After a long day of hard work, there’s nothing quite like unwinding with colleagues at an office happy hour. It not only offers a chance to relax and socialize, but there are also other benefits of an office happy hour that can generally improve the working environment.
In this article, we’ll explore the exciting advantages of an office happy hour and how it can enhance team spirit, foster connections, and improve productivity. So, grab a drink (of your choice) and let’s dive in!
1) Building Stronger Relationships
An office happy hour provides the perfect opportunity for team members to bond and build stronger relationships outside the formal work environment. Breaking away from daily tasks and deadlines, colleagues can engage in casual conversations, share stories, and get to know each other on a more personal level.
This camaraderie fosters a sense of belonging, trust, and teamwork, which can have a positive impact on collaboration and overall office dynamics.
2) Boosting Morale and Employee Engagement
After a challenging week or a successfully completed project, a well-deserved office happy hour can do wonders for morale. It serves as a reward for hard work and acknowledges employees’ contributions, boosting their motivation and job satisfaction.
By providing a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, happy hour events create a sense of appreciation and encourage employees to feel more engaged with their work and the company as a whole.
3) Enhancing Communication and Collaboration
During a typical workday, formal meetings and structured interactions can limit open communication. However, an office happy hour encourages a more relaxed and informal atmosphere where employees can freely exchange ideas and thoughts.
This open dialogue fosters better communication, leading to improved collaboration and creativity. Fresh perspectives and insights gained during happy hour conversations can have a direct positive impact on problem-solving and innovation within the workplace.
4) Stress Relief and Work-Life Balance
Work-related stress can take a toll on productivity and employee well-being. An office happy hour provides a much-needed break from work-related pressures, allowing employees to unwind, recharge, and de-stress.
Taking time to relax and socialize with colleagues fosters a healthier work-life balance, which ultimately leads to increased job satisfaction and better overall mental health.
5) Networking and Professional Development
An office happy hour offers an informal setting for networking and professional development opportunities. It allows employees to connect with colleagues from different departments, enabling cross-team collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
Additionally, happy hour events often provide a chance to interact with managers and higher-level executives in a more relaxed setting, potentially leading to mentorship opportunities and career growth prospects.
The Bottom Line
Office happy hours are more than just a chance to enjoy a refreshing drink and unwind. They offer a multitude of benefits for both individuals and the organization as a whole. By fostering stronger relationships, boosting morale and engagement, enhancing communication, providing stress relief, and facilitating networking opportunities, office happy hours contribute to a positive work environment and improved productivity.
So, why not raise a glass and embrace the power of an office happy hour? It may be just what you need to improve the employee experience and take your business to the next level!
Interested in hosting happy hour right in the office? We’d be happy to stock your bar! Click here to get in touch with Office Libations, and get started with us today.
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Hey Office Manager, this is your beginners guide to wine! 🍷
Picture this. You’re in the office, the day’s done, and you’re celebrating your boss’s 50th birthday with the rest of the crew from the office.
It’s a momentous occasion so naturally, they bring out only the best: a 15-year-old bottle of Nebbiolo.
Note: Nebbiolo is basically a fancy Italian red wine.
You go to pick up your glass of wine only to realize…YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT WINE!
Ok, that’s probably not your first thought. Who cares about wine as long as it tastes good… right? 🤷♀️
Except, wouldn’t it be great to be able to impress people with your wine knowledge? To be the wine connoisseur of the office or the resident wine snob, and wow everyone with your knowledge from winemaking to weird fun facts. Here’s one for you:
Fun fact: rotting grapes can be a good thing for wine
If you want to learn the basics needed to survive your next office party, wine tasting, or a date with a wine snob, you’ve come to the right place.
If you’ve stumbled on this page wanting to know the difference between a Pinot and a Cabernet, don’t worry. When we’re done here, you’ll know more than just their color and that they taste like grapes.
Spoiler alert: grapes are the key ingredient in wine
In all seriousness, wine is very complex and few people realize how much time and effort go into making the best wines in the world. That’s why we’re here to give you the 411 on wine.
The first step in our basic wine guide is understanding why people drink wine.
So why do people drink wine? Not for thehealth benefits, although in moderation it can be beneficial (depending on your definition of moderate).
People drink wine not only to taste it but to savor it.
Before we get into savoring wine we must understand how one’s senses function.
Taste Versus Flavor
Let’s get two things straight here.
First, there is a science to wine ‘tasting’ that you can perfect with enough practice and skill.
And second, DO NOT confuse taste with flavor. Yes, there is a difference.
What’s the difference you ask?
In terms of wine tasting, taste is a perception of that which we put in our mouths whereas flavor is a combination of taste and smell.
There are two ways in which the human body can smell: from the front through our nostrils and from the back through our sinuses. This process is also called retro-olfaction and is the primary way in which we can sense different tastes.
Have you ever tried to eat something when you had a stuffy nose but the flavor wasn’t all there? Here is a good exercise to do if you want to understand the relationship between taste and smell.
Next time you’re eating, hold your nose and pay attention to the flavor. Notice how it’s muted or nonexistent. Then let go of your nose and notice how the flavor presents itself tenfold. That’s because you’re using your sense of taste along with your sense of smell through your sinuses.
The 5 Basic Tastes to Know
You can’t become a wine connoisseur without knowing the 5 basic tastes. They are as follows:
salt 🧂
sour 🍋
sweet 🍬
bitter ☕
umami (think savory). 🧀
Now, obviously, not all wines are equal.
Different grape varietals produce different wines. Said varietals make characteristics such as tannin structure, acid levels, flavor profiles and body/mouthfeel more prominent in some wines as opposed to others.
Tannin is the one thing people will either love or hate about wine.
Tasting tannins are like licking a dry Popsicle stick. Another way to think about it is if you drink over-steeped black tea, that will get you the same taste that a tannic wine will.
Ultimately, what you end up with is a dry, yet strong and bitter mouthfeel.
On the one hand, you have tannin which will dry your mouth out and on the other, you have acid levels. The more acidic wine is the more it will taste sour and the more it will make you salivate.
Wine-making techniques influence flavor profiles such as what container the wine ages in, how long it ages and how it’s fermented. These flavor profiles are what make a wine seem sweet or what makes them taste savory like soy sauce.
The body of a wine relates to the alcohol content. This will affect how heavy a wine seems in the mouth, also referred to as mouthfeel.
Viticulture
So now that we know how to taste, let’s get more into knowing what we are tasting.
Viticulture is the term used to encompass everything that goes on in the vineyard. From year-round maintenance to grape cultivation.
Consider this your 10-minute history lesson on how the activities in the vineyard affect the wine on your table.
Our Good Old Friend Phylloxera
Pests have been the bane of many grape grower’s existences since the test of time (since the 19th century). Bear with me here, we must backtrack to a time where pests were a real thing and pesticide was about as useful as cheap perfume.
All you need to know, biological and scientific terms aside, is that there is a pest known to grapevines called phylloxera. This pest is native to North American and the vines in these locations are resistant to it.
Unfortunately, European vines cannot say the same.
The solution was to graft European roots onto North American roots, sort of like ‘meshing’ them together. Then you get what’s called a new ‘rootstock’ which is then used to create hybrids, crosses, and clones of various vine species.
Thanks to this neat grafting trick, wine is not totally dead in the old world so we can still import our fancy French wines.
Terroir
You might hear mention of a wines ‘terroir’ and how reflective it is of its terroir. This is a fancy way of saying that a wine is reflective of the place in which it was grown.
There are plenty of factors that go into a wine’s terroir. Mainly the climate, how much sunshine the grapes get, what soil it’s grown in, and the specific temperature at which it is grown.
Often times grape growers must control the temperature and humidity levels lest they run into issues.
That’s right, molding food is not always something to dread.
Fun fact: there is good mold and it’s known as ‘Noble rot’.
This is where the forgotten strawberries in the back of your fridge scream in protest for even saying such a thing.
Some grape varietals are more susceptible to mold due to their thin skins. Noble rot draws the water out of the grapes and when this occurs, these grapes are then used to make sweet dessert wines.
Vinification
In a way, winemaking is straightforward. You harvest grapes, you ferment them, and there you go!
That’s as straightforward as it’s going to get because it’s actually much more complex than that.
The 5 Steps in the Winemaking Process
Step 1: Harvesting
This is a critical step.
Harvest the grapes too soon and you get a wine that tastes like 🌶️ jalapeños 🌶️ and is noticeably unripe. Harvest them too late and you run the risk of mold and over-ripening.
Some seasons will be warmer and thus need earlier harvesting and vise versa.
Then you have the option of harvesting by machine or harvesting the old fashion way by hand.
There are all types of factors that will affect how the resulting wine will taste, making this step one of the most important.
Step 2: Crushing and Pressing
Think back to the episode of I Love Lucy when Lucy’s in Italy stomping on grapes with the other ladies of the vineyard. This is one way to crush grapes aside from using modern machinery.
Granted modern machinery is much more sanitary.
Depending on whether the vineyard is making red wine or white wine, the skins and seeds are left in contact with the pressed juice.
Fun fact, this is where Rosé wine starts its journey.
Rose is simply grape juice that has had long enough contact with the skins to add a bit of color, but not long enough to ferment in them.
Step 3: Fermentation
And this is where things start to get hazy.
Fermentation is a whole other process and each winery will have its own method of fermentation to create their trademark brands.
Red and white wines ferment at different temperatures for different lengths of time with the help of several treatments (or none).
These treatments alter the resulting acid levels, alcohol, and overall flavor.
Some wines will undergo malolactic fermentation to soften the acidity levels, as is the case with Chardonnay. Others will undergo chaptalization where sugar is added to the grapes before fermentation to increase the alcohol content.
Some even have sulfur dioxide added into the mix while others will go through acidification and deacidification processes.
Step 4: Clarification
Otherwise known as racking.
Once fermentation is complete, wine is then filtered to get rid of skins, stems, seeds, yeast, and anything left behind during fermentation.
The wine then goes through additional fining using clay or in some non-vegan instances, animal products. Though using animal products seems like one wine trend that is phasing out.
To top it all off, winemakers transfer the wine into either oak or steel barrels.
Step 5: Aging and Bottling
The next and final step is somewhat optional.
Wine can be bottled and left to age. Or it can be left to age in oak or steel barrels.
6 Types of Wine You Must Know
1. Chardonnay
Chardonnay is usually aged in either oak, concrete, or steel vessels. What ends up happening is that dead yeast, known as ‘lees’, settles out of the fermented wine.
There’s a technique called ‘batonnage’ to stir the wine and dead yeast together. This yeast is what gives Chardonnay it’s buttery bread taste.
Chardonnay also goes through malolactic fermentation to take away its acidity.
So where is it grown?
Chardonnay is most commonly grown in the Burgundy and Côte d’Or regions of France. In the US, California is known to grow Chardonnay.
Other international areas that grow Chardonnay include Chile, South Africa, and Bulgaria.
Some common flavors you will taste on the palate include:
Butter
Bread
Tree fruit
2. Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is one grape that translates the terroir very well.
If the grapes are grown in sand then the resulting wine is more herbaceous. Clay gives the wine more fruit and body and kimmeridgian give the wine more mineral qualities.
Fermentation temperature tends to have an effect on wine flavor.
A colder fermentation will give the wine more elements of trees and tropical fruit. Raise the fermentation temperature and you get more terroir and mineral aspects.
Areas in France known to grow Sauvignon Blanc are the Loire Valley and Bordeaux. Other famous areas are California and New Zealand.
Sauvignon has a sharper taste than a Chardonnay, some flavors you’ll notice are:
Lime
Green apple
Passion fruit
Guava
Peach
Grass
Celery
Wet concrete
3. Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is the one grape that is difficult to grow and make into good wine.
It is susceptible to fungal disease, clusters grow very compact, and the vines lose its vibrant fruit at high temperatures.
The vines like to grow in either limestone or clay. Limestone will give the resulting wine a lighter more aromatic feel because the clay will make the wine tannic and weighty.
Can you guess the international region known for its Pinot?
France it is!
You’ll see a lot of great Pinots come from Oregon as well as California and New Zealand.
Pinot is a great red wine to start off with. On the palate, you’ll get flavors of:
Cherry
Milk chocolate
Tea
Raspberry
Mushrooms
4. Merlot
These grapes are prone to rot and can overripen very quickly, making harvest time a possible nightmare.
To avoid over-ripening, these grapes tend to do better in cool soils like clay.
The grapes have thinner skins than Cabernet grapes and tend to have softer tannins.
Bordeaux in France is popular for growing Merlot as is California, Italy and Washington state.
On the palate, you’ll see flavors such as:
Black fruit
Cocoa
Chocolate or baking spices
Plum
Toffee
Herbs
5. Zinfandel
Here’s another fun fact for your repertoire.
Zinfandel was originally known as a table grape. It’s considered the ‘American’ grape, but its origin is uncertain.
The grape clusters like to ripen early and unevenly. Clusters are large and do well in warmer growing seasons.
What’s interesting about Zinfandel is that the grapes can be made into two different styles of wine.
One is a Rosé and is normally labeled as ‘White Zinfandel’ on the bottle. The second type is a typical red wine that is dry and concentrated.
California and Italy are most popular for growing Zinfandel and characteristics include:
Blueberry
Cherry pie filling
Jam
Spice
Raisins
Black tea
6. Cabernet Sauvignon
Make no mistake about it, Cabernet grapes are a very hardy type.
They are not picky on the soil type they are grown in. They have thick skins and large seeds which hardens them against diseases.
These same skins are what give Cabernet wines their strong tannins.
So if you’re not a fan of tannins, Merlot and Pinot might be a better option for you.
A warmer fermentation period and long soaks in the grape skins extract a lot of color and tannins. Wines then need some aging time to mellow out the tannins and color.
Go ahead and add France as a notable region that grows Cabernet. The left bank of the Bordeaux region, to be exact. Other regions include Napa in California and Australia.
Signature characteristics you’ll get on the nose and palate are:
Black fruit
Green vegetable element
Cedar or wood chips
Sweet hay if it’s from Napa
Jam and minerals if it’s from Bordeaux
You’ll know a Cabernet is unripe if you get hints of green bell pepper so keep that in mind.
Food and Wine Pairing
One thing to note with food and wine is that not everyone will have the same opinion on what pairs well and what doesn’t.
This is a completely subjective gray zone to enter.
One person may think that a Sauvignon Blanc would go great with seafood, drizzled in a cream sauce. Whereas someone else might find that pairing blasphemous.
It’s left up to one’s personal taste palate and how they interpret their own food and wine pairings.
If you’re sitting there going, “Ok great…personal opinion matters big whoop…I still don’t know what to pair with what.”
Well, we’re getting there, sit tight.
6 Go-To Rules for Food and Wine Pairings
That said, food and wine pairings have been whittled down to a science (an overly complicated one at that) but we’re going to simplify it for you.
Wine refreshes the palate between bites and elements in food or wine can complement or take away from each other. So before you place in your wine order, think about the food you are going to eat along with your glass.
1. Match the weight of the dish to the weight of the wine
For example, it would be best to pair a bold meaty dish that is heavy in flavor with a rich red wine that is as bold or heavy in mouthfeel.
2. Wine can compare and/or contrast with a dish
Think about food combos that go good together: tomato and basil, peanut butter and jelly, you get the point. The same goes for wine and food.
They can pair well in the sense that they taste similar or they taste different but still taste good together.
One can also pair complex wines with simple dishes and vice versa or, if all else fails, pair the wine with food from the region the grapes were grown.
3. Alcohol increases the perception of heat or spice in a dish
Spicy dishes with chili peppers could pair with fruity dry wines low in alcohol.
4. Fat and protein reduce the perception of tannin in a wine
Some meat-heavy dishes could pair well with rich wines high in acidity that will cut through the protein and fat content.
5. Salt and acid also reduce the perception of tannin and acid in a wine
With this guideline in mind, you can pair an acidic dish with an acidic wine.
This will, despite what some might believe, decrease the perception of acidity levels all around. So a nice Sauvignon Blanc with a lemon drizzled salmon is one route to choose.
6. Sweetness can also reduce the perception of sweetness in a wine
So choose wisely, equate the sweetness of the dish to the wine lest you run the risk of one overpowering the other.
The takeaway here is that there will be some food combos that will pair better with others from a logical approach.
Ultimately, it will be up to the person to decide what works and what doesn’t work for them.
Frequently Asked Wine Questions
Here’s a quick list of some of the most common wine questions we’ve gotten from customers.
What is a good wine for beginners?
Many beginners prefer white wines to red wines in their initial wine tasting experiences. With that said, whether you start with whites or reds comes down to your taste.
What is a good white wine for beginners?
Here are 4 excellent options: 1. Riesling ” Tasting Riesling starts with intense aromas that rise from the glass (even when the wine is ice cold). This aromatic wine offers primary fruit aromas of orchard fruits like nectarine, apricot, honey-crisp apple, and pear. Besides fruit, you’ll often smell things like honeycomb, jasmine, or lime peel, along with a striking aroma that smells similar to petrol or petroleum wax (a natural compound called TDN). On the palate, Riesling has high acidity, similar to the levels in lemonade.” – Wine Folly
2. Sauvignon Blanc “The primary fruit flavors of Sauvignon Blanc are lime, green apple, passion fruit, and white peach. Depending on how ripe the grapes are when the wine is made, the flavor will range from zesty lime to flowery peach. What makes Sauvignon Blanc unique from other white wines are its other herbaceous flavors like bell pepper, jalapeño, gooseberry, and grass. These flavors come from aromatic compounds called pyrazines and are the secret to Sauvignon Blanc’s taste.” – Wine Folly
3. Pinot Grigio “Pinot Gris (aka Pinot Grigio) is a pinkish grape mutation of Pinot Noir. It’s famously known for zesty white wines, but can also be used for rosé. Look to Northern Italy, Oregon, and Alsace for benchmark examples.” – Wine Folly
4. Chardonnay “One of the world’s most popular grapes, Chardonnay is made in a wide range of styles from lean, sparkling Blanc de Blancs to rich, creamy white wines aged in oak.” – Wine Folly
What is a good white wine for beginners?
Here are 3 excellent options:
1. Syrah “A rich, powerful, and sometimes meaty red wine that originated in the Rhône Valley of France. Syrah is the most planted grape of Australia where they call it Shiraz.” – Wine Folly
2. Petite Sirah “Petit Sirah is loved for its deeply colored wines with rich black fruit flavors and bold tannins. The grape related to Syrah and the rare French grape, Peloursin. The French call it “Durif” but this wine is rare outside of California.” – Wine Folly
3. Pinot Noir “Pinot Noir is the world’s most popular light-bodied red wine. It’s loved for its red fruit, flower, and spice aromas that are accentuated by a long, smooth finish.” – Wine Folly
Finale
Think you know a bit more about wine now that you’ve read our basic wine guide?
You are now well equipped for battle with small talk strangers, ice breakers at the company bar, and everything in between.
From knowing how it’s made to how to buy wine, the best way to appreciate a good glass is by knowing exactly what it is that you’re taking a sip of.
Where is it from?
How was it made?
What are you going to eat and drink it with?
Most importantly, remember to savor and enjoy it in good company.
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!
Tired of the same old same beer on-tap? Let us take your office happy hour game to the next level!
Say “hi” and one of our awesome team members will contact you ASAP.
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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.
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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!
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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!
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Not so long ago, I asked a former co-worker what makes him so calm during our extremely busy hours at work. He replied “a daily sip of wine”. It took me a second to process the potential benefits of alcoholic drinks in the office.
Alcohol can play a large role in the culture of many workplaces. From social functions and events to regular lunches and celebrations, office drinking serves as a means of managing work-related issues including employee stress and tension.
As we know, alcohol is one of the most ubiquitous and unifying products in the world. It is, in one form or another, consumed in great volume in every corner of the Earth.
And in this modern era, there’s good news for all you lovers of office libation – boozing in the office is definitely in fashion! A long-since-exiled workplace habit is now making a big comeback.
A Brief History of Office Drinking Culture
The presence of alcohol in offices has ebbed and flowed over time and largely depended on the type of business.
The big changes to US work culture haven’t just been all about modern appearances and policies. Office culture also has undergone a number of major changes since the 1950s.
Office drinking had its culmination in the work cultures of the ’50s and ’60s. But attitudes began to change starting in the 80s and 90s. Drinking at work mysteriously became forbidden.
But in the last decade or so, there’s been a resurgence of drinks in the office. For many companies—often startups and agency-like firms—drinking on the job is now considered a perk.
Bloomberg’s Businessweek reports that Yelp’s headquarters in San Francisco is equipped with “a keg refrigerator” that “supplies its employees with an endless supply of beer.”
It’s a great time to live in— where our perceptions of office drinking culture have already shifted and we’re gearing towards more innovations.
Benefits Of Drinks at Work
Alcoholic drinks hold great power over modern society and, especially, over modern workers.
Whether workplace enjoyment, productivity, or employee health and well-being form part of your workplace’s rationale, an office culture around alcohol provides a number of benefits for workplaces. Here are 7 compelling reasons to embrace drinks in the office.
1. Incentivizes employee performance
Holding a happy hour in the office brings after-hours activity into the professional space. It’s both a way to keep employees around longer while fostering internal connections.
Light drinking in the workplace may help some employees to feel appreciated and keep them committed to the company. Furthermore, modern workers especially expect an office culture that allows them to be their true selves at work. They see alcoholic beverage in the office as a major perk to their job.
Many managers now are providing fridges full of drinks because they understand workplace stress – they want employees to feel free to forget the stress, alleviate the pressures, and forgo the office politics for the time being. Remember to do this enthusiastically but with restraint.
2. Helps employees bond and connect
For most of us, courage from an alcoholic beverage can be the reason we have the gall to approach that group across the room or start a conversation with people we don’t really know.
Business deals, new friendship, and strong bonds are often formulated over drinks, and networking events tend to occur after hours.
Grabbing a beer or a glass of wine with a couple of coworkers (even from other departments) is definitely a form of networking. When enjoyed in moderation, it has a tendency to lower our inhibitions, which can lead your team to form new relationships and forge new bonds. These bonds, in turn, result in a more engaged team.
In Japan, drinks in the office are also very common. In fact, it can be an unspoken requirement in many companies. They feel that it is an important way to enhance relationships. Like them, it can be useful for you to understand who your coworkers are and their typical mindset when they are relaxed and outside of the office.
3. Improves recruitment and retention
Office drinking culture can have a number of positive impacts on workplaces. One of them is that it may help attract new talent. In fact, some businesses highlight their free alcohol policies as a way of getting new hiring prospects.
Not only is it something employees want (no surprise there), it’s also something employers feel can attract and retain today’s more progressive-minded modern workers.
Companies, including Yelp, Google, and almost every Ad agency in New York, offer alcoholic perks to their employees — and for good reason.
Research shows employees with alcohol in their systems work faster and are better problem solvers than their sober counterparts. But before you make a case about working drunk, know these benefits don’t apply to the flat-out intoxicated. The key is to meet somewhere in the middle.
As a result of this research, more companies are attempting to attract modern employees with office bars and casual environments.
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4. Saves employees from tension meltdown
Drinking can reduce fears and take your mind off of your troubles. It can help you feel less shy, give you a boost in mood, and make you feel generally relaxed. In fact, alcohol’s effects can be similar to those of anti-anxiety medications.
With that said, a glass of wine or a beer can be a helpful option to calm employees’ nerves when dealing with stressful work days or nervous situations.
A study, which analyzed more than 2,600 men and 2,800 women over a seven-year period, found that people who drank two to seven glasses of wine a week were less likely to suffer from depression. Also, it can be helpful in reducing stress.
With that said, the availability of alcohol in the workplace can create a positive impact on employees’ well-being. There is a certain lucidity that alcohol can offer, putting us in a state to work fast and have fun.
Not only does office drinking culture make your working environment enjoyable, but it also helps employees decompress during stressful hours and serves as a coping mechanism after a particularly bad day.
5. Improves employees’ creative problem-solving
Nowadays, many modern corporate offices already condone drinking on the job. As it turns out, a little bit of alcohol really can support creative thinking.
Research has even shown that workers who drink are more productive and can better explore unorthodox solutions. A certain level of inebriation can help get the creative juices flowing.
In fact, a US experiment reported in Harvard Business Review showed that when 20 young men drank enough vodka cranberry cocktails to push their blood alcohol levels close to the legal limit of 0.08, they solved a bunch of word puzzles better and faster than 20 other blokes who stayed sober.
Apart from that, an earlier study also found that light to moderate drinking can actually help relax your brain and get you thinking more clearly. It was even found to help people not overthink and come to better, more thought-out solutions.
So if you need to get your creative juices flowing, one to two glasses of alcohol can actually help you and your team become creative problem-solvers.
6. Promotes trust and respect
Since the corporate life has changed a lot in the last decade or so, work has become more flexible. It accommodates the needs of individuals according to their lifestyle and stage of life.
The majority of the younger generation or modern workers prefer an environment with more freedom and a more relaxed work atmosphere. Bringing adult beverages into your office will send your workers a message that you trust your employees to act like responsible adults.
No one wants to feel trapped in a strict and toxic working environment. Trusting them to know their own limits and partake in the occasional in-office drink helps do just that. They will feel more respected and trusted.
Moreover, they will also find it easier to talk to their colleagues in a relaxed atmosphere inside work. Relationships with coworkers may develop closer casual talks and employees may be more open to sharing concerns about their work or about other coworkers.
7. Improves employees’ health and well-being
We probably all know that getting wasted every day might not be the best thing for your physical or mental well-being, but moderate alcohol consumption may have somesubstantial health benefits.
From reducing your stress to lengthening your life, there are a number of health benefits from moderate drinking.
Research even suggests that one drink a day helps reduce a person’s risk of heart disease by up to 40%. Moderate drinking has also been found to reduce a person’s risk for diabetes and decrease their chances of developing dementia.
In view of this, a responsible office drinking culture can improve the health and well-being of employees. It is also as clear as day that drinks in the office unlock so many other productivity benefits from more motivation to extra energy.
Conclusion
For decades we’ve been hearing about the health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption.
Getting intoxicated every day is obviously not good for you. But as a society, we already seem to have latched onto this idea that small amounts of alcohol are actually beneficial for your health and well-being.
Some research shows that the actual act of socializing in a drinking setting makes people feel more engaged and trusting of their friends and community.
The upshot is that, for people working on something creative or problem-solving, drinks in the office could actually help job performance. Check out this list of drink ideas if you’re struggling to come up with something beyond a chardonnay and an IPA.
Whatever it is, we can agree that as long as you keep your imbibing under control and your sipping in moderation, office drinking culture has a number of benefits for the employees and for the organization as a whole.
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!
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Unless you are well versed in the language of wine, you probably won’t know what tannin is, let alone how to explain what it is.
Wine is already quite complicated. Throw into the mix an extensive vocabulary to explain complexities and you have a nightmare on your hands.
Unless you know what this vocabulary means. All it takes is a little practice, and you’ll be able to pinpoint mouthfeel, appellations, and bouquets in no time.
Taste Vocabulary
Palate
So what does palate mean when it comes to wine tasting? Your palate is just a fancy way of saying flavor perception.
Thus, our palate is a combination of our sense of taste along with our sense of smell. It’s rare for two people to have the same perception, so palates are highly unique to every individual.
Mouthfeel
Mouthfeel refers to how the wine feels in the mouth. This term is not very complicated at all.
It’s a culmination of many factors including acid, flavor, alcohol, and tannin.
Body
Body and mouthfeel are practically the same things, but don’t let a wine snob hear you say that.
It’s a way to describe the texture, whether a wine feels smooth or if you feel a particular flavor really packs a punch.
Tannin
If you’ve tried red wine, then you’ve most likely tasted tannins for yourself. If you’re not a wine connoisseur, however, you probably don’t know you’re tasting tannin.
Tannin is a taste that resembles over-steeped black tea: it’s bitter, bland, and yet folks still seem to seek out the most tannic wine they can find.
Acidity
Most of us know the feeling when we put something sour in our mouths and instinctively salivate.
When a wine is particularly acidic, you’ll elicit the same response.
Finish
Here’s an easy way to remember what finish means. A wine’s finish is a wine’s taste after you finish it.
It describes how long the flavor lasts on your tongue after you swallow and any residual flavors you get on the palate.
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Location Vocabulary
Appellation
In reference to wine, the appellation is a term used to describe a specified region.
Though appellation can refer to the wine type, like Bordeaux for example, it’s also used in reference to coffee, chocolate, or other region-specific items.
Terroir
Normally you’ll hear people say that a wine is reflective of their terroir.
Terroir is another word to describe the geographical factors of a wine. This includes the region in which it’s grown, weather, soil, and topography.
Smell Vocabulary
Aroma
The aroma of a wine is what you smell.
You can describe a wine’s aroma the same way you would describe the aroma of a candle or your favorite meal.
People will usually refer to a wine’s aroma as being fruity, earthy, floral, etc.
Bouquet
No, we’re not talking about a bouquet of flowers, though flowers may be what you smell in a bouquet.
Let’s clear things up a bit.
Wine terminology refers to a bouquet as the complex aromas of an aged or matured wine.
Corked
When a wine smells or tastes corked, this means that the wine has been contaminated by a chemical compound found in the cork itself.
The smell can resemble an old musty book or moldy room that has never seen the light of day. The flavors in wine won’t present themselves in a corked wine and will instead smell and taste quite dull.
Oxidized
Oxidized wine is a wine that has been exposed to air for too long.
It will start to turn a brick-brown color and take on different flavors. Expose it to air long enough and it will inevitably turn into vinegar.
For example, if you were to ask someone what grape varietal they were drinking, they could respond with Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Grigio.
Vintage
Vintage refers to the year that grapes were harvested.
Some harvest years may be more successful than the previous. This would indicate a better tasting wine and vice versa.
Conclusion
Wine can be best described as tricky at best, a labyrinth of complexities at worst.
There are so many terms to denote little things that we could easily say in simpler words. However, because we’re talking about wine, simple is out of the equation.
Chances of turning into a wine connoisseur overnight are next to nil. But taking the time to develop your wine vocabulary is a step in the right direction.
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!
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New year, new you, new wine trends. This year’s predictions bring to mind some new upward trends while others are still enjoying their red carpet debut.
New styles make an appearance and underdog wine varieties finally get some time in the spotlight.
Not to mention once again we see that the digital age has to rear its capricious head and change the path that the industry has been on lately.
Trends come and go, and wine is no exception to this rule. If it’s not expensive Bordeaux wine one year then it’s some hipster, fruity wine another year.
So read on to learn about some wine trends to watch out for in 2019.
Packaging No Longer Matters
Or does it?
Move aside bottled wine. Canned and boxed wine is here to stay.
Boxed and canned wine has been on the rise for a while now. What started as a trend has now become a large part of the wine industry.
We’ll put things in perspective for you all: canned wine sales went up a whopping 43% in 2018 since the year before. This is why we’re predicting that those numbers are only going to increase this year in 2019.
Can you guess who the big spenders in this category are? If you guessed Millennials, then you’re definitely on to something.
More to come on Millennial spending habits later on. For now, all you need to know is that we have them as well as Gen X to thank for the rising trend.
And we can’t blame them, there’s plenty to rave about when it comes to non-conventionally packaged wine. After all, there is a reason why they have garnered such a massive following.
For one thing, boxed and canned wine is way easier to transport.
If you’re headed to a barbecue, all you have to do is pull out a wine spritzer and you’re good to go. Long gone are the days of hassling with a bottle opener or cup spillage.
Second, they’re a perfect alternative for those who don’t drink often. When you don’t want to finish an entire bottle but you want a sip of your favorite wine, boxed wine is the perfect solution.
Talk about lasting benefits. This is one of the wine trends that we won’t mind hopping onto.
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Orange Wine
The name can be a bit misleading. Orange wine isn’t actually made with oranges.
The name is simply a reference to the deep orange hue that the wine takes on after the process is complete.
Orange wine has actually been around for some time now (5000 years to be exact).
Thanks to a man by the name of Friulian Josko Gravner, orange wine has made a comeback into modern day. After reintroducing the wine in the 90s, it’s gained momentum towards becoming a longstanding trend over the last 2 decades.
While it’s debatable if orange wine can become a household wine like rose, it is a specialty wine that people are sure not to forget anytime soon.
Rose’s On The Rise
Once again, Rose is still everyone’s favorite go-to pick for wine.
That’s the highest growth percentage seen in a wine varietal last year next to Pinot Gris/Grigio.
We’re not surprised to hear that Rose is doing so well nor do we expect this trend to slow down any time soon.
With a careful combination of celebrity appeal and social media influence, Rose has quickly become a favorite among many.
One reason for this is because it has outgrown its summer only status. It’s a great option year round for any occasion, be it for a summer picnic or random get together.
It’s also a great go-to option.
If you can’t decide on what to bring for dinner, Rose gives you a quick fix for a situation like this. It’s impossible to offend anyone with it (unless they REALLY have a personal vendetta against pink, bubbly wine).
Vegan Wine
Wine is made from grapes. That makes it 100% vegan…right?
WRONG!
You probably didn’t realize a wine could be anything BUT vegan but it’s true.
Now don’t jump to conclusions just yet. Rest assured you won’t discover weird animal remnants in your wine anytime soon.
The wine itself may be vegan, but we can’t always say the same about whether the process is vegan or not. Some of the more traditional processes use animal products in the making of wine.
Egg whites, for example, are a method of filtering out small sediment particles that regular filtration cannot remove.
Other animal-based fining products are used, as well as beeswax to seal bottles and milk-based glues used in corks.
Naturally, the vegan community is going to take issue with these traditional processes. The more popular veganism gets to be, the more people are going to push for disclosure of wine-making ingredients as well as vegan-friendly wines.
Which is why you’ll start to see a larger selection of vegan wines in the store, in restaurants, and online.
We’ll let Carissa Kranz from BevVeg tell you more on the subject.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbOXBKZBWaE
Cannabis Infused Wine
As if wine couldn’t get any more innovative.
The increase in cannabis legality nationwide continues to open up the market to new products. Cannabis infused wine being one of them.
Rebel Coast Winery and Saka are two California brands that sell wine infused with cannabinoids. CannaVines also makes cannabis-infused wine using grapes grown in Napa Valley.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8H_gjueefk
There’s a catch though. The majority of the cannabis-infused wine and beer you will find now is alcohol-free.
In late September of 2018, California passed Assembly Bill 2914 that prohibits the sale of an alcohol and cannabinoid combo, although the science is still unclear on whether you can or even should infuse alcohol with THC or CBD.
So if you were looking for a high to compliment your buzz then we’re sorry to disappoint.
BUT, you can still get a great tasting drink that replicates the flavors in a traditional wine, with all the benefits that cannabinoids can get you.
Consumption Evolution
Moving on to consumer trends, there’s a paradox in the mix.
Reports show that tourism in wine country is increasing, however, winery visits are decreasing. Such is the case in Napa and Sonoma for the past five years.
Taking a broader look at the industry will show you that spending trends are changing in general.
All fingers point to a change in tasting room fees, consumer behavior and the consumers themselves.
New Generations, New Habits
The younger crowd, the now invested Gen X, are more frugal than their predecessors: older folk who used to visit a slew of wineries in a single day.
They’re narrowing down their itineraries to a single winery visit rather than hopping around to several in one trip.
As it turns out, the one generation that the industry was betting their money on is the one to break up the trend.
Millennials are no longer spending their money on wine!
You read that correctly, Millennial wine spending has tapered off and held steady, taking up only 17% of the market. This pales in comparison to Gen X and Baby Boomers that take up 34% and 70% of the market respectively.
So while Millennials are off chasing cannabis, Gen X is set to dominate the wine market compared to their Baby Boomer counterparts in years to come.
Why? Because Gen X spend the most in retail overall seeing as they have a higher financial capacity than Millennials and are at a peak point in their lives.
“Their presence has been below the radar, but their wine consumption continues to increase, representing 34 percent of an average winery’s sales and growing. Indications suggest the majority of current growth in the above $9 wine category is coming from this generation. They are perfectly positioned to surpass the baby boomers as the dominant cohort in fine wine consumption by around 2022.”
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Casual Over Fancy
Trends show that younger generations are not spending exorbitant amounts of money on expensive wine.
Wine trends for Gen X and Millennials, despite their waning interest, focus on a more casual style of drinking.
They don’t want nor do they need to display their wealth with a $200 bottle of something imported from God knows where.
They will happily settle for a moderately priced bottle between the $9 and $20 range that still shouts quality, but no longer screams pretentious.
Once again this is where canned and boxed wines are making their comeback in the form of a perfect solution. Not only are they more convenient for most occasions, but they appear less imposing than a bottle would.
Conclusion
There are lots of changes to expect for the rest of 2019.
The newness of some awesome, innovative product is what gets a trend snowballing. What determines the longevity of a trend is how well they fit with the needs of a changing population.
And that’s precisely the reason trends come and go: consumer behavior comes and goes with it.
We can say that most, if not all these trends that we mentioned today hold the promise of making future appearances.
Some are odd like Orange wine and perhaps cannabis-infused wine. Others make sense like boxed wine and wine spritzers.
Yet they are the method through which we are able to predict next year’s wine trends and trends for the years after.
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!
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You heard us right. What’s the deal with boxed wine?
We all know the debate, may have even googled it at some point.
‘Is boxed wine any good?’ or ‘Does boxed wine have quality?’
There seems to be such a stigma around wine that comes out of a box. Almost like it isn’t even real wine at all.
Obviously, it may not be a one-hundred-dollar bottle of the best quality Oregon Pinot Noir. But you best believe that it deserves more recognition than a five-year-old’s juice box.
We have reason to believe that wine boxes are not only passable, but can even be better quality than the stuff that you find in a bottle.
Ya we know skeptics are going to claim nothing is as good as the stuff that comes out of a bottle. But remember, we’re not drinking the bottle!
We’re drinking the stuff on the inside. Sure a corked bottle might be better for aging wine properly, but a box has its benefits as well.
Let’s take some time here to break it all down.
Who Do We Have To Thank For Boxed Wine?
We can thank the Aussies for creating ‘wine casks’ as they’re known in Australia.
It seemed like a brilliant invention at the time. So what went wrong and why have wine boxes garnered such a bad reputation?
The issue may have been the lack of sophistication that boxed wine couldn’t seem to deliver compared to their bottled counterpart.
The issue also could have been that wine boxes were thought to be the cheaper, and thus less desirable, option in more ways than one.
Boxed wine was known to be cheaper to produce, with a cheaper price tag in stores and cheaper quality wine to boot.
This is where producers could have done things differently.
A Shift In Perception
It’s no secret that packaging has become a huge factor in purchase decisions and quality perceptions of wine. Especially when you’re unsure what brand, let alone what type of wine to buy.
The more attractive the bottle, the likelier it is that people are going to buy it.
It’s also not a secret that wine boxes are not a popular choice among wine drinkers. Bottled wine tends to be the default choice with no consideration for its boxed competitor.
Wine boxes only account for about 6.5% of total wine sales in the US, with premium wine boxes accounting for no more than 3%.
Statistics show however that more people are spending money on the premium stuff as opposed to lower quality boxed wine.
Just last year in 2018, according to a report from the Nielson company, the percent change in dollar sales for premium boxed wine increased by 16.5%.
Attitudes are shifting, and boxed wine sales are on the rise.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_KzQLmWXgI
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Here’s The Deal With The Packaging
Despite the bad reputation that boxed wine has gotten, there are factors that work in its favor. First is the practicality of a boxed option.
The good news is that boxed wine can last longer than your average bottle…sort of.
A bottle really only tastes the same for no more than a few days after opening it, and then it starts to taste a little funky. But boxed wine tastes just as good six weeks later after opening.
This is due mostly to the bags used to keep oxygen out of the box.
This also makes it great for occasional wine drinkers who don’t drink too often, or for those who like to cook with it. Or, for those of you who like to picnic, boxed wine makes life so much easier when it comes to transporting.
You get to carry 4 bottles worth of wine in an easy to carry plastic/cardboard container instead of 4 individual glass (which is heavier than plastic) bottles.
Boxed wine does, however, come with a shorter shelf life. They’re only good for about 6 to 9 months since the material of boxed wine is more porous than a bottle.
So not the best option if you’re looking for a wine to age.
The Value In A Boxed Wine
Speaking of volume, let’s discuss the value you get when buying boxed wine.
And when we say value, we’re not talking about getting 3 liters of the cheapest wine in a box that you can find for under 10 bucks.
You may have heard about the 2015 Lawsuit involving 83 lower end wine brands. This is where cheaper wine overall, not just boxed wine, started gaining unfavorable attention due to high levels of arsenic.
When we say value, we’re talking about the value of the amount of wine you get for every dollar you spend for quality wine. With a bigger volume comes a bigger value for your dollar.
On average, you can get 4 bottles worth of quality boxed wine for the price of 2. This makes boxed wine a great option for larger events.
And if you’re not a big wine drinker, you’ll be saving money with boxed wine.
You can take a sip guilt-free without having to decide between finishing the entire bottle or throwing it out. Boxed wine lets you save the rest for later!
Can Boxed Wine Be A Better Choice For The Environment?
See, this is a slippery slope to venture. The answer depends on who you ask.
Think of it as a battle between the lesser of two evils: plastic bags or glass bottles.
Most would think that the opposite is more accurate, where bottled wine is better for the environment. That way you don’t run the risk of stray plastic bags ending up in the ocean choking innocent sea turtles.
While this may be true, the bag-in-a-box option leaves a smaller carbon footprint.
Reason one is that it requires less energy to produce plastic bags and cardboard boxes than glass bottles.
And since bags and boxes are less expensive to produce than glass bottles, there is a cost savings factor for wine producers. This provides an incentive for them to package their premium wine in an inexpensive bag.
Reason two being that transportation emissions are low. You can almost think of this as a decrease in food miles.
Because boxed wine is lightly packaged, distributors are able to deliver a higher volume at a lower cost. All with fewer fuel emissions for distribution vehicles.
Not to mention that the bag-in-a-box still offers a recyclable option for both the bag and the box.
So, all things considered, boxed wine is a decent choice for the environment and your kitchen.
Here’s A Recap
We now know that wine boxes are slowly becoming more of a norm. Here’s a quick overview of the reasons why we need to stop hating on boxed wine and give it a real shot at stardom:
Convenience and ease of use
Wine boxes make it so much easier to transport to and from different locations. From the kitchen to the grill out on the porch or from the store to the park. Wherever you’re going, that boxed wine will make it there with little to no hassle on your part.
Value
You can buy a premium box of good wine worth 4 bottles for the price of 2. You’re buying in bulk so it’s a pretty sweet deal.
Brands like Black Box, Bota Box, and Bandit Box are all great examples of popular wine boxes that consumers swear by.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9XxVXczyzI
Extended freshness
For those of you who struggle to finish off a bottle of wine, say good-bye to this age-old problem. Boxed wine lets you control how much wine you want to drink and save the rest for later.
Options
The options are limitless.
You can drink from it one day and two weeks later use it in a dinner recipe. It’s up to you to decide how, when, or where you want to enjoy your wine.
A Safer Bet For The Environment
Less energy is required to make bags and boxes as opposed to glass bottles. This results in a smaller carbon footprint for wine box production and packaging.
It’s economical and it gives you everything you can ask for in a good wine without sacrificing quality. It’s the negative stereotypes we can’t let go of that get in the way of accepting a truly ingenious innovation.
Let’s give boxed wine a chance to make a reappearance in the industry, shall we?
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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!
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Wine. Quite possibly the most ancient and complex drink known to humans. But how do you know what differentiates the good types of wine from the two-buck-chuck that’s always on sale? We can’t all be experts, but we can at least be knowledgeable about the basics when it comes to wine.
It’s not always about the brand of wine or how much it costs either. There are some pretty good bottles out there that are decently priced and taste better than stuff that costs $100 a bottle.
And the holidays may be over, but when there’s a party there’s booze.
What kind of booze? Well, that’s the million dollar question, now isn’t it?
Every wine has it’s outstanding elements, and they all have their prime qualities to look for. And certain wines are going to be better suited to different circumstances.
Cocktail parties, for example, might call for a variety of fun vibrant flavors. Or if you’re on the hunt for a good wine keg for the office then you’re going to want to invest in a standard wine that all your employees will enjoy.
From the everyday office to the random party to the picnic in the park. Learn how to choose the right types of wine for the right occasions.
Variables To Consider When Buying Wine
Food
Is food involved? If so how?
Certain wines pair well with some foods and not at all with others.
If you’re looking for good types of wine for the workplace, then you’re going to want to look for a simple wine that can pair well with just about anybody’s lunch choice.
Or if you’re in charge of the party planning, then find a variety of wines that pair well with the food options at the event.
There’s a definite science behind food and wine pairings. A very extensive science that can be best explained in our earlier post on The ABC’s of Wine.
There are some go-to rules that we’ll get into later, but for now, just remember that food and wine pairings also have a lot to do with personal taste as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuQo41ljHoY
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Occasion
What’s the reason for buying wine? In other words, what’s the occasion?
If you’re looking for a celebratory drink then Champagne or sparkling wines would be your best bet.
Or if it’s a fine Gala that you’re planning on hosting then a bold red wine will definitely impress your guests.
Easy going get-togethers and summer gatherings are best suited for fruitier, more refreshing options like a light Rose.
Or you’re looking for a steady everyday kind of wine then a red blend wine keg is an ideal option.
There’s plenty of different routes you can go here, and feel free to stray away from the conventional.
Audience
Take into account the people you are catering to.
Statistically, you can never go wrong ordering a keg of red wine for a party or for the office.
According to a survey done by the Wine Market Council, 42% of the US population consumes red wine over any other style of wine.
This is followed closely by white wine and Rose with 33% and 11% of the population consuming these styles.
Types of Wine & Their Identifying Qualities
Cabernet Sauvignon
A mixture between a Cabernet Franc and a Sauvignon Blanc, a Cabernet Sauvignon is considered one of the bolder types of wine on the spectrum.
Some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon wines come from our local Napa and Sonoma areas. They’re full of rich flavors and leave you with a long and lasting finish.
It can be a little overwhelming by itself so it’s best to drink this with a hearty meal.
Flavor Profile:
Black fruit
Cedar or something akin to pencil shavings
Green vegetation
Spice
Graphite
Medium to high acidity range
Food Pairings:
Roasted or grilled meat
Umami is perfect for softening the tannic tastes often noted in Cabernet
A high acid Cabernet is best paired with rich flavored dishes
A low acid Cabernet pairs best with simpler dishes
Chardonnay
So there are two distinct styles of chardonnay.
There’s the oak aged style and the non-oak aged style. The oak-aged style tends to be richer and creamier in taste while the style not aged in oak tends to be crisper with more mineral flavors.
Because of this, some Chardonnay varieties can be radically different from others. For the most part, though, there are some standard features.
Flavor Profile:
Buttered bread or baked tarts
Tree fruit
Citrus
Pineapple
Coconut
Pralines
Low to medium acidity (if oaked)
Medium to high acidity (if unoaked)
Food Pairings:
Soft cheeses
Vegetables like asparagus or squash
Herb-infused dishes
Lighter meats like chicken/turkey breast and fish
Unoaked Chardonnay styles pair better with seafood like oysters clams or shrimp
Pinot Noir
One word commonly associated with a Pinot Noir is ‘earthy.’ This is because it’s not one of the more fruit forward types of wine.
This grape varietal is very difficult to grow well, thus it’s a very difficult wine to perfect.
But when it’s done nearly to perfection, the result is absolutely outstanding.
Flavor Profile:
Soy sauce
Black pepper
Mushrooms
Cherries
Raspberries
Clove
Licorice
Low to medium tannins
Medium to high acidity
Food Pairings:
Just about anything with mushrooms or a savory sauce
Medium weight meats or oily fish like duck or salmon
Dishes with fruit-based sauces
Sauvignon Blanc
The best way to describe a Sauvignon Blanc is ‘crisp.’ Between Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc definitely packs a punch to the taste palate.
Its vibrant flavors and crispness make this the perfect refresher to any day.
Enjoy it alone or pair it with the perfect meal if you want to get the most out of this wine.
Flavor Profile:
Lime
Green apple
Passion fruit
Guava
Peach
Jalapeños
Celery
Wet concrete
Medium to high acidity
Food Pairings:
Most anything containing parsley, rosemary, basil, cilantro, or other green herbs
Merlot is not the most popular types of wine among snobs. But it’s still a prime pick for any dinner party or office get-together.
The funny thing is that Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are very similar since they’re both derived from the same grape: Cabernet Franc. So you might notice subtle nuances that remind you of one or the other.
Regardless of origin, the smooth finish and lasting mouthfeel make Merlot an ideal pick for any occasion.
Flavor Profile:
Black fruit
Cocoa
Chocolate
Baking spices
Medium acidity
Gravel
Forest greenery
The most notable is the smooth tannins on the palate
Food Pairings:
Ethnic cuisines that are not spicy
Grilled meats or lamb
Dishes with a sweet or fruit element
Zinfandel
Like Chardonnay, there are two types of Zinfandel. There’s the Rose type of Zinfandel that we like to call ‘White Zinfandel’ and then you have your traditional red Zinfandel.
A white Zinfandel is a perfect wine for beginners. If you’ve tried a White Zinfandel, you’ll know that these guys are low in alcohol, and perfectly sweet.
With a red Zinfandel, you’ll get more complex flavors and a bolder style.
Flavor Profile:
Blueberry
Cherry pie
Jam
Raisins
Black tea
Low to medium acidity and moderate tannins
Food Pairings:
Barbecue dishes
Curry
Lighter meats, pork, and ham
Vegetables high in flavor to complement the fruit noted in Zinfandel
Malbec
The biggest give away is its color. With a Malbec wine, you’ll notice its deep purple-red color right away.
It’s full-bodied flavor and fruit notes bring out the best in this one.
As Argentina’s signature grape varietal, go ahead and try the full-bodied flavor of a Malbec for yourself.
Flavor Profile:
Black fruit
Raspberry
Plum
Blueberry
Cocoa
Coffee
Gravel
Medium acid and tannins
Food Pairings:
Lean red meats, duck, lamb, and beef
Earthy and smoky herbs and spices like black pepper, clove, cumin, coriander, and green onion
Mushrooms
Roasted vegetables
Potatoes
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Conclusion
Choosing the right wine is not an easy tasking. If anything, it can be pretty intimidating, especially if you have no clue where to start.
We’ll admit, it’s a daunting task made even more difficult by the endless list of factors to consider when making a decision.
Food pairings, alcohol levels, and flavor profiles, and occasions are all variables to consider.
So while you’re sitting there trying not to tear out your hair over having to decide on options, keep one thing in mind.
The rules for choosing the best wine, whether it’s a keg for the office or an array of bottles at a party, are not set in stone. Wine is a completely subjective matter.
What baseball is to Americans, wine is to the French. Think of it as a pastime.
The best qualities in wine are brought out by good food, good people, and good times.
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!
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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.
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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!
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