Is it good for you ?? YES YES YES
Coffee health benefits now include the following :-
1.May help you live longer
2. may improve mental agility
3. May boost metabolism
4.May boost brain health
5.May support gut health
6. May support mood
7. May help with exam performance
8. May help with blood sugar balance
9. WE KNOW ONE FACT OUR COFFEES ARE DELICIOUS!!!
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Toffee Espresso Frappé
This drink also looks to be the perfect treat for Father’s Day on Sunday 20th of June:
Step by step, you’ll need to fill the glass with ice, before pouring your espresso shot over the ice cubes, then fill the glass with milk until you get to 1cm below the top.
Add the contents into a blender jar, along with the frappé and syrup. Secure the lid tightly, and watch it blend until it's creamy smooth! Lastly, just pour the contents into a glass and finish with a lovely swirl of whipped cream (optional)... voila!
Raspberry Coconut Frappé
My personal favourite as it’s so refreshing on a summer’s day! Enjoy…
Firstly, fill the entire cup up with ice, especially if the weather is over 23C! Pour the milk over the ice (1cm from the top). Secondly, pour the contents into the blender, make sure the lid is firmly on and sit tight until it’s nice and smooth! If you want to enjoy it even more, then make sure you add a whirl of whipped cream, a drizzle of purée and a sprinkling of beans.
Onto a notable point… Many coffee companies menus are featuring the return of the summer’s day classic, Peach Iced Tea, so expect a high demand for that fruity drink this summer! You can find the recipe on sweetbird.com with real fruit juice, and black tea extract.
I highly doubt that the Queen will make these herself, but I’m sure she’d enjoy them if she was to try one! You can find hundreds more of these recipes at sweetbird.com, but these are our favourites for this 2021 summer!
Wishing Queen Elizabeth a very happy Birthday from all of us here at Herbert & Ward!
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Despite the NHS’s incredible efforts, we all know how hard our poor old hospitality industry has been hit by the virus. But this blog isn’t about looking back, it’s about looking forward, with much optimism and excitement!
So let’s run through the UK’s steps back to reality, and what it means for all our lovely cafés, restaurants, and hotels.
Stage 1 - 29th March
It all started on Monday the 29th of March, it was the warmest day of the year so far, and the sun was shining, so things were looking bright!
From the 29th of March onwards, up to 6 people are allowed to meet outside (including private gardens), outdoor sport facilities reopen and wedding bells could start ringing again! However, cafés have to stay closed, apart from offering takeaway beverages. So not much difference in the coffee industry on that front, until...
Stage 2 - 12th April
Cafés, pubs, and restaurants, some good news (for some of you)! From the 12th of April, you’re allowed to serve food and drinks to customers… sitting outdoors. This is a major step in the right direction, but for the cafés without any outdoor space, this doesn’t exactly help. In fact, it could worsen their situation if they’re not careful, as people will be less obliged to buy takeaway coffee, now that they can sit in a pub garden and enjoy it socially.
However, now that the pub gardens are open, it’s an opportunity for cafés to inject some creativity by offering creative food options to keep (or even boost) those sales! Needless to say, if the cafés are using Herbert & Ward coffee, it doesn't matter how creative some cafés are being, customers will always return for the best quality coffee!
All shops, gyms, spa’s, theme parks, libraries and community centres are also welcomed back to business from April 12th, and beautiful wedding venues, like Leeds Castle, can also host weddings for up to 15 people now, 9 more than the previous month.
Stage 3 - 17th May
Cafés, along with other hospitality venues, including accommodations, can now seat customers indoors and host guests! Museums, theatres, cinema’s and children’s play areas can re-open too, and all of a sudden the UK is starting to seem ‘normal’ again by the 17th of May. Or at least it will, as long as this all goes to plan.
Our coffee has never tasted better now that it’s sipped with excitement to visit friends, go on dates and book domestic holidays again! And we’re sure all our beloved cafés will enjoy serving it as much as their customers enjoy ordering it.
Stage 4 - 21st June
No earlier than June 21st, all legal limits on social contact aims to be removed, all thanks to the self-discipline of Brits, the tireless work of the NHS, and the superb vaccine, a true day for celebration will be in order! Nightclubs will also be the last to re-open, on this date.
Cafés will hope to be back in full swing by then, our tea and coffee farmers/growers will be satisfied once again, and our country should want to wake up and smell the coffee! We can’t wait!
Looking back, takeaway coffee has provided a lifeline for many cafés that stayed open during lockdown, with rapid, frictionless transactions essential for ensuring staff and customer safety. Something to consider for when cafés and restaurants reopen, is that there will likely be a substantial rise in contactless transactions, so ensure that your venue is prepared for this lack of physical cash! If your business does not accept card or contactless payment, this is certainly something to take action on before that final stage.
Nonetheless, it’s a journey we all share together, and although we’re not all in the same boat, we’re certainly in the same storm! The outlook from here is extremely optimistic and positive, and we wish all cafés a prosperous time during the spring and summer months!
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Each of us have faced challenges both personally and in business. But, December is proving once again that coffee is so important to us all.
You may ask why?
Well, it may be cold outside but there's nothing like a good cup of coffee or hot chocolate to make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, especially when you're out walking alone or with your family or dog.
Sometimes it's the simplest of things - coffee makes us feel good. It wakes us up, gets us going.
Coffee often finishes off a meal that we have lovingly cooked ourselves. The perfect way to end an evening. So why settle for anything less than a really tasty Herbert & Ward Coffee.
Whether you are reading, working on your laptop, shopping online - having a great Herbert & Ward coffee makes this more relaxing.
Coffee - no comparison.
It's simply the best.
]]>Coffee has becoa huge part of our lives, with many reaching for a cup throughout the day. Some may say it's a bad habit, but it has been proven to be healthier than first thought. Coffee provides an energy boost whilst protecting us from Type 2 diabetes and reduces the risk of heart failure.
Kaldi, an Ethiopian goat herder is said to have discovered coffee when he noticed his goats eating the beans from a coffee plant. He saw a change in their behaviour, they were full of energy and wouldn't sleep at night. Kaldi then shared his findings with local monks who, after first disbelieving, ground up the coffee and added hot water, creating the first cup of coffee.
Coffee is so largely consumed, that it is the world's second largest traded product, with crude oil ahead of them in first place. The coffee industry itself is worth over $100 billion worldwide.
In 1932, Brazil couldn't afford to send their athletes to Los Angeles for the Olympics. As a solution, the government sent them on a ship transporting coffee which was sold along the way,
It is a well known fact that cream keeps your coffee warm for around 20% longer. The science behind this is lost on us, but a warm coffee is always best!
Coffee might seem complicated at times, but really there is only two types. Arabica coffee originated on the Arabian Peninsula, whilst Robusta coffee has double the amount of coffee.
The age old debate of whether something is a fruit or a vegetable. Well coffee is a fruit! The red beans have an aromatic smell and are less acidic, often used to produce lighter coffees.
In 1675, King Charles II banned coffee shops in England as he thought people were meeting to conspire against him.
In 1511, Mecca (the holiest City in Islam) banned coffee as it was believed to encourage radical thinking and laziness.
Europe imports more coffee than the USA, whilst Brazil is the lead country in exporting coffee. However, the UK consumes one of the lowest amount of coffee in Europe.
Despite fairtrade coffee costing more, it far improves the farmers conditions whilst increasing both productivity and quality.
Apparently he would count 60 beans per cup before making his brew to ensure the perfect cup.
According to The Independent Brits spend a total of £303 a year on coffee, with Belfast, Newcastle and Southampton housing the biggest coffee fans in the UK.
The word espresso derives from Italian and means "expressed" or "forced out". This accurately describes the process of forcing very hot water under high pressure through ground, compacted coffee.
Kopi Luwak originates from Indonesia and involves small animals who eat coffee cherries and secrete the beans. This coffee can cost £530 per kilo!
]]>Unsure on where to start? Take a look at our suggestions for your perfect coffee order based on your Zodiac sign.
Perfect for those bold and ambitious Aries.
Taurus enjoy relaxing with a soothing aromas and succulent flavours.
Gemini's are always busy, so a quick iced coffee is perfect on the go.
Represented by the crab, a Cancer might get a little crabby without their morning Latte.
Leo's are passionate and creative, and a cold brew coffee is perfect to enhance these characteristics.
Hardworking and practical traits mean a treat is often taken gladly.
With Libra's focus on harmony and balance, a frappe has the perfect balance of coffee and milk blended to perfection.
Full of passion and power, a Scorpio will enjoy a strong macchiato coffee, with a dash of milk.
A quick americano is perfect for Sagittarius who can be impatient but loves their freedom.
Capricorn's love quality craftsmanship, found perfectly within a ristretto, strong espresso like coffee with a finer ground.
Aquarius's can be both deep-thinkers and eccentric, making a cortado (equal in espresso and steamed milk) the perfect balance for this sign.
A milky coffee perfect for the compassionate and artistic traits of a Pisces.
]]>There are plenty of us out there, who love to chill out with family and friends, over a great cup of coffee. As more people switch to making a barista style coffee at home, do we really know enough about coffee to know what we like?
Now we can argue that we don't need to know a lot, just enough about what you've had before and enjoyed, even a recommendation from someone we know is plenty. Yet if we are basing a large amount of what we know on the daily visit to your local franchise for a latte, how much choice do we really have?
There are certainly many different ways to serve a coffee but how much variety on blend, roast or origin is there. The answer unfortunately is not a lot. Don't get me wrong there are definitely those cafes out there, that are well worth checking out and asking questions, as they often pride themselves on knowing their stuff and allow for more variety however, most of the time you will be given a generic blend, medium roast coffee that we know tastes good.
So shall we see what you can get from some of the other options available as we look at different roasts;
Light roasted coffees, are light brown in colour, with a light body and no surface oil on the beans. These usually have a toasted grain taste and a more pronounced acidity, however, retain the origin flavours and caffeine levels to a greater extent than darker roasts.
When we look at the roasting process, a bean will pop or crack as it expands. This will take place a couple of times as internal temperatures increase. Light roasts are often just before or as the first crack takes place.
Light roasts can also be referred to as a 'cinnamon roast' or 'New England Roast' depending on the temperature the bean achieves.
Medium roasted coffees are medium brown in colour with more body than light roasts. Similar to lighter roasts, they have no surface oil on the bean yet. Often the more popular choice of roast being used in franchise, medium roasts loose the grainy taste of the light roasts, allowing for a more balanced flavour, aroma, and acidity. The caffeine level is however decreased.
A medium roast is achieved by continuing the roast through to the end of the first crack and can be referred to as an 'American', 'City' or 'Breakfast' Roast. We have many medium roasted blends but our most popular and award winning blend is the Moka Italia or try our Breakfast blend.
Dark roasted coffees are dark brown in colour, similar to chocolate or sometimes almost black. They have a glossy sheen of oil, noticeable on the surface of the bean. The coffees origin flavours tend to be overrun by the flavours of the roasting process. The coffee will generally have a bitter, smoky or even burnt taste and the levels of caffeine is substantially decreased.
Dark roasts often carry through the second crack, which is the point the bean starts to loose its structure and are preferred at many varying degrees of strength. Depending on this some are referred to as 'Full City', 'Vienna', 'French' and 'Italian' roasts. Take a look at one of our dark roasts, Espresso Bar Dark which is definitely one worth trying!
Espresso Roast coffees are slightly different. Roasted at a slightly higher temperature and for a little longer, to increase the body and decrease the acidity to make the perfect espresso. A few of our blends are roasted this way, as they are designed to be enjoyed best through an espresso machine. However, we advise you experiment as the flavours can change quite considerably when brewed in different ways.
Now we could go into the nitty gritty of temperatures and strengths etc, but really we just wanted you to have an idea of what to expect from each roast and why they differ. There are many other variances and names out there so have a look, subscribe for our home box, ask questions and discover what your own preference is!
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Coffee, the brew we all know and love. Our favourite pick me up or socialising lubricant, we enjoy coffee all throughout the globe. Yet how many of us know where it is from?
I'm not talking about the local cafe connoisseur, describing his single shot espresso like finely matured wine at a tasting session. I mean the actual history, where it came from, when and how it became such a popular drink worldwide?
I thought I'd shed some light on the origins, not the full history and movements but the origins of our favourite pastime splash down, so that when you're brewing at home, taking centre stage, with your Cafetiere or Pezzetti you have a little more to share than where this great arabica bean was grown.
Delving in, we know that coffee is a brewed drink prepared from roasted coffee beans, right? The 'beans' are the seeds of berries from certain Coffea species. The berries, also known as cherries, are picked while green and unripe, processed and dried before they're roasted to varying degrees, ground and then brewed with near-boiling water to produce that great beverage known as Coffee.
Research indicates that moderate coffee consumption is mildly beneficial as a stimulant, in healthy adults, but you can read more on this in our previous blog.
Regarding an actual origin, it's tricky to say exactly who and where created the first beverage however, we know coffee cultivation and trade began on the Arabian Peninsula in the 15th century, using beans procured from the Ethiopian Highlands.
There are many myths and legends about the actual origin like the goat herder Kaldi, who's story goes, that he discovered coffee when he noticed that after eating the berries from a certain tree, his goats became so energetic that they did not want to sleep at night.
How true this is we do not know, yet this is certainly a credible way to discover it. We do know that by the middle of the 15th century, coffee seeds were first roasted and brewed, in a manner similar to how it is now prepared for drinking today, in Sufi shrines in the Yemeni District.
By the 16th century, this stimulating drink had spread across the Middle East and North Africa, to countries like Persia, Egypt, Syria, and Turkey. With thousands of pilgrims visiting the holy city of Mecca each year from all over the world, knowledge of this “wine of Araby” began to spread.
Coffee had made its way to Europe by the 17th century and was becoming popular across the continent. Although it did see some controversy, coffee houses quickly became the center of social activity in the cities of England, Austria, France, Germany and Holland. Here in England, what were known as “penny universities”, because for the price of a penny one could purchase a cup of coffee and engage in stimulating conversation, started to appear.
By the mid-17th century, there were over 300 coffee houses in London, many of which attracted like-minded patrons including merchants, shippers, brokers and artists. Many of todays businesses grew out of these specialised coffee houses. Lloyd's of London, for example, came into existence at the Edward Lloyd's Coffee House.
Skip ahead to present day and coffee is grown in equatorial regions throughout the globe, with Brazilian beans providing up to a 3rd of the worlds supply.
Hopefully we have helped with your understanding of where this amazing drink comes from. Enabling you to educate your social circle of at least part of it's amazing history, the next time you come to enjoy a brew together.
Happy Brewing!
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With everything our local businesses are going through, cafes, restaurants, leisure etc. Social distancing is seeing more and more creativity. All in aim of making our customers feel as safe and secure as possible. Some children and adults will see this as an adventure but of course, the cost is absorbed by the establishments that are revolutionising the way we serve our customers across the industry....
But has life come to a halt or has life as we know it changed forever?
Privacy and safety can be created in many different ways and doesn't always have to cost the world...
A restaurant in Amsterdam, Mediamatic Eten, are leading the way through the future, with a fantastic idea to continue serving their customers while adhering to social distancing. Using small greenhouses as a mini, isolated shelter from other customers and serving on long wooden planks, a simple idea to ensure they can maintain the minimum 2 meter distance for the staff and customers safety.
Due to a great success with the stay at home measures implemented to continue their business, Twitter have announced that they will offer all employees the chance to continue to work from home as a permanent solution.... Forever! This is a life changing moment for a business as big as Twitter seeing hundreds of people choosing to work from home, giving a knew meaning to flexible work for those who have children and offering safety for those concerned about going back to the work place, as we re-open businesses.
The coffee industry has changed promoting more subscription services, home deliveries and even the emergence of small, independent roasters from all over the UK making their mark on the industry.
The use of delivery groups, like Deliveroo, has increased ten fold. New smaller restaurants and even drinks providers making the most of this delivery service to bring goods straight to your door. Easing some of the pressure for those who would otherwise have closed down. Fast food franchises have started to re-open their doors, not to the consumer but to the dedicated delivery drivers, still bring food home.
Charitable work, volunteering and donations has seen a boom in popularity. People who want to do something with the time they have on their hands while in lockdown, to help ensure the charities close to our hearts can continue to deliver their services, food and more across the UK.
From our point of view, life as we knew it certainly hasn't come to a halt. Businesses continue to supply demand and even see growth through this pandemic, while others are evolving the way they serve and acquire customers to continue.
We see this trend continuing into the next year and past. Hardly a stop to life but we agree that life has and will continue to change for the business and consumer. It will be interesting who will be riding the waves and who will be left behind in the wake of this pandemic.
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So I’ve done some research on this wonder drug we call coffee, to give you some idea of the great benefits without the need to pay any extra. Looking at the actual nutrients and what it does I’ve reduced it down to a list of 10 unexpected benefits of being a coffee drinker, according to the science at least;
We all know coffee will help you feel less tired but does it make you smarter?
Coffee naturally contains caffeine, which in itself is a stimulant. The caffeine blocks certain inhibitory neurotransmitters in your brain, for you and me this means that they stop the prevention of neurones firing which slow you down. This in turn causes a stimulant effect. As a result improves energy levels, mood and various aspects of brain function. So when a company claims that coffee will make you smarter, this isn’t exactly true but it will help your brain perform better especially when you are getting tired.
Can coffee help you to loose weight?
Several studies have now been carried out which show that caffeine can increase fat burning and boost your metabolic rate. In some cases, coffee can increase your metabolic rate by as much as 10% meaning you will burn more fat for short periods of time. However this has been shown to diminish over time with regular coffee drinkers.
So how can you use this to help you loose weight? The long and short of it would be, to only drink coffee specifically to aid your diet. For example, intermittent fasters can be seen to start their fasting days with a black coffee, increasing their metabolism for peek fat burning, prior to a work out. Done properly this certainly would aid weight loss.
Unsurprisingly, this in turn can aid with your physical performance. Caffeine stimulates your nervous system and instructs your cells to break down body fats, making free fatty acids ready for use as fuel. On top of this, caffeine increases the amount of adrenaline in your blood, the fight-or-flight hormone that prepares your body for physical exertion. These together means that a good black coffee, drunk at the right time, 30 minutes to an hour before going to the gym will help with fat loss and physical performance.
We will count that as 2 points for this list..
Coffee can help with depression
Depression is certainly a serious mental disorder, one which many of us will or have experienced in our lifetime, and majorly reduces our quality of life. Having experienced this for myself, I know first hand just how debilitating and isolating this condition can be. It’s a serious condition, one we should all aim to support those that we know are struggling with it.
Looking at our first point, coffee is a stimulant, used in the right way can pick up our mood and help us to feel less depressed. There have been studies conducted that showed people who drank coffee regularly, were less likely to develop depression and even reduced the potential for suicide.
I don’t suggest you tell your friends, family or co-workers to drown themselves in coffee but drinking regularly can, at least potentially, help to prevent developing the symptoms.
There are great services and charities available for those of you who are depressed and I would always advise you seek help and talk to someone before you spend your life savings on coffee!
Does coffee have nutritional benefits?
There is a lot of nutrients in a single coffee bean which, believe it or not, does get transferred to your finished cup! Coffee contains several important nutrients, including riboflavin, pantothenic acid, manganese, potassium, magnesium and niacin. Although when looking at a single cup of coffee this really doesn’t amount to a lot but when most people enjoy several cups per day, this soon adds up and is really beneficial to you from increased metabolism, utilisation of other vitamins and liver function.
Can drinking coffee prevent the development of Diabetes?
Several observational studies show that coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of type 2 diabetes, a serious condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Researchers at Harvard found that people who increased their coffee intake by over one cup per day had as much as a 10% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Now the studies are unclear as to how coffee has such an impact and is still being looked into as we speak but certainly good news for those of you who are drinking several cups a day!
Coffee is the wonder drug for the prevention of major neurodegenerative diseases!
Now, don’t get me wrong, that is a bold statement. One that certainly can’t be back up entirely so don’t believe all the hype… However, there are studies which suggest that Coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s, the leading cause of dementia worldwide and Parkinson’s disease. I’m not for one second suggesting that if Michael J Fox was drinking more coffee he wouldn’t have developed this common neurodegenerative disorder but there certainly seems to be evidence to back some of this up. The death of dopamine-generating neurones is the leading cause for this and it seems that the caffeine itself, in your daily dose, is the magic ingredient that helps prevent this.
There is no known cure for these and so It’s worth doing your own research on this. There are certainly more questions to be answered than have been, but good to know that there is some credible research to back this claim out there.
Can coffee reduce your risk of heart disease?
Coffee may cause mild increases in blood pressure, which usually diminish over time. This should probably to be taken into consideration, especially if you already have issues with high blood pressure. With this in mind, it is often said that because of this, coffee drinkers have a greater risk of heart disease. Although inconsistent, the conclusive findings of several studies, did not support the idea of coffee increasing risk but in fact reduced the risk of heart disease. A separate study in Japan looked at the coffee consumption, along with other beverages, of over 80,000 people and concluded a reduced risk of stroke.
We’ve found it, the cure for cancer!!
Obviously this isn’t true… or is it? One of the leading causes of deaths worldwide, cancer, which is the uncontrollable growth of cells in the body, is again something that many of us have been affected by. Cure, definitely not but prevention is becoming a real possibility.
Coffee has been shown to reduce the development of both Liver and colorectal cancers by 15-40% by drinking anything up to 5 cups a day. Backed by almost 30 separate studies this is some really positive news but again, isn’t a suggestion that everyone takes up drinking lots of coffee.
Do most people really get most of their anti-oxidants from coffee?
Anti-oxidants are key to prevent damaged caused to cells in the body by what are called 'free-radicals' the product of a chemical reaction through oxidation. Many people source most of the anti-oxidants they consume through fruit and veg including onions, garlic, grapes and apricots. Coffee is rich in powerful antioxidants. In western civilisation it is alleged that a large number of people actually consume more anti-oxidants by drinking coffee because of the poor diet for most.
So there we have it, my top 10 health benefits to drinking coffee and in conclusion, there are definitely benefits, most of which can be backed up by scientific research and study. However these fantastic benefits are already present within your normal, everyday coffee and you don't need to pay through the roof prices for a coffee claiming to be something else. Drinking coffee in the right way, at the right time and in the right quantity will give you some great health benefits... dare I say it, even prolong life for some.
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In Kent we have two great, award winning wildlife parks, Howletts near Canterbury and Port Lympe near Ashford, which are both run by The Aspinall Foundation and I can honestly say, have been a big part of mine and many others childhoods.
The world-class animal conservation charity, has dedicated its time to protecting endangered animals around the globe. Founded in 1984 and now, over 30 years on, their mission remains the same. They remain dedicated to returning as many captive bred animals as possible, to protected wilderness areas and reserves located throughout the world.
On top of this, their parks lead the way in animal care, enclosure design, enrichment and breeding success and are designed to be breeding sanctuaries for some of the world’s most rare and endangered animals. Being local and close to our hearts, we have been trying to help for many years. A by-product of roasting coffee, are the hessian bags the beans are transported in. We recycle all of our used hessian coffee bags, by giving them to Howletts animal park for use in enclosures or for making toys for the animals to play with.
The Aspinall Foundation fund and manage animal protection projects in Congo, Gabon, Java and Madagascar, as well as providing financial support to other animal protection schemes around the world including India and Cambodia.
On 6th February, two cheetah from Howletts Wild Animal Park were the latest animals moved by The Aspinall Foundation from the UK, to a new life in the wilds of their ancestral homeland of South Africa. This groundbreaking project is the first time a hand-raised cheetah has left the UK for rewilding in Africa.
Saba & Nairo, who were born at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, left the UK to move to Ashia Cheetah Sanctuary to settle in and prepare for the wild. They will then move to Mount Camdeboo Private Reserve where they will undergo a rewilding process innovatively designed by the Ashia team.
The Aspinall Foundation aim to raise £100,000 to fund the move, rewilding, release and continued monitoring of Saba & Nairo. Donating just £10 will bring the boys one step closer to their new life in South Africa.
With our 'Aspinall Foundation' subscription box, each and every month, we pledge to donate £10 from your subscription directly to The Aspinall Foundation to support their continued work. Ensuring the animals of our lifetime are around for many generations to come.
You will be directly helping to save animals from extinction, so sign up for our subscription box today. The future is in all of our hands and with your help, we truly can, and are making a difference.
For more information on what they do click here.
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In response to the Coronavirus pandemic and the current panic buying around the country, we want to cater for demand in the home but more so for those who are in desperate need.
To do this we have partnered with FareShare UK and their team in Kent.
FareShare are a national network of charitable food re-distributors, made up of 17 independent organisations. Together, these independent organisations, take good quality surplus food from right across the food industry and get it to almost 11,000 frontline charities and community groups.
The food they redistribute is nutritious, in-date and good to eat. It reaches charities spread across the UK, including school breakfast clubs, older people’s lunch clubs, homeless shelters, and community cafes. Every week they provide enough food to create almost a million meals for vulnerable people.
One of the hardest products for them to source is coffee. That is why we have pledged to donate 1 bag of coffee for every JavaHub bag that is purchased through our month long ‘Buy One Give One’ campaign.
Help us and FareShare to give back to those in the community most at risk.
#buyonegiveone #javahubofficial #herbertandward #coffeeroasters #jointhejava #givingback #notforprofit #coffeecares #spreadtheword #coffeeathome
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The traditional celebration of Saint Patrick and the introduction of the christian religion to Ireland, made an official day of feasting in the 17th century, many celebrate with parades and festivals with a sea of bright green outfits as far as the eyes can see.
Celebrated right in the middle of lent, the restrictions on food and drink were lifted, which of course helped make this holidays tradition of drinking alcohol popular.
Keeping this in mind I thought we would look at one way many people celebrate great tasting coffee while enjoying a tipple of the good stuff!
Irish coffee
This sweetened espresso, with thick creamy topping that has the appearance of a freshly poured Guiness, was first invented by an Irish chef who would serve this to the arriving American tourists in Ireland and is perfect to accompany your celebrations. Why not use your JavaHub subscription to make these at home.
What you will need;
50ml Irish whiskey
Freshly brewed coffee
1 tablespoon of brown sugar
100ml double cream
How to make;
You can finish this fantastic beverage with a sprinkle of cocoa powder or drink as it is. Let us know if you give this a try and tag us on social media @herbertandward
Happy St Paddys Day!!!
]]>So where did it come from?
Until I looked into it, I had no idea its been celebrated for such a long time! With so much publicity on equal pay and gender differences in more recent years, I was surprised to find that the idea started back in Feb 1909. This was when the Socialist Party of America held a Woman's Day in New York. However, it wasn't proposed as an annual celebration, specifically on March 8th, until 1910 when German revolutionary, Clara Zetkin, wanted to honour the memory of working women.
Although only celebrated predominantly by Socialist movements and Communist countries until it was adopted by Feminist groups in 1967 and then the United Nations in 1975.
Having been a day to celebrate for more than the last 100 years, this is a day that is celebrated by many as a public holiday, while at the same time is largely ignored elsewhere.
From our point of view, coffee is drunk by many. In many different ways and places. Men, women and in some circumstances children (although hopefully our decaf water) and even our pets!
It's a beverage that can comfort us, give us the boost to our day or bring us together with family, friends and colleagues.
So this IWD, grab your girls together at home and make a brew to celebrate everything that you are, have achieved and what you dream to over the coming years.
We're big believers that nothing can hold you back but yourself! Yet guess what, coffee will be there for you every step of the way, to hold your hand, support you, push you and console you.
#internationalwomensday #IWD
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Personally, I’m partial to a sunny afternoon on the sea front, when that wonderful sweet smell of freshly cooked doughnuts hangs in the air, I just can’t resist it! So to combat this urge, I’ve been making my own doughnuts for some time now. At Herbert & Ward we enjoy experimenting with all things coffee, so I thought why not make a coffee glaze for these bad boys.
For all of you with a sweet tooth like me you will love this recipe and its pretty easy to follow, which means you can get the kids involved too!
What you will need;
1 x 7g sachet of dried yeast
75g Golden caster sugar
550g plain flavour, have extra for for dusting
320ml semi-skimmed milk
80g unsalted butter (softened)
For the glaze,
1 shot espresso (try using one of our blends which has a chocolate finish like the Continental or Fiori Arabica)
Icing sugar
How to make the doughnuts;
Making the glaze;
Hey presto! Coffee glazed, home-made doughnuts! For a more traditional, alternative finish, roll around in some more golden caster sugar. This is definitely my new favourite sweet treat and the coffee glaze is subtle and sweet, so give it a try and show us the results @herbertandward
]]>Coffee is one of the most consumed commodities, with its highly volatile value trading, makes it one of the biggest boom and bust products in the world. Yet, everyone you see who sells coffee including the baristas, coffee houses, cafes, restaurants, hotels the list is endless, all rely on the success of somebody else!
That’s why we focus on where the coffee beans are coming from. If you’re a farmer what would you prefer, better coffee sold at a better price to enable you to focus on your growing quality, the environment, maybe even the next generation of farmers? Or would you prefer a fair price that comes with rules and regulations to adhere to, at the detriment of your product and future?
The first option, yes?
That’s why we adopt the direct trading model. This means we stay in constant, personal communication with and buy direct from the farmers or estates. Thus, cutting out the middleman who buys and sells for you, letting us offer a much better price and ensure the quality and sustainability is of the highest standards. As we pay on average, 55% more than ‘fair trade’ prices, we know that the farmers get a great deal and can secure their own future.
We offer a range of speciality blends, developed with almost 100 years’ experience behind us, so making sure we are in direct contact and able to check the quality of our suppliers beans is crucial, otherwise we couldn’t guarantee that each time you order you get the same great taste!
The farmers we buy from are diverse and unique, from all over the globe. We love them and want them to be with us on this journey for many years to come. It only makes sense we help them as much as possible to grow, prosper and develop the young farmers of tomorrow.
]]>So what is its secret and are you a convert or, like the McDonalds advert, are you still afraid to order one?
In the late 1990s, a character called Flat Eric landed on our TV screens. He was the latest in a long line of iconic adverts for Levi’s and he took the nation by storm, despite his dull name. Flat Eric’s bright yellow colour and big personality far outweighed his boring moniker and he soon had a generation tapping along to the ad’s song and buying replica toys.
Twenty years later, the flat white might feel the same name pain. To the outsider, it couldn’t sound more boring if it tried, but to those in the know this silky smooth coffee offering is a real winner. Yes, thankfully the flat white tastes far better than it sounds.
There’s a long-standing rivalry over who invented the drink, with both Australia and New Zealand claiming the creative bragging rights. We will probably never know for sure, but it is at least safe to say the flat white has Antipodean origins. And an international following today.
So what makes this drink popular? It may seem like an Americano and a latte had a love-child, but the flat white is way more than a hybrid. The joy of this java comes from a silky microfoam and strong punch of caffeine – all in the same cup. Like lattes and cappuccinos, the flat white begins with a double shot of espresso, but then it takes its own path.
Rather than a straight topping of steamed milk, the trick is to make microfoam by really stretching and spinning the milk. This gives a beautiful, velvet textured foam with very small bubbles. The microfoam is then folded through the coffee with no, or minimal foam left on top.
The flat white’s strength comes from the fact it is best served in a 6 or 8oz cup, compared to the 10 or 12oz used for lattes and cappuccinos. This higher coffee:milk ratio packs more of a caffeine punch and also brings out the flavour of the beans more than a milkier drink. As ever, choose those beans wisely and go for quality, expertly roasted blends - there is nowhere for mediocre to hide.
It’s easy to see why coffee fans have taken to the flat white, but could it tear you from your favourite drink? If you fancy a stronger latte hit, are trying to go easy on dairy, or simply want one of the silkiest and tastiest drinks on the menu, then a flat white is the way to go.
The amazing news is you actually don’t have to be tied to just one coffee, like children or dogs they can all be your favourite! Always bear in mind the flat white though, because it’s anything but boring.
]]>A host of vegan-friendly foods are now in shops and on menus everywhere, so for dieters there’s no longer any need to miss out on a burger or always take your coffee black. But as World Vegan Month approaches, which of the many dairy-free milks should you choose for your favourite drink? Yes, there is a difference and yes, it matters.
Celebrities including F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, actor Benedict Cumberbatch and singer Ariana Grande have all now adopted a plant-based diet - joining veteran vegan of 30 years, Woody Harrelson. Their famous faces have raised the profile of veganism and helped dispel the image of the pale, sad and malnourished dieter. We for one don’t fancy telling Lewis he’s weak and needs a steak.
A-list influence aside, with reasons including reducing carbon emissions, helping health and taking a stand against animal cruelty, there are currently over 600,000 vegans in the UK. That’s a lot of coffee drinkers in need.
If you’re a vegan or thinking of becoming one, we want to help you get the most from your favourite drink. And if you’re a fully paid-up carnivore, you never know when you’ll need to please a friendly plant-eater. So what are the dairy-free milk options and which work best?
Firstly, soya milk. Soya has a relatively good consistency with a slightly nutty flavour. Added to blends that pair well with nuts, this is a pretty good all-round dairy replacement. The downside to soya milk is that it tends to split when added to hot drinks, which doesn’t look very pretty. On a more positive note, with preservatives added it froths well for latte lovers.
Next up, rice milk. Sadly this isn’t brilliant when it comes to coffee. It tastes pretty neutral and won’t overpower your blend, but tends to be watery – so no creamy texture and definitely no froth.
Thirdly – almond milk. Like rice, this can be very watery and like soya, it can split. For nut fans it has a strong taste, but this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Or coffee. It can be frothed, but beware of splitting or you could end up with good foam on top and a watery drink underneath. A better choice in our view is cashew milk - more creamy, less nutty.
On to coconut, the Marmite milk. Some love the tropical flavour it adds, others run a mile. Nicely creamy, it has a good texture and can froth.
Finally, oat milk. Oat has a smooth feel with a pleasantly sweet taste and a flavour that works well with coffee. Naturally low in fat and high in fibre, it’s a healthy choice as well as a good one. The milk can be a little thin so if you want the ultimate experience go with a special version like Oatly Barista or Minor Figures Oat M*lk. Yum.
Whatever option you choose, pair it with a quality blend and enjoy World Vegan Month this November feeling dairy-free and caffeine-full.
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