If you’re planning to open a coffee house, you may be wondering which café supplies are must-haves. From commercial espresso machines and premium coffee grinders to secondary products such as soft-serve machines, we’re here to help you find everything you need. We’ve helped many coffee shop owners launch their business, and we’d love to be part of your journey, as well. Ready to get started? These products are a few of our top recommendations:
Commercial Espresso Machines
Choosing the right espresso machine is imperative in keeping both customers and team members happy. As you begin researching commercial options, you’ll notice that many are equipped with either two or three group heads. The number of group heads your machine needs largely depends upon the volume of customers you’re expecting to serve. Generally, two group heads will work for shops that serve 100 to 200 cups per day. Busier cafés that need to crank out up to 300 cups a day will be better suited by a machine with three group heads.
Espresso Grinders
The art of crafting the perfect shot of espresso starts with the quality of the beans and coffee grinder. Undoubtedly, your goal is to create specialty beverages that customers can’t get enough of–so you’ll need commercial grinders to protect the integrity of the beans’ flavor profile. Whether you choose a high-tech option like the Mahlkonig E65S Grind-by-Weight or a simpler but reputable product like the Mazzer Super Jolly E, be sure to get at least two: one for regular coffee and one for decaf.
Coffee Brewer
Even though you may expect to primarily sell espresso, it's always necessary to have a coffee brewer on hand. If you plan to keep a couple of different brews in the shop, a dual coffee brewer may be your best option. For smaller batches of one type of coffee, a single brewer will likely be adequate.
Airpots
Airpots are excellent for keeping freshly brewed coffee hot for hours. These products are great for brewing directly into and are highly portable, so they’re ideal for self-serve stations as well as behind the counter. Whether your team prefers push-button or lever airpots, we’ve got you covered.
Water Filters
Chlorine, sediment, and other materials are naturally present in tap water. The presence of minerals in the water impacts the flavor of coffee and tea, so your customers will appreciate your investment in water filtration. Several different classes of filters are available, ranging from minimal to advanced protection. For best results, purchase water filters for your coffee brewers and espresso machines.
Opening a café is an exciting endeavor, and we understand that fine-tuning the supply list can be a challenge. The products highlighted here are our top recommendations, but we’re always here to discuss more extensive options. If you have any questions regarding café supplies, we’d love to help. Please contact us for more information.
Photo by Michał Parzuchowski on Unsplash.