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Coffee’s health benefits have been making the headlines in recent weeks – from the research that found drinking an extra couple of cups a day may protect your liver from the effects of cirrhosis to a report that revealed drinking over 900mls of coffee a day could cut the risk of developing MS. And these are just two examples of how the black stuff can do a whole lot more for you than perk you up first thing in the morning. The health benefits of coffee are incredibly varied and gives you the perfect excuse to keep drinking it – but, then again, you didn’t really need an excuse did you? Just some of coffee's health benefits... Diabetes It’s thought coffee has a beneficial role in cutting your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes, with the American Chemical Society producing a report that revealed four or more cups a day reduces that risk by at least 50 per cent!   Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s Disease is the leading cause of dementia and there’s currently no known cure for the neurological disorder. Studies have revealed, however, that coffee drinkers could have up to a 65 per cent lower chance of developing the condition.   Heart Drinking coffee in moderation could be good for your heart! In research carried out in the States, drinking four “European” cups of coffee every day lowered the risk of heart failure by 11 per cent. Depression A number of studies have established a link between coffee and a lower risk of depression, not due to its caffeine content but its antioxidant qualities and ability to stimulate the release of dopamine in the brain.   Nutrition According to the University of Scranton, coffee is the top source of antioxidants in the USA – and that’s awesome news for your body on many levels. And a black coffee contains just two calories too.   Death This one is a pretty fundamental benefit, wouldn’t you agree? If you want to lower the risk of dying, drinking four to five cups a day could do that by 12 per cent. Even just the one cup can help, says this American study.   So, there we have it. Coffee’s health benefits have been discussed, explored and ultimately proven in numerous reports around the world. And that is why now is as good a time as any for you to get a premium coffee solution installed in your place work – all without any capital investment. Our bespoke office coffee solutions are tailored to your exact requirements, our team can advise you every step of the way. And, in no time at all, you’ll be serving the hot beverages that will help you feel happy and healthy for longer! https://youtu.be/kpz90Nhmbhg

If media reports are to be believed, some of the UK’s best known coffee shop chains are in a bit of hot water right now. That’s because fewer than one in 400 take-out paper coffee cups supplied in the name of convenience are ever recycled – and when seven million are used across the nation each day, that’s a lot of cups that aren’t being put to good use after, well, being put to good use. According to The Times, this has led to claims that the chains have been stretching the truth when it comes to the green credentials of takeaway coffee cups. Mind you, the issue here isn’t that cups can’t be recycled – it’s that they have to go through a special process first because of how they are made. If they’re put in a normal recycling bin, they end up being sent to landfill as regular waste. The Journal.ie reported, "single-use plastics, such as coffee cups, are to be banned in the EU by 2030, in a bid to fight pollution." Ireland is the top producer of plastic waste in the European Union, according to the latest Eurostat figures. Coffee Cups: The Solution? The UK government has given its verdict on the matter, saying that it has no plans to bring in a tax – similar to the recently introduced levy on plastic bags – on coffee cups. The government is going to meet with industry representatives to find a way forward on the issue, but it looks like it’s down to individual businesses for the time being. And it’s the perfect chance for yours to blaze a trail. One large chain has now announced that it’ll knock 50p off the cost of a cuppa if customers have a cup of their own to serve it in. Of course, it’s much easier for bigger businesses to absorb this type of cost, but can yours? Some difficult sums would have to be made, especially if you’re new to the sector – but there might be some small, yet practical steps you can take to doing your green bit. If not a 50p discount, how about the unit cost of a solitary paper coffee cup? Or perhaps you could introduce a unique loyalty scheme – for every four full-priced cups a customer purchases from you using their own mug, they get a fifth free. It could incentivise return visits, generate mutual loyalty and keep more of those contentious cups out of the bin. And that can only be a good thing. That perfect cup of coffee is right in your hands. Another good thing, we reckon, is the help we can provide your business. We believe you deserve a world-class coffee experience to perform better and make your team succeed. Saving up your monthly expenditures for your staff by not having to visit the coffee shop. If being green is high on your organization list of priorities, but also your list of outgoings, why add more to that? our office solutions apart from providing the best quality coffee beans and the latest telemetry technology offer a great way to encourage go green freeing your coffee up to do its bit for the planet without impacting on quality. Get in touch with our team today and find out more about the options available to you. For a full bespoke office coffee solution, our equipment and experience and technology are second-to-none.   https://youtu.be/f6QOn6UWWhI

If you’re a business owner, office manager or employer, how are you making sure that your staff are looked after? And that your workplace environment is the best it can be. You may have heard how some companies have reinvented the traditional ‘office’ to benefit their workers – hammocks, slides, indoor trees… and that’s just Google for starters! Don’t worry, we’re not suggesting you should go to extreme lengths to keep your staff happy! But how about the small perks that can make a huge impact – like investing in a top quality coffee machine (and beans to match)? We think it’ll go down a treat and it won’t be just your employees who are getting a good thing – your business can benefit too. Office coffee – the benefits: 1. Not a moment to lose Time is money as they say. If there’s work that needs doing, you won’t want employees going back and forth to the coffee shop. By providing your own premium coffee, cut out the caffeine middle man and you’ll find your staff will spend more time at their desk. 2. Look after your team Look after your staff and they’ll look after your company. A ComRes survey revealed in 2014 that 70% of office workers felt valued by their employer to at least some extent by the provision of premium coffee – not least, probably, because won’t cost them a penny. 3. Get more work done It won’t surprise you to hear that coffee stimulates the brain. That makes it a handy tool for perking up your people – particularly when those eyes start to drop. If you’ve got a supply of top quality coffee on hand to supercharge your staff when it’s needed. 4. Wow your customers Invest in good coffee and you’re not just investing in your staff – you’re investing in your company’s image. Why? Well, when your important clients and customers come to visit, a top quality cup will make a stunning first impression and may just help seal the deal! With Strive Coffee & Co, providing high-quality office coffee doesn’t have to be a hassle and nor will it cost your company the earth. We don’t ask for any capital investment. we can talk you through your options and provide you with solutions that’ll make a lasting impact. It might be a small perk, but office coffee makes a big difference.   https://youtu.be/szruHqbAJy4

It’s not all that long ago that we took a look at why top quality office coffee could be such an amazing asset to your business. One reason is the positive effect it can have on your staff – so that’s why we’re going to explore the vital role of the coffee break and why you should be making it the best it can be. From the physical to the psychological, the benefits of providing your staff with a proper coffee break could be the difference between ‘success’ and ‘SUCCESS’. Far from it being time wasted by your team doing nothing but sipping a cup of joe, here are some awesome benefits that you didn’t know about… Coffee Break: The Benefits To Your Workplace… Alert First and foremost, caffeine is – as we all know – a stimulant. But did you know how it works? In your central nervous system is a chemical called adenosine. It builds up in your brain during the day and it makes you feel sleepy. But the caffeine in your coffee is quite good at making adenosine receptors in your brain think it’s the real deal. That means adenosine can’t build up and you don’t feel as sleepy! Productive and Creative A team of researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found that workers who take a coffee break together are more productive. And if you look at this infographic compiled by the team at Fizzler.com, you can see just how important workers in the US value their coffee at work. It’s an exchange of ideas, a chance to vent frustrations and a forum for socialising that makes the break. Physical Wellbeing… A hard day’s work can take its toll on the body – that’s going to be bad for business in the long term. A coffee break is the ideal solution. If you work at a desk, it eases pain in the neck, shoulders, wrists and forearms. And what about if you don’t work at a desk? Well, there’s nothing wrong with a little respite. Oh, and don’t forget coffee’s health benefits either – there are plenty of those! … Mental Wellbeing The psychological benefits of a coffee break are just as important. If you’re not being helped to learn new things faster, you’re giving your brain a much-needed rest. A cuppa can also relieve the stresses of the working day too. Not only that, but a fantastic coffee supply in your workplace makes workers feel more valued. If your business cares about its staff, its staff will care about your business.  Make Or Break? Now you’ve read about some of the benefits of a coffee break to your business, let’s make it happen. It doesn’t take much time or effort to get a top quality coffee solution for your place of work. We’ve worked with offices, studios and other businesses throughout the UK and Ireland to meet their caffeine needs – so now it’s your turn. Don’t delay – get in touch today! https://youtu.be/mc1pl3NMtTU    

If there’s one success story that has stood out in the hot drinks market over the past few years, it’s the sale of coffee pods. Individuals and businesses across the UK and Ireland have turned to single-serve capsules as a convenient, affordable yet more premium alternative to instant coffee. In the UK, coffee pods now generate more than £112m worth of sales in a 12-month period – and analysts say that figure will treble by 2020, overtaking sales of the humble tea bag in the process. But is it now time for consumers to ditch coffee pods altogether? Here’s five good reasons to suggest it is… Coffee Pods: A Bitter Aftertaste? 1. The Earth Factor If you call in on a government building in Hamburg, you won’t be served coffee pods. They’re now forbidden – part of a city-wide ban on “certain polluting products or product components”. That’s because the aluminium/plastic pods can’t usually be recycled. With millions of capsules sold every year, that’s a lot of waste for the planet to deal with. A pods pioneer, John Sylvan, even says he “feels bad” about devising the product in the first place!   2. The Health Factor Do coffee pods pose a risk to your health? One microbiologist believes your coffee pod machine is a prime breeding ground for bacteria that thrive because you can’t drain your internal water tank – resulting in a permanent dark, warm and moist atmosphere. There are also concerns about how materials used in the actual pods can affect your health.   3. The Cost Factor OK, so the initial cost of buying your coffee might seem reasonable – 10 capsules for a fiver? That doesn’t sound too bad. But what are you actually paying in the context of how much coffee you’re getting? The New York Times crunched some figures and revealed you could be paying as much as $50 per pound! That’s £35/€45! If you compare that with the cost of securing some of our brilliant coffee beans.   4. The Choice Factor A selling point of a coffee pod machine is its undoubted convenience, being able to pick a specific capsule to suit your mood and tastes. And yet you can get the same convenience and same range of hot drink choices (if not more!) with our bean-to-cup machines: cappuccinos, Americanos, hot chocolates, teas and more…   5. The Taste Factor Now, this is a completely subjective one – but we think coffee tastes much better fresh. Mass-produced pods contain coffee that has been sitting in inside for, well, who knows! Meanwhile, a fresh batch of Strive Coffee beans will pack in more flavour and more coffee in your cup. You can even add your extra twist if you’re feeling creative! If some, many or all of those reasons struck a chord with you, don’t wait any longer – get in touch with our team and we’ll talk you through how we can supply machines and beans to replace your pod machine. It’s almost as simple as using a capsule machine!   https://youtu.be/Mllvs9pi8LE

Customers – the most important people to your business. If you’re going to succeed, you’re going to need people to buy your products or services. And that means it’s vital to do what you can to attract and retain customers. One method of doing that is by adding value to the experience you provide. Adding value isn’t just about giving your customers a reason to return. It’s also helpful in terms of growing brand awareness and setting yourself apart from your rivals. And it can be done in a variety of ways – from discounts to loyalty rewards and even something small. Like, perhaps, a free coffee…   Adding Value: The Offer of Free Coffee The offer of free coffee isn’t exactly reinventing the wheel when it comes to adding value. But the provision of complimentary cuppas for customers is being made across companies of all shapes and sizes. Airlines, supermarkets, car dealers and more – it’s a flexible perk that fits nearly any business. Of course, it’s reasonable to think about the financial implications of giving something extra way for nothing – not least for smaller firms. But adding value doesn’t have to mean huge expenditure. With a cup of coffee, you can enhance the customer experience for a relatively small investment. It’s about the wider picture, as this VOW article suggests. The potential return to you as a business is likelyto easily cover the costs involved. Let’s use a supermarket as an example – if a customer enjoys a free coffee and then spends £100/€100 on a weekly shop, it’s going to be a winner in ROI terms. At Strive Coffee & Co. we supply our clients with the very best Coffee machines available on the world market. Our Swiss made, fully automatic bean to cup coffee machines are the perfect fit for today's busy modern office. Every cup served is backed by cutting-edge coffee technology to ensure consistency and quality every time. Our Machines are connected to the Strive coffee control centre via state of the art machine Telemetry, which gives us all the information we require to deliver the perfect cup. All you need to do is pick up the phone or send us an email and let us know your requirements. We take it from there, with our team of coffee experts on hand to build the package for you. It really is that straightforward! We look forward to adding value to your business today!