Through 2022 and 2023, people began returning to the office in droves. A recent Bloomberg study found that office occupancy in the US had reached 50% for the first time since 2020. And even though people might not be returning to the office full-time, hybrid work is becoming more prominent – with some 69% of employers shifting to a hybrid model.
For coffee, more people returning to the office means one thing above all else: increased demand for coffee in workspaces.
Let’s take a look at how you can improve your office coffee quality with exceptional brewing equipment.
The push for high-quality office coffee
Many workers begin their day with a cup of coffee, whether at home, a coffee shop, or the office. Many offices around the world offer their employees coffee in one form or another, boosting productivity throughout the workday.
According to a recent survey by Nespresso, 65% of employees now expect high-quality coffee in the workplace. Additionally, 77% of employees deem morning coffee breaks essential, with 92% indicating that they want social spaces in their offices.
Creating the perfect office coffee setup
Whether you’re brewing coffee at home, at the office, or in a café, there are a few important principles to keep in mind.
Firstly, it’s essential to always use high-quality coffee. And where offices can, they should stock whole bean coffee, which needs to be freshly ground for every batch or shot. Doing this maximises the retention of both flavour and aroma.
Secondly, businesses must invest in quality coffee brewing equipment to get the most out of every cup. This includes the coffee machine itself but also extends to coffee grinders and water dispensers.
Some other tips to keep in mind:
- Grind coffee to the correct size: If your office setup does use preground coffee, make sure it’s perfect for the brewing method you have. Espresso requires finely ground coffee, while coarser grounds are usually used for filter coffee methods like pour-over, French press, and cold brew.
- Water temperature: Ensure the temperature of your brewing water is between 92 and 96ºC.
- Storing coffee: Keep your coffee in a dry, cool place, away from direct sunlight and other contaminants. Seal it in an airtight container to maximise freshness.
Water dispensing
Using a high-quality, versatile water dispensing system in your office coffee setup ensures that your brewing water is clean and fresh, resulting in a better-tasting cup of coffee.
Additionally, a reliable water dispensing system can reduce the time and effort required to make large quantities of coffee throughout the day.
Marco’s FRIIA countertop dispensing system is the perfect solution for office coffee setups. It’s designed to deliver water for both hot and cold drinks. Users can choose between hot and cold or hot, cold, and sparkling options, making it a versatile solution for offices.
With the ability to dispense 170 cups of hot water per hour and between 210 and 240 cups of cold or cold and sparkling water per hour, this system can keep up with incredibly busy break rooms.
FRIIA is also at least 23% more energy efficient than leading competitors, thanks to its vacuum-insulated heating and sturdy aluminium block chilling technology.
Similarly, the Marco MIX hot water dispenser is a game-changer for office coffee. It offers three different temperature and volume options and is up to 70% more energy-efficient than its direct competitors. Its impressive features and reliability make MIX an ideal hot water solution for office coffee and tea brewing.
Office break rooms also often have limited space available. Therefore, our MIX dispensers are available in countertop and under-counter options.
The FRIIA and MIX dispensers don’t just help you brew great coffee – they can also be used for a range of other purposes. Since the FRIIA font dispenses cold and hot water, employees can use it to fill up their water bottles throughout the day or use hot water to brew tea or other beverages.
Automated, high-quality coffee brewers
In some countries, office coffee quality has ended up with a poor reputation over the years. High-quality coffee brewing equipment helps to achieve a consistent and delicious flavour profile. Reliable, automatic brewers make the brewing process efficient and stable, saving time and effort.
More than half of office workers expect high-quality coffee, so using reliable, automatic brewers like the Marco SP9 or Ottomatic can save time and effort while improving employee satisfaction. These brewers improve coffee quality and can provide high-quality filter coffee time and time again.
Additionally, automated brewers can help save time and boost productivity for employees who would otherwise need to brew coffee manually.
For instance, the Marco SP9 single-cup precision brewer automates pour over brewing by eliminating the time-consuming process of controlling extensive brewing variables.
The SP9 works perfectly with the CHEMEX, Kalita, and Hario V60 brewing methods, leveraging pre-infusion technology and pulsing the brewing water to yield consistently high-quality filter coffee every time.
The CHEMEX is particularly well-suited to batch brewing. It works best with the Marco Ottomatic, which was designed especially for the CHEMEX and uses innovative sprayhead technology to achieve precise extraction.
It’s clear that coffee is a staple in many workplaces, and that as people have returned to the office, they expect good-quality coffee to be available. By taking the opportunity to upgrade your office coffee setup, you can keep everyone happy and productive throughout the workday.
