At one time, it was relatively common to see employees congregating around the office water-cooler for a refreshing drink and chat while on a quick break. The fact that the company was offering free water may not seem like much, but for employees at the time, having access to a water-cooler was a perk that you just didn’t find at every office.
Nowadays, however, a lot of job seekers and employees expect there to be some kind of perks at the office – and not just water, either. Like it or not, perks are important to employees, and even the little things can make a difference when it comes to attracting new workers and keeping your current ones happy.
Fortunately, offering your employees free drinks is a relatively inexpensive perk that can go a long way in keeping them satisfied and productive. Of course, you can give them water, but if you want to stand out from your competitors and really show your workers how much you appreciate them, it may be time to step it up in the drinks department.
Want happy, productive employees? Here are the three drinks you should have on tap at the office.
Cold Brew Coffee
A good number of adults certainly like to start their day with the extra boost of energy you can get from a cup of coffee. While a hot coffee can be just the thing to warm you up on cooler days, it may not have quite the same appeal when the sun has you feeling like you’re going to melt into a puddle!
This is just one of the reasons why cold brew coffee is a great choice to have on tap at the office. Not only will it help cool your employees down on hot days, but it also has more caffeine, less acidity, and bitterness than your typical hot cup of joe.
Plus, if you infuse it with nitrogen, you can make nitro coffee, which is so smooth and creamy it may make people skip the cream and sugar entirely, helping them avoid a sugar crash later in the workday.
Cold-pressed Juice
Who doesn’t like a cold glass of juice? If you offer 100% juice options to your employees, you’ll also be providing them with a rich source of vitamins and minerals that will keep them going throughout the day. Choose fruits and veggies full of antioxidants like pomegranates, beets, and blueberries to further benefit skin and heart health.
Kombucha
If you’re not against your employees having a little alcohol during the workday, then you should consider having some kombucha on tap. That small amount of alcohol is really nothing when you think about the many antioxidants and probiotics contained in kombucha, which can help improve digestion and provide a much-needed energy boost on especially busy days.
Now, some kombucha does contain a lot of sugar and calories, but this fizzy, fermented tea is still a lot healthier than most of the energy drinks or soda out on the market. If you can steer your soda- and energy drink-loving employees over to kombucha instead, you’ll certainly be doing them a favor.
https://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Photocentric-Daily-Blog-Banner-5.png6301120Alvinhttps://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo.pngAlvin2021-10-27 07:04:182021-10-27 07:04:183 Drinks to have on Tap at the office
Drinking Tea plays a central part in our lives. It is a universal phenomenon with millions of people are enjoying it on a daily basis. But did you know that before our beloved tea became a beverage, it was a leaf? So there you go! With some basic knowledge of how tea is made under your belt– you will know more than most people.
However, from choosing between different flavors to executing conflicting brewing techniques, it’s easy to feel lost in the world of tea! Don’t worry, we’re here to shed some light on selecting and brewing the perfect cup of tea for your tastes.
In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about the different tea types, their origins, and their flavor profiles. This will simply guide you the next time you walk into a specialty tea shop and just stare blankly at all the tea along the wall. In the end, you will find your tea of choice, despite all the variety.
Let’s start!
First Things First… What Is Tea?
Although known in different forms, shades, flavors, tea is a very simple evergreen plant. Most people don’t realize this, but all real tea comes from one single plant species called Camellia Sinensis. The differentiation between various types of teas is strictly based on the process of manufacturing.
This is what makes tea so fascinating! Although all the various types of tea come from the same plant, they have different characteristics due to differences in climate, soil, season, and care. The region in which the tea is grown and subsequently processed gives its own distinctive flavor.
The full flavor of the final product is developed from the freshly harvested tea leaves by oxidation (fermentation), heating, drying, and even combining the final product with various other substances to make blends and styles that vary by culture, geography, and personal preference.
Brief History Of Tea
According to legend, tea was first discovered in China over 4,000 years ago by Emperor Nun Shen. One day, while visiting the far regions of his realm, he and his servants stopped to boil some water over a fire. A breeze blew the topmost leaves of a nearby tea tree into the pot releasing an inviting aroma. The Emperor tasted the refreshing beverage and was beguiled.
The popularity of tea spread throughout Chinese and Japanese culture. The first book on tea, ‘Cha’a Ching’, was written in the 8th century by the Chinese author Lu Yu. This definitive manual described the cultivation and preparation of tea. While in Japan, tea was elevated to an art form with the creation of the Japanese Tea Ceremony.
Tea was first introduced to Europe in the 16th Century by Dutch traders. Tea became a globally traded commodity when the East India Company was established in England. This popular beverage soon became an English institution.
Today, thousands of tea estates around the world produce tea and each one masterfully crafts a unique tea. It remains one of the most popular beverages in the world.
How Is Tea Made?
If you wonder how is it possible for this simple plant to produce such a wide variety of flavors, colors, and even look of the leaves, here is the answer…
The main process that tea leaves need to undergo is called oxidation. This is the time when leaves are left in a room that has a controlled climate to oxidize and turn darker. This is also the moment when tea producers make decisions on the darkness of the leaves, the tea liquor and even the strength and nuances of the taste of the drink when it is steeped. A good rule of thumb is that the more the leaves are processed, the stronger the flavor is.
Then, the oxidation process is being stopped by steaming and drying and tea leaves are being shaped following different methods to form a variety of looks and allowing some of the essential oils to come through and enhance the flavors.
So now that we have a shared understanding of how tea is generally made, let’s now gain a thorough understanding of the main types of tea. Keep on reading…
6 Types Of Tea
Tea is generally broken up into six main categories. Read on to find out more about each of the different tea types, their characteristics, and what makes each one unique. Here they are:
1. Green Tea
The flavor of green tea can range from earthy and grassy to umami and floral. Steamed green teas tend to have more of a vegetable or herbaceous flavor while roasted or pan-fired green teas tend to be nuttier and more earthy. Green teas are also described as oceanic, buttery, and floral.
Green tea is not oxidized. It is roasted, rolled and dried with steam, oven heat or pan-fried preventing oxidation, or also known as fixing. This produces a refreshing tea with a sweet-smelling aroma. Green tea has a lighter flavor than black tea. It is most popular in eastern countries, but becoming more so in the west.
White tea is barely oxidized– it has a subtle blend of sweetness and vegetal flowers and has the least caffeine. Depending on where and how it is produced, it usually has floral, nutty, or mildly fruity notes. This tea is typically pale yellow or lightly golden when brewed and emits a soft aroma.
In addition, this type of tea is made using only the youngest buds and leaves of the tea plant. The plant parts are harvested by hand and then dried in direct sunlight. As it probably makes sense to you, white teas are the least processed teas and among the rarest teas in the world.
3. Black Tea
Black tea is a great choice for coffee drinkers and tea lovers who enjoy bold flavors. It is fully oxidized producing a hearty deep rich flavor of the amber-colored tea. It is the most popular style of tea in most western countries and used in many blends such as Earl Grey, English Breakfast, and Chai.
The tea leaves are harvested and then withered using direct sunlight or air to speed up the process. Once the leaves are withered, they are processed using one of two methods: the CTC method or the orthodox method.
The CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl) method is used mainly in the production of tea bags and uses lower quality leaves. The method uses machines to crush and grind the tea leaves into smaller pieces known as tea dust and tea fannings. These are then packaged into tea bags and shipped for sale.
The orthodox method is used to produce higher quality teas and can be done using machines or by hand. This method typically produces loose leaf teas and tea balls. During the production process, tea leaves are fully oxidized. This develops the rich flavor and dark color of the dried loose tea.
4. Yellow Tea
Yellow tea is a lightly fermented tea unique to China. A rare and expensive variety of tea, yellow tea has gained increasing popularity in recent years because of its delicious, silky taste.
Yellow tea is not oxidized and produced in a similar way to green tea in that it is both withered and fixed. After fixing, yellow tea leaves are heaped or piled and then wrapped in a damp cloth to rest for a period. The heat and humidity give the leaves a yellow hue. As it’s a very rare tea produced only in China, very little is exported.
5. Oolong Tea
Oolong tea was developed later than green and black teas. A repeated rolling process brings the tea leaves to the desired level of oxidation allowing darker color and fuller but still light body. This tea is very fragrant and it has more caffeine than green tea.
Oolong teas are produced mainly in China and Taiwan and are partially oxidized, within a range of 12 to 80 percent. This means that enzymes in the tea leaves are allowed to interact with oxygen, creating a chemical process that darkens the tea leaves and alters the flavor of the tea.
On that note, oolongs are some of the most prized teas due to their intricate processing, which provides a complex flavor that evolves with each sip. The flavor all depends on the skills of the tea maker.
Pu-erh tea is an aromatic black tea originating in China. It features a woody and earthy flavor. The leaves undergo double fermentation and are compressed into bricks or cakes. Pu-erh tea undergoes an oxidation process that is more similar to aging. Generally, there are two types of pu-erh tea:
Raw pu-erh tea – The leaves are harvested and withered to reduce moisture content. The leaves are then roasted to complete the drying process. The tea leaves then undergo an oxidation process that can take anywhere from 1 to 50 years. The longer the tea is aged, the more nuanced the flavors become.
Ripe pu-erh tea – This is also an aged tea, but the process is sped up using micro bacteria. This enables the pu-erh leaves to develop rich flavor in less time. The leaves are harvested and dried then lumped into large piles. The piles are covered with wet linens that promote the growth of healthy microorganisms. These organisms work to ferment the tea leaves. A tea master decides when the leaves have reached the desired oxidation level and then the loose tea is packaged for sale.
What Is Herbal Tea?
The main difference between herbal and common types of tea (true teas) we mentioned above is the actual ingredients. Herbal tea is pretty much any tea that is not made from the Camellia sinensis. Herbal tea does use leaves, but also stems, twigs, peels, sometimes even fruits. There is no specific part of a plant that is used for herbal tea.
As long as it offers either a pleasant taste or has the desired health benefits, it doesn’t matter. It’s a very wide and varied palette of flavors and effects, and depending on where you’re from, herbal tea ends up as being common practice, or something you’ve maybe heard of.
For example, when making ginger tea you’d use the tuber itself, after peeling it. This is because the flavor and nutrients are found in the root of the plant. The leaves are pretty much useless for tea. As for mint tea, the whole plant (except the root) is used. With an emphasis on the leaves since those provide the most flavor and mint oil, but my family used the dried stems as well.
These teas offer a wide range of floral, fruity, and spicy notes to suit your preferences. To give you an idea, here are the most common herbal teas you’ll want to try:
1. Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea is made by infusing the vibrantly colored flower petals of the hibiscus flower in hot water. This tea is popularly called roselle or sorrel in certain parts of the world including the Caribbean and Australia. Hibiscus tea is also commonly consumed as an iced tea because of its tart flavor.
Hibiscus tea offers a sharp flavor with a refreshing finish. This tea tastes similar to cranberries and is often consumed with a dash of honey or a spoonful of sugar. The tea is gorgeous pink or red in color when brewed.
2. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is a classic favorite among herbal tea drinkers. This tea is revered for its calming properties and it is often classified as a bedtime tea. It is mildly floral and emits an herbal aroma. The taste of chamomile is often compared to crisp green apples. The tea is lightly yellow when brewed and can be sweetened with a dash of honey.
3. Ginger Tea
Ginger tea is made from the root of the ginger plant. It offers warming, spicy flavor that piques the interest of taste buds. The ginger root is harvested, sliced, and dried during the production process.
This tea is available in tea bags and loose tea forms. You can also make fresh ginger tea at home using ginger root and hot water. Simply slice a few pieces of ginger root and add them to boiling water. Steep for 3 to 5 minutes and enjoy. This tea is all-natural and vegan-friendly!
4. Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea has a delightful cooling effect from the moment the tea touches your lips. This tea is often described as similar to a refreshing mist. Mint tea is also known as a natural remedy for digestive tract ailments.
Like ginger tea, it helps to relieve indigestion, stomach aches, and nausea. The anti-inflammatory properties of mint leaves help to soothe muscles in the stomach and intestines to prevent acid reflux and cramping.
5. Rooibos Tea
Rooibos is naturally caffeine-free, making it an ideal base tea instead of true teas when brewing flavored teas. It is beloved for its smooth flavor profile
There are two types of rooibos tea: The first one is red rooibos–it is an oxidized tea and considered the traditional variety. Red rooibos tea has floral notes and a slightly tart finish. Second is the green rooibos tea which is not oxidized and tends to have a malty flavor. It offers a light, crisp finish with grassy notes.
6. Rosehip Tea
Rosehip tea is one of the lesser-known herbal infusions, but its popularity is increasing. Rosehip tea is often overshadowed by the essential oil made from the same plant. This tea is made from the dried fruit of the rose plant.
Rosehip tea is flowery and piquant. This tea tastes similar to cranberries and offers a tangy edge that is slightly sour. Honey and lemon can be added to balance out the tart flavor if desired.
Here’s a fun fact: Herbal Teas are not actual teas although we call them this way. The proper term for them is tisanes.
What Is Flavored Tea?
Any tea drinker has seen a wide variety of tea types and flavors. Flavored teas are the ones that have additional flavors added externally to it. Tea leaves are quite receptive to flavors. Whether they are blended in forms of liquid or dry ingredients, black and green tea leaves are usually the ones that team up well with all types of flavors.
Further, there are some important distinctions to make when choosing your tea. Tea is grown in thousands of tea gardens or estates around the world, resulting in thousands of flavorful variations. The most common growing regions are in China and India and some of the most popular flavors are named after the places where they are grown.
Now that you’re aware of what flavored tea is, let’s talk about the common types of tea flavors:
1. Earl Grey
This is probably the most popular black tea in the world. It features a hint of citrus, having come from the bergamot – an orange-type of fruit. The taste is bold, refreshing, and bright.
The tea is made by infusing black tea leaves with bergamot orange rinds. Earl Grey features a slightly citrusy flavor that is contrasted by the bold, earthy notes of black tea leaves. You can also try Lavender Earl Grey, which takes the taste to the next level with the addition of floral and aromatic lavender petals.
2. Breakfast Tea
Breakfast tea is more strongly flavored than afternoon teas and is often enjoyed with milk and sugar similar to how coffee is consumed. The most commonly drank breakfast blends include English and Scottish with a heavily malty flavor, and Irish, slightly stronger with Kenyan and Assam (another region in India) leaves.
3. Lemon Tea
Lemon tea is nothing but a form of black tea or green tea liquor to which lemon juice has been added to impart a unique flavor. Lemon tea simply contains hot tea with lemon juice and sugar. The addition of lemon juice not only makes its color more pronounced but also improves its taste.
4. Jasmine Tea
Jasmine tea is the most popular Chinese flavored tea and is one of the most fragrant and flavorful tea blends. Jasmine tea is a special blend of high-quality loose tea leaves with jasmine petals. The jasmine petals impart a delicate aroma and slightly sweet flavor to the tea. Jasmine tea is most often made using green tea but it can also be made using oolong, black or white tea leaves.
5. Darjeeling Tea
Darjeeling tea is produced only in the Darjeeling region of India, a high altitude region where there is a mist in the air almost constantly providing a cool and moist environment for the tea trees. This unique terrain produces tea leaves that have a very distinct flavor. The flavor is often described as muscatel, leading Darjeeling to be known as the champagne of teas. Darjeeling is lighter than many black teas and has a fruity, nutty and floral palette. For this reason, the English have considered it to be one of the best afternoon teas.
6. Masala Chai
Masala chai tea is an Indian beverage that is enjoyed by people across the globe. The tea is a staple of life in India and can be found alongside street food stalls, at ceremonial celebrations, and in living rooms throughout the country. The tea is made by blending black tea leaves with spices.
The blend varies depending on region and preferences, but most blends include black pepper, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon. Tea drinkers can add a splash of milk for a creamier texture.
What Is Kombucha Tea?
Kombucha tea is unquestionably uber-trendy, but what is it, really?
Kombucha tea is a lightly effervescent beverage that is made through the fermentation process. It is produced by fermenting tea, typically black or green, using a colony of bacteria and yeast called a “scoby.”
If you haven’t got a clue what SCOBY is, it’s an acronym that stands for symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts — which looks like a flat beige mushroom and leaving it in the back of a cupboard for a week or two.
It sounds a little weird, right? Don’t let it turn you off! It tastes better than you think, particularly when brewed with flavor combinations like lemongrass and ginger or pomegranate and passion fruit. Plus sugar makes it more palatable.
The hype surrounding the beverage can be attributed to its oddly addicting taste that may just cure soda cravings. It is a drink that people can chug down one after another, free of guilt. It also contains a slight amount of alcohol which is clearly stated on most commercial products’ labels.
These beneficial compounds join forces to create a super drink! If you’re interested to discover its benefits and how this fizzy drink can change your health, check this out: 10 Surprising Health Benefits Of Kombucha
There You Have It!
By understanding the different types of tea, you can better select a tea that will cater to your preferences — whether you like sweet and light drinks or bold, strong ones.
With this handy guide, you can select the variety of tea that best suits your taste buds. You can choose from one of the most popular teas listed here or be bold and try something you’ve never heard of before.
But in the end, the best teas are always the ones you enjoy most. Use whatever tea you prefer! If you find a brand or a type that you like and works well with your culture, that’s really all that matters!
Also, make sure to share this article with anyone you think could use it!
When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
https://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Image-from-iOS-71.jpg13741832Office Libationshttps://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo.pngOffice Libations2019-12-03 07:35:532022-07-21 18:13:29The Ultimate Guide To Tea
Breaks are an essential part of employee productivity. Chaining yourself to a desk or scarfing down your lunch in your cubicle isn’t a recipe for success – it’s a recipe for disaster.
In fact, research suggests that taking a break helps employees destress and recharge for the rest of the workday. Otherwise, overworked employees often deal with chronic stress that can lead tojob burnout. While this not only negatively affects employee health and well-being, it negatively affects the bottom line, too.
This is why before you send your employees off to the broom closet for their morning coffee you might want to think twice because the break room might be the most important room your company has.
The Office Break Room
Is the break room really that important? Absolutely! Office break rooms can serve numerous functions and should be customized to meet the unique needs of employees.
In the modern workplace, it’s crucial to build an inspiring, supportive atmosphere. Hence, these spaces should give employees a place to escape to when stress is simply getting the best of them, helping them to feel better supported.
The benefits of office break areas are also widespread — the break room draws people out of their offices and cubicles, and provides a central gathering place for employees to interact with one another face to face.
Sometimes having a safe area to unwind is all it takes for an individual to recharge and get the extra boost of energy needed to increase workplace productivity, performance and job satisfaction.
On that note, jazzing up your office break room and making it a happy place for employees should be a no-brainer. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of all the fundamental components!
Healthy Snack Bar
This is an example of a snack bar we provide one of our clients. If you’d like to learn about setting up snacks for your office, contact us via this site or message us here.
Creating a snack bar with healthy food items can help give employees the pick-me-up they need on their breaks. Not only is offering free snacks to employees a great workplace perk, but it also can help them stay productive.
A study showed that eating healthy snacks made employees feel more creative, happier, and engaged. It goes to show that the foods with which your employees choose to fuel their bodies will, of course, have a dramatic effect on how they are able to perform at work.
Additionally, snacks are a tool for stress release and enhanced focus. Therefore, you should always stock your office break room with an array of healthy options. And by offering something a little better than regular old potato chips, you can ensure you’re providing your employees with ingredients that promote energy and wellness.
So, set out fresh fruit for an afternoon snack, prepare veggie toasts, or offer guilt-free snacks like nuts or chickpeas. To help you out, here’s our ultimate guide to healthy office snacks.
What’s the perfect way to switch off and let your mind rest during your workday? It’s usually sitting down with a nice cup of warm tea or coffee or if it’s a hot day, with a refreshing cold drink to quench your thirst!
Therefore, your office break room should include quality drinks for your employees to show you care for them. From the water cooler to the coffee pot to various beverages on tap, you’ll ensure that your employees will always have something to wet their whistle during their downtime.
Moreover, many modern workplaces have embraced the trend of making free beer available in their break rooms. But is drinking at work really such a good idea? If you’re still up in the air about it, read: The 7 Benefits Of Having Drinks In The Office
Whatever your preference may be for your workplace, pulling on a lever to release a cool stream of a refreshing drink can keep your employees happy, healthy, and on track. Even the promise of an ice-cold brew at the close of business can be enough to push through a rough day… I know this one from experience!
The key to a good break room is comfort. It means that much of the value of a dedicated break area within an office setting is lost if it does not at least provide some measure of comfort. So it is important to choose furniture and seating options which provide this.
Stepping away from the stiff, conventional office environment into one with a more homely feel will allow your employees to better disconnect from the pressures of the working day and make better use of such relaxation zones.
Provide adequate tables and chairs so they can leisurely eat, but also provide couches or cushions where they can lounge out in front of the TV on their lunch break and really relax. This is an area of the office where creative and inviting furniture can make a huge difference. Creating a space where your employees can put up their feet, relax, and veg out for a few minutes is essential in clearing the mind.
This comfy lounging is a great addition to a chill area in your break room. It will ensure that more people are spending time away from their desk and in a different environment.
Storage and Lockers
The office surroundings have a huge impact on stress levels and well-being of your employees. Thus, taking the time to clear surfaces, remove stuff that is visually distracting, and throw away rubbish can turn a stressful workplace serene; it can also have a great impact on reducing stress in your workplace.
You can make it possible by providing your employees with adequate storage space in your office break room. In that way, it helps ensure that they can keep their workspaces neat and organized which will help your employees focus better as mess and clutter can be distracting for anyone.
Furthermore, your employees need a place to store their stuff. Whether you want to provide each individual member of your team with their own personal storage locker, or you want to install basic cubbies, just make sure you’re giving your workers a place where they can easily and safely store their personal items.
Entertainment
In order for a break to be enough time to actually take the mind off of work, it’s important to provide other means of mental stimulation or entertainment for your busy employees. For example, installing a TV in your company’s break room will allow your employees to zone out and re-center their minds.
You may assume that such entertainment systems would serve as little more than a distraction and actually have a negative impact on work performance. However, their stress-relieving credentials make them a particular asset for employees when used in moderation. They allow worn-out employees to take their minds off that daunting workload for a short time.
Additionally, playing games or activities can be a great way to encourage employees to bond and connect. Make your break room more exciting and engaging for employees by adding some recreation activities.
Employees will naturally seek out activities on their breaks, so why not give them an opportunity to improve their skills? If you’d like to include a more productive option than game boards or TVs, consider lining the room with bookshelves. Fill these with different skill-based books, magazines, or newspapers that your team might find interesting.
In that way, you’ll promote learning and development at your organization. The world may be becoming increasingly digitalized, but there is still value to be found in a good old-fashioned book.
Further, well-written reading material will allow employees to escape from the stresses of their working day. Given the more mentally-active nature of reading as compared to watching visual media such as televised programming, such activities will also help to keep the mind engaged and allow an employee to be more productive after this short respite.
Be sure to include a range of topics, genres, and styles in order to cater to the differing tastes of the workforce at large. Remember that no one is too old to learn something new or escape into a fictional story.
Error: Contact form not found.
Workout Equipment
While some like nothing more than to sit and unwind during their breaks, others prefer to take an active approach. For those employees, suitable workout equipment in your break room will be a highly-valued addition.
According to a study, physical activity has been shown to boost cognitive stimulation and mental performance, and as such those who engage in exercise during their breaks may actually experience an uptick in productivity as a result, rather than becoming less effective due to fatigue as many may expect.
Forget the traditional vision of what a break room should look like and introduce daily exercise to the workplace. Your employees and business will experience an amazing positive change.
Taste Of Outdoors
Although not widely practiced, the idea of working outdoors or among natural elements is emerging among workplace designers and a number of companies. At the same time, a growing body of research is showing what many of us intuitively know: being in the outdoors does wonders for our minds and bodies.
In the book Biophilic Design: The Theory, Science and Practice of Bringing Buildings to Life, the author said that connecting with nature is essential to our well-being and our ability to be productive and high-functioning at work. Nature often has a positive impact on the mind and body, making us more alert and inspired.
Therefore, you should channel the outdoors in your office break room through Biophilic design. This will help workers feel psychologically and physically healthier while sparking creativity and inspiration, improving their moods.
In addition, allow natural lighting and fresh air in through a cracked window or two. According to a recent study, people who work in offices lacking windows experience decreased vitality, lower quality of life-related to physical problems, and increased daytime dysfunction.
All in all, through a combination of encouraging people to get as much fresh air as possible, including mother nature in the design, and making it a pleasant environment to relax, you could reduce the risk of your employees suffering burnout.
Quiet Rooms
On the flip side, not everyone wants to socialize on their breaks. Some employees prefer quiet rooms. If they can’t get that distraction-free time to process their thoughts, productivity and morale will suffer.
Try adding quiet rooms to your office break room. This will help introverted employees who are interested in mindfulness and meditation can rest and recharge. These are spaces that promote peaceful atmospheres to help employees manage their stress and well-being.
The best quiet rooms feature dim lighting so that employees can close their eyes; couches or reclining chairs to rest on, or soundproof walls to reduce noise levels.
Employees will feel appreciated if they know they have a place to meditate, read, or take a cat nap. A small amount of “me time” goes a long way. Plus, employees who feel appreciated are more productive.
Recognition Board
Employee recognition isn’t rocket science – it is an obvious thing to do. When employees and their work are valued, their satisfaction and productivity rise. This motivates them to maintain or improve their good work. Praise and recognition are essential to an outstanding workplace.
So think of ways to get your staff on the walls. Examples include Shout-out boards, Encouragement Notes, Employee of the Month, Facility Awards, or even Team Photos. The placement of the recognition board is critical to the success of your program. If no one sees it, it doesn’t work. That’s why you should post it on the office break room where employees frequently visit.
Lastly, employee recognition has a huge communication component! Companies that often implement a formal employee recognition program to reward productivity encourage employee retention. Just remember that once you display your recognition board, keep the board updated. No one likes old, forgotten information on a bulletin board.
There you have it!
To guarantee your employees are getting what they need out of their breaks, it helps to make sure your office is supplied with all the components that make up a great break room.
The truth is, every workplace is different and every team has different interests. If you’re really keen to make your break room a place that everyone enjoys, then you need to ask your coworkers what they would like to see in it.
That being said, there are a few key items that can really take your break room to the next level. When it comes to creating a great break room that really shows your appreciation for your employees’ hard work, do your best to separate it from the workspace as much as possible. The office might be quiet and hyper-focused, so create an atmosphere that’s loose and fun.
By providing your employees with a way to turn work off their minds for a few minutes, you’ll give them the opportunity to de-stress, refresh their mental state, and come back to work ready to give it their all.
Make sure to share this article with anyone you think could use it!
When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
https://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Image-from-iOS-49.jpg13741832Office Libationshttps://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo.pngOffice Libations2019-09-03 03:00:192022-07-21 18:14:5310 Fundamental Components Of An Epic Office Break Room
Employee well-being is a buzz phrase we’ve heard for years, but how many of us actually achieve it? Well, many smart employers emphasize that the key feature of a comfy workspace, of course, is a well-stocked kitchen that includes office drinks.
Today, it’s true that the ways in which employees choose to wet their whistle have come a long way. From the water cooler to the coffee pot to various beverages on tap, companies are developing new ways to provide the best for their most important resource – their employees.
So, does your company provide quality drinks to your employees? If not, there are multiple options and trends you can offer to show your care for them. Pulling on a lever to release a cool stream of a refreshing drink can keep employees happy and on track.
If you’re looking to ramp up your beverage offerings, here are 10 office drink trends (non-alcoholic to alcoholic) to keep in mind when building your beverage program.
1. Nitro Cold Brew Coffee
As one of the trendiest coffee drinks on the market, nitro cold brew coffee first made a splash in third-wave coffee shops across the country and quickly became a favorite among coffee aficionados.
It is infused with nitrogen gas that is released through a pressurized valve with tiny holes. The high pressure forces the cold brew past a disc, creating a creamy, stout-like effect in the cold brew.
With the rise in demand for cold coffee, associated with the recent heat waves across the nation, Nitro Cold Brew Coffee is becoming a much more popular choice for coffee drinkers.
This could also serve as a perfect office drink as it has found a real fan base among the health-conscious market. Naturally sweet and rich, Nitro feels like an indulgence. It’s creamy like an iced latte, but dairy-free and has roughly five calories for a standard 12-ounce beverage.
Bulletproof coffee has been catching on for a few years now. This drink trend is getting a new influx of attention especially among coffee enthusiasts and religious coffee connoisseurs because of the health benefits it claims.
It’s said to improve metabolism and promote weight loss, and can also have a massive impact on your energy and cognitive function. But what’s in it?
Bulletproof coffee is a drink that combines coffee, oil, and butter. It is a creamy coffee served warm and looks similar to a latte. It typically blends a cup of black coffee with 1 to 2 tablespoons of unsalted, grass-fed butter and 1 to 2 tablespoons of something called medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, a type of easily digested fat.
The basic science behind the recipe is to provide energy through the coffee and essential fats to the brain for a balanced, non-jittery boost that lasts for hours. So in order to combat mental exhaustion in your workplace, this blend is definitely worth considering!
Cold-pressed Juice refers to beverages that use a hydraulic press to extract the fruits and vegetables’ natural flavors and essences. These drinks have been in production for several decades but started to gain popularity in the late 2000s as a way to support juice cleanses.
Several companies claim Cold Pressed Juices are healthier than regular juice, bought from the cold section in the supermarket, due to the way the juice is extracted. But one clear benefit of Cold-pressed Juices, which makes it live up to the hype, is that these natural fruit and vegetable drinks are 100% organic and glucose-free.
So if you want to promote a healthier diet in your office, these ready-to-drink cold-pressed juices do the trick!
Kombucha has long been a player in the organic industry; taking the health-and-wellness world by storm. It is a lightly effervescent beverage that is made through the fermentation process. It is produced by fermenting tea, typically black or green, using a colony of bacteria and yeast called a “SCOBY.”
The hype surrounding the beverage can be attributed to its oddly addicting taste and its surprising health benefit claims. From being a potential source of probiotics to its claim to promote weight loss, this fizzy drink is definitely something your employees will love.
Further, kombucha has become a staple of many people’s diets due to its ability to supply much-needed energy and vitality. Plus, it comes with the added benefits of nutrients and good bacteria to keep the gut health in check.
Therefore, it may help your employees have a healthier lifestyle and can be a healthier alternative to sugary drinks. If you’re interested to know more about it, check out our previous article about the Surprising Health Benefits Of Kombucha.
5. Organic Tea
Similar to coffee, there is a continued trend of tea as a healthy beverage. In fact, the demand for organic beverages, particularly coffee and tea, is rising as more consumers have become more focused on their health. Hence, organic teas have only become more popular as the years go by.
Organic tea also benefited from its presence in mainstream grocery stores with the major conventional tea players embracing the trend. Today, the four main types of organic teas include black, green, oolong and white teas.
In addition, one of the main reasons people opt for organic tea over conventionally grown tea is that organic tea is better and the safest choice. Organic tea agriculture combines tradition, innovation, and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and good quality of life for all involved. These practices are reflected in the flavor of the tea, and better nutritional content.
Without a doubt, organic tea is a great treat for your employees’ body and soul. A great selection of organic green tea, matcha, loose leaf tea, black tea, mint and more allows them to try the greatest flavors nature has to offer!
This newest trend in the alcohol world is the perfect drink of choice for fitness conscious employees or anyone else looking for that alternative “healthy” happy hour drink of choice.
Its popularity comes from the fact that it’s an alcoholic beverage that gets you buzzed, has low carb counts, and still manages to taste crisp and refreshing. It’s no wonder hard seltzer is a libation your employees will definitely love!
Unlike a vodka soda or gin and tonic, the alcohol in most hard seltzer brands come from fermented sugars. So, when your employees crack open a can of seltzer during the workday, they’re just drinking fermented sweetened seltzer– and that could be a good thing for their health and waistline!
This bubbly drink has taken over parties and offices in the past years and is a lighter, healthier alcoholic drink. If you want to know more about this trendy beverage, check out our previous Hard Seltzer article!
The best part? Recently, hard seltzer has even become available in kegs, so you can get your guilt-free fizzy buzz straight off the tap!
Something’s been brewing in the last couple of years. A small, tight-knit community of craft brewers have made their way into different bars, pubs, shelves, and the taste buds of Americans.
Using hand-selected ingredients, Brewmasters meticulously perfect their craft beer. Every single ingredient is chosen with certain flavor characteristics in mind and brewed with the end goal of a delicious, flavorful, quality beer.
To put it simply, to earn the “craft beer” title, breweries must maintain three qualities: small, independent, traditional. Also, despite what you may have heard, San Francisco was the birthplace of the craft beer movement.
Thanks to the craft beer boom from a few years ago, breweries in the city are thriving more than ever. In fact, there are over 30 craft breweries in SF proper that belong to the San Francisco Brewers Guild. It’s a solid reason alone to shop locally when building your office beverage program.
Unless you’re living under a rock, you know that the domestic beer scene has always been on fire! If you picture your favorite bar happy hour special, then you have an idea of what a domestic beer is.
Basically, there are two requirements to fall under what’s called “domestic beer.” First, it needs to be produced in America, and second, it needs to be produced in one of the large breweries. About 85% of beer sales in America are domestic.
These household names have brewed beer for decades, and provide a consistent taste and quality for those who enjoy them. If you’re watching your waistline, the top domestic beer brands all have options with 150 calories or less per 12 oz. serving, and 5 grams of carbs or less. And just like craft beer, this can also be served on tap for your employees.
Another drink on the list that is growing and becoming more popular is Hard Cider. Cider has gained lots of fans from drinkers who dislike beer, but anyone can enjoy this fruity drink.
It has an alcoholic content similar to that of beer, with most ciders ranging from 4.5 to 10 percent ABV. Both the cider and beer categories include a few outliers that contain even higher alcohol content.
Unless otherwise specified, hard cider is made from pure apple juice. So it offers the same health benefits the juice does. Hard cider, like unfermented juice, contains plenty of vitamin C and a considerable number of antioxidants. Traditional hard cider is also gluten-free. These benefits can make this drink the next favorite beverage in your office!
Wineries have dabbled in alternative packaging over the past few decades, including the trend of canned wine! Once considered a novelty, cans have burst into the mainstream, enticing various wine drinkers to pop the tab with their easy-drinking style, convenient packaging, and value.
Casual and serious wine drinkers alike are also turning to cans as an alternative to traditional bottled packaging. Sales of canned wine are soaring in the US, as consumers become more open-minded to alternative packaging format for wine.
Millennials searching for a casual drink are a driving force for canned wine. Drinking out of a can is much more casual than using a corkscrew and pouring into a glass.
This modern packaging of wines can easily make its way into your office. Not only will your employees perceive wine with practicality, simplicity, and convenience, the non-beer-drinkers will no longer feel left out during the office happy hour.
Conclusion
It’s no secret that people need breaks during their day. If breaks are necessary for a healthy work environment — and if employees are going to take breaks anyway — isn’t it wise for a company to offer positive internal ways for their employees to take a break?
If you want to provide exciting perks to your employees and make your company a better place in the process, why not show it? Coffee, kombucha, tea, beers, and cold-pressed juice on-tap can do just that.
It is a pretty safe bet that if you work in an office or any other professional setting, a major workplace perk is the bevy of refreshments offered to employees. And if you still haven’t fully embraced the office drinking culture, it’s totally fine. Every work culture is different and there are still plenty of non-alcoholic drinks to choose from.
Just remember that there is a new workforce out there! New employees are coming to expect the kind of treatment they see in their friend’s workplaces and in the media. So consider toasting to the trendiest office drinks and see how much employees will fall in love with their jobs!
Make sure to share this article with anyone you think could use it!
When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
https://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Image-from-iOS-45.jpg13741832Office Libationshttps://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo.pngOffice Libations2019-08-20 09:14:092022-07-21 17:42:16The Trendiest Office Drinks Your Employees Will Love
As more healthy foods are emerging, so is the delicious, bubbly, and gut-friendly Kombucha. It has long been a player in the wellness world and this trendy drink has taken the world by storm. Many tout it as a magically healthy elixir but do kombucha benefits really live up to the hype?
In this article, we will be diving into the potential health benefits of this bubbly fermented drink (yes, there are many.) So, read on to discover these top 10 compelling reasons you should be including this beverage in your diet.
What Is Kombucha?
If kombucha has yet to make it into your vernacular, here’s a quick 101: kombucha is a lightly effervescent beverage that is made through the fermentation process. It is produced by fermenting tea, typically black or green, using a colony of bacteria and yeast called a “scoby.”
If you haven’t got a clue what SCOBY is, it’s an acronym that stands for symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts — which looks like a flat beige mushroom left in the back of a cupboard for a week or two.
It sounds a little weird, right? Don’t let it turn you off! It tastes better than you think, particularly when brewed with flavor combinations like lemongrass and ginger or pomegranate and passion fruit. Plus sugar makes it more palatable.
The hype surrounding the beverage can be attributed to its oddly addicting taste that may just cure soda cravings. It is a drink that people can chug down one after another, free of guilt. It also contains a slight amount of alcohol, as stated on most commercial products’ labels.
These beneficial compounds join forces to create a super drink! Here’s the breakdown on kombucha benefits and how this fizzy drink can change your health…
1. Kombucha Contains Antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that fight free radicals (reactive molecules that can damage your cells.) Many scientists believe that antioxidants from foods and beverages are better for your health than antioxidant supplements.
Kombucha, especially when made with green tea, appears to have antioxidant effects in your liver. The glucuronic acid in kombucha binds to toxins, which allows the kidneys and liver to push them out faster. Toxins can be anything from harmful carcinogens to pollution we’re exposed to on a daily basis.
Removing these toxins from the body is an effective way to improve overall health. In fact, studies have shown drinking kombucha regularly reduces liver toxicity caused by dangerous chemicals by 70% in some cases. These kombucha benefits are a huge boost for detoxification, damage repair, and digestion!
2. Kombucha Is A Potential Source Of Probiotics
Kombucha is made by adding specific strains of bacteria, yeast, and sugar to black or green tea, then allowing it to ferment for a week or more.
During this process, bacteria and yeast form a mushroom-like film on the surface of the liquid. This blob is a living symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) and can be used to ferment new kombucha.
Further, during the fermentation process that takes place to produce kombucha, a large amount of probiotic bacteria is produced. It also produces acetic acid and several other acidic compounds, as well as trace levels of alcohol and gases that make it carbonated.
For this reason, adding beverages like kombucha might have many health benefits.
3. Kombucha Supports A Healthy Gut
As you already know, kombucha benefits include high levels of probiotics, enzymes, and acids. These top ingredients are effective at eliminating heartburn, ulcers, and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
Probiotics are basically your stomach’s best friend as they provide your gut with healthy bacteria. These bacteria can improve many aspects of health including balancing the digestive system and ensuring that good bacteria thrives.
Here’s a fun fact: a healthy human body has 3-5 pounds of beneficial bacteria and microbes (called the microbiome), but the microbiome can be depleted by stress, alcohol use, antibiotics, and other harmful organisms.
So by drinking kombucha, you may be able to help replenish lost gut bacteria. These good gut bacteria or Probiotics can help deter or provide relief from problems like IBS, diarrhea, and constipation.
4. Kombucha Contributes To Weight Loss
As mentioned above, one of the best kombucha benefits is its probiotic content, or in other words, its “good bacteria.”
Nearly every single cell in our body relies on bacteria. Some of the same beneficial bacteria that give yogurt its health claims can also be found in kombucha. These good gut bugs also aid in proper digestion, as do the enzymes present in kombucha.
Thus, a properly functioning digestive tract and healthy gut flora not only positively impact overall health, but also weight loss. By helping to rebalance proper gut bacteria, this in turn aids in digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall metabolism.
When our body can function optimally, it is more efficient at burning fat and weight loss efforts. Plus, Kombucha has been shown in some scientific models to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides while increasing good cholesterol (HDL).
Apart from that, kombucha may aid in weight loss when it is made with green tea. A 2008 study found that obese people who took green tea extract burned more calories and lost more weight than those who did not.
5. Kombucha Can Kill Bacteria
One of the main substances produced during the fermentation of kombucha is acetic acid, which is also abundant in vinegar.
Studies have shown that the polyphenols in tea, acetic acid, are able to kill many potentially harmful microorganisms. Kombucha made from black or green tea appears to have strong antibacterial properties, particularly against infection-causing bacteria.
These antimicrobial effects suppress the growth of undesirable bacteria and yeasts, but they do not affect the beneficial, probiotic bacteria and yeasts involved in kombucha fermentation.
All in all, all the mentioned studies have shown that kombucha contains both antibiotic and antimicrobial components. It has the ability to kill bad bacteria (such as E. coli, salmonella, and shigella). Protection against these bacteria may help stave off food poisoning.
Error: Contact form not found.
6. Kombucha Contains Vitamins and Minerals
One of the Kombucha benefits lauded by long-time drinkers are the vitamins and minerals it contains.
Kombucha has B vitamins (B1, B2, B6, and B12, to be specific), which are essential for maintaining and producing new, healthy cells. In fact, Kombucha naturally contains approximately 100 times the amount of vitamin B12 found in lamb.
Drinking this ‘vitamin B cocktail’ found in kombucha helps your skin glow and strengthens your hair and nails.
Apart from that, kombucha contains a number of essential minerals in small amounts, namely zinc, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, and cobalt. Zinc and copper are important for immunity and enzymatic reactions, whereas iron is needed for hemoglobin to carry oxygen within the bloodstream.
It’s important to note that every batch of kombucha is different, so nutrient content will vary according to the quality of water, the type of sugar and the composition of the fungus.
7. Kombucha May Provide The Benefits Of Energy Drinks
Most commercially processed energy drinks contain large amounts of chemicals and sugars which give the body a temporary boost of energy and cause immediate lows as well.
During the fermentation process of Kombucha, black tea releases iron, small amounts of caffeine, and B-vitamins, all of which are known for providing energy to the human body. Hence, it can be a healthier and natural alternative to most energy drinks we know.
In fact, many people drink kombucha for this very reason. Kombucha has become a staple of many people’s diets due to its ability to supply much-needed energy and vitality. Plus, it comes with the added benefits of nutrients and good bacteria to keep the gut health in check.
8. Kombucha May Help Protect Against Cancer
Cancer is one of the world’s leading causes of death, causing cell mutation and uncontrolled cell growth.
Studies have shown that Kombucha can prevent the growth and spread of cancer cells thanks to its high antioxidants and polyphenols. The polyphenols block the gene mutation and growth of cancer cells and kill them on contact.
For this reason, it is not surprising that tea drinkers are much less likely to develop various types of cancer.
9. Kombucha Balances Blood Sugar
In addition to kombucha’s effect on gut health, acids such as acetic acid can help with blood sugar regulation as well. But wait, 90% of the sugar included in the process is used up during the fermentation process, right?
Yes! But it is the sugar that the yeast and bacteria eat, similar to what happens in making bread, wine, beer, etc. Therefore, in its raw organic form, it is far from a sugar-laden drink you may otherwise be drinking, and could serve as a great alternative to your soda or fruit juice!
The component that gives kombucha its vinegar-like pungent taste (acetic acid), is also a property that has been shown to positively impact insulin sensitivity and help reduce fasting blood sugars. This acid may interfere with the breakdown of sugar and starches, and therefore not have the same impact on blood glucose.
On that note, kombucha may help manage type-2 diabetes. Research suggests that the antioxidants in kombucha may help reduce the impact of oxidative stress caused by diabetes. This appears to be especially true in terms of liver and kidney function, which are generally weak in those with diabetes.
10. Kombucha Strengthens The Immune System
One of the best things that cultured foods do is to boost your immune system. Your gut is responsible for 80 percent of your immune system. The more good bacteria you have, the better your immune system is.
As you already know that kombucha is a fermented tea that could have the bacteria we are looking for to help rebuild or restore our gut health, therefore, it may help stimulate the immune system. Probiotics, specifically from those in fermented foods and gleaned from the fermentation process, can strengthen our natural defenses against harmful microbes and some forms of illnesses.
Lastly, kombucha also contains DSL and vitamin C, which may fend off inflammatory diseases, tumors, cell damage, and other concerns. In fact, it has three times more vitamin C than an orange (151 milligrams per 100 milliliters of kombucha compared with an orange’s 51.1 milligrams). Having lots of vitamin C in your diet is a great way to keep your immune system healthy.
Final Thoughts
This beverage, which has been consumed for centuries, helps boost the immune system, detoxify the body, and enhance overall energy.
You can purchase it in stores or make it yourself at home (or office). However, be sure to prepare it properly. If made properly or bought in-store, kombucha is a probiotic-rich drink enjoyed as part of a healthful diet.
This drink’s benefits make it sound worth a shot, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been without its share of concerns. Check out our previous article where we dispel myths surrounding kombucha and reveal the truth about this concoction that is hitting the market by storm: Is Kombucha Really Good For You?
At the end of the day, drinking kombucha may help you on your journey to a healthier lifestyle and can be a healthier alternative to soda and other sugary drinks. Give it a try for yourself!
Make sure to share this article with anyone you think could use it!
When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
https://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/19623391_1394296187330271_2232122781795876864_n.jpg1067853Office Libationshttps://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo.pngOffice Libations2019-07-16 16:10:282022-07-21 18:34:3610 Surprising Health Benefits Of Kombucha
Here Are 7 Kombucha Myths That We Need To Debunk
Most of you, if not all, already know about kombucha. You probably already know a lot about what it is, what it claims to do and what it claims to heal.
And if you’ve been anywhere near a religious kombucha drinker, you’ve most likely heard plenty about its miraculous effects on the human body.
Yeah, sure you know better than to totally deep dive into the hype. But just how much of that is factual evidence and how much of that is false logic?
Is the hype purely commercialized or is there some truth to the miracle serum that some believe it to be?
If you’re thinking, “It’s a fermented drink that contains probiotics thus it can cure cancer,” then it might be time to do a little more research.
We’re here to dispel any myths surrounding kombucha and reveal the truth about this concoction that is hitting the market by storm.
Kombucha Can Cause Illness Or Death
If you look up ‘death by kombucha’ you’ll most likely come across the case of two Iowa women found dead in 1995.
They both drank kombucha daily and both women drank product made from the same original SCOBY. But here’s the kicker: so did 115 other people and they turned out just fine.
Ultimately, there are too many variables to label kombucha as 100% safe, but there’s no evidence to pin it as a harbinger of death either. It’s up to the individual to gauge whether the benefits outweigh the risk of bad side effects.
Any adverse side effects or illnesses are most likely to arise from non-commercial kombucha made in the home.
So will kombucha kill you? Chances are you’re going to be safe from the boatman.
Will it make you sick? That’s a likelier scenario than death, but all things considered, not a very likely option either.
The dangers and any causal links between kombucha and severe illnesses can be best explained by Dr. Srinivasan in his 2002 report on the gastrointestinal toxicity of kombucha:
The FDA, surveying commercial producers, has found no pathogenic bacteria or hygiene violations. It is possible that the home-brewed version becomes contaminated by other more pathogenic bacteria or yeast. A survey of home-cultivated Kombucha revealed massive contamination with Penicillium spp. in one case and Candida albicans in two. When the tea is prepared as directed, the pH becomes 1.8 in 24 hours, which should prevent the survival of most organisms. Because of its acidity, the tea should not be prepared or stored in ceramic or lead crystal containers, as toxic elements can leach into the tea. Drinking 4 oz of this “mushroom” tea may not cause adverse effects in normal persons. Potential health risks are unknown for those who have preexisting health problems or drink excessive amounts.
OK, this is highly unlikely unless you drink some questionable homemade concoctions. Even then your chances of getting drunk are next to nil.
Yes, kombucha contains mild amounts of alcohol, but in no way can it get you severely buzzed like some claim.
Just ask Jules Suzdaltsev. This guy went on a mission to test the alcoholic limits of kombucha, only to discover that the results were less than pleasant.
According to Brian A. Nummer, the alcohol and acetic acid content is normally kept under 1%. It can reach as high as 3% during longer fermentation times.
Although as a general rule under the FDA, bottled kombucha that you’ll find in stores will only have trace amounts of alcohol below .05%.
The process goes a little something like this: sugar converts to alcohol which then converts into acetic acids. The remaining .05% – 3% alcohol is what’s leftover that hasn’t converted into acetic acids.
You could drink 5 bottles of kombucha and not even feel a buzz. So the answer is no, kombucha cannot get you drunk despite how hard your employees might try.
Next time you’re deciding what drinks to stock up on, consider ordering kombucha for your office.
Actually, think of kombrewcha as the reckless twin to kombucha who likes to live life on the edge.
In other words, no they’re not the same.
Kombrewcha is a new kind of hard kombucha with a higher alcohol content of 3.2%.
Declaring itself the ‘healthier’ alternative to other high-calorie drinks, Kombrewcha is a new trend in the market that shows a fun side to the drink.
Kombucha Has B Vitamins In Large Supply
Sure, kombucha contains B vitamins. But not as much as you may think.
In a study done by Michael Roussin, he acknowledges a very minute quantity of B vitamins. When compared to other food items like milk, for example, Kombucha has just about the same amount of micronutrients.
So what if it’s not the grand supplement that some may will it to be?
It has beneficial properties and can hold its own when compared to other healthy food items.
Kombucha Guarantees To Make Everyone Feel Better
This is also a false statement.
Once again, beware of the alleged assumption that kombucha will make everyone feel better. This is untrue for one of two reasons.
Next question you’re probably asking yourself is what on earth is a healing crisis? A healing crisis refers to any worsening conditions that come from a change in diet or treatment.
The belief is that once these symptoms subside, only then will a person start to feel better. However, in some cases, those symptoms never resolve themselves.
When it comes to probiotics, they can contain dairy-based allergens. This can trigger a person’s auto-immune responses and disrupt the nutrient balance.
The second reason why kombucha may not make everyone feel better is due to histamine intolerance.
The main cause of histamine imbalances is due to fermentation and deteriorated foods. Our bodies are hard-wired to handle excess histamine but some people have what’s called a DAO deficiency.
This prevents the body from processing histamines like the average person does. With about 50% of histamines metabolized in the gastrointestinal tract, fermented items will only make the histamine imbalance worse.
Here are some other food items to avoid for those with histamine intolerance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0prNeA4gtU8
In this case, people with histamine or yeast intolerance should steer clear of the fizzy drink. At the very least they can reduce their intake of kombucha and slowly gauge their histamine tolerance.
There Is No Sugar Or Caffeine Left Over After Fermentation
Correction: kombucha contains sugar and caffeine despite the fermentation process.
Sugar is the basis for the fermentation process. Without it there would be nothing to ferment and kombucha would have none of its helpful qualities.
It stands to reason that there would be residual sugar left after the fermentation process.
And although fermentation does cut down on the natural caffeine content of tea, about one third is leftover.
Look at it this way. If you had to choose between soda and kombucha, what would you choose?
Soda on average has over 30 grams of sugar whereas kombucha has anywhere between 3 to 8 grams of sugar and 6 to 14 mg of caffeine.
Suffice to say, if you’re worried about your sugar and caffeine intake, kombucha will always be your best option.
Kombucha Is A Cure-All Miracle Drink
You know better than to buy into what everyone says about kombucha curing just about any kind of disease you can think of.
This belief that kombucha is a magic remedy may take root from its ancient origin. Thought to have originated from China in 221 BC, kombucha goes by many names, all declaring the same thing.
It’s known as a miracle elixir, tea of immortality, drink of life, you name it. It’s used to treat patients with all types of disorders from cancer to the common cold and everything in between.
And this is a belief that people to this day have been carrying over despite there being no definitive evidence that kombucha is as miraculous as it claims to be.
There have been, however, so many cases of beneficial outcomes that it would be difficult to disregard the truth in some of these claims.
In February of 2018 in the CyTA Journal of Food, authors had this to say about their study on the drink’s health benefits:
Kombucha beverage is a source of bioactive components, such as polyphenols and glucuronic acid. The beneficial outcomes of kombucha consumption are attributed to the synergistic effect between these components, making it a drink with potential beneficial health properties (when elaborated under adequate sterile conditions).
All evidence aside, there’s nothing to stop you from drinking kombucha on a daily basis.
If you believe it helps your energy or if it helps you sleep at night then, by all means, keep drinking it like it’s the blood of Jesus.
Unless you’re more of a coffee person. In that case, a good supply of coffee at home or in the office would do you more good.
As science uncovers more about the components of our alleged elixir of life, we unearth the truths about how kombucha affects the human body.
The shroud of divinity falls to the wayside in favor of something more normalized. We start to debunk the myths and throw away the rumors surrounding the never-ending craze.
Kombucha: The Elixir of Life will simply become Kombucha: A Mighty Fine Tea.
It doesn’t matter if you’re enjoying it at home or enjoying kombucha in the office. This trendy beverage is worth giving a try for yourself.
It doesn’t have to save your life for you to claim it as your own ‘miracle elixir’.
Make sure to share this article with anyone you think could use it!
When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
https://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Kombucha.jpg14402560Office Libationshttps://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo.pngOffice Libations2019-01-22 08:00:302022-07-21 16:33:24Is Kombucha Really Good For You?
What Experts are Saying About Your Choice of Beverage
Ever wonder how to promote a healthier lifestyle in your office space? You probably weren’t until we brought it up. Let’s pause here a moment. It’s crucial to know what you’re drinking whether it’s coffee, tea, or alcohol… right? Of course it is! You’re putting it into your body, so you should know how good or bad it is for you. Now, let’s talk about what you can do to improve not only your diet but your drinking knowledge.If you’re looking for a diet coke replacement or just a healthy office drink to enjoy at work, there are options.
Wine
The French Paradox
The year was 1991. An episode of 60 minutes aired one evening featuring Morley Safer and his story on the French diet. Not only French diet but a drink that the French are well known for: wine.
Thus began the French paradox hype. This popular theory has since become a topic of grand speculation.
At the time studies showed the French population consuming large amounts of wine. Wine is the definition of French culture, so of course it’s not surprising they’d have a heavy hand when pouring.
Likewise at the time, the French expressed low percentages of cardiovascular disease.
How is it that the French consume so much wine per person yet they have less heart attacks than Americans?
Sure there are some differences between our cultures that could be a factor in their health. The French spend more time eating, they have smaller portions and they don’t constantly snack on the go.
The questions still remain: can wine decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease? On balance, is it truly a healthy office drink?
What Does Science Tell Us?
To not sound like a medical know it all, we’re going to say that red wine has ‘properties’ in it that make it beneficial. If you’re a real science geek then the word you’re looking for is ‘phenols’. These properties affect cell activity in blood vessels and help to prevent blood clots.
Something called HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) increases when drinking red wine which can also inhibit blood clot formation.
Antioxidants from red wine also help to increase HDL cholesterol and prevent blood clot formation.
Overall, wine can be good for the heart in some ways. Wine can:
provide helpful antioxidants
prevent blood clots through something we call ‘phenols’
increase HDL (good cholesterol)
reduce LDL (bad cholesterol)
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Yes, it’s possible that wine can reduce your risk of heart attacks, but this is no excuse to become an alcoholic.
Before you start bathing in the stuff keep in mind that:
Studies do show that wine may have a positive impact on a person’s heart health, but it’s not entirely understood
Wine could do just as much harm as good
Take a look at what Dr. Josh Axe has to say on the subject:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgAZaBZBM5s
Coffee
How is Coffee Good for us?
Did you know that coffee can protect against type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and liver disease amongst other things?
Prior to the finding of these informational tidbits, it was believed that coffee did more harm than good. This was before researchers realized that smoking and lack of physical exercise was common among people who drank a lot of coffee.
Polyphenols in coffee act as antioxidants to limit the growth of colon cancer cells. Additionally, melanoidins produced in the roasting process are thought to increase colon mobility.
Coffee can improve mental focus, though that’s old news since it already runs in bloodstreams across corporate America.
As with wine, coffee should be drunk in moderation. Though it is truly the go-to healthy office drink, too much coffee can increase your risk of heart disease, and too much unfiltered coffee can mildly increase cholesterol levels.
Error: Contact form not found.
How to Improve your Morning Coffee
Put your coffee cup down. You heard us. Don’t drink it yet because there are ways that you can make it twice as good for you as it is now.
1. Skip the cream and sugar overloading
You’re adding unnecessary fats and calories to your day which can add up to a lot in a month.
If sweeteners are your religion then try cutting your intake in half or use sugar substitutes like Stevia. I know this is hard to hear for those of you with a hardcore sweet tooth, but your body will thank you for it in the end.
2. Choose quality organic coffee
Yes we realize not everything labeled organic is good but in this case, it might be.
If you’re worried about your coffee beans coming into contact with pesticides then it’s best to go with organic beans.
3. Spice it up
As it turns out, cinnamon can do wonders for coffee drinkers and those with diabetes.
Cinnamon has properties that can lower blood sugar and prevents glucose from entering your bloodstream after meals.
To top things off, it has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that can help your body fight infection.
Reaching for the bottle of cinnamon yet? You should, science says it can transform your morning cup of joe into a truly healthy office drink. If you’re not a fan of cinnamon, try ginger or nutmeg.
4. Don’t drink coffee alone
Unless you’re enjoying a cup of bulletproof coffee which has enough calories to last you an entire morning, consider eating something with your coffee.
Coffee by itself can suppress your hunger and it can mask the fact that you may be under eating.
Ever heard of bulletproof coffee? It’s part of a Paleo diet and I’m pretty impressed with what it can provide the body.
Get this — bulletproof coffee is a mix of quality coffee brew, grass-fed butter, and MCT oils.
Talk about a way to optimize your morning coffee!
Everyone should try bulletproof coffee at least once. From there you can gauge if it’s a healthy office drink for every day or if it’s something you should stick to every once in a while.
OK, we’re not just going to sit here and tout all the benefits of bulletproof coffee.
Let’s be honest, there are some skeptics out there who have valid reasons to be hesitant about coffee with butter and oils in it.
We’re going to give you the lowdown on the benefits of bulletproof coffee and the reasons why you should try other coffee options.
Start Off With A Recipe
Here’s a go-to recipe for bulletproof coffee to get your morning started:
1 cup coffee
1 tsp or more coconut oil
¼ tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp unsalted butter
an optional pinch or two of Stevia extract
Mix all ingredients in a blender for 20 seconds or until frothy.
If you’re feeling especially adventurous, you can try adding brain octane oil for an extra powerful punch of energy.
And there you go, you’re done! It’s an easy recipe to follow and allows for some wiggle room if you prefer a little more coconut oil than most.
Benefits of Bulletproof Coffee
One thing to note is that, by adding things like grass-fed butter and coconut oils, you’re taking in a lot of healthy fats. If you drink it in the morning it can boost metabolism, boost energy, slow down caffeine consumption, and burn fat for energy throughout the day.
Yes, that’s a lot of calories for a supposedly healthy office drink. But! It offers you more than just additional calories.
Take a look at one of the ingredients in bulletproof coffee.
One serving of organic, grass-fed butter has 2% of a person’s daily value of vitamin K. Meaning, it’s optimal for normal blood clotting and bone health.
Grass-fed butter versus normal butter is higher in not only vitamin K, but vitamins A, D, and E as well. Let’s not forget an added dose of antioxidants.
As for coconut oils, the keyword to focus on here is MCT oils.
There is a multitude of benefits to MCT oils. Just to name a few, it can promote weight loss, boost energy, and contains fatty acids to help combat yeast and bacterial growth.
Drawbacks To Bulletproof Coffee
Some cons of bulletproof coffee have to do with the uncertainty of its effectiveness. Obviously, it adds calories to your diet and it’s also not 100% proven to live up to everyone’s expectations.
If you’re one of those who thrive on a nutritious breakfast, then bulletproof coffee on it’s own may not cut it.
A sausage, egg, and toast breakfast can provide you with the same amount of calories with many more nutrients like protein or fiber. There’s also a better chance that an actual meal will fill you up than a single cup of enhanced coffee.
In some cases, drinking bulletproof coffee can increase overall levels of cholesterol. This is due in part to consuming large amounts of saturated fats like butter and coconut oil on a daily basis. This increases the good cholesterol, as well as the bad, which is not optimal for those who have concerns about their cholesterol levels.
Kombucha
You might have heard a lot about this trendy beverage and why it’s become so popular. In terms of healthy office drinks, kombucha takes the cake. Before we get into the benefits of kombucha, let’s understand what it is we’re drinking.
The words kombucha and probiotic go hand in hand and that’s because kombucha is a fermented tea.
Before fermentation starts, strains of bacteria and yeast are added to tea on top of a whole lot of sugar. Kombucha is then left to ferment for a week up to a month depending on who is doing the fermenting.
It can undergo multiple fermentations and even take on the flavors of added ingredients like spices or other fruits. What’s produced from this fermentation are gases and trace amounts of alcohol that can range from .3 to 3 percent.
Now that we know what it is, we can start to understand what the hype is all about.
The Lowdown on Probiotics
The reason why kombucha is good for your gut is thanks to probiotics. If it weren’t for probiotics then most of the marketing surrounding kombucha would cease to be relevant.
Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms consumed through fermented foods or supplements.
We have a microbiome in our gut that is exponentially important to maintain. Kombucha is a great way to keep that in check since it brings a lot of good bacteria into our system.
Gut bacteria imbalances can occur due to poor diet, medications, or illnesses. This can result in detrimental consequences such as obesity and severe digestive issues.
A big key to our health is keeping the bacteria in our digestive system in balance and probiotics are a great way to keep the balance.
It helps to promote healthy digestion alongside a stronger immune system and even weight management.
What else can it do?
Aside from probiotics, kombucha also contains antioxidants and B vitamins.
Okay, we already talked about the benefits of antioxidants from wine. Did you know that antioxidants can combat free radicals that cause cell and liver damage?
You heard that right. Another one of kombucha’s benefits is the ability to kill bacteria.
Acetic acid produced during kombucha’s fermentation process is powerful enough to kill harmful microorganisms.
Kombucha made from black or green tea displays exceptional antibacterial properties. This kind of kombucha can protect against Candida yeasts.
What if we said that it can also give you the energy you need to get through your day and improve your mental well being?
Yup, you’re probably rethinking kombucha at this point.
Kombucha can do some good for your health. But before you start preaching it to your coworkers keep in mind that it’s not for everybody.
What can it not do?
Well, it won’t cure cancer, no matter how much you will it to. The reason why we say this is because the hype around kombucha may exaggerate the benefits it possesses.
Another thing to remember is that some kombucha teas have varying levels of alcohol. If alcohol is something you’re trying to avoid then you can try finding a kombucha with low levels of alcohol or skip this beverage altogether.
Some kombucha brands have a lot of sugar which may not be an optimal choice if you’re trying to watch your sugar intake. If this is the case then try low sugar brands like KeVita for a more healthy office drink.
If you want a better perspective on where kombucha got started and what it can do check out this video from Business Insider:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clp_HCEplBU
Final Thoughts…
Do you drink coffee because you like the taste or because it spikes your energy levels? Same goes for kombucha and wine. Do you drink kombucha or wine for simple pleasure or for something deeper?
While we may have touted all the wonderful things about wine, coffee, and kombucha, these benefits should be taken with a grain of salt. We don’t mean literally, but don’t let us dictate how you like your coffee.
By this, we mean that there is no one miracle elixir that is going to fix every plaguing issue. It’s important to do your research about what you drink and why you are drinking it.
At the end of the day, the only person who can determine what’s good for your health (aside from perhaps your doctor) is you!
Error: Contact form not found.
Make sure to share this article with anyone you think could use it!
When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
https://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Office-Beverages.jpg14402560Office Libationshttps://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo.pngOffice Libations2018-10-25 08:44:002022-07-21 18:31:53How to Optimize your Office for Healthy Habits