Christmas Gift Ideas For Coffee Lovers

With only a few weeks left until Christmas, it's time to start frantically racking your brains for gift ideas for your nearest and dearest. 

While we can't come up with suggestions for all your family and friends, we can help you find some excellent gifts for the coffee lovers in your life, whatever your budget. Try these on for size.

Travel French Press Coffee Maker Set

Travel mugs are old news - if you want coffee on the go, you need a travel french press! Simply add ground coffee and hot water, seal the lid and hit the road. Then, when you're ready for a drink, press down on the plunger and hey presto - hot coffee with all the aromas and flavours of a freshly pressed cup.

With a spill-proof lid, a non-slip grip and double insulation to keep your brew hot for hours, this is a game-changer. Order yours here.

Aerolatte Milk Frother

Every coffee fan needs a milk frother and not only does this jet-black, stainless steel version include a stand, it also creates frothy milk in under 20 seconds and is good for approximately 150 uses before the batteries will need changing.

Buy one here.

Prepaid Cafe2U Gift Card

If one of your family is a regular Cafe2U customer, make his next few visits free by picking him up one of our prepaid gift cards. Better still, if you pre-pay for five coffees, you'll get the sixth one free! To get your eager festive hands on one, get in touch with your nearest Cafe2U barista here.

Guide For The Coffee Confused

You won't be surprised to hear that we love International Coffee Day (ITC) at Cafe2U. An occasion designed to celebrate and promote the joys of our favourite drink, ITC was launched in Milan in 2015 by the International Coffee Organisation and has since become one of the most important days on the coffee-drinker's calendar.

How you celebrate is up to you but, let's be honest, it's definitely going to involve a few cups of the black stuff. But whether you prefer a standard latte, a sweet mocha or a punchy espresso, how much do you know about your coffee of choice? And how do you make it properly (ie according to baristas)? 

Let's find out…

How do you steam milk?

Before we start, one quick note: most of these recipes require steamed milk. To make it, you can either use a steamer wand, a French press or a coffee machine with a steamer attachment. If you don't have any of these, simply place the milk in a jar with a lid, shake until frothy then microwave uncovered for 30 seconds.

Espresso

Ah, the espresso. Where would we be without you? 

As the base for several other coffee drinks, including lattes and cappuccinos, the espresso is the most versatile coffee in the world and is the most common type of coffee in southern Europe, particularly in Italy, Spain and much of France.

Espressos are made by forcing nearly boiling water through finely-ground coffee beans, a technique that was perfected by Angelo Moriondo in Italy in 1884, when he developed the world's first coffee machine that controlled the supply of steam and water separately through the coffee.

Today, many coffee lovers have their own espresso machines at home, meaning making an espresso has never been simpler - just pop a pod in your machine and let it do all the work for you. For those without an espresso machine, instant espresso is also readily available; just combine a teaspoon of the coffee with ¼ cup of hot water, stir and enjoy. 

Latte

The UK's favourite coffee is a straightforward combination of espresso coffee and steamed milk, with the term 'latte' coming from the Italian 'caffè latte', which literally means 'coffee and milk'. Estimates suggest Europeans began mixing coffee and milk in the 17th century, but it wasn't until the latter part of the 19th century that the drink started to become a worldwide sensation.

To make a coffee shop-quality latte at home, make around 35ml of espresso and pour it into a cup. Next, steam 250ml of milk until it has 2-3cm of foam on top and pour it steadily on top of the coffee so the steamed milk lies on the coffee with the foamed milk on top of that.

Cappuccino

Another staple of the coffee world and one of the most frequently ordered, the cappuccino originated in Italy and was influenced by the Austrian 'Kapuziner', which was made with whipped cream and various spices. 

The drink spread to Italy in the early 20th century, where the recipe was altered and perfected, resulting in the cappuccino we know and love today, which comprises a shot of espresso with both steamed and foamed milk. Cappuccinos are essentially lattes with less steamed milk and more foam.

Making your own cappuccino at home is quick and easy. Simply heat a cup of milk in a saucepan over a medium heat until it bubbles but before it boils, then remove the pan from the heat and whip the milk with an electric whisk until it has 4-6cm of foam on top. Finally, make some espresso coffee, carefully pour the milk on top and enjoy!

Americano

A simple combination of an espresso and hot water, the Americano was born in Italy during World War II, when American G.I.s stationed there began mixing their espressos with hot water to dilute them to the strength to which they were accustomed back home. This is also the origin of the name, with 'Americano' literally meaning 'American'.

Making your own Americano couldn't be simpler - just make an espresso and top it up with hot water to taste (or add the water first and the coffee second if you're feeling adventurous).

Mocha

Also known as a mocaccino, the mocha is essentially a latte with added chocolate. Its name is derived from the city of Mocha in Yemen, which was the centre of the early coffee trade and home to the sought-after Moka coffee bean from which the first mochas were brewed.

Particularly popular around Christmas thanks to the sweetness of the chocolate, mochas can also be made at home and enjoyed all year round. To make your own, start by brewing 35ml of espresso and pour into a cup, then add a teaspoon of drinking chocolate and mix until smooth. Next, steam 250ml of milk until it has 4-6cm of foam on top and pour steadily into the cup.

Why not celebrate International Coffee Day with Cafe2U?

Making a coffee at home is one of life's great pleasures but nothing beats a hot cup made by an expertly trained barista. If you'd like a top-quality coffee delivered to your work or fancy picking one up while you're out and about, check out our Cafe2U location map here and find out where your nearest van is right now - whether it’s for ITC or any other time!

A Guide to Breakfast Bowls

As the saying goes, breakfast is the most important meal of the day and, with approximately 89% of the UK enjoying it every morning, it's clear that the old adage is still as true as ever.

What has changed is what we're eating. Thanks to the rise of cafes serving healthy, vibrant breakfasts inspired by Australia and New Zealand, 'breakfast bowls' have become one of the most popular breakfast options, both outside the home and in our own kitchens.

Bursting with colour, breakfast bowls allow you to start your day with superfoods (nutrient-rich foods that benefit your health and wellbeing) such as kale, fresh fruit, berries, granola and quinoa. The idea is to deliver a meal that is both tasty and healthy, and that is quick to assemble. Here are some of our favourites for you to try at home.

Gluten free peanut butter and fruit quinoa

This delicious breakfast quinoa makes four servings of just 290 calories each that look amazing, taste even better and will keep you energised until lunchtime.

To make this recipe, you will need:

• 2 cups of water

• 1 cup of quinoa

• ¼ cup of apple juice

• 3 tablespoons reduced fat peanut butter

• 1 banana, chopped

• 1 small handful of strawberries or raspberries

• 4 teaspoons unsalted peanuts

Combine the quinoa and water in a saucepan, bring to the boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, then cook, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes until the water is absorbed. Remove from the heat, then stir in the apple juice and peanut butter until combined. Stir in the banana.

Next, divide the mixture among four bowls and top with some of the strawberries/raspberries and peanuts. And enjoy!

Tropical Smoothie Bowl

Bring some sunshine to your kitchen table with this sweet, tropical, vegan blend that's packed with vitamins and minerals.

To make this recipe, you will need: 

• 1 small mango, cut into chunks

• 200g pineapple, cut into chunks

• 2 bananas

• 2 tbsp coconut yoghurt (not coconut-flavoured yoghurt)

• 150ml coconut drinking milk

• 2 passion fruits

• handful of blueberries

• 2 tbsp coconut flakes

• mint leaves

Put the mango, pineapple, bananas, yogurt and coconut milk in a blender, then blitz until smooth. Pour into two bowls and top with the passion fruit, blueberries, coconut flakes and mint leaves just before serving.

Vanilla-almond chia breakfast bowl

This bowl combines seeds, nuts, fruit and oats for a fibre-packed meal that will keep you fuller for longer.

To make this recipe, you will need: 

• 50g jumbo porridge oats

• 200ml unsweetened almond milk 

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

• 2 tbsp low-fat natural yoghurt

• 25g chia seeds

• 150g of blueberries

• 25g flaked almonds

• clear honey

Mix the oats, almond milk, vanilla extract, yoghurt and chia seeds in a bowl and set aside for 20 minutes or until the oats have softened. Stir through half the blueberries, divide the mixture between 2 bowls and top with the remaining berries, almonds and honey (to taste).

Partner your bowl with the right coffee

Whichever breakfast bowl you decide to try, a cup of nutrient-packed coffee makes the perfect accompaniment and will help raise your energy levels further still. Find your favourite coffee at your nearest Cafe2U van here.

How To Make Your Own Afternoon Tea

The English may be world renowned for talking about the weather but if there's one thing we're better at than complaining about the rain, it's enjoying afternoon tea. 

Invented in the 1840s, afternoon tea was originally designed as a mini-meal between lunch and dinner and typically consisted of sandwiches, sweet pastries or cakes, scones with cream and jam and, of course, plenty of tea.

Today, afternoon tea is usually enjoyed as an occasional treat at a restaurant or hotel. But with Afternoon Tea Week upon us, we've decided this is the perfect opportunity to encourage more people to host their own afternoon tea parties at home. So prepare your cake slicer, dust off the best china and read on for our top afternoon tea tips, inspirations and recipes.

The essentials

Afternoon tea should be twee and quintessentially British, so you'll need the following:

• A tiered cake stand to display the food and serve as your table's centrepiece

• Folded napkins

• Chinaware: a teapot, tea cups, cutlery and the aforementioned cake slicer. If you don't already own any, check out your local charity shops, which are often overflowing with such items. And don't worry if they don't match - the more kitsch the better!

Decorations

Decorating your kitchen or dining room is entirely up to you but, when it comes to afternoon tea, why wouldn't you go all out? 

All you need to do is dress your table with a tablecloth, ideally one with spots, stripes or a floral pattern, then string up some bunting. Again, spots and stripes are a guaranteed winner here but feel free to experiment with your favourite designs and colours.

Drinks

Most guests will probably opt for English Breakfast tea but offer a large selection to ensure everyone's catered for. Earl Grey, camomile, chai, herbal, fruit and peppermint teas are all perennial favourites.

Make sure you have milk/s, sugar and teaspoons already on the table when your guests arrive so you can pour them a cup as soon as they sit down; this will also allow them to help themselves throughout the afternoon.

Sandwiches

Of course, everybody's here for the sweet treats but that doesn't mean you can neglect the savoury side of afternoon tea. 

When making sandwiches, aim for around three different fillings - egg and cress, cucumber and prawn and coronation chicken are all classics of the afternoon tea genre - and be sure to cut them into triangles or slices before serving. You can find some great sandwich ideas here. 

For even more savoury variety, sausage rolls and quiches are also sure to please.

Sweets and cakes

It's no exaggeration to say that your tea party will live or die based on the quality of the sugary snacks you serve, so choose your menu carefully. Personally, we'd eat anything that was put in front of us but these Cafe2U-inspired recipes will satisfy even the pickiest treat aficionado.

Espresso brownies

Just because it's a tea party doesn't mean there's no room for coffee! These caffeinated delights are rich, decadent and best enjoyed with good company and a hot drink. 

Earl Grey teacakes

For a fancy twist on an old favourite, why not pick up some Earl Grey tea from your nearest Cafe2U mobile cafe and add it to the recipe for a unique flavour your guests will love? Check out the recipe here.

Coffee cake

Coffee cake has been among the UK's most popular cakes for decades and it's not hard to understand why. This one is delicious and easy to make using any number of our special Cafe2U coffee blends. Every party needs a cake so what are you waiting for?!

Scones

It's all been leading up to this. Regardless of how you pronounce the word 'scone'. Regardless of whether you put the jam or the cream on first. No afternoon tea party is complete without scones.

Remember to serve warm with plenty of clotted cream, jam and room-temperature butter on the table so your guests can help themselves. Strawberry is the most popular jam flavour at afternoon tea but don't be afraid to offer a broader selection if you see fit.

This classic scone recipe is easy to follow and serves eight people; if you prefer a fruit scone, we recommend giving this recipe a try.

Whatever sort of afternoon tea party you throw, your nearest Cafe2U van is always on hand to keep your cupboards fully stocked with all the teas and coffees you'll need. Find your nearest van here.

How to Make a Barbecue Coffee Rub

The long-awaited arrival of summer coupled with the long evenings getting warmer can mean only one thing: it's National Barbecue Week!

Running from July 2nd - July 11th to ensure two full weekends of BBQ brilliance, National Barbecue Week has been celebrated by hungry Brits since its inception in 1997. A lot's changed in the nation's approach to barbies in the last 24 years, with the types of foods being prepared high on that list. Burgers, sausages and kebabs will always be favourites but veggies, meat-free alternatives and unusual ingredients have all become commonplace at your average garden cook-out. 

One ingredient that continues to be overlooked, however, is coffee.

Although some may say that coffee and smoky meats aren't exactly obvious bed fellows, we beg to differ. And after you've tried our incredible Barbecue Coffee Rub recipe, we think you'll agree.

What is a Rub?

A rub is a mixture of spices and/or herbs that is applied to meats before cooking to add flavour. Unlike marinades, which need to be left covering food for several hours, rubs season meats quickly and are easy to prepare, making them perfect for impromptu BBQs. They also add texture and help give meats those delicious, dark crusts so beloved by barbie aficionados, especially if cooked at a low heat for a long time.

Why Use Coffee?

The first thing to say is that a coffee-based rub WON'T make your food taste like an espresso. It will, however, add a deep, rich, earthy flavour that enhances the savoury flavours already at play. Because coffee is highly acidic, it will also help tenderise your meat, making it juicier and less chewy.

Barbecue Coffee Rub Recipe

This rub can be used on any meat but works particularly well with beef. To make the rub, you will need:

• ¼ cup of freshly ground coffee

• Two tablespoons of brown sugar

• Two tablespoons of garlic powder

• Two tablespoons of onion powder

• Two tablespoons of cayenne pepper (this can be omitted if you don't like spicy food)

• Two tablespoons of paprika (normal, sweet or smoked)

• One tablespoon of ground cumin

• One tablespoon of kosher salt

Method

In a bowl, mix the ingredients together thoroughly. If you have one, transfer the rub to a shaker to make it easier to apply. Then pat your meat dry with a paper towel to remove as much moisture from its surface as possible.

If you want, you can add a binding agent - be creative here.

We love smothering beef, lamb or pork in French’s mustard or even a generous helping of Worcestershire Sauce! Next, apply the rub all over the meat. If you don't have a shaker, simply rub it in with your hands. How much you want to use is a personal choice but one tablespoon per pound of meat is a good rule of thumb. If in doubt, be generous!

Although the rub can be applied just before cooking, the longer it sits on the meat, the more tender and flavourful it will become. Try to apply the rub at least an hour before cooking; if possible, do it the day before.

Put the rubbed meat on a plate, cover it with cling film or tin foil and place it in the fridge until you're ready to cook. Any leftover rub can be stored in an airtight container and left in the fridge for as long as six months.

Finally, barbecue or smoke the meat as usual but remember not to use any oil as it will spoil the crust.

What Coffee Should I Use?

Again, this really comes down to personal preference but, as a rule, dark roasts give a more robust flavour, whereas light roasts are more subtle.

If possible, use freshly ground coffee as it tenderises the meat quicker and more effectively than beans which aren't freshly ground. Instant/pre-ground coffee granules also work well.

If you do opt for freshly ground coffee, use a medium grind. Finely ground coffee is not a good idea as it is smaller than most of the other rub ingredients, so it will coat the meat first and prevent the other flavours from coming through. Coarse ground coffee, on the other hand, is too big and won't stick efficiently to the meat.

So there you have it. When it's time to impress the guests at your next BBQ, just bring out the coffee!

At Cafe2U, we offer a wide range of quality bagged coffee beans - and our baristas will be happy to grind it for you to use - so find your nearest van here and book a delivery today.

New Year Resolutions for Coffee Lovers

To celebrate the start of the New Year and to help you get January off to the best start, we’ve put together a list of coffee-specific New Year's resolutions that we think all coffee lovers should try in 2021.

Try Something Different

With our Winter Drinks range being reintroduced it’s the perfect opportunity to give a new drink a whirl.

We have brand new coffees and hot chocolates for you to try, so why not try a new one each week throughout the whole of January?!

If you can’t wait, here are a few of the drinks from the range, that are available now: The Festive Spiced Cappuccino, Millionaires Hot Chocolate, Salted Caramel Mocha. You can find the full list of drinks with your local barista!

Get into Latte Art

If you’ve started to make coffee at home over 2020, when Cafe2U hasn't been available, why not make the next step up and start getting creative? But make sure you check out our blog on 5 common mistakes people make when brewing at home. 

Making latte art can be difficult to master, especially if you do not own an espresso maker or anything that’ll make it easier. There’s a great tutorial on YouTube that will help beginners and people wanting to get creative in 2021. In addition, making fancy latte art will add a personalised flair to your coffees and impress your friends and family.

Treat Other People

There’s nothing better than sitting and having a coffee whilst chatting away to your friends - so why not treat your coffee bud to something special in 2021 with one of our prepaid gift cards? You can pay for five coffees and they’ll receive 6, or alternatively pay for 10 and they’ll receive 12. 

This can certainly be a treat as and when the pandemic restrictions are lifted or eased.

Start Enjoying your Coffee More

Most of the time you don’t get a chance to enjoy your morning coffee - you’re waking up last minute, rushing around to get ready for work, and by the time you get a second to sit down, your coffee is cold. So why not wake up a little earlier this year and really enjoy your first coffee of the day? 

Our Cafe2U vans operate up and down the country, and can be waiting outside your workplace or home every morning. Find your nearest Cafe2U van here. 

Make 2021 the Best Year

2021 is the year that everyone can make a fresh start, and hopefully put 2020 behind us. It’s the year of new opportunities, so why not start the year with Cafe2U? Apply to become a Cafe2U franchisee, and you could be your own boss in 4 to 6 weeks. Click here to join the UK’s global coffee market leader. 

Back to Work: How To Get Your Office Coffee Caffeine Fix

With many people in the UK returning to the office, you may be wondering how you’ll be able to get your coffee fix. You may have been sticking to hot drinks from your kitchen whilst working from home, but you needn’t worry as Cafe2U are on hand to provide you with the delicious coffee you deserve.

In this guide you can find out exactly how we can help. What’s more, we’ve also explained the benefits of drinking coffee and how it improves your work performance.

Benefit One: It keeps you on the ball

You may need to be more alert now that you’re back in the office, and a morning coffee certainly helps. Coffee is a known stimulant that helps boost your nervous system and keep you focused.

As well as this it can help keep your energy levels up, and it can improve your overall mood helping you deal with anything that comes your way through the working day.

Benefit Two: Improves productivity

It’s easy to get Monday and office blues on your return, but a cup of Cafe2U coffee will get you back on track.

Having a routine of getting an early morning coffee can set you up for the day - Caffeine blocks adenosine, a neurotransmitter that makes you tired and less alert - meaning you are more alert after you’ve had a coffee. So it’s surely the right way to get your day started!

Benefit Three: Coffee is social

Coffee breaks are the perfect time for staff to interact and form close working relationships.

Enjoying a coffee break can be the perfect fuel for employees to improve the social atmosphere, even a little chat around one of our vans can improve your mood. It can also help settle any new staff members or people that are slightly nervous about returning to work!

Benefit Four: It contains nutrients

Coffee contains several important nutrients, including potassium - which helps muscle growth and your nervous system. Coffee also contains magnesium, this helps support your immune system. So you don’t have to feel guilty enjoying a delicious Cafe2U coffee!

Where can I get a Cafe2U coffee?

If you’re back in your place of work - or still working from home for that matter - Cafe2U is ready to serve in a few easy steps:

• You can find a van that’s nearest to you or your workplace here.
  

• You can book one of our mobile coffee vans to bring our award-winning menu of delectable coffees and food to your workplace or event. Whether it’s an industrial estate, office block or a 10k run, our mobile cafés can provide the services you need for a well-deserved break.
  

• You can then order whatever drink you prefer and get yourself back in the right frame of mind for work.

We also hope you have a safe return to work if you are going back and make sure you reward yourself with a Cafe2U coffee!

From Bean to Cup: How is Coffee Made?

Nobody knows exactly how or when the UK’s favourite caffeinated beverage was created and there are many legends around its discovery and incarnation.

In this guide, we will look into coffee's mysterious origins, coffee production and Cafe2U’s delicious coffee blend.

Where did coffee come from?

The coffee that is now grown worldwide can supposedly trace its roots back to the ancient coffee forests of the Ethiopian plateau. It was there that a goat herder allegedly discovered the potential of these incredible beans, when he noticed his goats were so energetic they didn’t want to sleep after eating the berries from a certain tree.

The goat herder reported this finding to the Abbot of the local monastery, who made a drink with said berries and found that it kept him alert through his evening prayers.

Word of this energising drink spread quickly east as the legend of coffee began its journey around the world.

The production process

The coffee we enjoy each day has gone through a lot before it arrives in our cups - from the time they are picked, these magic beans go through a long process to ensure they reach their full flavour potential:

Farming

At Cafe2U we use 100% traceable, grade 2 beans from micro-lots. The coffee seeds are planted in large, shaded nursery beds until they are strong enough to be permanently planted. Farming a micro-lot gives the farmer more contact time with the crop, as there is typically only one harvest every year.

Processing

Once the coffee has been picked, processing must begin quickly to prevent spoilage. Coffee is generally processed in one of two ways:

• The Dry Method: the freshly picked cherries (beans) are spread out on a large surface to dry in the sun.

• The Wet Method: the cherries are put through a pulping machine to separate the skin and pulp from the bean.

If the beans have been processed using the wet method they must be dried to 11% moisture so they can be stored correctly - these dried beans are known as “parchment coffee.”

Milling

The beans are then sorted and polished - generally, they are sorted by size, weight and colour. Defective beans are then removed from the final batch.

Exporting

Milled beans, or green coffee, are now loaded into jute or sisal bags for shipping to roasting facilities.

Roasting

Roasting the beans turns green coffee into the brown aromatic beans we enjoy every day. Most roasting machines maintain a temperature of 550 degrees Fahrenheit.

When the beans reach an internal temperature of around 400 degrees they begin to turn brown and the caffeoyl, a fragrant oil locked inside the beans, emerges - this process is called pyrolysis and produces the flavour and aroma of coffee that we all love so much.

To the cup from our baristas

After such a long journey our baristas are trained to get the very best out of our fabulous beans - the way the coffee is ground, poured and served is what makes Cafe2U’s coffee so great.

Our baristas are trained to deliver a consistently high-quality coffee experience from their mobile coffee vans. They weigh each coffee to one-tenth of a gram out of the grinder and time each shot to get you the perfect Cafe2U coffee every time.

If you would like to learn more about more coffee simply follow this link.