Category • Blog articles

What are the top ten office coffee facts you need to know?

Alex | March 7, 2023

We know a thing or two about the importance of a good cup of coffee at work. Not only does it help keep us awake and alert, but it can also help to boost your teams’ engagement and productivity. A good cup of coffee to kickstart your day can help combat drowsiness, increase focus, and improve overall cognitive function. This can lead to better work results – something that all businesses are striving for.

Is coffee quality important?

Firstly, it’s important to note that the quality of the coffee is important. Today, people expect a barista-style, premium coffee similar to the type of coffee you can find on the high street. When your team feels like you value their well-being and that you’re providing them with the tools needed to do their job effectively, they’re more likely to be engaged and motivated at work.

Something so simple as a good quality coffee can support better teamwork, improve overall job satisfaction and can even help attract and retain talent.

So if you’re the office manager or a facilities manager responsible for choosing your team’s coffee experience, you might want to consider getting a bean to cup machine. This will mean everyone in the office will have instant access to fresh, high-quality coffee with a wide choice of coffee drinks – all at the touch of a button.

In this blog, we’re looking at our top ten office coffee facts to help you and your team make informed decisions about your office coffee culture. From selecting the right type of coffee to providing the best brewing equipment for your team, we’re here to help.

1. Coffee is the second most consumed drink in the world

After water, coffee is the most widely consumed drink in the world. In fact, according to Statista, 95 million cups of coffee are consumed every day in the UK alone! That’s a staggering amount of caffeine. Coffee is also the second most traded commodity in the world after oil.

2. Coffee can boost productivity

Research has shown that drinking coffee can help boost productivity in the workplace. By keeping employees alert and focused, they’re more likely to get their work done efficiently and effectively. According to a study by Harvard Business Review, “coffee consumption increases alertness and attention span while decreasing tiredness.”

3. Bean-to-cup machines provide freshly brewed coffee

Investing in a bean-to-cup machine is one of the best ways to ensure that your employees have access to fresh, delicious coffee. These machines grind beans on demand and produce high-quality espresso-based drinks at the touch of a button. Bean-to-cup machines offer several benefits such as consistent quality, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness. Plus they’re affordable, especially if you rent or get one on a free loan agreement. This means you don’t have a larger upfront expense and the cost can be spread over months. Our agreements start from just three months, giving you the flexibility to cancel, upgrade or extend your lease as your business changes and grows. Find out more.

4. The average employee drinks two cups of coffee per day

According to research, the average employee drinks around two cups of coffee per day while at work. This means that having good quality coffee available can make a big difference when it comes to staff satisfaction and overall morale. Of course, many of us enjoy more than two cups a day, so ensure your bean-to-cup machine is kept stocked up with coffee beans and milk to keep the coffee flowing.

5. Coffee can help reduce stress levels

Studies have shown that drinking coffee can help reduce stress levels in individuals, making it an ideal beverage for those high-pressure workplaces where deadlines are tight and stress levels run high. According to WebMD, people “who drank two or three cups daily had lower stress levels than those who drank one cup or less.”

6. People value good coffee as an important office perk

71% of UK workers value office drinks, travel schemes and flexi-hours over pensions, reflecting a shift in priorities. Other simple things like employee discounts, gym memberships and ensuring your team has access to a quality coffee experience at work are vital.

Installing a premium coffee machine in your office kitchen, meeting rooms, or break-out areas, is just one way to bring people together and further build your culture. And a recent survey showed that 75% of employees agree that having high-quality coffee shows that their employer cares for their well-being.

7. Drinking too much coffee can have negative side effects

While drinking moderate amounts of coffee can be beneficial for health and productivity, drinking too much can have negative side effects. Like anything, it should be enjoyed in moderation to avoid risking getting anxiety, insomnia or upset stomachs. An average cup of coffee is said to have around 80 to 100 milligrams of caffeine per cup and guidance from the NHS advises against consuming more than 400mg of caffeine a day for adults. Roughly, you don’t want to have more than 3 – 4 cups of caffeinated coffee per day.

8. Having alt-milks in coffee is increasingly popular

In the UK, oat milk has become our favourite alternative to traditional dairy milk in office coffee settings. It’s especially popular among those who are lactose intolerant, vegan, or those with dietary restrictions. Soy and almond milk are also commonly used as dairy substitutes, but oat milk is top thanks to its creamy texture, nutty taste, and how well it works in coffee. You’ll now find that many coffee shops and cafes across the UK now offer oat milk as a standard option for their customers.

9. The UK consumes more instant coffee than freshly brewed

While freshly brewed coffee is widely considered superior in taste and quality to instant coffee, statistics show that more Brits consume instant – around three times as much. According to The Independent, “60% prefer instant due mainly to its convenience.” We’d argue that a bean-to-cup coffee machine offers a much better tasting coffee, but we understand especially in homes where people use kettles, instant is still incredibly popular.

10. Regular tea breaks are important too!

And finally, while we’re all about promoting great-tasting office coffee here at FreshGround, we understand that lots of love tea as well. In fact today, statistics prove that both tea AND coffee take the joint top spot for favourite hot drinks here in the UK.

Need some advice?

If you’re looking to up your office coffee game, we’re here to help. We offer a wide range of bean to cup coffee machines to provide your team with only the best, freshest tasting coffee. Simply contact us if you need any advice and remember that we also offer a free consultation where we’ll come to your office to help you find the perfect machine and perfect coffee for you.