Coffee supplies are crucial to your coffee business. We’ll talk about coffee supplies mostly from a business perspective but we’ll look at it from the benefit of the consumer as well. After all, we all need coffee supplies whether we own a coffee shop, coffee roaster or we just enjoy drinking this elixir of the gods. Coffee supplies are crucial to the coffee world in general and to all coffee lovers specifically.
But first a quick overview of what is covered under coffee supplies. I like to take a bird’s eye view of coffee supplies and so for me anything related to coffee is considered a coffee supply in my opinion. So coffee beans for sure. Whether they are green, roasted, ground or still in the cherry form should be considered part of coffee supplies. In this camp you can include espresso pods like the Melitta coffee pods, Senseo coffee pod, the coffee pod generally and really, all manner of coffee pods. And of course let us not forget instant coffee too.
Moving on from there we have the coffee machines including coffee vending machines and here I’d take a broad view as well. Not just espresso machines like the Saeco Talea but any cappuccino machine and coffee makers generally like the Bunn coffee makers. But in here I’d include coffee roasters and coffee filters and the coffee cup press too. Not forgetting any manner of commercial espresso machines as well.
Moving away from the actual coffee and mechanisms used for the coffee grind as well as coffee brewing, we come to those tertiary items that just make enjoying coffee that much better, more fun and more interesting. So here I consider the wooden coffee table, the lift top coffee table or a pine coffee table if that is your choice. Here is also included espresso shot glasses, coffee mugs and coffee spoons, coffee timers if you’re using a French press and these other sundry items.
Finding coffee supplies
So with that out of the way, how do you find your best coffee supplies? Well, you want to research the best coffee suppliers and coffee distributors who offer wholesale coffee as well as all the other items that are most used and needed in your coffee business. One of the best ways to do this is to join an association like the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) and attend their yearly conference. This will help steep you in coffee tradition and understanding. Taking any additional coffee seminars that you can find will be additionally helpful. There are a couple of books on coffee that I’d recommend too. You really want to develop a thorough grounding in coffee basics before you start up your coffee business or look into coffee franchise opportunities. Heck, even if you’re tasked with taking care of your company’s coffee service you owe it to yourself and your colleagues to have a good understanding in the basics of coffee brewing, roasting and growing at the very least.
The couple of books I’d recommend are both by Kenneth Davids. The first one being “Coffee: A Guide to Buying, Brewing, and Enjoying” and “Espresso: Ultimate Coffee”. These will give you a good foundation.
Tips for finding coffee supplies
Once you have a modest understanding of coffee then you can head out to find your coffee supplies and your coffee suppliers. I’d look for someone who has a deep and abiding love and knowledge for coffee generally as well as good business sense. Their products are fresh, they’re helpful and they have a good business personality. This shouldn’t be underestimated. It is important to build solid long lasting relationships with your coffee supplier and that’s hard to do if you don’t get along. Being a member of the SCAA will help. Their resources will get you started in the right direction.
For the consumer, much of the above advice can be followed when finding your own coffee supplies. No need to join the SCAA unless you want to. But reading and taking seminars will certainly help you in your thirst for coffee excellence. Pun intended! Now get out there and find your coffee supplies.