Upping your Corporate Game: How to Make the Best Coffee

The Big Debate: One Serving vs. Drip Coffee

There is no question that single-serve coffee makers have transformed the office coffee experience. Unfortunately, their strength lies in convenience, not quality. When it comes down to it, not only do single-serve coffee machines generally have a higher sticker price despite offering fewer features, they also provide less than stellar coffee. The reason is pretty simple. The average single-serve machine brews coffee at less than ideal temperature settings in under a minute, both of which are detrimental to the coffee's flavor.

On the flip side, single-serve coffee makers do create a streamlined process. There's no need for coffee grinders or paper filters, and you will rarely find coffee grounds spilled all over the counter. Business Insider notes that single-serve coffee pods can cost up to five times more than using coffee grounds on average. However, if the extra cost is worth the convenience and efficiency, then go for it. Even a single serve coffee maker can make an excellent cup-a-joe if you know what information to pay attention to. Just keep in mind that you are less likely to find a single serve machine that incorporates all the best features.

5 Keys to Unlocking the Best Office Coffee

When you're shopping around for a new coffee maker, increased expense does not always equate to the best coffee. In fact, a $30 pour-over coffee maker is generally considered the gold standard. Unfortunately, making coffee properly in a pour-over coffee maker is also time-consuming and generally impractical for office use, so let's consider what factors contribute to making the best coffee to help narrow down the right options for your office.

1. Temperature/Time: The National Coffee Association states that the best coffee requires water brewed between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit for about five minutes. If the water is too cold, you will lose significant depth in the flavor of your coffee. If it's too hot, then you risk scalding your grounds, which can lend the coffee a bitter flavor.
2. Filtration: The coffee you make will only be as good as the water you use. If you don't already have a filtration system fitted to the break room sink or a filtered water pitcher, then consider looking for a coffee machine that has an integrated water filter. The water filter will help to balance out your tap water, which is vital to the overall flavor of your coffee. As Assistant Professor of Computational Materials and Chemistry Dr. Christopher H. Hendon explains, great coffee requires water that is balanced in its mineral composition. An integrated water filter is one way to even those odds without pulling out a chemistry set.
3. Sanitation: If you've taken a look inside your current office coffee maker, you won't be surprised to know that they're rarely given a good cleaning. With dozens to hundreds of people using them every day, it can be difficult to ensure that the apparatus and accompanying carafe are given a good scrubbing to prevent build up. Fortunately, you can simplify the process by picking a coffee maker with a “self-cleaning” function. As you leave for the day, fill it with water and press the appropriate button for a clean machine by morning.
4. Keeping Your Coffee Hot: If you plan on using a large, drip coffee maker, then you'll want that coffee to stay piping hot for more than just an hour or so. No one likes waste or stale coffee, so if you want a pot of coffee to last for a good portion of the day, you should choose a model with an insulated carafe. Since the average cup of coffee's temperature ranges from 160 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit, you can expect your average carafe to keep coffee hot for up to twelve hours, as they typically lose 4 degrees of heat each hour.
   
5. Pause and Pour: Given that you probably don't want your employees spending twenty minutes waiting for twelve cups of coffee to brew, it may make sense to choose a coffee maker with a pause and pour option. If you choose a drip coffee maker, then this function will allow an employee to begin brewing the coffee, briefly pause the process, pour their own cup, and then let the rest of the coffee continue to brew, as they go back to their desks.