Coffee could be described as one of the most important productivity tools in the office. Especially in IT, coffee in the office is still considered a special ingredient. It’s no coincidence that job advertisements often highlight good coffee alongside the well-known fruit basket. But what exactly matters here? How do you get good coffee in the office?
With the Right Machine to Good Coffee in the Office
Before we talk about coffee beans, the preparation method is, of course, crucial. Several factors—some highly individual—play a role here. Depending on the size of the company, the number of employees, and their preferences, there are a few points to consider. The most important criteria for choosing a suitable coffee machine are listed below.
Taste and Preferences
Two of the most important factors are, of course, the quality and taste of the coffee. No matter how high-quality the coffee beans are, a poor machine cannot produce good-tasting coffee. In fact, it may even waste the good coffee quality. It’s also important to determine which coffee drinks the team primarily consumes. Is the focus on filter coffee or rather on espresso and espresso-based drinks?
Ease of Use – Uncomplicated Coffee in the Office
The coffee preparation process must, of course, be simple enough for all coffee drinkers in the office. The simplest preparation method is undoubtedly the fully automatic coffee machine. Once set up for the coffee beans, it delivers consistent quality at the push of a button. Refilling water and coffee beans also requires little prior knowledge. Using a filter coffee machine requires slightly more know-how. Things get more complicated with a portafilter machine. To achieve consistent taste and quality here, one should at least understand what the brew ratio is. In any case, coffee preparation in the office should not require barista training.
Low Effort, High Hygiene
Even if coffee preparation in the office is kept simple, the effort can still be too high. How often does the machine need descaling? How much coffee grounds end up on the table or even the floor? Who cleans the milk frother to prevent mold? Who empties the coffee grounds container? Choosing the right machine can already save a lot of work and prevent potential problems.
Consider All Costs of Coffee in the Office
Entrepreneurially minded individuals may have already guessed it. The purchase cost of the right coffee machine is not the only expense. Depending on the type of machine, additional costs may arise. The following list can serve as an overview of potential expenses:
- Purchase Costs: This cost is likely to arise in any case. For a simple filter coffee machine, this cost may range from 50 to 100 €. A good fully automatic machine, on the other hand, can cost ten times that amount or more. With a portafilter machine, the additional equipment should not be underestimated. A coffee grinder is useful but can cost nearly as much as the machine itself.
- Maintenance Costs: High-quality machines should be professionally maintained regularly. The complexity of the design makes this maintenance necessary and ensures that the machine still functions and delivers consistently high coffee quality even after many years.
- Operating Costs: These expenses often go unnoticed but should also be considered. These include, for example, electricity and water costs. While water costs are usually minimal, electricity consumption can sometimes be surprising. Especially portafilter machines and fully automatic coffee machines with long warm-up phases are often left on throughout the entire workday.
- Coffee Costs: These refer to the costs for the coffee consumed. Depending on the type of coffee—espresso or filter coffee—appropriately roasted coffee beans should be used. The amount of coffee grounds needed per cup depends on the preparation method and preferences. For filter coffee, about 65 grams of coffee grounds per liter is typical. For an espresso, 10 to 15 grams per cup is common, though this can be highly individual, as mentioned earlier.
To easily calculate how much coffee is needed in the office, you can use our Coffee Requirement Calculator. Simply enter the number of coffee drinks per day, week, or month, and you’ll find a summary of the coffee requirements further down.
Criteria for Choosing Coffee for the Office
Once the right coffee machine has been selected, good coffee is still needed. Here, too, a few criteria are particularly important for office customers.
- Quality and Taste: The coffee must appeal to as many coffee drinkers in the office as possible. Consistent high quality is crucial here.
- Convenience: Once the right coffee for the office has been found, acquiring it should involve as little effort as possible. Regular delivery through a coffee subscription and flexibly adjustable delivery intervals are very practical here.
- Simple Payment Methods: Payment by invoice or the use of SEPA direct debit is particularly useful for business customers. These keep payment and accounting simple.
- Sustainability: The topic of sustainability is more relevant than ever. Many companies claim to act sustainably, but a glance into the office kitchen often reveals the opposite. Companies that value sustainability should therefore also use sustainable coffee.
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