Powdered milk VS fresh milk for office coffee machines

Premium office coffee machines offer a wide variety of barista-quality drinks all at the touch of a button. Most of the machines on the market dispense milk-based coffees, like lattes and cappuccinos. They can do this using either fresh milk or powdered (aka granulated) milk. But which type is right for you and your office?

Let us take you through the pros and cons of fresh milk coffee machines versus powdered milk coffee machines.

So, what is powdered milk?

Powdered milk is made from fresh milk that is freeze-dried into tiny granules. You might hear it sometimes referred to as granulated milk. But it’s not the same as coffee whitener or creamer, which usually has added sweeteners. It’s just milk, usually skimmed, that has been dried out.

Milk powder for coffee machines is hydrolysed, so that it easily dissolves in water. During brewing, a powdered milk coffee machine will mix hot water into granules, adding steam and pressure to dispense it as foam. For example, Mook is a good-quality milk powder for coffee machines that many coffee machine suppliers widely use.

Taste and cost

Coffee purists like our team here at FreshGround prefer using fresh milk because of its taste and the creamier texture. It feels more like authentic barista quality.

Most bean-to-cup coffee machines will have an option to add a fresh milk fridge. These will deliver top-quality foam in drinks such as cappuccinos. However, granulated milk can still make a great cup of coffee.

Let’s say you need a coffee machine for a meeting room that isn’t used that often, or your team isn’t in the office every day.

In those cases, it might be easier and more cost-effective to opt for granulated milk. It can be left in the machine longer between uses. You may even find that both types are suitable in the same office, when you have areas with differing requirements.

Storage and shelf life

Fresh milk lasts around a week and must be refrigerated. You’ll want to consider how much fridge space you have, or how often you get milk deliveries. But how long does powdered milk last? Well, it has had all moisture removed, so it can last for around 18 months and can be stored at room temperature.

Cleaning

One of the biggest advantages of granulated milk machines is how low-maintenance they are.

Because they use powdered milk mixed with hot water, there’s no fresh milk running through the internal pipes. That means no risk of milk going sour in the system, and no need for daily rinsing or deep cleaning of milk lines. If you’re short on time or want a low-hassle option for the office, a granulated milk machine is a practical, time-saving choice.

Fresh milk machines do need a little more care, simply because of hygiene. Most machines will prompt you to run a quick rinse cycle each day, with a more thorough clean usually needed once a week. Just press a few buttons and add the cleaning items when prompted, and the machine will take care of the rest. You canfind the cleaning guides for our range of fresh milk coffee machines here.

Dietary and dairy-free

When picking between fresh or powdered milk for your office coffee machine, think about your team’s dietary needs.

It’s best to offer a plant-based option. Many modern bean-to-cup machines now come with a dual-milk function. This allows you to offer both cow’s milk and a dairy-free alternative such as oat milk from the same machine.

Oat milk is the UK’s most popular plant-based milk, and for good reason. It has a creamy taste, blends well with coffee and is available in both fresh and powdered form. Read our guide to fresh vs powdered oat milk here to find out which one is best for your office.

Types of powdered milk machine

There are a few configurations you can choose from. The first is an all fresh milk machine like an Egro Next, which you can get with a dedicated milk fridge. This machine is a high-spec fresh milk option, and offers a wide variety of barista-quality drinks.

Next would be a powdered milk coffee machine like the Krea Touch. These have a dual milk capability with two hoppers for milk powders. You can have both dairy and dairy-free milk options with powdered milk. These are great for offices that have a hybrid working pattern or generally lower footfall.

Lastly, you could go for a combined milk machine. These take fresh milk and powdered milk.

The LaCimbali s15 is a great example. You can set up these machines to dispense both fresh dairy milk and powdered oat milk. Giving your team more choice.

Should I choose a powdered milk or fresh milk coffee machine?

Overall, it comes down to your specific needs as a business. Storage, cost and experience are the key factors you must decide on.

Powdered milk stores for longer but is more expensive than fresh. However, the experience of fresh milk machines is undeniably more sophisticated and luxurious for users. So, if you genuinely want to treat your team, or you want to give your visitors a premium coffee experience, we recommend fresh milk.

Need a hand?

Our team is here to help you make the best decision based on your business’s specific requirements. We’ll talk you through all the options and find exactly what’s right for you. Contact us today to chat about your office coffee requirements to keep your team happy, healthy and hydrated.