How to Make Good Coffee at Work

Step 2: Select the Right Office Coffee Makers

The right coffee maker can make or break the experience, and when it comes to office coffee, equipment is where you want to invest. A great machine ensures consistently good coffee, keeps employees happy, and even saves time in the long run. 

Whether you choose to buy or rent a coffee machine, there are plenty of options to fit your office’s needs. Many companies even offer multiple brewing methods—like drip coffee for high-volume needs and a bean-to-cup machine for specialty drinks—to provide the best experience for everyone. Here’s a breakdown of your options:

• Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machine

• How it works: Grinds whole beans fresh for each cup, mimicking a barista-style experience. Needs regular cleaning to keep build-up at bay so it runs smoothly.
• How it tastes: Smooth, rich, and full-bodied, brewed similar to what you would find at a coffee shop.
• Coffee required: Whole bean coffee. 

• Drip Coffee Machine

• How it works: Brews large batches using a filter and hot water. Needs coffee filters and regular cleaning to avoid stale flavors.
• How it tastes: Light to medium-bodied with a clean, familiar flavor. If left on the hot plate too long, it can turn bitter and taste a little burnt.
• Coffee required: Pre-ground or freshly ground beans. Use a consistent grind size for the best flavor. 

• Pod Coffee Machine

• How it works: Uses preportioned pods for quick, single-serve brewing. Super convenient with minimal cleanup, but limited to pod-compatible options.
• How it tastes: Smooth and consistent, but tends to be lighter and less flavorful than freshly brewed coffee.
• Coffee required: Pods specific to the machine. Regular descaling is needed to prevent buildup and keep coffee tasting fresh.

• Kegerators

• How it works: Ready-to-drink cold brew stored in a keg and served on tap. Needs refrigeration and CO2 or nitrogen gas for dispensing.
• How it tastes:
  • Regular Cold Brew: Smooth, bold, and naturally sweet with a heavier body and low acidity. 
  • Nitro Cold Brew: Velvety, rich, and slightly sweet with a thick, silky texture. 
• Coffee required: Cold brew keg + CO2 or nitrogen gas. Keep an eye on gas levels and clean tap lines regularly for the best taste.

• Pour Over Coffee Maker

• How it works: Manual brewing method that gives you total control over extraction. Requires a gooseneck kettle and patience for a slow, steady pour.
• How it tastes: Bright, crisp, and complex with a light, tea-like body that highlights subtle flavors.
• Coffee required: Freshly ground beans. A consistent grind size and the right water temperature make all the difference.

• Commercial Espresso Machine

• How it works: Uses high pressure to pull concentrated espresso shots. Requires some training to use properly and frequent cleaning to keep things running smoothly. We often only recommend this if you plan to have a barista onsite. 
• How it tastes: Strong, bold, and smooth with a thick, creamy top layer that adds a touch of sweetness.
• Coffee required: Whole beans or finely ground coffee. If your machine doesn't have a grinder, then you will need to purchase that piece of equipment separately. 

If your office is on the smaller side or you have a mix of niche coffee preferences, ready-to-drink coffee options might be a better fit. Instead of investing in a full keg setup for just a handful of cold brew drinkers, you could stock up on canned or bottled cold brew to keep things simple. The same goes for other specialty drinks—latte lovers might appreciate ready-to-drink oat-milk lattes, and espresso fans can grab a canned shot on the go. This approach keeps costs down while still offering variety, ensuring everyone gets their caffeine fix without the need for extra equipment.

Step 3: Choose the Right Coffee Beans or Grounds 

The quality of your coffee starts with the quality of your quality coffee beans. From origin to roast level, each choice impacts the final cup. Here’s what to consider:

Coffee by Region

Where coffee is grown influences its flavor, aroma, and body. Different climates, altitudes, and soil types create distinct taste profiles. Here are the three most popular. 

• Latin America: Known for its balanced, approachable flavors, Latin American coffee often has nutty, chocolatey, and caramel notes with a medium body and mild acidity. It’s a great crowd-pleaser for offices that want a smooth, familiar taste.
• Africa: These coffees are bright and complex, featuring citrus, berry, and floral flavors with a light to medium body and higher acidity. They tend to feel clean and crisp on the palate, making them a great option for pour-overs and lighter roast drinkers.
• Asia-Pacific: Typically bold and full-bodied, coffees from this region have earthy, spicy, and herbal characteristics, with a lower acidity and a heavier, almost syrupy texture. They’re often roasted darker to enhance their richness, making them a great choice for espresso.

Roast Profiles

The coffee roast level affects not just flavor but also the texture and mouthfeel of the coffee:

• Light Roast: Expect a bright, crisp acidity with distinct fruit or floral notes. These coffees have a lighter body, minimal oil on the surface, and a more pronounced, intricate flavor profile.
• Medium Roast: The perfect balance between acidity and body, medium roasts offer smooth, slightly sweet flavors with notes of chocolate, caramel, and toasted nuts. These beans have a bit more body than light roasts while maintaining some of the original fruitiness, making them a crowd-pleaser for offices.
• Dark Roast: Rich, bold, and full-bodied, dark roasts are known for deep chocolate, caramelized sugar, and smoky flavors. Their oils rise to the surface, giving them a heavier feel and a slightly bitter, roasted aftertaste. 

Across Crafty-powered office coffee stations, we see many companies prioritizing consistency in their equipment while using coffee beans and grounds as a way to customize the experience for each location. 

That’s why we work with local partners across our market coverage to provide high-quality regional coffee options. In Chicago, we partnered with Big Shoulders to create the co-branded Crafty Blend, a smooth, well-balanced, and budget-friendly office coffee option that delivers quality without compromise.

Step 4: Provide Diverse Milks and Office Coffee Creamers 

Now, we get to the fun part—customizing coffee. While the beans set the foundation, the way employees personalize their cups is what truly makes office coffee a crowd-pleaser. Offering a variety of milk and creamers ensures everyone can enjoy their coffee just the way they like it, whether they prefer a classic splash of half & half or a plant-based milk option that aligns with their dietary and sustainability preferences.

Traditional Dairy Options

• Whole Milk: The go-to favorite for many coffee drinkers, whole milk adds a creamy texture and slight natural sweetness, balancing out the bitterness of coffee. Organic whole milk is particularly popular in offices, offering a rich taste with fewer additives.
• 2% or Fat-Free Milk: These lighter alternatives provide some of the creaminess of whole milk with fewer calories. While fat-free milk won’t offer the same full-bodied texture, it still helps mellow out strong coffee flavors.
• Half & Half: A perfect balance between whole milk and heavy cream, half & half brings richness without being overly heavy. It’s a staple for those who love a smooth, velvety texture in their coffee.

Plant-Based and Alternative Milks

• Oat Milk: A favorite for sustainability-conscious employees, oat milk has a naturally creamy consistency and a hint of sweetness, making it an excellent dairy-free option for coffee. It’s also one of the most environmentally friendly milk alternatives, requiring less water and land than almond or dairy production.
• Almond Milk: While lighter in texture, almond milk is another plant-based staple that complements coffee well, especially when it’s the barista-style version designed to froth. Though almond farming has sustainability concerns due to water usage, many brands now use more eco-conscious practices.
• Soy Milk: A long-standing dairy alternative, soy milk has a smooth texture and higher protein content than many other plant-based milks. It pairs well with coffee but can sometimes separate in highly acidic brews—so stocking barista-formulated soy milk helps avoid curdling.
• Other Nut Milks (Cashew, Macadamia, Hazelnut, etc.): For employees looking for variety, nut-based milks offer unique flavor profiles and a hint of natural sweetness. Cashew milk, for example, is ultra-creamy, while macadamia milk brings a slightly buttery taste.

Coffee Creamers

• Coffee Creamer (e.g., Coffee-mate): Non-dairy creamers are a go-to for employees who want a consistently rich and sweet coffee experience. They dissolve easily, don’t require refrigeration, and come in fun flavors like French vanilla and hazelnut—perfect for those who love a bit of indulgence.

Crafty Experts Suggestions

• Protein Shakes: With protein intake top of mind, Jack Wibright on our Implementation team recommends adding a splash of a protein shake such as Fairlife to your coffee. It's an easy way to boost nutrition while getting caffeine. Vanilla or chocolate protein shakes blend well into coffee, creating a smooth, slightly sweet flavor while packing in extra protein for energy throughout the workday.
• Ice Cream: Want an afternoon treat? Alejandra Valle, one of our pantry experts in the Bay Area, recommends making an affogato by pouring your espresso over ice cream! It's the perfect pick-me-up!

Step 5: Don't Forget Your Sweeteners   

Achieve barista-level greatness with the right sweeteners—because the perfect coffee deserves the perfect balance of flavor and sweetness. Whether you're keeping it classic or getting a little adventurous, here are your go-to options:

• Syrups: The secret to smooth, evenly flavored coffee without the graininess of sugar. Stick to classics like vanilla, caramel, and hazelnut, or try seasonal options like peppermint or cinnamon dolce for a festive twist. Hannah Wurst who is our office snack delivery expert always adds two pumps of caramel sauce to their daily cold brew with a space of oat milk. 
• Concentrates: A chai concentrate is a great way to spice up your morning brew! Lindsey on our People team has the perfect recipe for the best dirty chai latte. Check it out below! 
• Sugar: A tried-and-true staple, but be mindful—too much can overpower the coffee’s natural flavors. Opt for raw or turbinado sugar for a richer taste.
• Honey: A natural alternative with a hint of floral complexity. Pairs beautifully with teas, lattes, and even cold brews for a subtly sweet depth.
• Sauces: For that true café experience, drizzle in chocolate or caramel sauce. Perfect for mochas, caramel macchiatos, or a little indulgence in your daily cup.
• Alternative Sweeteners: If you're looking to cut back on sugar, try stevia, monk fruit, or agave syrup for a lower-calorie option that still satisfies. Dana Goldberg, our leading support specialist, adds a dash of Truvia to her coffee each day.

Watch Lindsey Create the Ultimate Dirty Chai Latte

Conclusion

A well-stocked, well-maintained breakroom coffee station can boost morale, fuel productivity, and even enhance workplace culture. By understanding your team’s coffee preferences, investing in the right equipment, and offering high-quality coffee, milk, and sweeteners, you’ll ensure that no one in your office has to suffer through bad coffee again. Cheers to better brews at work!