If your office is like most, it probably has a coffee machine, and employees enjoy their daily cup of caffeine while chatting to colleagues and taking a break. But you may not realize that this everyday drink dispenser holds untapped potential beyond morning pick me-ups and afternoon wake-up calls. With a few add-ons for your coffee machine, the office coffee area can offer an authentic cafe-like experience. A few simple upgrades can transform the office coffee counter to a place where employees can make not only their favourite drinks, but also more personal connections, and build a more positive workplace culture.
Read on to discover the best office coffee machine add-ons that make the biggest difference in caffeinated employee happiness.
Syrup Stations
For many coffee drinkers, the one thing that takes a cup of coffee to the next level is a deliciously flavoured syrup. With a syrup station added to the coffee counter, employees don’t have to leave the office for their hazelnut cappuccino or mocha latte, they can recreate these posh cafe drinks right in the office. Adding a variety of syrups like caramel, vanilla, hazelnut and even sugar-free syrup options brings a touch of luxury to the office and adds a perk everyone will appreciate.
Cup Warmers
Imagine pouring your first cup of coffee at the office. You stop to chat to a colleague as you walk back to your desk, and end up taking more time in conversation before you’re able to sit and enjoy your perfect drink. By the time you make it to your desk, that perfectly hot first sip is unfortunately cool.
This is where a coffee cup warmer saves the day. Holding a pre-warmed cup as you fill it with coffee is like a warm hug. The cup keeps an appropriate temperature to maintain the warmth of the liquid longer, so you can take your time sipping coffee without it going cool quickly.
When it comes to cup warmers, there are two types: standalone and integrated. Standalone warmers are more portable, so placement in the office coffee area is flexible. These warmers can also hold more cups than the integrated option. And if these warmers need repair, they can be worked on separately, without any coffee machine downtime. On the other hand, standalone warmers require a power outlet wherever they are placed, and take up more space than integrated cup warmers.
Integrated cup warmers are space efficient, since the warming surface is on top of the coffee machine. These also don’t require a separate power outlet. Some people appreciate integrated warmers for their more sleek look, if aesthetics are important to your office crowd. However, they don’t hold as many cups as standalone warmers, and if the warming function breaks, the entire machine has to be repaired, which can halt coffee production temporarily.
Milk Frothers or Steam Wands
Milk frothers or steam wands that add foam to coffee drinks are another way to take the office coffee room from an average to premium experience. There are a couple of approaches to creating the perfect foam. First, a steam wand can be integrated into an espresso machine. A wand uses pressurized steam to heat and aerate the milk to create tiny bubbles. With a steam wand, it’s easier to control the temperature and the texture of the foam. These take some practice to learn to use correctly, since the steam pressure and angle of the wand determine the result of the foam. But once you get the hang of it, you can have perfectly silky microfoam, just like the barista adds to your favourite drink.
A standalone milk frother is an electric jug or small pitcher that uses a spinning whisk to distribute air into the milk, creating foam inside. A milk frother is a budget-friendly option, and easy to use: simply pour in milk and press a button. The downside is that the foam produced usually has larger bubbles, and isn’t as dense and creamy, so it may not please the most discerning of coffee connoisseurs. But it’s still a solid option to have overall.
Water Filtration Systems
Water seems the obvious ingredient to add to your coffee machine, but most people don’t think about water beyond ensuring a tap is nearby. The kind of water that runs through the office coffee machine has the biggest impact on the flavour of the coffee and on the longevity of the machine. For those who want the best shot at a perfect cup of coffee, consider a water filtration system.
Mineral content in water is a critical element of the taste of coffee, and can allow the flavor and roast of the coffee beans to shine. Ideally there should be a mineral balance, and since naturally occurring minerals in the water supply vary depending on location, this is quite hard to achieve without a water filter.
In addition, the pH level of water is critical. Water that is highly alkaline (or high pH level) can make coffee taste bitter, while water with a low pH level can lend a sour flavour. The pH level also impacts the machine. With high pH water, minerals can accumulate, leading to poorly tasting coffee over time. Machines also have to be descaled more often in these conditions.
A water filtration system is the best way to achieve the correct mineral balance and pH level, as well as remove other impurities from water that affect the taste. For coffee aficionados, a water filtration system is a must-have add-on that makes coffee taste pure, and maintains the coffee machine.
Coffee Grinders
It’s hard to determine which coffee machine add-on is the most essential, but certainly for many coffee snobs, a grinder would be at the top of the list. Coffee made from beans that are freshly ground just before pouring the water through is always superior in taste to coffee from beans that have been ground and languishing on the shelf for weeks.
A coffee grinder also allows for adjusting the coffee beans from coarse to fine. After all, a filter coffee will not taste the same if it is made from fine coffee that was ground for espresso, so a grinder is critical to truly customize coffee drinks.
With coffee bean grinders, there is also an integrated or a standalone option. An integrated grinder offers an all-in-one convenience, and saves space, while a standalone grinder usually offers higher bean capacity. But a standalone grinder is easier to repair than an integrated grinder, so consider this before choosing which one is right for your office.
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