FRee (4)

Perhaps you're an individual who looks forward to that first cup of coffee in the morning. You might be someone who loves to enjoy that iced cup of coffee in the afternoon. Regardless of the time, you already know that coffee isn't a beverage you're willing to give up. Still, you know that it's wise to make it a beverage that's as healthy as possible.

Plant-Based Creamers

When a beverage tastes great a certain way, it can be hard for some people to adjust. However, if you're a person who suffers from lactose intolerance, you'll have to make concessions. Thankfully, there are tons of plant-based alternatives for the person who needs to steer clear of dairy-based creamers and cow's milk. From caramel-infused oat milk creamers to vegan hot cocoa, there are plenty of dairy-free options to enjoy while being mindful of the taste.

Portion Control

While coffee provides its fair share of health benefits, it can be damaging when it's consumed in excess. If you suffer from anxiety, too much caffeine can exacerbate your symptoms. In order to eliminate this issue, use portion control to your advantage. If you don't want to pull out the measuring spoons to measure your instant coffee, incorporate a really convenient option like K Cups in order to ensure you're receiving a specific measurement every single time you brew a cup of coffee.

Sugar-Free Sweeteners

For many people, the major compromise with coffee involves sugar. The recommended daily amount of sugar for most adults is 24 grams of sugar. After a person adds syrup, creamer and whipped cream to their morning latte, they've consumed double that amount at the start of the day. In order to preserve your health and keep your blood sugar stable, consider sugar-free sweeteners. Read the sugar content on the labels of the boxes so that you know how much sugar you're actually consuming.

Spices and Complementary Flavors

To enhance the flavor of your coffee and increase the sophistication of your palette, consider adding flavors and spices to your morning brew. Incorporating spices like cinnamon, cardamom and ginger can add warmth that's akin to a rich chai latte. Cayenne pepper can add spice. A few drops of vanilla extract or maple extract can add another layer of incredible flavor.

As you get older, it becomes increasingly important to take good care of your body. The healthy habits you create will only benefit you when you look at the bigger picture. Sure, it might take some time for your tastebuds to get used to certain flavors. Still, it's worth the effort to become creative as you find the best ways to make a healthy cup of coffee for your health and enjoyment.

Read more…

Your Customers Are Yelping. Are You?

Your Customers Are Yelping. Are You?If you haven’t heard about Yelp yet, I think it’s time. Why? Because it’s FREE ADVERTISING for your coffee shop! …And because people are looking for local coffee shops like yours and they are finding them on Yelp.com or on a mobile device like the iPhone.Yelp is a place where people to go to find the best local businesses. The best local businesses are determined by the customer reviews. By posting your coffee shop to Yelp you will be found more often and by travelers as well as locals. If they’re on the web they can find you by zip code. If they have an iPhone or similar device, they can find the coffee shops closest to their location using GPS technology built into their phone.The real power of Yelp lies in the user reviews. Their slogan is “Real People. Real Reviews.” In short, here’s how it works. Your customers find you on Yelp, they log into their account and they write a review about your coffee shop. It’s simple, it’s effective and it’s an amazing way to get testimonials…and did I mention it’s FREE? Of course a customer can write a negative review also so you have to make sure you’re on your toes and give the best service possible.The bottom line is Yelp = Free Coffee Shop Advertising. Here’s what you get: a FREE listing on Yelp, the ability to upload a ton of information and photos of your coffee shop, a link to your website, and FREE customer testimonials!Here’s how to start Yelping:1. Go to www.Yelp.com and search for your business. You may already be there. If you are listed and didn’t set it up, you’ll have to unlock your page. Under your listing there will be a link that says “Is this your business”. Click on that. [If you are not listed on yelp, skip to step 4.]2. Next click on “Go to Step 1” to begin unlocking your page. You’ll need to fill out a quick form to setup an account.3. After you setup your account on Yelp, you’ll need to authenticate your account by phone. You will get an automated phone call and you will need to enter the provided pin number which will unlock your account. [Skip to Step 5]4. To setup a new account, go to Yelp.com/business and click on “Get Started” to setup a new account. Follow the step by step instructions for setting up your business page on Yelp.5. After adding or unlocking your account, you’ll be able to post all of your contact information, business hours, upload images, add menus, coupons, promotions and more. You’ll also be able to reply to customer reviews and will have access to traffic stats and graphs.Good Luck and Happy Yelping!!==========================================================================Aaron C. Daywitt is the President of Effective Media, Inc. and specializes in targeted online promotional product stores like Coffee Shop Promos where they provide quality printed coffee mugs to coffee shops all over the United States. For more information visit www.coffeeshoppromos.com or www.emipromos.com.
Read more…

Cross Country Coffee Adventure

So, I'd like to ride my bicycle all the way from Athens, GA to Seattle, Washington and back stopping along the way at numerous coffee-minded locales.Ideally, I'd find work at some of these places for several days to a week.While there, my hosts and I would exchange bits of our respective wisdom and know how. The goal is to tear down barriers that have been created by geography or overly-capitalist drives and to bring the focus at our businesses back to relationships in our coffee community.Essentially, I'm looking to expand my mind, exhaust my body, and encourage a continent-wide, face-to-face, free exchange of ideas with baristas, shops, roasters and all sorts.Is there anyone out there who might have a spot behind their bar or roaster for me while I make my journey across this great continent?
Read more…

Blog Topics by Tags

Monthly Archives