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The Growing Demand for Versatile Alternative Mylk Choices



Coffee and milk have long been a match made in heaven, so it’s not surprising that the nation’s favourite beverages are those that are paired with milk, or a milk alternative. According to Allegra Project Café 2021, four of the top five favoured beverages are milk based. Latte was the number one choice followed by … Continued

Coffee customisation: Using syrups to broaden your coffee offer



Jo Cramp Senior Marketing Executive, Coffee to Go & Workplace How do you like your coffee? Ok, it’s Monday morning, a black strong coffee may be the only thing on your mind to kick start your day. But if you had to pick your ultimate favourite coffee, well that might be a different – and … Continued

Time to Rethink your Coffee Offer? Four Predictions for the Coffee to Go Market as Lockdown Eases



Russ Bamford Head of Convenience, Forecourts and Workplace Thursday 20th February 2020. The first takeaway coffee of the day is from a bakery in Derby city centre, just after arriving at the bus station. The second comes from the trolley on the train from Derby to Birmingham Airport – it’s not great, but it’s necessary. … Continued

Tips for Hotels: How to Offer Self-Serve Coffee in the COVID-19 Era



A few weeks ago we gave our tips on what we’ve learnt so far when it comes to serving coffee during the pandemic. These were practical tips for baristas and anyone else working on the floor, interacting with the general public. Since then, we’ve been working hard to help hotels with self-serve coffee solutions during … Continued

Creating a socially-distanced, coffee-loving community with social media



The past few months have been trying for all businesses. It’s a completely new situation. One that we haven’t experienced before and one that we probably won’t ever forget. But in amongst the stresses and strains of operating a business during a pandemic, there have been success stories. Like the Smokin’ Bean Truck, who managed … Continued

What we’ve learnt: Tips for hotel coffee service during the Coronavirus outbreak



It’s been several weeks since the pandemic-related restrictions were lifted for the hospitality sector, and businesses once more opened their doors to guests. We’ve not simply reverted back to pre-Corona life though; there are a number of hygiene and distancing issues now in place that hotels must follow in order to responsibly operate during the … Continued

A tea lover’s guide to the joys of hot tea and cold brew tea



With so much choice of tea blends these days, choosing can be tough. Tea is the second beverage we reach for after the hard stuff1 and being a nation of tea drinkers, it’s such a personal choice – tea bag in or out? Milk before or after? Brew time? Hot or cold? So many decisions! … Continued

The 5 S’s of choosing a coffee offer for Gastropubs



It’s undeniable that coffee is increasingly important in any establishment serving food or drinks, including pubs. Whilst many people visiting a pub are after a pint or a G&T, it should be noted that 9.4% of consumers regularly order hot drinks in the pub (Allegra World Coffee Portal Research and Analysis, 2019). Don’t forget your … Continued

How to present your coffee to go offer to increase sales



No matter how striking or fancy the coffee offer in your forecourt or convenience store is, there is still an element of maintenance required to keep it looking great and performing well. Aside from daily cleaning of the machine and surfaces, there are a number of things to consider to keep it looking appealing. First … Continued

6 reasons why it’s important to provide quality coffee in your car dealership



In car dealerships you want to do everything you can to give a great customer experience. Greeting customers as they walk in with a friendly face, providing that extensive brand and product knowledge, and having the slickest new models on display is a given in this industry, but there’s a little something else that adds … Continued

Ten facts about Fairtrade to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight



Fairtrade Fortnight is two weeks dedicated to promoting the welfare and well-being of those who grow our food, drinks and cotton; people who are often exploited and not paid a fair wage. Fairtrade Fortnight relies on consumers and suppliers to fight for change and demand that all producers of these goods are receiving a living … Continued

Smokin’ Bean: Here to rescue you from bad coffee at your workplace



New research from Allegra suggests that almost 70% of us drink at least one cup of coffee at work every day, yet over a fifth of workers say they are dissatisfied with the coffee offered at work. We think that is a sad state of affairs. Good coffee is a basic human necessity, right? Like … Continued

The journey to a perfect cup of coffee in Universities and Colleges



At Tchibo Coffee Service we are proud to call ourselves an established TUCO partner and hot beverage framework supplier. We have many years of experience providing coffee to universities, colleges and schools, so we know a thing or two about what works in education! Whether you are looking to cater for students, staff or visitors, … Continued

4 benefits of drinking coffee before a gym workout



It's January and a lot of us are on a health kick after an indulgent Christmas. If you’re a gym bunny, you’ve probably heard that having caffeine before hitting the gym has been shown to be beneficial. But what are the reasons behind this? We've looked into four ways that coffee could improve your workout … Continued

New Year’s Resolutions for your Office in 2020



Have you thought about your own New Year’s Resolution yet? Eating less chocolate or cutting down on the wine might not take too much preparation, but if you’re intending to improve the workplace for your employees, now is the time to start planning! Here are some ideas on how you can improve your office in … Continued

How Tchibo Coffee Service offered a full coffee service partnership to Massarella Catering Group



From one family owned business to another Massarella Catering Group is a family owned business with a rich heritage. 150 years ago Giovanni Massarella and his brothers decided to leave Italy and search for a better life for their family in the UK. The brothers founded a successful catering business that is still in operation … Continued

How hosting a barista competition can improve the coffee you serve to your guests



As coffee is so important to today’s consumer, we all want to make sure we are serving the best. Aside from choosing top-quality coffee, machines and training great baristas, one of the best ways to ensure an excellent serve is to inspire your barista’s enthusiasm for what they do. A genuine passion for coffee speaks … Continued

Reasons retailers should consider offering a water refill station in-store



Everyone who’s anyone is carrying a reusable water bottle these days. And it’s not just a fashion accessory. In 2016, 20,000 disposable plastic bottles were sold every second1, and the majority were not destined for recycling. As news spread about the vast amount of plastic ending up in landfill, the general public demanded a more … Continued

National Cocktail Week: 5 cocktail ideas to wow your hotel guests!



This week is National Cocktail Week so what better time to add some new and exciting cocktail recipes to your drinks menu ahead of the festive season. We’ve got several recipes to try that will hit the spot with any discerning coffee and cocktail lover, all made using cocktail staples and ingredients from our Espresso … Continued

15 Surprising Facts About Coffee to Celebrate International Coffee Day!



1st October is International Coffee Day so at Tchibo Coffee Service we are celebrating all things great about our beloved hot drink! To mark the occasion, we thought we would share some facts you possibly didn’t know about your favourite pick-me-up… 1. The chemical name for caffeine is Trimethylxanthine. 2. Coffee is grown in an … Continued

Spice up your drinks menu for Autumn/Winter!



We’ve enjoyed a relatively late bout of sunshine this September but make no mistake that the dark nights are drawing ever closer. What better way to get your business prepped for cold weather than to introduce a new drinks menu full of autumnal and wintry treats! To coincide with the launch of our new Espresso … Continued

5 tasty coffee recipes for your Macmillan’s Biggest Coffee Morning cake sale!



With just over a week to go until Macmillan’s Biggest Coffee Morning, we’re busy planning what we’re going to bake and sell! Have you decided yet? If you need a little inspiration, here are some recipes from our team – and they all use coffee or products from our Espresso Warehouse range. Why not give … Continued

Fundraising for Macmillan’s Biggest Coffee Morning in Universities



Here at Tchibo Coffee Service, we love to get involved in charitable initiatives and we regularly participate in fundraising for various good causes. As coffee lovers, Macmillan’s Biggest Coffee Morning is something close to our hearts as we think we can make a difference with our coffee! We have loads of things planned for the … Continued

Is a traditional or bean to cup coffee machine best for your business?



So, you’re looking for a new coffee machine. How do you know which one is for you? The answer depends on your type of business, the number of cups you will sell per day, the type of milk you would like and so on. Most importantly, do you have a barista, or will you need … Continued

Five Fundraising Ideas for Macmillan’s Biggest Coffee Morning in Your Office



This year Macmillan’s Biggest Coffee Morning falls on 27th September and we’re starting to think about new and fun ways we can raise money for this amazing charity. Macmillan Cancer Support is a one of the largest charities in Britain providing medical, financial and emotional support to people facing cancer. Not only that, they also … Continued

People first: Tchibo Coffee Service employee training



At Tchibo Coffee Service we're proud to be able to offer our colleagues training and development tailored to their needs. Nothing is off the table when it comes to development and we invest in the continuous growth of our people. Here are a few of the great ways we invest in our colleagues: Everyone is … Continued

Reasons why you should consider a reconditioned coffee machine



Has your old coffee machine given up on you? Are you looking to upgrade from your current coffee machine? Or maybe you’re a new business starting out and you’ve not had a coffee machine before. Whatever the answer, Tchibo Coffee Service have many different coffee machines, so we’re sure to have an option that suits … Continued

I visited our coffee farms in Peru and here’s what I learnt…



I'm Emma and I'm the Senior Brand and Designer Manager here at Tchibo Coffee Service. A few weeks ago, I set out to visit Peru to check out some of the farms that produce our Smokin’ Bean coffee. It was a great opportunity to meet the farmers right at the beginning of the coffee journey, … Continued

The journey to a perfect cup of coffee – A guide for contract catering



At Tchibo Coffee Service we are proud to partner with some of the country’s largest contract caterers and buying consortia. Our long-standing relationship with our partners means we know what is important to caterers, cafés, restaurants and hospitality. So if you are looking for a new coffee supplier for your business, be sure to read … Continued

What’s cool in the world of cold coffee?



We recently reported on trends in cold brew tea and its parallels with coffee, so this week we’re taking a deeper dive into cold brew coffee trends! Previously confined to summer months, cold brew and iced coffee is growing in popularity all year-round. This is particularly true of the under 30s, so this information is … Continued

How Loughborough University tailored their coffee offer to their varied customer base



University catering and hospitality has many things to consider, from the different customer groups (students, staff, parents, visitors, conference delegates), to the wide variety of outlets requiring food and drink. That's why it's important that the right coffee partner was chosen to meet their diverse needs. Read the full case study on why Tchibo Coffee … Continued

New look Piacetto – the hospitality barista’s coffee choice



Tchibo Coffee Service has nearly 30 years’ experience providing coffee to the hospitality industry. That’s a long time, so it’s safe to say that we understand the industry, our customers, your guests and we certainly know what makes a good cup of coffee! One of our primary coffee brands for the hotel sector is Piacetto. … Continued

Sustainability in Coffee: What you need to know about certifications



As ethically responsible consumers and businesses, we all want to make sure we are doing everything we can to preserve our planet and support our people. There are several organisations that promote environmental well-being and ethical practices, some of which provide accreditation to confirm their authenticity. With so many certifications, labels and jargon, it can … Continued

The rise in popularity of speciality tea at university cafes



Coffee has been in vogue for some time now – so many recipe variations, it can be hot, it can be cold, it’s hipster and everyone who is anyone is walking around with a KeepCup full of it. But, did you know that tea is also growing in popularity amongst young consumers? National Tea Day, … Continued

4 ways to support colleagues’ mental health in the office



We’re always trying to find ways to be supportive of our colleagues at Tchibo Coffee Service. Promoting good mental health and supporting those who are experiencing difficulties is something we feel passionate about. This week (13th-19th May 2019) is Mental Health Awareness Week, so we are stepping up our game and have loads of great … Continued

8 factors that can affect the quality of your coffee



As hoteliers, restaurateurs, café owners, or anyone else who serves coffee, we all want to serve only the best. Even after picking state of the art machines and premium coffee, there are other factors to consider to make sure you consistently provide a top cup of coffee. From storage and preparation to machine maintenance, read … Continued

Social media ideas to promote coffee-to-go in your convenience store



There are 45 million social media users in the UK1 so it’s a fair assumption that a lot of your customers are on social media. That’s why it’s important that your business has a presence on the key social channels so that you can advertise, connect and engage with customers. One of the key footfall … Continued

Six speciality drinks ideas for a healthy summer!



We're nearing the end of March and it's not long until the clocks go back, so at Tchibo Coffee Service we’ve already been thinking about Summer and new drink trends for 2019. So, what is happening in the market right now? As consumers, we are becoming much more health conscious, with many consumers wanting to … Continued

Eight Tips for Improving the Coffee Experience in your Hotel



For many people, a cup of coffee isn’t simply a refreshment. It’s an experience. Going for coffee is a little luxury; a way to take a moment to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of hectic daily life. Making the coffee experience extra welcoming and special for your guests is therefore a high priority … Continued

What is the secret to keeping coffee fresh in your hotel, office or café?



No matter what your business is, from hospitality to café, or from office to retail, you want to keep your coffee fresh. Whole coffee beans need to be used within 24 hours after being exposed to air and once the coffee is ground it will last just one hour! So, what’s the secret to keeping … Continued

How to boost coffee and breakfast sales in your convenience store



During the working week, Britain is full of time-pressed shoppers who only have a few spare moments to grab breakfast or a morning snack before dashing off to work, the school run, appointments and everything in between. Our coffee to go data suggets that 6 am to 9 am is peak coffee sale time, so … Continued

Using dairy-free milk for coffee in your hotel



In the UK, coffee sales create £9.6 billion in revenue, a figure that is expected to increase to a huge £13 billion by 20221 and it’s well known that there is a growing market of dairy-free coffee drinkers looking for an alternative to cow’s milk. Expanding the milk offering in your hotel could ensure you … Continued

Five Top Tips to Improve Employee Engagement



In our last blog, we discussed some New Year’s resolutions you could make to enrich your workplace in 2019. This week we’re taking a more in depth look at employee engagement and how this can benefit your office. Employee engagement is a concept used in business to keep staff motivated in order to increase employee … Continued

Three New Year’s resolutions to enrich your office in 2019



We’re well into 2019 now and a lot of us have been thinking about fresh starts and personal goals we hope to achieve during the year ahead. But what New Year’s resolution will you make for your business in 2019? We think one of the best things we can all do is make environmentally friendly … Continued

A Day in the Life of… a Tchibo Field Service Engineer



At Tchibo Coffee Service we are well known for our exceptional level of service. We have a team of 30 field-based engineers throughout the UK who are available should you encounter a fault in your machine. Our engineers are extremely responsive, and endeavour to be with you within 8 working hours for the most urgent … Continued

Just how good is the coffee offer in your hotel?



As a hotelier, you'll be well aware that there are many things to consider when choosing coffee for your hotel. Research shows that the quality of the tea and coffee served at conferences and seminars is of paramount importance for conference delegates. It often makes or breaks their impression of the whole event. In larger hotels, … Continued

Tips to become more environmentally friendly in your office



It’s important to consider our environmental impact at work as well as at home, but just how eco-friendly is your workplace? You might think it’s not easy being green – but how wrong you’d be! There are lots of little ways you can help the environment in your office and there are several benefits to … Continued

The first farm-shop-meets-convenience store in the country launches Smokin’ Bean



Home-grown, locally sourced food and drink is seeing a huge rise in popularity. Consumers no longer see traceability, transparency and ethical sourcing as a nice to have, but an important factor when making shopping choices. It’s little wonder that local farm shops are becoming more and more popular. This coupled with the rise of food … Continued

How to use predicted food and drink trends for 2019 in your convenience store or forecourt



As 2018 draws to a close, we’re starting to reflect on the year, consider what’s new for 2019 and how we can use future trend predictions to grow our businesses. According to recent research from Mintel, there are three key food and drink trends for 2019. These are particularly important for the convenience industry to … Continued

How to clean the Carimali Solar Touch – a reference guide



One of Tchibo Coffee Service’s most popular machines is the Carimali SolarTouch. It’s the ultimate completely automatic bean-to-cup machine with a touch screen display. To keep yours in tip-top condition, and to ensure you are providing the absolute best coffee, it’s vital that the machine is cleaned every day without fail. And it’s super easy! … Continued

A Day in the Life of… a Tchibo National Coffee Trainer



At Tchibo Coffee Service we pride ourselves on our excellent coffee knowledge. That’s why we have a team of Coffee Trainers who are dedicated to passing on their expertise to our customers. This means that your teams know how to prepare coffees to the highest quality and how to look after your coffee machine to … Continued

Beginner Baristas! How to steam milk correctly



When it comes to creating the best latte or cappuccino, the way the milk is steamed and frothed is vital. It can take time and practice to perfect this skill, so following on from our ‘What are the most common coffees made up of?’ blog, we thought we’d provide a reference guide explaining exactly how … Continued

A Day in the Life of… a Tchibo National Account Manager



Here at Tchibo Coffee Service we have approximately ten National Account Managers (NAMs), based nationwide who manage relationships between our business and yours. NAMs look after large organisations in the hotel, leisure, education and contract catering sectors. In this blog, we’ll go through what it’s like being a NAM by experiencing one day in their … Continued

How to maximise the life of your office coffee machine



Has the taste of your coffee changed? Do you find that your office coffee machine isn’t making those great quality drinks you know and love? After sitting down with our technical experts, we’ve compiled some handy information about how to maximise the life of your coffee machine, from regular cleaning advice to general no-no’s.   … Continued

Vegware disposable coffee cups: Become part of the plants-not-plastic revolution



We all want to do our best to try to help the environment. The UK’s millennials, quite rightly, value sustainable packaging and produce, so you want to be meeting this demand in your college or university. One of the most prevalent issues right now, is the vast amount of waste polluting our planet, but what … Continued

How PriceWatch Local became an award winning service station with Smokin’ Bean



Established for nearly 20 years, PriceWatch Local is an independent, family run business operating a group of 12 service stations with convenience stores and off licences in the South East. Newmarket Service Station is one of PriceWatch’s newer stores, having been in operation for around a year. Keen to offer something new, exciting and with a … Continued

5 reasons to complement the coffee experience in your hotel… with tea!



You were probably not expecting this blog. We’re usually (quite rightly) discussing the excellence of the espresso, the quality of the cappuccino or the loveliness of the latte but today we’re talking… tea! Despite the recent revelation that more Brits prefer coffee to tea1, we’re still a nation of tea lovers. We’re renowned the world … Continued

Beginner Baristas! What are the most common coffees made up of?



We know that in your hotel business you often find yourself in a situation where you need to train new team members. Tchibo Coffee Service offer full training to all your new baristas from our SCA qualified trainers, but for those that are very new to coffee, it can seem like there is a lot … Continued

A Day in the Life of… a Tchibo Coffee-To-Go National Account Manager



Tchibo Coffee Service’s Coffee-to-go (C2G) sector supplies self-serve coffee machines to over 1000 forecourts and convenience stores across the UK. Coffee on the go is more important than ever, as over 80% people drink coffee outside of the home. There is also an increased expectation for high quality coffee so all our self-serve machines are … Continued

Things to consider when buying a coffee machine for your office



When thinking about the different types of coffee available, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the options. However, choosing a coffee machine for your office doesn’t need to be complicated. There are just a few things you need to consider when researching what machine is right for you. In this blog, we will walk you … Continued

A Day in the Life of… a Tchibo Independent Key Account Manager



Tchibo Coffee Service provides coffee solutions to hotels, offices and other independent business. We have approximately ten Independent Key Account Managers (KAMs) based all over the UK, who work closely with our customers to help them provide the best possible coffee service to their colleagues and customers. In this blog we are spending the day … Continued

Warm up with these comforting hot drink recipes



This week we entered October, the nights started drawing in and some of us even switched on the central heating for the first time since summer. Here at Tchibo Coffee Service HQ we've been dreaming of delicious hot drinks to keep us warm on even the coldest of days, so we’ve gathered together some of … Continued

How can you meet a range of coffee needs in your office?



We all know that coffee is a staple part of any workplace. The difficulty comes with making sure there is enough variety for your office. Do your colleagues want a strong espresso, or are they more inclined to drink a milky latte or cappuccino? How many are looking for alternatives like tea and hot chocolate? … Continued

Show your appreciation of coffee on International Coffee Day



This Monday 1st October people from all over the world will be celebrating International Coffee Day by showing their appreciation for coffee.   But did you know that there is a lot of work that goes into your cup of coffee, from the coffee farms to the supermarket. International Coffee Day toasts the hard work that goes … Continued

5 ways you can use coffee to improve Social Media marketing for your hotel



A whopping 83% of UK adults have one or more social media accounts1. This is a vast number of potential customers that businesses could reach while they are casually browsing their social feed. So why is it then that only 60% of businesses are using social media2? To avoid falling behind the curve and to … Continued

4 Easy Ideas to Fundraise for Macmillan’s ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’



Macmillan Cancer Support is a one of the largest charities in Britain providing practical, medical, financial and emotional support to people facing cancer as well as their carers, families and local communities. In 2017 alone, the charity supported 1.6 million people via Macmillan professionals and services. The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is Macmillan’s biggest fundraising … Continued

Why you should look after the water filter in your coffee machine



As coffee lovers, we are used to assessing the quality of our cup; is the taste right? Are the beans fresh? Has the milk been scalded? But one of the most overlooked elements of a cup of coffee is the water. Water content makes up 98% of the components found within a cup of coffee, … Continued

Five simple steps to boost your coffee-to-go sales for petrol forecourts



Over 90% of the UK’s petrol forecourts have a store/kiosk selling other goods1. This is direct result of the ‘to-go’ culture we are experiencing in Britain. We need stuff, we need it now, and we don’t have time to stop! The vast majority of forecourts are increasing their offerings in order to capitalise on this … Continued

What’s actually in your cup of coffee? All about Arabica and Robusta coffee beans



Ever wondered what is actually in your cup of coffee? We all know that coffee is made from roasted coffee beans, but did you know that there are dozens of varieties, yet there are only two that are the commonly used for commercial coffee consumption? These two varieties are called Arabica and Robusta. There are … Continued

Choosing coffee for your hotel: Key things you need to consider



Coffee is a growing industry and not one that hotel businesses need to miss out on. The market is growing, and coffee lovers are now more knowledgeable about the product and expect a consistent high standard in their coffee experience. To avoid falling behind, the hospitality industry can benefit from recognising these trends and ensuring … Continued

Cool off this summer with our Summer Drinks Recipes



Sun-worshippers have been rejoicing over the past few weeks due to temperatures soaring to the mid-thirties. As we are quite used to summer being a total wash-out in the UK, we couldn’t quite believe our luck! We’re due a little respite from the sweltering heat over the next few weeks, but we’re not quite ready … Continued

What are the benefits of having a coffee machine in the office?



The UK drinks 95 million cups of coffee every day, so it’s not just part of the nation’s morning routine; it’s an after meal must and a pm pick-me-up. It’s social – you meet friends, colleagues and clients for a coffee; you buy someone a coffee to say thanks or to say sorry. Coffee culture … Continued

Smokin’ Bean: Forward-thinking Coffee-to-go



Did you know that 80% of the UK drink coffee, tea and other hot drinks out of the home? That’s a lot of people so it’s little wonder that coffee-to-go is a massive growth area within the coffee market. With young people placing increased value on ethical coffee sourcing, coffee quality and eco-friendly products, Tchibo … Continued

The Tchibo Level of Service: All the support you need!



Coffee is important to you. It’s important to your colleagues and your customers. You’ve got to the point where it’s time to look at a coffee provider for your business, but it can be difficult to know where to start. Here's how Tchibo Coffee Service can provide for your business to keep you well stocked … Continued

From crop to cup: How much do you know about how coffee is made?



We are very used to seeing coffee beans, coffee grounds and granulated coffee almost on a daily basis, but we don’t all necessarily know how our beloved beans came to be the rich, aromatic specimen before us. So pour yourself a cup of the good stuff and settle in as we explain how your coffee … Continued

Welcome to the Tchibo Coffee UK Blog!



The world of coffee can be daunting to industry newcomers and you soon learn that producing the perfect cup is a science and an art. Even coffee veterans need to keep on top of the latest news, trends and developments. That’s why we’re here with the all-new Tchibo Coffee Service UK blog, ready to provide … Continued