While other fads fade away with waning consumer trends, traditional drip coffee continues to be served at home, in offices, and at nearly every restaurant and café in the U.S.

We think that winter is a great season to get back to traditional drip coffee. In fact, setting aside those cold coffee drinks and designer concoctions with strange names in favor of drip coffee is a wonderful way to embrace this time of year.

Old School Brew

There is no doubt that drip coffee is definitely old school. Slow drip brewing dates back to the early days of pour-overs and stove-top percolators. It is what we Americans grew up on, at least where coffee is concerned. But here’s the thing: being old-school doesn’t mean drip brewing gives you inferior coffee.

We have a tendency to think that anything old is not as good as newer alternatives. That is not necessarily true. Traditional drip coffee is not better or worse than any other kind of coffee. It is just different. And yes, it’s still very good. A delicious cup of old-school drip coffee is a perfect way to start the day or finish off a meal.

Secrets to Great Traditional Drip Coffee

It has been our experience that one of the reasons traditional drip coffee has such a bad reputation is that we have lost the skill of making and storing it correctly. It is like anything else. Without the skill and knowledge, you do not produce the same quality.

Great drip coffee starts with the right water temperature. Ideally, drip machines should heat water to somewhere between 195 and 205°F. If the water is too cold, it will not extract enough of the ground coffee’s oil to give you the full-bodied flavor you want. If it is too hot – particularly if it’s boiling – the water will burn the coffee.

Once coffee is brewed, it should be placed in an insulated carafe or a thermos. As you know, leaving coffee on a hot plate or burner ruins the flavor in short order. Why? Because the high heat burns the coffee. Along those same lines, traditional drip coffee should be consumed within a couple of hours. If it’s not, and you put it in the refrigerator overnight, reheating it in the morning will drastically change its flavor.

Galaxie Coffee and Brewers

Are you looking for something to get you and your office through the last few weeks of winter? If so, we invite you to embrace a good cup of traditional drip coffee. Here at Galaxie Coffee, we have both the coffee and brewers you need to equip your office.

Winter is the best time of year for traditional drip coffee. The coffee is hot, delicious, and very comforting. For more information about adding coffee service to your office, contact us today.

Why Coffee Should Be Part of Your New Year’s Resolution Diet

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It will not be long before we start thinking about those annual New Year’s resolutions. No doubt there are a lot of very good things we can resolve to do in the coming year. For some of us, 2019 resolutions will involve embracing a healthier diet. Coffee should be part of any such diet.

Over the years, we have documented many of the benefits that come from consuming moderate amounts of coffee on a regular basis. We will do so again in this post.

Coffee Contains Bioactive Compounds

According to a 2017 report published by the New England Journal of Medicine, coffee contains more than 1,000 bioactive compounds, many of which offer potential health benefits. A bioactive compound is a compound found in food that has a direct action on the person or animal consuming it. We obviously want to consume those compounds that generate a positive action.

Coffee Consumption Reduces Some Health Risks

That same New England Journal of Medicine report documented how regular coffee consumption reduces the risks of certain medical conditions. The report also stated that “coffee consumption… was associated more often with benefit than with harm.”

The report went on to say that regular coffee consumption reduces the risks of:

  • cardiovascular disease and death
  • some cancers (e.g. melanoma, prostate cancer, liver cancer)
  • neurological diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s disease)
  • type II diabetes
  • hepatic cirrhosis.

The report also mentions “other diseases” without specifying them. The long and short of it is that the bioactive compounds found in coffee are generally good for human health when coffee is consumed in moderate amounts. The report defines moderation as 3 to 4 cups per day.

Coffee and Alzheimer’s Disease

Regular coffee consumption has been linked with a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. According to one 2010 study from Finland, drinking 3-5 cups of caffeinated coffee per day in middle age could reduce the Alzheimer’s risk by up to 65% later in life. Though scientists are not sure why, they suspect it has something to do with the stimulating effects of caffeine.

It is a Great Substitute

It can be hard to find good beverages to support a healthy diet if you are not a big fan of drinking water throughout the day. Yes, you still need to consume healthy amounts of water, but what else do you drink? Coffee is an excellent substitute for diet sodas, high-sugar fruit drinks, and even energy drinks.

A cup of black coffee has absolutely no sugar and only about 2.4 calories per cup. As long as you don’t add sugar or high-calorie creamer, coffee is the perfect diet drink.

Drink It Hot or Cold

Finally, coffee is an all-purpose drink for dieters because it can be consumed either hot or cold. Drink it hot in the morning and cold in the afternoon. And by the way, cold brew coffee is a lot less bitter than a traditional hot brew. Many people find cold brew very satisfying without the need for any added flavorings.

We are obviously huge fans of coffee here at Galaxie Coffee. If we can help you make coffee a bigger part of your New Year’s resolution diet, please let us know. We would be happy to equip your office with state-of-the-art brewing equipment and a variety of delicious coffees and teas.

Coffee Statistics – December 2018

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Coffee Statistics - December 2018

Why Pumpkin Spice Is So Popular: It is All about Comfort

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It is that time of year again when pumpkin spice coffees are all the rage. And no, we are not just talking about coffee shop menus. Even our customers tend to show preference for pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and other fall flavors as we turn the page from summer into winter. The question is, why?

There is little doubt that America’s taste preferences change with the seasons. The thing is that we associate certain flavors with certain times of the year. For example, we associate certain foods with temperature changes and leisure activities. So it should be no surprise that what we drink this time of year differs from what we drink in the summer.

Fall and Winter Comfort

You are familiar with the principle of comfort food, right? We all have those foods that remind us of youthful times of safety and security under the watchful eyes of mom and dad. We associate comfort food with mom’s cooking or visits to grandmother’s house. Well, it turns out that the same phenomenon explains why people gravitate to flavors like pumpkin spice during the fall.

Mintel research released in 2017 says it all. According to their data, people prefer seasonal coffee flavors for the following reasons:

  • They are comforting – 39%
  • They are special – 39%
  • They evoke feelings of warmth – 33%
  • They evoke feelings of happiness – 30%
  • They are nostalgic – 27%.

It is clear that seasonal flavors like pumpkin spice evoke good feelings in people. Those are the kinds of feelings we want heading into that time of year that is supposed to be about family, friends, and quality time spent together.

The Next Big Flavor

The National Coffee Association says that pumpkin, cinnamon, and clove are the three big coffee flavors of autumn. By the time Christmas rolls around, it’s all about chestnut, peppermint, and winter spice. But curious minds want to know what the next big seasonal flavor is going to be.

At the risk of putting ourselves out there, we are willing to make two predictions. We think hot apple cider is going to be big by this time next year. We are already seeing a couple of coffee retailers experiment with the flavor for pod machines. We think it’s going to catch on. As for winter and Christmas, we have our eyes set on butterscotch.

Butterscotch is a sweet candy flavor that is often served alongside peppermint. Strangely enough, there are people whose stomachs don’t tolerate mint flavors very well. Butterscotch is going to be their go-to coffee flavor soon enough. If not this winter, then next winter.

Seasonal coffee is all about comfort. We take great comfort in the tastes of the season that remind us of earlier days. And for some of us, pumpkin spice makes us feel all warm and fuzzy. That’s why it’s all the rage from early October through early December. If it’s what you want, just let us know. Galaxie Coffee has all the flavors perfect for the season.

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