Guide to Coffee Key Terms

Learn coffee lingo, from the bean to the mug

By Emily Lugg

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Talk the coffee bean talk

A coffee supply is only as good as the beans that it comes from. As coffee distributors and coffee wholesalers, you need to be knowledgeable on both the manufacturing end of the business and the retail side. Make sure to be familiar with a coffee manufacturer's selection process of its beans. The only way to be sure is to speak the same language.

I recommend: Coffee-Makers-Cafe outlines the process of choosing a good coffee bean by walking through the four most important terms in choosing your beans. Zecuppa Coffee offers the explanation of the different classifications of coffee beans that describe the shape and size of each variety.

Be familiar with the coffee key terms that are used while tasting

A true coffee connoisseur will speak in detail about the aromatics and flavors of a good cup of coffee. You need to not only be able to understand what they are referring to but also to be able to use the terminology yourself. To show you are passionate about your coffee distribution, you need to show your investment in the product.

I recommend: Coffee Universe offers a quick reference to some of the terms that may be used to described coffee while tasting. For a more extensive listing of coffee information, check out Ancora Coffee Roasters' list of coffee tasting terms.

Know the various ways in which coffee can be served

If you aren't a coffee enthusiast, ordering a cup of coffee at a coffee company can be an overwhelming experience. There are terms for everything -- even one for whether or not you want whipped cream on top. Although you could probably explain -- in your own words -- how you want your coffee, wouldn't you rather speak their language? Plus, as a member of the industry, it's important that you can keep up.

I recommend: On Quicksilverweb.net, a blogger offers a very detailed distinction between Starbucks' many offerings that you may find extremely helpful. Namaste Cafe offers a guide to breaking down what customers are really ordering in a coffee house.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  In order for some of the coffee key terms to stick with you, you may need to grab a cup of brew and figure them out for yourself. Actually seeing, smelling and experiencing these things for yourself may help you to retrieve these terms when it is most important -- while you're with the customer.

1. The complete coffee experience at your office creates a favorable impression of your business. From the coffee brands you select to the types of cups you use to serve it, clients will remember and look forward to coming back.
2. It creates a diversion or relaxing break for your clients. If you have multiple clients waiting not so patiently, enjoying a coffee experience similar to what you'd find in a cafe is a great way for them to pass the time.
3. Your company will experience increased productivity. Employees who have access to a high quality coffee supply are less likely to leave the office as often for coffee breaks. It's the same reason why companies like Google offer free lunch.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Decide whether or not you want to use coffee distributors and coffee wholesalers or do it yourself

If you decide to take charge of all aspects of the coffee experience, start by purchasing the right coffee pot. Stainless steel pots are visually more appealing than glass, which is why they're a popular option.

I recommend: The Cuisinart 12-Cup Programmable Thermal Coffeemaker is a great pick. Its sleek design and stainless steel look is sure to complement any office interior. If you want to completely personalize the experience, you should check out the Black & Decker Brew 'N Go Deluxe Personal Coffeemaker.

Pick the right self-serve coffee solution for your office

Some offices have difficulty maintaining one coffee pot, much less having an entire area devoted to coffee. If grinding coffee beans and brewing coffee is too time-consuming for your office environment, hassle-free solutions might work well in your office.

I recommend: Green Mountain Coffee offers a wide variety of coffee flavors including super convenient one-cup coffee pods for busy office environments that don't have an employee to delegate to coffee preparation tasks. Make the maximum impact by going with a well-recognized coffee distributor such as Starbucks. They offer a complete solution for your office depending on your number of employees and clients.

Opt for a hassle-free, automated coffee option

So many aspects of modern-day offices are automated, and coffee can be automated too.

I recommend: Coffee companies like Coffee at Your Place offer businesses the option to lease, rent or buy a coffee dispensing machine that is similar to the office water cooler. They also carry multiple products that can be used in their machines including hot chocolate and soup.

Find the best accessories coffee wholesalers have to offer

The little details add up to a great presentation. Forget white, Styrofoam cups. Many attractive options exist.

I recommend: Coffee suppliers like BaristaWorks.com offers a variety of paper coffee cups and accessories that would rival any coffeehouse. The Solo Bistro design is a great option too.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you choose the popular 12-cup coffee pot option over a single-serve coffee pot, make sure you pay attention to how long you keep coffee after it's done brewing. Obviously, you won't use up an entire pot as quickly as a coffeehouse, but coffee that has been sitting too long can get very bitter.
• •  Don't forget companion snack items. Single-serve biscotti is a good option.
• •  Forgo coffee distributors and coffee wholesalers if you have a small office. You can purchase almost everything you need for your office at a nearby supermarket.

Guide to Coffee News and Trends

Use the media to keep up with the newest trends in coffee

By Emily Lugg

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Subscribe to magazines to stay up with the latest coffee news and trends

As the coffee industry grows, you want to grow with it. Reading materials directed at coffee manufacturers, coffee distributors and others in the coffee industry will keep you informed of what steps and innovations others in your business are making. Not only do you want to know what they are up to, but staying one step ahead would be even better. If you are one of the coffee suppliers or a coffee wholesaler, consider advertising in these types of publications.

I recommend: Fresh Cup is a specialty coffee and tea trade magazine that offers business tips and the latest coffee news and trends. Or maybe a "virtualzine" is more up your alley. Check out Virtual Coffee -- no subscription required.

Read online coffee blogs to get consumer insight

Whether you are a coffee manufacturer or a coffee distributor, anyone in the coffee industry can benefit from the words of the consumer. Often blogs are written by a knowledgeable source but then followed by comments from anyone interested in coffee information. Who knows, maybe you'll even get to read about your own coffee company online.

I recommend: Coffee Sage is a blog that includes reviews, recipes and other coffee-related info. You can even add you company's website to its list of coffee links. Joe's Blog is an extension of Fresh Coffee Now's website, offering an opportunity to get insight from a possible competitor.

Attend coffee trade shows to display or just to observe

Trade shows are not only good for your exposure as a business, but they are also a great time for checking out the other company's coffee supply. Coffee distributors, coffee manufacturers and those there as a coffee vendor are all in the same place at the same time. You can really get a handle on what's new in your industry by attending a trade show.

I recommend: Coffee Fest claims that its trade shows are where coffee and tea business happens. The American Barista & Coffee School keeps a running list of upcoming competitions and trade shows for you to check out.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To really be up with the latest in the coffee world, you need to stay in the midst of it. Remember to keep a balance between trying to market your own business vs. keeping up with what the rest of the coffee industry is up to.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider coffee companies that provide in-office services

It might seem that do-it-yourself coffee is the most economical choice for your business, but many companies find they save money by using office coffee services. This cuts costs by reducing the amount of time your employees spend dealing with coffee set-up and expenses. For example, paying your accountant to track miscellaneous coffee product receipts takes much more of his time than if he only has a monthly coffee invoice to consider. It also costs your business time and money to have employees buy coffee and supplies, often from multiple sources.

I recommend: CoffeeForLess.com offers ideas on additional ways to save money by using a coffee service for your business. Viet Luxe has more ideas on saving money through coffee services.

Select coffee distributors that cover all your needs

If coffee services aren't right for your business, take a close look at the coffee products you're purchasing. If your employees are buying them locally at retail prices, they are wasting time and money. If they are purchasing coffee supplies from several sources, they are probably wasting money on shipping. Instead, choose one source for coffee and supplies and buy in bulk, saving money on the products, the shipping costs and employee time.

I recommend: Coffee Direct offers advice about buying bulk from a single coffee company in order to save money. Wholesale Coffee USA sells everything you need in one place, at wholesale prices--coffee, equipment, and disposable supplies like stirring sticks.

Find coffee suppliers who sell permanent filters

Swiss gold coffee filters (plated with actual gold) make better tasting coffee, and both gold-colored coffee filters and real-gold filters are virtually permanent. Although both are initially more expensive than disposable coffee filters, in the end, they save your business money while reducing waste.

I recommend: WiseGEEK lists the full advantages of using a permanent coffee filter, as does Coffee Detective.