Is freshly ground coffee better than pre-ground?

If you’re a manager that cares about your team’s health, well-being and happiness, you’ll already know that great-tasting coffee is vital to the smooth running of your office. But are you giving your team the best coffee experience your business can afford? Sure, some businesses might cut corners and provide their team with a cup of instant – but at what cost?

Surveys have shown that 40% of office workers in the UK say that the quality of the coffee provided in their workplace affects their job satisfaction.

Not only that, but another survey revealed that 79% of UK office workers say that having access to high-quality coffee at work helps them to be more productive.

So if you’re looking to upgrade or improve your office coffee experience, you’ll have a few factors to consider. Firstly what type of coffee do you provide for your co-workers, and secondly what type of coffee machine is best for your office?

Coffee machines

Whilst there are many different options on the market from espresso machines, coffee pod or capsule machines, pour-over coffee machines, vending machines and bean-to-cup machines, you’ll find that most modern offices opt for a bean-to-cup machine.

This is because bean-to-cup machines are a convenient and affordable option and they pour freshly ground, delicious-tasting coffee. They also offer a wide range of coffee drinks so you can give your team a choice. Many of them too have the functionality to offer a choice of coffee beans and different milk types with multiple bean hoppers and dual milk fridges. But the best thing about them is that they grind whole coffee beans right there, meaning you can provide a premium-tasting, barista-style coffee experience at work.

Are whole coffee beans better to buy than pre-ground coffee?

As an office manager, you’ll know that providing quality coffee for your team is important to keep their morale high and productivity levels up. But when it comes to purchasing your coffee supplies, should you opt for pre-ground or whole coffee beans? Spoiler alert – whole coffee beans are often the better option which is also why a bean-to-cup machine is probably the right choice for your office.

Firstly, the main reason for buying whole beans is freshness. When coffee beans are ground, they release oils that give coffee its aroma and unique flavour. These oils start to dissipate as soon as coffee is ground. In fact, coffee can start to lose its flavour in around 30 minutes after being ground with this leading to a less fresh and flavourful cup of coffee with each passing day. Also remember that pre-ground coffee can often sit on shelves for weeks or months, losing much of its full-bodied taste, aroma, and character before ever even being brewed.

Whole coffee beans however, maintain their freshness for much longer because the oils stay intact within the bean. By purchasing whole beans, you’re guaranteeing a better, fresher-tasting cup of coffee with the richest, most indulgent aroma.

Coffee grind size

Now, if you’re manually grinding your coffee beans, the size of the coffee ground is very important. If you have coffee grounds that are too coarse, you’ll get a cup of coffee that tastes weak and under-extracted. Conversely, if you’re using a finer grind, you may end up with a cup that’s bitter and over-extracted. When brewing, it’s best to avoid over-extraction and under-extraction and instead stay in the middle for a good all-rounded flavour. Of course, if you have an office bean-to-cup coffee machine, it’ll automatically grind your coffee to the correct size.

Bean-to-cup machines

In fact, investing in a bean-to-cup coffee machine cuts out any guesswork of selecting a grind size and ensures precisely measured coffee grounds that provide consistent results – every time. Your office coffee machine supplier will have an engineer come out to fit your machine and at the same time they will configure it to ensure you get the perfect grind size.

Ultimately, by choosing quality whole coffee beans and using a bean-to-cup coffee machine, you’ll provide your office with an exceptional coffee experience. Not only does this help to improve your team’s workday, but it’ll make them feel appreciated, more valued, motivated and energised during their working days. You will be investing in more than just coffee – you’ll be investing in the success of your workforce.

A really good quality commercial bean-to-cup coffee machine can be expensive to buy outright so if you’re balancing budgets, most of our customers either rent or get them on a free loan basis. Each one of our coffee machines comes with a service plan as well so you have the peace of mind that if anything goes wrong, we’re here to help. You can view our wide range of bean-to-cup machines online.

Get in touch

If you need any advice about your office coffee, all of our team are Specialty Coffee Association trained so we can help you with any of your queries. Just get in touch with us.