Month: August 2017

Coffee Service in Alexandria, VA

Alexandria, VA, How Do You Drink Your Coffee?

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Coffee Service in Alexandria, VA

Did you know that the majority of U.S. coffee drinkers do not drink their coffee black? According to the most recent National Coffee Association’s National Coffee Drinking Trends (NCDT) report, 68 percent of coffee drinkers add some type of non-dairy or dairy product to their coffee, and about 50 percent add a sweetener. Other trends that the researchers found include:  

  • Dairy and Non-Dairy Additives
    • 35% of coffee drinkers add a non-dairy creamer (or coffee whitener, as it is known in some regions)
    • 14% of coffee drinkers use half-and-half
    • 13% of coffee drinkers prefer whole milk
    • 5% of coffee drinkers enjoy a non-dairy milk alternative
  • Coffee Flavoring Preferences
    • 21% of coffee drinkers prefer the flavor to be in a powder or liquid creamer
    • 5% of coffee drinkers would rather add the flavoring by itself
  • Demand for “clean label” creamers or creamers made from natural ingredients including plant-based creamers has surpassed demand for “traditional” flavored creamers
  • Increased Demand for Sweeteners
    • 38% of coffee drinkers use sugar
    • 12% of coffee drinkers prefer artificial sweeteners

With an increase in the type and number of potential options that can be used to change the flavor or sweetness of a cup of black coffee, it is important to take the time to understand your employees’ preferences. If their preferences aren’t available, they are likely to go offsite to find that “perfect” cup of coffee.  

Coffee Service in Alexandria, VAOffering cafe-style coffee service in the office break room is a cost-effective way to help encourage Alexandria, VA employees to stay onsite when they want a cup of coffee. To make sure everyone is able to customize their coffee, consider offering a mixture of the following products in the office break room:

  • non-dairy creamer (or coffee whitener): a plain or flavored liquid or granular substance added to coffee, tea or hot chocolate
  • half-and-half: contains equal parts of whole milk and light cream, and has 10 to 12 percent fat content (more fat than milk, but less fat than cream)
  • milk: cow’s milk that has been fortified with vitamins A and D, and is available as whole milk (~3.5% fat), 2% reduced-fat milk, 1% low-fat milk, and fat-free or skim milk
  • non-dairy “milk” options: almond milk, rice milk, soy milk, etc.
  • sugar: granulated or “regular” sugar, cane sugar, organic sugar, etc.
  • artificial sweeteners: aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, etc.

Which items do your Alexandria, VA employees request the most? Are they available? Whether your current coffee service needs a tune-up or you want to create the ultimate break room by adding cafe-style coffee service, SunDun Office Refreshments can help. For more information, contact us at 800.466.2731.

Gluten Free Snacks in Arlington, VA

Arlington, VA, Meet the Gluten-Free Snack

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Gluten Free Snacks in Arlington, VA

With the number of Arlington, VA individuals who have to navigate life without gluten because of an illness like Celiac Disease, it is helpful to know that gluten-free foods are now more readily available. A recent report from Research and Markets, Gluten-Free Foods in the U.S. 6th Edition, projected that sales of gluten-free foods in the following categories—Salty Snacks, Crackers, Fresh Bread, Pasta, Cold (ready-to-eat) Cereal, Baking Mixes, Cookies, Flour, and Frozen Bread/Dough—are expected to grow to more than $2 billion by 2020. That is a lot of gluten-free food and snacks.

So, what exactly is gluten? The Celiac Disease Foundation defines gluten as “a general name for the proteins found in wheat (wheatberries, durum, emmer, semolina, spelt, farina, farro, graham, KAMUT® khorasan wheat and einkorn), rye, barley, and triticale – a cross between wheat and rye.” Gluten behaves as the glue that holds food together. Several different categories of ingredients such as fruit, vegetables, and protein do not naturally have gluten. Creating snacks and other grain-based products requires additional knowledge about how each gluten-free ingredient works as the many of the frequently used grains contain gluten.

There are, however, many plant-based gluten-free ingredient options that are now being used to create healthy, tasty, and filling snacks. The following are a few that Arlington, VA employees might be familiar with:

Whole Grain, Gluten-Free Ingredients

    • Amaranth
    • Buckwheat groats (or kasha)
    • Corn (maize)
    • Gluten-free oats
    • Millet
    • Quinoa
    • Sorghum
    • Teff
  • Wild Rice/Brown Rice

Plant-Based, Gluten-Free Ingredients

    • Arrowroot
    • Pulses (beans, lentils & chickpeas)
    • Cassava
    • Chia
    • Flax
    • Nut flours
    • Soy
    • Tapioca
  • White Rice

Gluten Free Snacks in Arlington, VA

Researchers from Gluten-Free Foods in the U.S., 6th Edition found that “pulse-based [ingredients] are particularly valuable in improving the nutrient quality of gluten-free products, as they are richer in fiber, protein, and micronutrients than GF [gluten-free] staples rice and tapioca flour. The appeal of ancient and sprouted grains is much like that of pulses. For food processors [or manufacturers], these ingredients provide whole food, plant-based protein sources that enhance appearance, deliver unique tastes and textures, pack a nutritional wallop, and invite variety and innovation.”

With such a wide variety of ingredients and the different ways that they can be used, the availability of tasty gluten-free snacks in Arlington, VA has grown to include many different salty and sweet snack choices. Gluten-free salty snacks often include rice and corn puffs flavored with aged cheddar or popped potato chips with barbecue flavoring. Sweet treats vary from cookies made with rice or oat flour to gluten-free Greek yogurt with a wide variety of fruit choices.

Have you considered offering both gluten-free and traditional snacks and beverages in your office break room? SunDun Office Refreshments offers both traditional options as well as products that are gluten-free for those who need gluten-free choices. We can also help you determine the best mix of choices to offer in your office break room. For more information, contact SunDun Office Refreshments at 800.466.2731.