Hot Beverage

Is There an Art to Drinking Black Coffee?

March 12, 2018 by galaxie • Beverages, Coffee, Hot Beverage • Tags: beverages, Black Coffee, Coffee, Hot Beverage • 0 Comments

Is There an Art to Drinking Black Coffee? If you are like most of us, you know many people who drink coffee black. That person might tell you that his or her preference for black coffee is an acquired taste, as though drinking coffee without cream and sugar is like drinking the finest wines from the Bordeaux region of France. But do not be fooled. There is an art to drinking black coffee without being overcome by the bitterness.

The first thing to note is that black coffee does have a very unique flavor. If you can get past the bitterness, the flavor is unlike anything else you’ve ever tasted. You will experience something truly different that is unmasked by cream and sugar. And by the way, that’s the real point of learning the art of drinking black coffee.

Bring Out the Flavor of Coffee

The idea behind adding cream and sugar is to cover the bitterness coffee naturally presents. But in so doing, you are also masking the good part of coffee’s flavor. So a big part of the art of drinking coffee black is to find a way around the bitterness without masking what you like about the flavor. It is all about enhancing the good flavors. You need to be patient and give yourself a chance to get used to the taste. After a short period of time, you’ll begin to taste and enjoy the different nuances of each type of coffee.

Hot vs. Cold Brew

You may wonder what all the hype about cold brew coffee is. Well, it’s not just a millennial thing. Cold brew coffee is decidedly less bitter. It is even somewhat sweet. As a result, there are people who enjoy it without any additives whatsoever. You get all the flavor and benefits of coffee without the extra cream and sugar. And yes, you can heat cold brew up in the microwave without increasing the bitterness.

On the other side of the coin, do not try to make hot coffee and then put it in the refrigerator expecting the bitterness to go away. This actually increases its bitterness. Hot brewed coffee is bitter because the hot water brings out the bitterness of the coffee beans along with the oils that give coffee its flavor.

As a side note, a big part of the art of drinking black coffee is to sip slowly. Big gulps only make a bitter brew seem more bitter. Instead, take slow sips and savor the flavor. Let it roll around the tongue to touch the entire pallet. That is where the good flavors are discovered.

Want to enjoy coffee like the Italians? This infographic shows you how

January 3, 2018 by galaxie • Beverages, Coffee, Hot Beverage • Tags: beverages, Coffee, Hot Beverage • 0 Comments

Throughout their history, Italians have developed quite a unique coffee culture. It has been refined over the centuries, and it has not been very much receptive to outside influences.

Today that culture is evident in the everyday rituals of enjoying coffee in Italian bars, cafes and homes. And the sheer number of different types coffee drinks displays their imagination and art when it comes to preparing and enjoying this popular drink.

There is a long list of unwritten rules in how Italians consume coffee. To make your life easier and help you avoid the awkward “tourist” label, Med Cruise Guide created an infographic showing the key 10 coffee drinking rules in Italy.

For example, try and order a cappuccino after 11 am in any bar in Italy, and you’ll get that stare that says that you have caused an international incident. That’s because Italians drink “milky coffees” like cappuccino in the morning, with pastry. The milk slows down digestion, so you should not have it after 11 am.

Or ask for a take-away coffee at a café. You’ll get that stare again. The rule says: no take away coffee in Italy.

Explore the infographic below and learn about the ten rules of coffee drinking in Italy.

Take Anything…But My Coffee

February 28, 2017 by galaxie • Coffee, Hot Beverage • Tags: Coffee, Health, Hot Beverage • 0 Comments

Take Anything…But My Coffee Governments imposing bans on certain foods in order to protect us from ourselves is not all that unusual. From New York’s trans-fat ban to California’s ban on foie gras (which was later rescinded), the food police are a group that never seems to sleep. But coffee? Why would anyone try to ban what is arguably the most loved beverage in the universe?

Believe it or not, coffee has been the subject of numerous ban attempts in the past. According to writer and comedian Emmy Blotnick, there have been no fewer than five such incidents throughout history. We appreciate that none of them actually succeeded long-term. You can take away a lot of things, but please don’t take our coffee.

From Religion to Health Concerns

Knowing that a government would attempt to ban coffee is one thing, understanding why such a ban would be considered is something else entirely. Keep in mind that coffee consumption began primarily as a religious practice in Africa and the Middle East. That leads us to the first known coffee man put in place in Mecca during the early 16th century. The government at the time believed that coffee was potentially intoxicating and could lead to radical thinking that drifted outside religious norms.

There were also religious concerns about coffee when it first arrived in Europe. Church leaders attempted to convince Pope Clement VIII to ban it under the auspices of protecting the church and its members. They claimed that coffee was satanic in nature. However, the pope disagreed after trying some himself. His declaration that coffee was delicious is partly credited for its widespread acceptance across Europe.

Other coffee bans throughout history include a 1623 action in Constantinople by Murad IV, a mid-18th-century action in Sweden that banned both coffee and coffee paraphernalia, and a 1777 action by Prussia’s Frederick the Great. Of the five attempted coffee bans listed here, only the Prussian ban was not related to religion or health. Frederick wanted to get rid of the caffeinated beverage because he believed it got in the way of beer consumption.

What You Don’t Know Will Kill You

Sometimes, what you don’t know can kill you. That’s not the case with coffee. A lack of understanding about caffeine in centuries past led governments and scientists to make decisions about coffee that were totally unfounded. It’s very similar to absinthe bans of the last few centuries.

Coffee is a beverage that is both delicious and good for you when consumed in moderation. So go ahead and take anything you want, except our coffee.

Without stating the obvious, Galaxie Coffee loves coffee, which is why we do what we do. We serve the greater New York area with the finest coffees, teas and other beverages along with a full range of breakroom products. We will continue to do so as long as coffee remains legal in this part of the world – which should be forever. Contact us for more information about arranging coffee service for your office.

Give Me a Large, Black Coffee

February 14, 2017 by galaxie • Coffee, Hot Beverage • Tags: Coffee, Hot Beverage, Iced Coffee, Las Vegas • 0 Comments

“Give me a large, black coffee.”

Those immortal words pass through the lips of countless numbers of consumers every single morning. As the largest consumers of coffee in the world, we Americans seem to thrive on that caffeinated beverage known by dozens of different names including java, joe, wake-up juice, jitter juice and rocket fuel. And given our penchant to overdo things – think big hair in the 1980s – it would seem that we should hold the world record for the largest cup of coffee. But guess what? We don’t.

The record for the largest cup of coffee in the world goes to none other than South Korea. The Guinness Book of World Records credits South Korea’s Caffee Bene with creating a gigantic mug holding 3,758 gallons of the hot beverage in 2014. You can see pictures of the cup flanked by a comparatively petite woman, whom we assume may have been a barista, just to show how big it actually is.

Imagine having that coffee cup sitting on your desk at work. You would never need to take another trip to the coffee machine again. You may never sleep again either. More than 3,700 gallons of coffee would keep you going for a heck of a long time.

Iced Coffee in Las Vegas

The good folks in South Korea may have created the largest cup of hot coffee in the world, but an American company holds the world record for the largest iced coffee in the world. Their record was set in 2010 at the Mandalay Resort in Las Vegas. The Guinness Book of World Records says the GourmetGiftBaskets.com cup contained 1,500 gallons of iced coffee chilled to a delicious 45 degrees.

Las Vegas is known for going big in just about everything. For them, ‘over-the-top’ isn’t a phrase that’s used sparingly. So walking down the Strip and encountering a 1,500-gallon cup of iced coffee was probably not all that unusual at the time it occurred. For the rest of us, though, that’s a lot of cold joe.

It’s All Good

Whether you are talking about the largest cup of coffee, the biggest coffee pyramid in the world or the most extensive collection of coffee pots in a single location, it’s all good. It’s all good because it’s all coffee. It’s hard to go wrong with that little brown bean that, scientifically speaking, is actually a berry.

Our hats are off to the good people in South Korea and Las Vegas who saw fit to brew thousands of gallons of coffee just to set a record. They made a lot of people happy – particularly those who were fortunate enough to drink the cups dry after the records were officially set.

Here at Galaxie Coffee, we don’t have a 3,700-gallon cup to offer you. But we do have a fine selection of coffees, teas, and other beverages that we can deliver right to your office. We are happy to cover the entire greater New York area and beyond.

Top 10 Health Benefits of Coffee

December 28, 2016 by galaxie • Coffee, Hot Beverage • Tags: Coffee, Health Benefits, Top 10 • 0 Comments

Top 10 Health Benefits of Coffee There has been plenty of debate over whether coffee is a beverage we should be drinking. A group of studies back in the 70s had many people convinced that coffee was responsible for a whole litany of health problems while studies conducted in the 80s and 90s contradicted their predecessors. Today we have a much larger body of evidence from which to draw. The evidence shows that, while there may be some negative health effects of drinking too much coffee, consuming America’s favorite hot beverage in moderation is actually good for you.

Here are the top 10 health benefits of coffee, taken from a list of 19 benefits published by Caffeine Informer. Each of these items is documented on their website via links to scientific studies.

1. Greater Longevity – Numerous studies from Japan, Greece and the U.S. demonstrate that moderate coffee consumption increases longevity by reducing the risk of premature death due to certain diseases.

2. Reduced Risk of Death by Heart Attack – People who consume two or more cups of coffee daily following a heart attack have a lower risk of dying from a future heart attack.

3. Reduced Risk of Cancer – Studies have shown that moderate coffee consumption can reduce the risk of several different kinds of cancer including colorectal cancer, liver cancer, and melanoma.

4. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Protection – Coffee drinkers are at lower risk for developing both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

5. Lower Risk of Depression and Suicide – Studies of tens of thousands of subjects demonstrate fewer incidents of depression and suicide among moderate coffee drinkers.

6. Lower Risk of Diabetes – People who drink six or more cups of coffee per day are 22% less likely to develop type II diabetes.

7. Protection against Cirrhosis – Coffee drinkers tend to have lower liver enzyme levels, thus promoting a lower risk of developing cirrhosis.

8. Lower Risk of Heart Disease – A Korean study showed that moderate coffee drinkers are less likely to exhibit warning signs of heart disease.

9. Better Oral Health – Research from Brazil found that strong, black coffee may prevent cavities by killing oral bacteria. A U.S. study tracking men over 30 years suggests that coffee has a protective benefit for oral health.

10. Pain Relief – Studies have shown that moderate coffee consumption can reduce muscle pain caused by physical exertion.

Black Coffee Is Best

It should be noted that the majority of the studies involved black coffee. In other words, adding cream and sugar to your daily cup may negate some of its health benefits. Oral health is but one example. While coffee may kill oral bacteria, cream and sugar still promote tooth decay.

Coffee has proven to be good for you if consumed in moderation. If you drink coffee for its health benefits, you now have ten more things to consider. If you drink it just because you like it, that’s okay too. At Galaxie Coffee, it’s all good to us. We’re in the coffee business because we love coffee.

Workplace Trends: Collaborating Around the Coffee Machine

December 14, 2016 by galaxie • Coffee, Hot Beverage • Tags: Coffee, Coffee Machine, Collaborating, Trends, Workplace • 0 Comments

Workplace Trends: Collaborating Around the Coffee Machine Are you familiar with the old image of co-workers meeting around the water cooler to discuss office politics? Well, that image may or may not be accurate. One thing we do know is that workers tend to achieve their best collaborative efforts away from their desks. They do their best when collaborating around the coffee machine or in the company break room.

A 2014 study conducted by Harris Poll showed that 89% of America’s workers believe that a good cup of coffee can make the difference in how well the day goes. Approximately 84% believe that good office coffee is an important perk while nearly 20% believe they do their best collaborative work around the coffee machine.

The strength of coffee as a collaborative motivator comes from the social aspects of consuming the beverage. Simply put, coffee drinking is a social experience that is generally free from outside pressures. And when workers don’t feel pressured to perform, they actually tend to perform better. Getting out of the cubicle and into a more relaxed space promotes greater creativity, freer thinking, and more willingness to look for input from others.

Redesigning Break Room Space

Having a dedicated area in the office where the coffee machine is located is one thing, but having break room space separate from the office itself is even better. A 2013 survey from Gensler revealed that only 25% of America’s workers believe their workplace environment lends itself well to productivity. Among the chief complaints is a lack of space where workers can meet to collaborate.

That same Gensler study revealed that giving employees a say in the kind of space they want for collaboration often results in redesigning break rooms to allow for gatherings of groups of employees while they share a cup of coffee and a snack. Think space that is more of a lounge than the cafeteria.

It turns out that collaboration works better in a relaxed lounge environment than a meeting room or that open floor space at the end of the office. People collaborate best in spaces where they feel relaxed and ‘away from it all’.

Companies willing to honestly look at the data are now making their employee break rooms and lounges the central meeting space for collaborative efforts. They are completely redoing these spaces to make them less institutional and more inviting – and they are reaping the rewards of doing so. Employees gathering in these less formal spaces are doing their best work.

Galaxie Coffee Can Help

Here at Galaxie Coffee, we provide office coffee throughout the greater New York metropolitan area. Our years of experience serving some of the best companies in the region makes us a perfect choice for helping you create the ideal collaborative space. Galaxie can provide the equipment, beverages and break room supplies you need to fully stock your collaborative space. Let us help you create the optimal environment for your employees with high-quality coffees, teas and other beverages.

Coffee, Espresso, Cappuccino, and Latte: What are the Differences?

November 22, 2016 by galaxie • Coffee, Hot Beverage • Tags: Cappuccino, Coffee, Espresso, Hot Beverage, Latte • 0 Comments

Coffee, Espresso, Cappuccino, and Latte: What are the Differences? Your daily stop at the coffee shop on the way to work presents you with a myriad of choices. The menu board screams for your attention as you try to sort out just what you want. You can choose coffee, espresso, cappuccino or your favorite latte. But more often than not, you find yourself wondering what the differences are between them.

The retail coffee industry has become unnecessarily complicated due to a lack of information about the different kinds of coffee drinks. In an effort to make it as simple as possible, here’s a brief rundown. Our explanations are intended only to be a generic guide; we may differ from other companies in the coffee industry in terms of the details.

Coffee

The term ‘coffee’ is generally a generic term that covers any hot beverage made with roasted coffee beans. However, the term is a bit more specific here in America. Our ‘American coffee’ tends to be a beverage created with Arabica coffee and extremely hot water.

Roasted coffee is placed in some sort of basket over which hot water is poured for the purposes of extracting the oil in the roasted beans. Coffee can also be cold brewed or made with a French press. Americans tend to drink this standard form of coffee with cream and sweetener added.

Espresso

Espresso drinks can be made with the same roasted coffee products American coffee is made with. The primary difference is the concentration. To make espresso properly, ground coffee must be compacted tightly into its receptacle before hot water is forced through. This brewing method increases the strength and flavor significantly. As a result, a good espresso tends to be made with higher quality coffee beans. The flavor of inferior coffee is hard to hide in an espresso drink.

Cappuccino

Cappuccino is a beverage that is made with a combination of espresso and milk. Milk is steamed in order to create a frothy liquid with about twice the volume of regular milk. This creates the foam cappuccino beverages are known for. Also important to note is that cappuccino begins with equal portions of espresso and milk. This preserves the flavor of the coffee to a greater degree than a standard latte.

Latte

Latte is also a beverage made with espresso and milk. Its unique characteristic is that it starts with twice as much milk. The milk is heated but not frothed, so latte drinks don’t tend to be as foamy. Both milk and espresso are combined simultaneously in a serving cup to create a rich and creamy beverage. Any excess foam resulting from heating the milk may be poured over the top of the latte for artistic effect.

Now you know the differences between coffee, espresso, cappuccino and latte. If you are interested in coffee and beverage service for your office, please feel free to contact Galaxie Coffee. We provide a full range of coffee and tea products along with fruit juices and other beverages.

3 Reasons Coffee Is the Hot Beverage of Choice for Office Workers

September 19, 2016 by galaxie • Coffee, Hot Beverage • Tags: Coffee, Galaxie Coffee, Hot Beverage • 0 Comments

The average American office is staffed with an army of workers who can be seen filing in every morning with coffee cups in hand. Those same workers head to the break room for a refill at midmorning, and then again in the middle of the afternoon. Some of them will never let their cups get empty. But why? Why is it that coffee continues to stand as the hot beverage of choice for office workers?

Tea and hot chocolate are definitely gaining some momentum in the modern office. Still, coffee remains the favorite hot beverage. From our experience as a provider of office coffee service, we believe there are three reasons for this:

1. Caffeine Keeps You Going

It is no secret that caffeine is one of the most used stimulants in the world. It is a largely harmless substance that can keep workers going throughout the day without interrupting their workflow. Just enjoy a cup of coffee every couple of hours and you are good to go.

The caffeine in coffee also helps office workers remain alert in an environment that can easily lead to monotony and boredom. Those of you who stare at computer screens all day know exactly what we are talking about. Every now and again you just need a jolt of caffeine to refocus your eyes and mind.

2. Coffee Is a Social Beverage

The office environment is one that can feel isolating despite the fact that there might be dozens of workers in the same space throughout the day. Anyone who works in a cubicle knows what this is like. Coffee acts as an escape by providing a good reason to get out of the cubicle and interact with coworkers.

Coffee is a social beverage that encourages people to spend time with one another. Even if it’s just 15 or 20 minutes in the morning or afternoon, gathering around the coffee machine with your coworkers can really make a difference in how the day goes. For that alone, companies owe a lot to their coffee machines and break rooms.

3. Coffee Improves Productivity

A 2010 MIT study showed that the concept of the coffee break improves productivity among office workers. Even without the study, office managers have been aware for years that providing free coffee to workers is a small thing that goes a long way toward boosting performance. That is why they do it. And because employers are offering the coffee for free, workers are more than happy to drink it.

Coffee continues to be the favorite hot beverage among America’s offers workers. Here at Galaxie Coffee, we are thrilled to be able to provide industry-leading coffee service in the greater New York area. We know how much office workers depend on coffee throughout the workday, and we strive to offer only the best products combined with great prices and excellent service. Do not hesitate to contact us to learn more about our products and services.

Worldwide Hot Beverage Growth Remains Positive

July 25, 2016 by charles • Coffee, Hot Beverage, Tea • Tags: Coffee, Galaxie Coffee, hot beverages, tea • 0 Comments

Worldwide Hot Beverage Growth Remains Positive Economic malaise tends to affect every sector of the retail environment. When people have less money to spend, they buy fewer goods that are not absolute necessities. Fortunately for the hot beverage industry, people still consider things such as coffee and tea as daily necessities. Hot beverage growth around the world remains positive – even in geographic regions where other industries have stagnated.

Every year, Euromonitor International publishes a comprehensive report outlining how well the hot beverage industry is doing. Their 2015 report was very positive. Not only are hot beverages continuing to enjoy a modest growth year after year, but consumers are becoming even more specific in the kinds of coffee and tea drinks they are looking for.

Below is a snapshot of some of the most important data from the 2015 Euromonitor report:

Overall Growth – After peaking in 2010, the hot beverage industry has been attempting to recover from two-and-a-half years of lower volume and market value between 2011 and 2013. In 2015, overall growth rose 7% in off-trade value fueled primarily by hot tea. Also performing very well were malt-based hot drinks and certain coffees and teas that are deemed healthier.
Strongest Markets – The strongest market for growth in 2015 for both coffee and tea was China. Their astonishing 5% growth was completely unexpected. Rounding out the top five were Brazil, the U.S., India, and Germany.
Coffee Affordability – Data shows that coffee continues to do very well even in countries still suffering economically, primarily because it is so affordable. Brazil is a great example. Because Brazilian growers produce almost all of the coffee consumed in their country, growth continues even without hefty exports and a strong overall economy.
Total Consumption – The 2015 data suggests that top line volume consumption of hot beverages should remain stable or grow slightly through 2016. Between now and 2020, indicators suggest additional growth of at least 3%.

Maturing Consumer Preferences

While growth in the hot tea category is being driven mainly by consumers looking for healthier alternatives, growth in coffee is still being dictated by the pod concept. Worldwide, coffee pods grew by 13% in 2015 – mainly due to the American preference for single cup brewers. However, ‘third wave’ coffee is coming on strong.

Think of third wave coffee as the hot beverage equivalent of micro-brewed beer. Craft coffees are enjoying very robust growth in the U.S., the UK, and Japan particularly. These new kinds of coffees are addressing the consumer’s desire for better tasting coffee that can be enjoyed in the same way as a fine wine or gourmet chocolate.

Hot beverages continue to be popular around the world regardless of geographic region or economic status. That is a good thing for us, being that we proudly serve the greater New York area with the region’s finest hot and cold beverage service. We hope you will consider Galaxie Coffee as your beverage service provider. We would welcome the opportunity to serve you and your staff.

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