tea

6 Current Cold Beverage Trends in America

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This is the time of year when a lot of us limit hot coffee consumption to just one or two cups in the morning. Whether it’s a physical thing or something mental, we tend to prefer cold drinks during the summer. That means this is also the time of year when a little observation is all it takes to identify the hottest trends in cold beverages.

This summer season is no exception. Take a step back and look around. You will see more people consuming cold beverages instead of hot coffee. Here are six that are trendy right now:

1-2. Cold Brew Coffee and Tea

Cold brew coffee has been around for decades. However, it didn’t become popular in America until just a few years ago. It is now one of the most preferred cold beverages among coffee and tea drinkers. Cold brew coffee offers all the flavor of its hot cousin but with less bitterness. Some people have described it as naturally sweeter than hot coffee.

Not to be outdone, tea drinkers have their own cold brew concoction. Cold brew tea is made the same way cold brew coffee is. You take your tea leaves (or tea bags as the case may be) and steep them in cold or room temperature water for up to 12 hours. Then serve it with ice and just a touch of lemon for some extra zing.

3-4. Seltzer and Flavored Seltzer

Whether you call it fizzy water, carbonated water, or seltzer, it’s all the same. The point is that seltzer is one of the hottest trends in cold beverages right now. People who love water because it is sugar, salt, and calorie-free also love seltzer because of the extra punch carbonation adds.

Flavored seltzer is also popular. And why not? If you can add a touch of fruit flavor to carbonated water without overloading it with sugar and calories, you make a great product even better.

5. Vat-Pasteurized Milk

Milk is making a comeback thanks to a new vat pasteurization process that replaces heat pasteurization and homogenization. Vat-pasteurized milk is more flavorful, according to those who love it. It is also heavy on the cream. That’s why you’re supposed to shake vat pasteurized milk aggressively before you actually drink it.

6. Cold Pressed Juices

Finally, cold pressed juices are a big hit among fruit and vegetable lovers. Cold pressed juices have been around for decades, but they started gaining traction about five years ago. What’s the appeal? Flavor.

Cold pressing extracts the most fruit or vegetable juice without the added debris created by single auger and centrifugal juicing. Furthermore, cold pressed juices can be safely refrigerated for 5 to 7 days without the need for flavor-killing pasteurization or high-pressure processing.

This is the time of year when a cold drink can be even more refreshing than a cup of hot coffee. What’s your favorite cold beverage? Perhaps we carry it here at Galaxie Coffee.

Who Is More Particular: The Coffee or Tea Drinker?

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Who Is More Particular: The Coffee or Tea Drinker?Coffee and tea are like two heavyweights duking it out in the hot beverage ring. But this is one fight that will never be won by knockout. The winner will be determined by a vote of the judges which, it just so happens, are consumers. So who is more particular, coffee or tea drinkers?

The answer depends on who you ask. Your average coffee drinker will say he/she is far more particular than a tea drinker. The average tea drinker would respond with his/her firmly held belief that his/her comrades are much more discerning – which is why they drink tea to begin with.

Measuring by Consumption

Determining how particular consumers are based on consumption volume is a virtual draw. Data published by Indy 100 in 2016 shows the world pretty evenly split. Coffee is preferred throughout the Western Hemisphere as well as Western Europe – with the exception of England – while tea is the preferred drink in Eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Consumption volume alone does not tell us much about which kind of drinker is more fussy. So let us move on to other measurements: the number of choices and public opinion.

Number of Choices

If we measure the particularness of hot beverage drinkers based on the number of choices in the marketplace, coffee would win hands down. Just go into any urban coffee shop and have a look at the menu. You will find straight black coffee, decaf coffee, and dozens of different lattes, frappes, espresso drinks, and so forth. Even more amazing is the fact that you can have five coffee shops within a few blocks that all have different menus.

This isn’t to say that tea only comes in one flavor; it does not. However, it is rare to see tea drinkers be so specific about what they put in their tea. Coffee drinkers obsess over creamers, syrups, and other additives. If the local barista doesn’t get the flavor combination just right, there could be hell to pay.

Vocal Opinions

A measurement of who is more fussy comes down in favor of tea drinkers when based on public opinion, particularly opinions found on the internet. For example, a blog post published by Seven Seas Tea in May 2016 says it all in the title: ‘Are Tea Drinkers Too Fussy?’

Author Margaret River makes the case that tea drinkers who are not particular about what they get in a restaurant should start being fussier. She makes the case that they should begin demanding as much quality and variety as their coffee-drinking counterparts.

In the end, whether you are particular about your coffee or tea is entirely your prerogative. Our goal at Galaxie Coffee is to make sure you have just what you want in your break room or office. If you have ever considered coffee service for your staff, please give us a call. We would be happy to explain how our service works and how you and your organization can benefit from it.

Greetings from the CTW Trade Show

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I recently attended an industry trade show in Grapevine, Texas. The show is called CTW and is devoted to coffee, tea and water. It is a smaller focused event, when compared with the annual NAMA show which is more focused on the vending industry. CTW offers many hours of education seminars and 5 hours of floor exhibit time.

Last year the show was in Nashville, TN. There were significantly more exhibitors and attendees last year. Perhaps this was due to the location. I attend these trade shows for three reasons: 1) to learn from others in the industry and 2) walk the trade show floor to learn about new products and 3) re-connect with our suppliers and old friends. I always have an agenda of new items I’m specifically looking for.

There were few new products unveiled at this year’s show. Pods and bean-to-cup brewers continue to build momentum in the office coffee sector. Now that pod brewers are reliable, the floodgates have opened and roasters who offer pods are enjoying their success. When we see a moderately priced automatic pod brewer, pod usage will significantly increase and take market share. Bean-to-cup brewers are an excellent option for larger offices that can accommodate the necessary height and the daily maintenance required. Keurig is still a good option for many offices and there are now effective k-cup recycling options. Many offices are now offering espresso as an afternoon pick-me-up. There are excellent choices in espresso machines, even for small offices.

With respect to water options, coolers that attach to the building’s water supply dominate the office environment. Bottle coolers and 5 gallon jugs are still popular in offices with no water source or where the town’s water is deemed problematic. Look for new products that combine a bottle cooler and a pod brewer and a bottle cooler and a Lavit beverage system. The Lavit beverge system combines a high end water cooler (still and sparkling water) and other beverages. Now the Lavit can tie into the building’s water supply or easily use 5 gallon jugs. Any office buying a few cases of soda during the month should look closely at the Lavit system.

The last change in the industry I will discuss today is the movement to eco-friendly products. Hot cups, plates and cutlery are now very close in price to their non eco-friendly counterparts. The time is right for corporate America to switch over to these products. We are taking the lead on this movement and have narrowed the price gap to virtually nothing.

If you are not yet a Galaxie Coffee customer, we would like the opportunity to change that. We are one of the leading coffee service providers in the greater New York area. We can supply your office, warehouse, store, or industrial facility with the finest hot and cold beverages and break room supplies. Our inventory of coffee and water equipment includes all the latest technologies to ensure every break room experience is a positive one.

Does Offering Coffee and Tea Increase Employee Engagement?

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Does Offering Coffee and Tea Increase Employee EngagementYou have been thinking about calling Galaxie Coffee to begin office coffee service at your workplace. You have been reluctant because you are not sure that just adding quality coffees and teas to your break room is going to make much of a difference. Well, you should still make that call. We will explain why in this blog post.

First, it is true that quality coffees and teas alone will not increase employee engagement or boost productivity. If they did, American workers would be constantly atop the productivity food chain given how much coffee we drink. We have been consuming large volumes of coffee for generations.

If it’s not the coffee and tea that does it, what is it? It is the environment in which it is offered. Quality does make a difference when it comes to office coffee and tea. Employees are not interested in poor quality products they don’t like. But employers who want to increase engagement and productivity have to combine high-quality coffees and teas with the right environment.

Engagement Equals Collaboration

The key to increasing engagement and productivity is collaboration. This can be easily observed by stepping back and looking at the cubicle mentality of the 1980s and 90s.

Companies began shifting to the cubicle model some 30 years ago in order to more efficiently handle office space needs and prevent workers from congregating around the water cooler. It was a model that may have worked for our parents, but it does not work in the modern office where collaboration requires people to actually spend time together outside of their cubicles.

It turns out that workers do better when they can collaborate in more relaxed spaces. They feel confined in cubicles and conference rooms. Conversely, they feel more free to pursue ideas and innovations in a lounge or café environment. That’s why so many companies are now transforming their tired break rooms into modern lounges rivaling anything the modern coffeehouse could offer.

Stocking That New Lounge

The discussion about quality coffee and tea as a way to increase employee engagement comes full circle once a company makes the effort to remodel the break room or open a lounge. If you want to make the lounge more enticing as a collaborative space, you have to offer beverages employees want. You need to offer them a reason to come to the company lounge other than grabbing a bagged lunch out of the refrigerator. That’s where quality coffee and tea become vitally important.

Quality coffee and tea products invite employees to sit down and relax for a while. Get three or four together with their favorite coffee or tea and they are likely to sit around and collaborate, innovate, and produce – all without being in their cubicles.

If you are looking to remodel your breakroom or establish a new lounge, we invite you to allow us to stock it. Galaxie Coffee serves the entire greater New York area with coffee, tea, and a full range of additional beverages.

Worldwide Hot Beverage Growth Remains Positive

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Worldwide Hot Beverage Growth Remains PositiveEconomic 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.

Tea Customs Around the World: It’s Not Just Another Drink

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Tea Customs Around the World - It's Not Just Another DrinkIn all of its many iterations, tea is the second most consumed drink in the world behind water. Whether it’s black, herbal, chai or green tea, the beverage that so many consider their favorite is consumed in practically every country on the planet.

The most fascinating thing about tea is that it is not just another drink. In many countries, there are ancient traditions that go along with every cup. Following those traditions is as important to the enjoyment of tea as flavor and aroma. Below are just a few examples.

India – Tea in Clay Cups

Although India is not considered the birthplace of tea, it is the world’s largest producer and consumer of tea. Tea is so popular here that you can buy it just about anywhere – in train stations, on street corners, and in every market. Furthermore, people prefer to drink their tea out of clay cups made of local soil in the belief that residue from the soil is key to giving the tea a unique, local flavor.

China – The Tea Experience

If you want to experience traditional Chinese tea, be prepared for a long, participatory ritual of preparation and brewing. When the tea is ready, it will be served by filling cups arranged in a circle using a continuous pouring motion that does not stop until every cup is full. Then, cradle your cup in your hands and slowly take in the taste and aroma through a series of delicate sniffs and sips.

Britain – Afternoon Tea

We usually associate tea in Britain with the exercise of afternoon tea. Believe it or not, this custom was not introduced until the mid-1840s. Today, the tradition continues with a mild and flavorful tea served in mid-to-late afternoon along with a selection of small sandwiches and cakes. It has been said that the best place to enjoy afternoon tea is in a quiet garden.

Malaysia – Pulled Tea

Malaysia’s favorite tea drink is known as ‘teh tarik’ (pulled tea). It is a rather frothy mixture with a unique texture resulting from the way the ingredients are mixed. There is actually an art form to doing this. Tea masters put all of the ingredients in a glass mug to start. Then, they swiftly transfer the mixture to a second glass mug, continuing back and forth for some time. The process exposes the mixture to cool air which creates the drink’s frothiness.

United States – Tea for Health

The tea culture in the United States is just emerging. As such, we do not really have any tea customs as yet. The closest we come to custom is the fact that most of us who drink tea do so for health reasons. We are replacing sugary drinks, coffee and alcohol with something that is perceived to be much better for us.

Here at Galaxie, we offer a full range of teas along with our coffees and other beverages. Feel free to ask about your favorite tea drink next time you order.

5 of the Healthiest Teas on the Market

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5 of the Healthiest Teas on the MarketSince the earliest days of recorded history, man has been making tea as a beverage to be consumed for good health. Today, tea still enjoys a position of prominence in Eastern diets for that same reason. China is a great example. In that country, there are dozens of different kinds of teas that are used specifically to promote good health among the Chinese population.

If you are a regular tea drinker, have you considered drinking particular types of tea in order to gain some of their health benefits? If so, you might already be aware of the healthiest teas on the market, including these five:

1. Green Tea

Green tea took off as a daily beverage in the West back in the late 90s. It is a tea with a lot of value as an antioxidant because of its high content of catechins. Some studies suggest that daily consumption of green tea can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in some people by as much as 10%. It is also believed to be beneficial for weight maintenance.

2. Oolong Tea

This traditional Chinese tea comes in multiple varieties depending on customer tastes. All of the varieties are believed to help cut down on triglycerides in the blood by causing certain enzyme reactions that prevent the body from converting food sources into fat. Studies suggest that oolong tea is a good beverage for people attempting to lose weight or prevent weight gain.

3. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is one of the varieties of tea that has been used specifically for medicinal purposes for centuries. It is high in antioxidants and believed to be useful for preventing cancer and some of the side effects of diabetes, including diabetic nerve damage. What’s different with chamomile tea is that it does not actually come from a tea plant; it is made from the chamomile plant.

4. Echinacea Tea

Echinacea is another example of an herbal tea not made using traditional tea leaves. Nonetheless, echinacea is believed to be beneficial to fighting off viral infections and boosting overall immune system performance. It works well enough that you can even buy echinacea lozenges to help fight the common cold.

5. White Tea

White tea is considered the ‘all-purpose’ tea in terms of health benefits. It is also high in antioxidant properties that may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other health problems. A few studies have even suggested that drinking white tea as a way to help minimize the possibility of relapse among breast cancer survivors. That said, green and black tea are also recommended for the same purpose.

Tea, in its many forms, offers health benefits that give people even more reasons to consume it. We are pleased to be able to provide tea to our customers along with coffee and other beverages. If you have any questions about our service or the products we carry, feel free to contact Galaxie Coffee at any time.

Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate: Which Is Most Popular?

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tea-and-coffee_Myj5wKSO_LThe long-standing debate over the best hot beverage rages on, in a friendly manner, of course, year after year. Some swear by the morning cup of coffee that provides that little jolt of caffeine and the perfect aroma to get one started for the day. Others prefer a relaxing cup of tea along with a newspaper or a good book. Still others say hot chocolate is the only way to go for hot beverages. So, who is right? Which of the three hot beverages is most popular?

Coffee is, by far, the most popular hot beverage in the world. According to a Euromonitor analysis of 2009 retail sales, consumers purchased just under 5,000 pounds of coffee per capita as opposed to about 277 pounds of tea. Here in the United States, coffee dominates the hot beverage market with the average consumer drinking several cups a day. The U.S. is easily the largest consumer of coffee in the world, per capita.

Coffee Consumption Among Younger People

There doesn’t seem to be any drastic regional differences between coffee and tea trends in the U.S., with the possible exception of a few cities with a heavy population of young people. According to Forbes, young people are beginning to eschew coffee in favor of tea due to the supposed health benefits of doing so. Along those lines, green tea is very big among the younger crowd.

Forbes cites a 2015 study by YouGov that shows tea consumption in the U.S. has grown some 20% since the turn of the century. It is especially strong among those under 30. For example, the millennial crowd shows equal preferences for coffee and tea, with about 42% favoring one or the other. Contrast that with older Americans who prefer coffee by a ratio of nearly 4-to-1.

In cities with a significant millennial population – like Seattle, San Francisco, and Boston – tea consumption is a lot stronger than in other places. However, it still has a long way to go to catch up to coffee.

The Hot Chocolate Question

Hot chocolate does have its place as a competitor against coffee and tea. However, hot chocolate consumption is still viewed by most people as entirely separate from the coffee and tea debate. In other words, the number of individuals who choose hot chocolate as their main hot beverage of the day are few and far between. Most people who consume it do so in the same way they consume wine – as a special treat rather than one’s primary beverage.

This has given rise to a whole culture of gourmet hot chocolates and specialist cocoa drinks. Those who consider themselves hot chocolate connoisseurs are as passionate about their drinks as even the most snobbish of wine snobs. But it’s all good. If hot chocolate is your thing, enjoy!

The debate over the superiority of coffee or tea will continue as long as people drink them. For now, coffee is still the clear winner.

Coffee and Tea Preferences: Modern or Traditional?

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Coffee and Tea Preferences: Modern or Traditional?As a coffee or tea drinker, what are your beverages of choice? Do you prefer more traditional drinks, or are you the kind of person who loves to try the modern variations that seem to pop up every few weeks? These are interesting questions that companies like ours are always asking. We need to keep up with consumer demand if we are to keep our customers happy.

There are no hard and fast numbers that point definitively to modern or traditional coffee and tea drinks as being most pervasive. But numbers from 2015 give us a very good guide to rely on. For example, 59% of Americans still drink at least one cup of coffee per day. While that’s down from 61% the year before, it is still an impressive number. Along the same lines, 80% of American households keep tea on hand in one form or another. The majority of that tea is iced tea or iced tea products.

As for the question of modern versus traditional, it actually boils down to your age. Millennials are more likely to embrace the modern variations of both coffee and tea while those over the age of 40 are more likely to stick to traditional drinks. One thing is for sure; the single cup craze has not put a serious dent in traditionally percolated coffee among older Americans. They continue to slow-drip their coffee one pot at a time.

Where Affects How

It is interesting to note that where one buys and consumes coffee affects how that coffee is enjoyed. Statistics show that roughly 46% of those under the age of 40 are more likely to purchase and consume their coffee outside of the home. That means they are going to coffee shops, bistros, and fast food drive-thru’s to get their daily cups.

This reality makes younger coffee drinkers more susceptible to the latest marketing trends. For example, young people who visit the local coffee shop every morning will be exposed to things such as cold brewed and organic coffees on a daily basis. Those who brew their coffee at home will settle on a favorite brand and are done with it. Which group do you suppose is more likely to prefer modern beverages?

Health Concerns Play a Role

Another important factor to consider is the healthy lifestyle mindset. Once again, younger people under the age of 40 are more likely to be concerned about the decisions they make relating to coffee and tea, and how those decisions affect their health. There is a growing concern among millennials that coffee is unhealthy. Approximately 32% are concerned about coffee in general while 48% are worried about caffeine intake. They are more likely to drink things such as green tea and other modern tea variations under the assumption that these are healthier.

Galaxie Coffee works hard to stay up with all the latest trends. We do our best to carry what our customers want, be they traditional beverages or modern variations.

A Nice Cup of Tea – 15 Years of Market Evolution

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A Nice Cup of Tea – 15 Years of Market EvolutionIt was not abnormal in the 1940s and 50s for a group of ladies to get together for afternoon tea. It was also relatively common through the 1960s and 70s for grandparents to enjoy a nice cup of tea during early evening. Yet tea has not been an American staple since the infamous Boston Tea Party gave rise to the revolution more than 200 years ago. The good news for the tea industry is that 15 years of market evolution is helping the beverage regain a place of prominence.

The total retail market for tea in the U.S. was $43.1 billion in 2014. In terms of compounded growth, 2014 was 7.7% higher than 2009, translating to absolute growth of $13.3 billion. Even more impressive is the fact that tea is the second most popular packaged beverage in the world behind only water. At 286 billion liters sold every year, bottled tea outpaces carbonated drinks, iced coffee, fruit juices, and even energy drinks.

Three Reasons for Tea’s Popularity

It is clear that we are drinking more tea in the U.S. than ever before. But why? What has changed for the tea industry above and beyond a growing desire to limit caffeine intake and consumption of sugary drinks? There are three primary reasons for the rising popularity of tea over the last 15 years:

  1. More Options – Our selection of teas has increased exponentially since the dawn of the 21st-century. Where we used to be limited to fewer than a dozen different flavors at the grocery store, we now have so many more to work with. Just consider the sheer number of herbal and fruit teas we now have to choose from. Then there are tea lattes, tea and juice blends, and even what are known as bubble teas.
  2. Good Health – Green tea is one of the most popular tea products in emerging markets. Our desire for better health is causing us to make more conscientious decisions about what we eat and drink. Thus, green tea is popular because it is seen as being part of a lifestyle that relies more on ancient Eastern practices than Western medicine for good health.
  3. Shopping Habits – Millennials, which just happen to be the most coveted demographic for retail sales, are now more likely to shop at Whole Foods and other specialty stores rather than traditional grocery chains. What’s more, the places they choose to shop are more likely to have a larger selection of teas than coffees. It is all part of a culture shift that seeks to get back to a simpler, more wholesome way of life. Millennials view tea as part of that more healthy life.

Galaxie Coffee offers a full range of tea products, both brewed and bottled, to our customers in the greater New York area. We would be proud to provide your workplace with coffee and tea service offering plenty of choices, the latest equipment, and excellent pricing.

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