Steeped in Tradition, Tea Has a Rich History

Water is the most consumed beverage in the world, with tea in the No. 2 spot, followed by coffee. America is the exception, with coffee edging out tea for the No. 2 position.

At BostonbeaN Coffee Company, we love tea and coffee equally. Read on to learn more about the history of tea, and why adding a cup of tea to your hot beverage consumption is beneficial to your health.

assorted hot teas

A Brief History of Tea

Tea has its origins in China somewhere around 2737 BC. The story goes that Chinese Emperor Shen Nung was sitting under a tree when tea leaves were conveniently blown into a pot of hot water being prepared by a servant. The emperor was also a herbalist, and decided to see what became of the resulting concoction.

As always, you should take origin stories with a grain of salt, but it’s thought that tea didn’t grow in popularity as a beverage until the Tang dynasty (618-930 AD). Tea didn’t reach Europe until the late 1500s, and the first commercial shipment reached Holland in 1606, kickstarting the demand for tea.

Popular Flavors and Types of Tea

There’s no one consensus on the most popular tea flavors, but as a general rule, you can expect to find the following flavors and bases readily available on store shelves:

  • Earl Grey
  • Chai Masala
  • Green tea
  • Black tea
  • Black lemon tea
  • Peach tea
  • Matcha
  • Mint
  • Chamomile
  • Tulsi

Tea comes in a variety of formats that include loose-leaf, bagged and powders. Its caffeine content range includes full strength, half-caff and caffeine free. Some varieties of teas have more caffeine than others for a nice jolt of energy in the morning.

assorted tea bags

Benefits of Drinking Tea

The benefits of drinking tea reach further than providing a power-up. They include:

  • Boosting your immune system
  • Reducing inflammation
  • Protecting against cancer and heart disease
  • Protecting your bones
  • Lowering the risk of Type 2 diabetes

Bring Our Teas to Your Boston Office

At BostonbeaN Coffee Company, we feature cold brew coffee and tea crafted by the local micro-roaster Barismo, among other offerings. Get in touch with us today to learn about our services and how we can turn your office kitchen into a private café that provides customized tea and coffee to your employees.

Celebrate National Pie Day From Crust to Crumb With These Pieces of Advice

Few things warm the heart as well as your favorite pie and a cup of coffee. With National Pie Day quickly approaching on Jan. 23, 2024, we thought sharing some tips for celebrating this delicious holiday with the ultimate cup of coffee would be appropriate. Let’s dive in and explore more about this fun-filled occasion and how to make it one to remember.

Delicious History of Pie

Did you know pie dates back to 9500 B.C. in ancient Egypt? It was also mentioned in the works of the first Greek writer, Homer. Today, pie is a staple dessert enjoyed worldwide with various flavors and crusts. No matter how you slice it, people have been enjoying this delectable dessert for thousands of years. While National Pie Day reminds us of how amazing this special treat is, people enjoy it for birthdays, holidays, or just to indulge in something delicious.

pies for national pie day

Celebrating Sweetness

There’s no wrong way to celebrate National Pie Day on Jan. 23, but here are some quick ideas for your friends and family.

  • Have a “pie-luck” where everyone can bring a different pie to share and enjoy together.
  • Host a pie-making competition and invite your friends and family to bake their best pies and everyone gets a slice of each (win!). The winner gets bragging rights until you meet again in 2025.
  • Visit your local bakery or cafe. Support small businesses and treat yourself to a slice of their delicious pies.

Pie-Baking Tips

Celebrating National Pie Day wouldn’t seem appropriate without sharing some tips on how to create the perfect dessert. Don’t underestimate the importance of using quality ingredients, from the dough to the filling. Experiment with different flavor combinations, keep your ingredients cold, and be OK with making the occasional mistake. It’s all part of the fun! You can even go to a pie-baking class to get up to speed if you want to hone your craft.

pie baking tips

BostonbeaN Can Help Make National Pie Day One to Remember!

Are you looking for the perfect coffee or tea to pair with your pie? Whether it’s National Pie Day or every day (we won’t judge!), we have exactly what your Boston office needs to perfectly complement your dessert. Don’t hesitate to browse products from BostonbeaN today!

Move Over Turkey! Coffee on Thanksgiving Day Is a Must-Have

Coffee becomes an important part of the Thanksgiving Day celebration as it helps to jump-start the day’s activities of cooking and socializing. It’s a great day to brew the ultimate cup of coffee that brings everyone to the table for camaraderie and the joy of the holiday season. Here’s a look at some ways to turn your coffee into a sweet, tasty delight.

Keeping the Coffee Flowing All Day Long

Thanksgiving is a long day of preparation and cooking, which means you’re putting your best effort forward. Do the same for your coffee by avoiding common brewing mistakes that can ruin its flavor. Take the time to clean and prepare your coffee maker, use the right amount of ground coffee, and use filtered water to eliminate impurities.thanksgiving coffee

 

Thanksgiving Coffee Recipes

The flavors of fall are behind most Thanksgiving coffee recipes, and they’re sure to deliver comfort and pleasure. Here are some popular recipe ideas to serve your guests.

Pumpkin Spice Coffee

Add nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves with cream and/or milk to a cup of coffee to imitate the rich smoothness of pumpkin pie. You can make it even more pie-like by adding a teaspoon of pumpkin purée.

Maple Pecan Coffee

This preparation is more informal in that you add ingredients to taste. Begin with a cup of coffee and stir in a desired amount of maple syrup and cream, then stir. Finish off with whipped cream and garnish with chopped pecans.

thanksgiving coffee recipesGingerbread Latte

Combine a half-cup of frothed milk with the desired amount of espresso or strong coffee, then add in gingerbread syrup or molasses and ginger to taste. Garnish with whipped cream and bits of gingerbread cookies.

 

Caramel Apple Coffee

Start with a cup of coffee brewed to taste, then add caramel syrup and a splash of apple cider. You can also add applesauce for a deeper flavor. Add a drizzle of caramel sauce on top of whipped cream for a buttery note.

BostonbeaN Keeps Your Office’s Pantry Stocked

At BostonbeaN, we provide and maintain coffee makers that range from traditional drip coffee to pod systems and bean-to-cup brewers. We also restock your coffee and related supplies so no one has to go without a cup of coffee. Give us a call today to learn how easy we make it to turn your office kitchen into a space that’s a joy to return to after the holiday break.

Drum Roll, Please! Introducing Symbol Bean-to-Cup

If you’re looking for a new brewer for the office that everyone can enjoy, Symbol Bean-to-Cup offers a unique, flexible experience. Your machine can adapt to the needs of your office, making sure everyone is satisfied.

With three brew sizes and three brew strengths, Symbol Bean-to-Cup can make up to 60 drinks per hour. Whether you need coffee, hot chocolate, specialty coffee or an Americano, you can quickly enjoy fresh coffee made to order.

The two-bean hopper makes it possible to switch between different kinds of coffee beans. To ensure the freshest experience possible, the machine comes with its own burr grinder for each hopper. Two soluble powder canisters (dry milk and hot chocolate) are included to provide materials needed during brewing.

symbol bean-to-cup

With so many options, having a Symbol Bean-to-Cup in the office is like having several coffee makers. Do your employees enjoy a cup of robust, freshly ground coffee? What about a smooth, hot cappuccino? Are they more of a latte-loving team or do you have some on your staff that like to satisfy their chocolate craving with a mocha? Whatever their flavor preference is, this one machine offers dozens of options for your employees. (Did we mention it can make up to 60 cups in an hour?)

The 10-inch HD touch screen makes your brewer easy to use. Symbol Bean-to-Cup has a sophisticated, modern look in keeping with its up-to-date technology.

The Emblem Bean-to-Cup is also a great choice if you are looking for a specialty brewer. The Emblem has all the advantages already mentioned, but includes three bean hoppers and three soluble powder canisters. For an extra sanitary experience with a shared brewer, you can enjoy touchless brewing options.

Contact BostonbeaN Coffee Company today to learn about all the options we offer for keeping your staff satisfied.

BostonbeaN Can Provide Frozen Treats for Your Office With Just a Snap!

Satisfied office staff tends to have greater motivation and focus when there’s access to snacks and refreshments including hot and cold brew beverage options. ColdSnap is an innovative, sustainable and revolutionary system that literally transforms team members’ moods with frozen treats and beverages. Sound yummy? BostonbeaN has the goods!

Give Your Team Options for Top-Notch Frozen Drinks and Snacks

If you want to go beyond your traditional options of cold beverages and coffee and tea for your Boston-area office break room, consider ColdSnap. This amazing new system offers personalized ice cream in a variety of product and flavor options made with the finest quality ingredients.

coldsnap ice cream and frozen beverage maker

Reasons To Expand Your Break Room Options With ColdSnap

ColdSnap can quickly make ice creams, smoothies, protein and fruit shakes, frozen coffee treats — and for those after-hours holiday parties, they can make slightly boozy ice cream! Beyond the freshness and array of flavor options, (which we’ll get to in a snap!) there are plenty of other reasons to get a ColdSnap frozen and cold beverage machine.

Some perks of perking up staff with this modern cold drink maker include:

  • Named Food & Beverage 2023 Product to Watch
  • World Dairy Innovation 2022 Best Manufacturing/Tech Innovation Award
  • CES 2021 Innovation Award Honoree & Finalist
  • Easy to use with beverages ready in less than 2 minutes
  • No plumbing installation required for use
  • Pods are ready to go upon arrival and are shelf stable (recyclable aluminum options will be ready soon!)
  • Other than wiping exterior, no cleaning needed

Enjoy Flavors and Options Galore for Treats and Drinks

We are pleased to be adding to our flavor selections that consist of vanilla, coffee, chocolate and caramel for our premium frozen ice cream and lattes with options for dairy-free oat treats.

The ColdSnap beverage maker can also make natural fruit smoothies and protein shakes with or without dairy added. For those company parties, we also have pods to make alcohol-infused ice cream, frozen cocktails and mocktails — no bartender required!

call bostonbean for a coldsnap for your office

Ready To Bring ColdSnap to Your Office?

While people will always love traditional hot beverages, many are also opting for tasty, refreshing iced and frozen coffee drinks, smoothies and protein shakes. BostonbeaN Coffee Company is the Boston area’s go-to source for those offices looking to upscale the break room experience for staff and make their client waiting areas stand out from the competition. Come to our showroom for a demo of ColdSnap, or contact us to schedule a consultation, receive a brochure or have your questions answered.

Decoding Snack Labels: Understanding Gluten-Free, Vegan, Non-GMO, All-Natural and Soy-Free

Navigating snack labels while staying focused on healthy eating habits can be complicated. That’s why more people are seeking snacks that are non-GMO, gluten free or vegan.

But what does all of this mean? It’s important to realize that while some people truly need to avoid gluten for health reasons, most of the gluten-free (GF) buzz is simply marketing by the food industry. So, while a product can’t say it’s GF if it’s not, many products are GF without the claim. For this reason, it’s important to look past marketing to what snack food labels mean.

Gluten-Free

Gluten is a sticky protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Most bread, pastries and cereals will have it –except when they’re made of rice, potato, oats, tapioca, beans, buckwheat, etc. In those cases, they should be naturally gluten-free, even if the snacks you choose do not make this claim.

healthy snacks

However, keep an eye out for mixed ingredients on labels. You could have an “oat bar” that also includes wheat. Wheat may also be called semolina, spelt, farro, and “cereal grass.”

Soy-Free

Soy may appear as soybean oil, soya, soy isolate, soy lecithin, soy protein, and miso. Additionally, anything labeled “tofu” should be suspect since tofu is traditionally made from soybeans.

Non-GMO

Humans have been genetically modifying plants for centuries through selective breeding. Did you know that we wouldn’t have bananas, watermelon, or corn without them?

But Genetically Modified Organisms today are different. Genes from non-plant organisms (such as bacteria) are inserted into the DNA to make them herbicide resistant or produce “natural” insecticides.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, you can count on big cash crops like wheat, corn, and soy and their derivatives to be GMO.

Vegan

When we’re speaking about food, vegan means no animal-derived ingredients. It sounds easy to spot “animal products” on a label. Whether you eat vegan for health concerns or personal preference, here are some non-vegan products you might not know about:

  • Gelatin – made from animal bones
  • Honey – “bee spit” (regurgitated nectar)
  • L-cysteine – food affitive made from featehrs; makes some bagels chewy
  • Chitosan – derived from crustaceans; used to slow decomposition of fruits like bananas

all natural nuts as a healthy snack

All-Natural

Here’s a marketing term that really doesn’t mean anything. Many isolates and unfamiliar chemicals you see on labels have natural origins and were altered. That doesn’t mean they’re bad. These are often just flavor and color enhancers. They have chemical-sounding names but come from natural sources.

BostonbeaN Snack Options Satisfy

You can enjoy a wider variety of snacks when you know what labels mean to ensure that what you are eating aligns with your dietary needs. BostonbeaN offers a wide assortment of healthy snacks (and some sweet ones, too) so that you can stock options to satisfy every member of your team.

Keep those hunger pangs at bay so employees stay energized and focused throughout the day — the perfect accompaniment to our water, tea and coffee machines.

From Leaf to Cup: Unveiling the Journey of the Tea in Your Cup

The tea that’s steeped full of flavor and aroma takes a fascinating journey from plant to mug. The health benefits of drinking tea and the soothing flavors make it a favorite beverage worldwide.

All teas – black, green, oolong, white and others – start off generally the same. After tea leaves are plucked, they are sorted by type and size, then prepared for processing.

Processing

It’s the processing that determines the type of tea that makes it into your cup. The most common processing method comprises four stages:

green tea leaves

  • Withering: Here, leaves are laid out in troughs of wire mesh to dry, reducing the moisture content to 60-70%. Air passes over the leaves for 12-17 hours.
  • Rolling: Either by hand or using large machines, this process twists and turns the leaves, breaking them into thin pieces.
  • Oxidation: It’s this stage that determines a tea’s color, taste and intensity. The leaves are again put on troughs or tables where they rest minutes at a temperature of 78 F. Enzymes in the leaves react with the air and gradually change in color from green to beige to brown. The longer they oxidize, the more intense the flavor becomes.
  • Firing: In this final stage, leaves run through hot-air dryers that reduce the moisture content further to about 3%, leaving them ready to be packed.

Green vs. Black Tea

Let’s take a deeper dive into how green and black teas are made.

Green teas undergo minimal oxidizing. They are also steamed or pan-roasted to develop flavors. Japanese green teas use hot air in a humid environment to prevent oxidation. Chinese teas are roasted in pans in large ovens or open fires, also to prevent oxidation.

They’re then rolled into twigs, pellets or balls, which further prevents oxidizing, preserves the green color and builds earthy flavors. They are then dried immediately and sorted by shape and size.

green tea process from leaf to cup

Black tea, by contrast, is the most oxidized of the tea types, which results in a darker color and bolder taste.

In the rolling phase, they release moisture and enzymes. The orthodox process rolls the leaves on hard surfaces or bamboo mats. The CTC (cut-tear-curl) method puts the leaves in large drums with sharp teeth; this method is preferred for tea used in tea bags.

Oxidation is where the full flavor comes to bear. The leaves are placed in a cool and humid space where they turn deep brown.

For many tea drinkers, caffeine-free tea is preferred. To reduce the amount of caffeine, the tea is either soaked in methylene chloride or ethyl acetate, or pressure cooked with carbon dioxide. Another method soaks leaves in water, from which the caffeine molecules are removed before reinstating the water.

At BostonbeaN, we are passionate about delivering the finest and most diverse beverage experiences. We offer a wide range of tea and coffee varieties to give everyone a brewed beverage they will savor and enjoy. Experience your favorite beverages with BostonbeaN coffee and tea service.

Elevate Your Office Coffee Culture With BostonbeaN’s Ultimate Taste-Testing Delight!

Let’s face it, mundane coffee breaks can dampen office productivity and team morale. If your coffee doesn’t elevate your team’s spirits, BostonbeaN has a solution. We are here to stir up your coffee experience by bringing Boston’s finest coffee right to your office.

We can lead your team on a delightful journey, discovering global coffee blends — without leaving the comfort of your office.

Unveiling the Ultimate Coffee Taste Test

Our expert BostonbeaN team is dedicated to providing the resources to guide you in an immersive way to evaluate what’s in your cup. Have some fun with your team while you get the inside scoop on some coffee facts.

We offer an array of coffees for your team to test — to reveal the aroma and sensory characteristics of a specific blend — as well as tasting to help you evaluate the coffee just as it will be served to your team.

coffee taste test

Coffee Elevation: Why It Matters

Did you know that the altitude where coffee is grown significantly impacts your sensory experience?

Coffee from higher elevations will reveal complex characteristics from some of the brightest fruits as well as chocolate (yum!) and nuts, while mild hints of flavor are developed at medium and low altitudes.

Exploring Coffee Flavor Profiles

Tasting — the best part! At BostonbeaN, we provide coffee flavor blends from around the globe:

  • Colombia: This blend reveals a sweet, caramel taste with some hints of fruit.
  • Ethiopia: Revel in the complexity of fruity flavors, a hint of spice and even some floral notes.
  • Sumatra: A heavy-bodied coffee, you’ll taste aromatic wood with dark chocolate notes, earthy tones and an intense flavor.
  • Peru: With a mild taste, you’ll delight in the dominant herbal and milk chocolate notes with a hint of stone fruits.

Maximizing Your Tasting Opportunity

As part of the taste-testing approach, we offer these tips to maximize the experience:

  • Write down your impressions — grade the coffee from 1 to 5.
  • Taste “blind” to avoid bias.
  • Ask open-ended questions about the coffee.
  • Identify and discuss the flavors you’re tasting.

As you’re evaluating each cup, you can “sense” the flavor profiles using these five categories:

  • Sweetness – Do you taste or smell sugar, brown sugar or caramel?
  • Acidity – Is there a slight fruity, winey and bright taste?
  • Body – What is the weight/feel on tongue (think about the feel of skim milk vs. heavy cream)?
  • Flavor – Can you pinpoint any floral, berry, citrus, tobacco, nutty, cocoa, spice or smoky flavors?
  • Finish – What sensory categories linger with quality and length?

coffee bean flavor profiles

Experience BostonbeaN: More Than a Delivery Service

Not only do we provide convenience and an exciting new dimension to your workplace with taste-testing opportunities, but we can also be your partners in creating an exceptional office culture.

We make it easy to enjoy delicious coffee and tea, including unique blends, local roasts, hot coffee and cold brew, right at your desk.

From delivering, stocking and rotating all items in your break room to replenishing products as needed, our delivery services cover all the angles to enhance your break room and boost office productivity.

Contact us today to see how we can elevate your Boston office’s coffee experience.

How To Avoid the Top 5 Brewing Mistakes That Coffee Lovers Make

The average person has been making coffee as part of their daily routine for so long that they think they’ve got the process down pat. But even if you consider yourself a coffee-brewing guru, you’re likely making at least one of these five common brewing mistakes. Review our list and adjust your technique accordingly for an even better cup of joe.

Top 5 Common Coffee-Brewing Mistakes

1. Serving stale coffee

Although coffee never actually “goes bad,” coffee beans begin to lose their optimum flavor potential about a month after being roasted and a few weeks after ground coffee is unsealed. Always keep your coffee tightly sealed and in a dark, cool, dry place.

coffee brewing from grounds into pot

2. Not using enough coffee

The correct amount of coffee to use when brewing is a subjective thing as people’s tastes will differ. To produce a great cup of coffee consistently, the National Coffee Association recommends starting by following the “Golden Ratio” of one to two tablespoons of ground coffee for every six ounces of water, then adjust for your personal taste preference.

3. Using an unclean machine

If you start to notice your coffee tasting bitter and gritty, there’s a good chance it’s because you haven’t cleaned your coffee maker lately. Brewed coffee contains natural oils and essences that give it its distinct flavor, but these oils also build up in your machine and inside your pot and eventually turn rancid, ruining the taste. Clean your machine and pot often and thoroughly.

bostonbean coffee office coffee machines

4. Incorrect grind

Each coffee brewing method requires a specific grind size to work properly because of the differing extraction times and water temperatures used to release the flavor essences. Using the wrong type of grind for your method is the surest way to ruin your coffee. An inconsistent grind with a mixture of sizes will also produce less-than-optimal coffee.

5. Problems with your water

Coffee is mostly water, and the quality of that water will greatly influence the taste. Consider using bottled or filtered water to avoid the impurities and chemicals that can ruin your coffee’s flavor. Also, make sure you’re using the correct water temperature for your coffee brewing method.

While we didn’t add it to the list, BostonbeaN thinks the No. 1 coffee mistake Boston business owners make is not having our team deliver coffee, tea and snacks to their employees. Our machines will ensure the perfect cup of coffee for your team every time.

Beans to Brews: Your Ultimate Guide to Our Delivery Services

Here are answers to frequently asked questions we get at BostonbeaN Coffee Company.

Q: Are Employers Required to Provide Coffee to Employees?

A: While not mandatory, providing coffee, tea and water for employees is considered a standard benefit at companies of all kinds and sizes. Offering high-quality coffee and tea is a simple, affordable way to create a positive work culture, improve morale, and attract and retain staff.

Q: What Does BostonbeaN Offer?

A: At BostonbeaN, we offer a variety of coffees and teas as well as high-quality water systems. In addition, we offer:

office coffee service

Q: How Does Your Service Work?

A: Route managers deliver, stock and rotate all items in your breakroom, maintaining inventory and replenishing products as needed. We help you choose the right coffee brewer and water filtration systems, and we’ll make sure there are plenty of cups, stirrers, sweeteners and creamers to keep employees satisfied.

Q: What Is Your Service Area?

A: Located in Woburn, MA, we serve all points north of Plymouth, east of Worcester and south of Concord, NH.

Q: How Much Does Your Service Cost?

A: Our coffee service depends on the machines, services and supplies you request and the size of your workforce. Contact us for a quote.

Q: What Makes a Good Breakroom?

A: Your breakroom should have a wide supply of quality coffee, tea and water, along with food and snacks. We offer our clients an excellent experience and reliable restocking service for all of your breakroom supplies, so that your employees are satisfied.

Q: How Can We Improve Our Breakroom?

A: Our pantry services keep your breakroom organized and tidy. We include all the equipment, including a snack shelf, glass-front coolers and sliding baskets.

breakroom supply services

Q: Why Should We Choose BostonbeaN?

A: BostonbeaN is a family-owned small business that’s been operating in the Boston area since the 1970s. We have more than 3,000 clients and 8,000 machines deployed. Our approach focuses on personalized customer care to help clients tailor their coffee and tea services to meet their organization’s needs.

Q: How Can We Know What Is Being Used?

A: We track and report on monthly usage, helping you fine-tune your offerings. Account representatives collaborate with you to ensure you stay within your budget and are informed of the most recent food and beverage trends.

Q: What Do Your Customers Say?

A: Don’t take our word for it. Read our customer testimonials:

“From the very beginning, BostonbeaN has been honest, helpful, professional, reliable, and courteous. Our account manager makes sure our offices are stocked with cups, tea, coffee, etc. Having this kind of service is great. If I run out of coffee or supplies and called last minute, they will swing by the office with a refill. If something goes wrong with one of our units, the service technician will be out there the same or next day to repair or replace equipment. They just really make you feel like you are genuinely important to them.”
-Mary W.

“It is all about the customer service! We have had a long-lasting partnership with BostonbeaN, and time after time they have proved that they can provide top-notch service.”
-Hannah W.

When you’re ready to deliver the coffee and tea service your employees crave, contact us to customize our delivery services to your Boston-area office.