The Top UK Franchising Trends

It's no exaggeration to say that the UK franchising industry is in rude health. Recent figures have revealed that it's both one of the most profitable in the country and one that is growing exponentially - in 2001, it contributed £5bn to the UK economy; today, that figure stands at £15bn, an increase of 200% in fewer than 20 years.

Following another positive year in 2021, in which the industry recovered impressively from the difficulties of the COVID outbreak and subsequent lockdowns of 2020, there's every reason to believe that 2022 will be another positive one for franchisors and franchisees alike. 

But what are the secrets of the most profitable franchises' success? We've highlighted some of the trends being adopted by them below.

Franchising Trends 2022

Before we get into the details, the first thing to mention is that all the current trends are geared towards growth. If 2020 was about survival and 2021 was about making a comeback, 2022 looks set to be the year when the most successful franchises consolidate and expand their businesses. 

This is how they'll be doing it:

By appealing to the growing number of prospective franchisees

As a result of the franchising industry's ongoing success and the fact that more than 50% of franchisees are now declaring an average turnover in excess of £250,000, interest in franchising is at an all-time high. Add in the fact that would-be investors are eager to make up for lost time when it comes to changing careers post-COVID and it's not hard to see why many people believe 2022 is set to be a year of major franchise growth.

So with an ever-growing pool of franchisees to attract, franchisors will be going all out to ensure they have the materials and systems in place to make their businesses as appealing as possible by creating strong marketing plans, installing expert franchise development teams and refining - or even completely redesigning - their websites.

By investing in public relations

This follows closely on from the previous point and offers significant benefits to those who can afford it.

Simply put, hiring a public relations (PR) company helps franchises communicate with the public or a specific target audience, increasing awareness of its image and improving its reputation and profile by positioning it as an expert in its field.

Although PR works hand-in-hand with marketing and advertising and has the same goal of securing the customers and sales necessary to increase the franchise's profitability, it differs from both by earning consumers' attention, rather than paying for it. To put it another way, adverts tell people how great your franchise is; PR convinces people to talk about how great your franchise is.

With growth at the top of franchisors' to-do lists, expect to see more and more of them adding PR teams to their pay-rolls.

By becoming more sustainable

With awareness of climate change and the threat it poses at an all time high, it has never been more important for organisations to reduce their carbon footprints and become as sustainable as possible. And, with prospective franchisees, employees and consumers all increasingly unlikely to deal with any company that isn't explicitly environmentally friendly, ensuring your franchise is as sustainable as possible has become non-negotiable if you want it to succeed.

While this is a trend which has been gaining traction for many years, 2022 is likely to be the year when record numbers of businesses become greener than ever, with shifts towards going paper-free by digitising records, using recycled/recyclable/reusable products and materials wherever possible and installing long-lasting LED light bulbs among the most common initiatives.

At Cafe2U, we're introducing zero emission electric vans to our fleet of vehicles, with the aim of becoming the UK's first carbon neutral coffee company.

By strengthening key relationships

Important in any year, strengthening relations with internal teams, other franchisees, suppliers and consumers is perhaps the most important trend for 2022.

Having reestablished key relationships in the aftermath of the pandemic, solidifying and strengthening them to ensure stability and repeat customers will almost certainly hold the key to business growth over the coming months.

Franchise Opportunities with Cafe2U

With the industry stronger than ever, now is the perfect time for people interested in investing in a franchise to leverage the strength of the industry and begin their journey towards becoming a franchisee.
At Cafe2U, our franchisees receive all the training and equipment they need to get their business up and running, as well as ongoing support, marketing advice and an exclusive area in which to operate. To find out more about our mobile coffee franchise opportunities, click here.

Lattes, Camera, Action: The Most Iconic Coffee Moments in Movies

Following the unveiling of this year's BAFTA nominees - and with the shortlist for the Oscars due next week - we've been thinking about the best coffee scenes in our favourite movies.

From European art house films to Hollywood blockbusters, coffee has always been one of the most popular ways of setting a scene or defining a character, so we had plenty to choose from. 

Read on to discover our top 5…

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Everybody with even a passing interest in movies knows about Breakfast in Tiffany's, from Audrey Hepburn's little black dress to 'Moon River' and all the other iconic moments in between.

One such moment takes place in the very first scene. In it, socialite Holly Golightly exits a yellow New York taxi and makes a beeline for the window of luxury retailer Tiffany & Co. to gaze at the jewellery inside while drinking from her takeaway coffee cup.

While we'll never know how many people were inspired to pick up a coffee to go as a result of the film, one thing's for sure - drinking coffee has never looked cooler.

Pulp Fiction

Coffee features throughout Quentin Tarantino's black comedy/crime drama masterpiece, with two scenes standing out in particular. In one, Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta's characters try to distract attention from one of their misdeeds by complimenting their unhappy friend on the quality of his coffee, to no avail - he's the one who buys it; he already knows how good it is.

Even more famous is the opening scene in which a couple of armed robbers discuss plans to hold up the same diner in which they're currently drinking bottomless coffees with their breakfasts. All together now: "Everybody be cool, this is a robbery!"

Don't be alarmed though - drinking coffee doesn't increase your chances of becoming a career criminal.

Coffee and Cigarettes

Let's face it, you'd be pretty annoyed if you bought a ticket for a film called Coffee and Cigarettes and it didn't have anything to do with the black stuff!

Filmed before smoking was outlawed in cafes, this low-key classic is a collection of short films about people meeting up for, you guessed it, coffee and cigarettes while discussing an enormous array of topics, such as Paris in the '20s, caffeine popsicles, the cult of celebrity, acoustic resonance and many more. 

With an incredible cast including Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, Steve Buscemi, Steve Coogan and members of hip-hop collective the Wu-Tang Clan, this film is all the proof you need that catching up for a chat with a friend over a good cup of coffee is the cure to many of life's ills.

Thor

When Thor, the God of thunder, is cast out of his kingdom and forced to live among mere mortals on Earth, he soon realises he's going to have to get on board with some human traditions if he's going to fit in with his new surroundings.

Under the watchful eye of a caring scientist, Thor tries his first sip of coffee while visiting a local diner and is instantly hooked, loudly proclaiming his love for it before getting carried away, smashing his mug on the floor and demanding more. We know how you feel, big guy.

The Usual Suspects

If you've seen Bryan Singer's Oscar-winning thriller/crime/whodunnit classic, you'll already know exactly which scene we're talking about. And if you haven't seen it, go and watch it before somebody spoils the ending for you!

The film concerns a weary, coffee-fuelled U.S. Customs agent's attempts to uncover how a ship with nearly 30 people on board ended up on fire in a dock in LA by interrogating one of its only survivors. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn that a mysterious criminal overlord is behind the whole thing but it's not until the final scenes that the agent figures out the kingpin's true identity.

As he finally puts two and two together, he freezes and drops his latest cup of coffee to the floor in disbelief, all in glorious slow motion. While it's a shame to see a good cup of joe go to waste, there's arguably never been a more iconic coffee scene in the history of cinema.

What are your favourite coffee scenes in films?

Like most people, we love a good movie but let's face it, our expertise is in coffee, not cinema! If we've overlooked one of your favourite coffee scenes, let us know on our social media channels and we'll be sure to give it a watch on our next movie night.

The Best Cakes To Have With Coffee

Everybody knows that hot drinks and biscuits are among the all-time great combos and easily up there with the likes of strawberries and cream or fish and chips. But for some reason, the combination of hot drinks and cakes is far less celebrated, despite both items being sensational.

With the latest season of The Great British Bake Off coming to an end later this month, we thought it was high time someone turned the spotlight on the best cakes to enjoy with a hot drink. Luckily, we know a thing or two about coffee and the best things to enjoy with it, so we've compiled a list of the best cakes to pair with a steaming hot brew.

8. Banana bread

Don't worry, it's ok to admit to liking banana bread again - enough time has passed since everyone started chain-baking it at the start of the first lockdown. Putting social acceptability aside, there's no getting away from the fact that banana bread goes beautifully with a cup of coffee, with both accentuating the others' sweetness to perfection.

7. Vanilla sponge

Traditional and tasty, the vanilla sponge is among the most popular cakes ever created. It's the hint of vanilla that makes this such a good option to enjoy with a cup of coffee and if you ever need a safe bet to make ahead of a tea party, look no further. 

Ironically it's the vanilla sponge's 'play it safe' approach that counts against it in this instance; there are so many cakes to choose from these days that coffee enthusiasts want something a little more exciting with their drink.

6. Blueberry cake 

A cake that has become increasingly popular over the last decade or so, blueberry cakes (or muffins - they're just small cakes, after all) are sweet and juicy, enhancing the natural sweetness of coffee while also offsetting its acidity. Through no fault of its own, however, blueberry cake lacks the richness required to really bring out the best of coffee, so sixth place it is.

5. Cardamom cake

Carda what now?!

It doesn't matter if you've never heard of it, you really need to try it. Cardamom has an aromatic smell and a mild, mint-like taste that works perfectly in a cake, especially one that you're enjoying with a coffee. Trust us, the combination is sublime!

4. Lemon drizzle cake

A bit of a controversial choice in some circles due to its strong flavour, lemon drizzle cake is so light, it's arguably the most moreish cake ever devised and deserves its place on this list for that reason alone. If you don't think lemon and coffee belong together, think again.

3. Madeira cake 

Another criminally underrated gem, madeira cake is a soft, buttery masterpiece. It's strength lies in its mild flavour which enables it to enhance the taste of your favourite coffee without distracting from it. Try it once and you'll be hooked for life.

2. Carrot cake

Now we're talking. Rich and delicious, with incredibly Roger moreish icing and, if you're lucky, chopped nuts, carrot cake is essentially several cakes in one. What makes it so good with coffee are the spices, especially cinnamon and ginger, which are among the most popular additions to a cup of coffee. Welcome to cake heaven.

1. Chocolate cake

No list of the greatest cakes to have with a coffee would be complete without chocolate cake, which combines two of the greatest pleasures known to mankind (chocolate and cake). Sweet, rich and gooey, anyone who has ever enjoyed a mocha knows how delicious the combination of coffee and chocolate is. Resistance is futile.

Whichever cake is your personal favourite, pairing it with one of our quality Cafe2U coffees is guaranteed to make it even better - find your nearest van here to make a booking.

Cafe2U’s Pumpkin Spice Special!

For many people, autumn is their favourite time of year, with the colder weather giving them the ideal excuse to stay indoors and keep toasty, or to head out and enjoy a warming coffee on the go.

But even if you prefer the hot days of summer, autumn still has plenty to offer, thanks to the incredible amount of tasty treats you can make from the season's unofficial mascot, the humble pumpkin.

We've picked out some of the best recipes for you to try yourself.

Pumpkin spice latte

You didn't think we were only talking about food recipes, did you?!

Alongside gingerbread lattes, pumpkin spice lattes are one of the UK's favourite seasonal hot drinks and what better time to enjoy one than over autumn?

Ingredients

To make pumpkin spice lattes, you will need:

• 750g pumpkin

• ground cinnamon

• ground ginger

• ground nutmeg

• 30ml espresso or strong coffee

• 250ml milk (any variety)

To begin, you will need to make some pumpkin puree. Peel and seed your pumpkin, then cut into evenly sized cubes. Place the cubes in a steamer or colander over a pan of simmering water for 10-15 minutes or until soft, then mash and leave to cool.

Once cool, put two teaspoons of puree into a large heatproof glass or mug and stir in the spices and coffee. Next, heat the milk in a saucepan over a low heat until steaming and frothy. Pour into the glass or mug and spoon over the froth. Stir to combine, dust with more cinnamon and voila - the perfect warming, aromatic drink to enjoy on a cold autumn evening.

Pumpkin cake

If you thought the only autumnal treat worth shouting about was toffee apples, think again - this pumpkin cake recipe is a guaranteed showstopper. 

Ingredients

To make the pumpkin cake, you will need:

• 300g self-raising flour

• 330g light muscovado sugar

• 3 tsp mixed spice

• 2 tsp bicarbonate of soda

• 175g sultanas

• ½ tsp salt

• 4 eggs, beaten

• 200g butter, melted

• the zest of 1 orange

• 1 tbsp orange juice

• 500g (peeled weight) pumpkin flesh, grated

For the frosting, you will need:

• 200g pack of soft cheese

• 85g butter, softened

• 100g icing sugar, sifted

• the zest of 1 orange

• the juice of half an orange

First, preheat your oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4, then butter and line a 30 x 20cm baking tin with parchment paper. Put the flour, sugar, spice, bicarbonate of soda, sultanas and salt into a large bowl and stir to combine. Next, beat the eggs into the melted butter, stir in the orange zest and juice, then mix with the dry ingredients until combined. Stir in the pumpkin, then pour the batter into the tin and bake for 30 minutes or until golden and springy to the touch.

To make the frosting, beat together the cheese, butter, icing sugar, orange zest and 1 tsp of the juice until smooth and creamy, then set aside in the fridge. When the cake is done, cool for 5 mins then turn it onto a cooling rack. Prick it all over with a skewer and drizzle with the rest of the orange juice while still warm. Leave to cool completely.

Quickly beat the frosting to loosen it, then, using a palette knife, spread over the top of the cake. If you’re making the cake ahead of time, keep it in the fridge then take out as many pieces as you want 30 mins before serving - the cake should make approximately 15 portions.

Pumpkin spice cookies

If you don't manage to lay your hands on a pumpkin this autumn, or your kids use it as a jack-o'-lantern, don't worry - this cookie recipe uses an easy-to-make spice mix instead of pumpkin. And you'd never know the difference!

Ingredients

To make pumpkin spice cookies, you will need:

• 300g plain flour

• ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 tbsp cornflour

• 1-2 tsps pumpkin spice mix

• 115g unsalted butter

• 100g brown sugar

• 100g granulated sugar

• 1 large egg

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

• 200g white chocolate chunks or chips

• 100g orange M&Ms

To make the spice mix, you will need:

• 3 tbsps ground cinnamon

• 2 tsps ground ginger

• 2 tsps ground nutmeg

• 1.5 tsps all spice

• 1.5 tsps ground cloves

Preheat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4, line two large baking trays with parchment paper, then prepare the spice mix by adding the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, all spice and cloves to a bowl and whisk until even. Add the plain flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt and cornflour and whisk until combined.

Next, carefully melt the butter and add to a bowl, then add the sugars and whisk for two minutes. Add the vanilla and the egg and whisk again until combined. Add in the flour mixture, M&Ms and chocolate and beat well until the mixture resembles cookie dough.

Finally, using a cookie dough or batter scoop, scoop the dough out in even portions, roll them into balls, place on the baking trays and cook in the oven for 10-13 minutes. Once cooked, leave the cookies to cool for five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely and serve.

Check out our new autumn drinks range

We're big fans of autumn at Cafe2U, as it's the perfect opportunity to beat the cold with a steaming hot cup of coffee. And that's why we've launched a limited edition range of autumn drinks! To find out what your local Cafe2U van has to offer, get in touch with them here.

S'more Than Meets The Eye

Every year at Cafe2U, we introduce a special, limited edition item to our drinks menu to help get the nation in the mood for bonfire night - s'more flavoured coffee. 

Despite their enduring popularity in America, s'mores are a bit of an unknown quantity in the UK, with most people having heard of them but relatively few people ever eating them. Not us though, we love a s'more and we think it's about time the rest of the country did too. 

So here's everything you need to know about where they come from and how to make them.

What is a s'more?

S'mores are a sweet, chewy Stateside snack that have been around since the 1920s and consist of one or more toasted marshmallows and a layer of chocolate sandwiched between two graham crackers (American digestive biscuits). 

The tasty treat became popular thanks to American scout groups, who were among the first to experiment with cooking the marshmallows over a campfire instead of in a kitchen.

The name s'mores is a contraction of the phrase 'some more', in reference to most people's inability to only eat one at a time. As in: "Can i have some more?"

Although Americans enjoy s'mores all year round, in the UK they are regarded as a seasonal treat that are typically enjoyed around bonfire night, when there are more opportunities to cook them over an open flame.

How do you make s'mores?

If you want to make your own s'mores, the good news is that they're extremely quick and easy to make. 

Ingredients

To make eight s'mores, you will need:

• 16 digestive or Rich Tea biscuits 

• 16 chunks of milk chocolate

• 8 marshmallows

If you are cooking over a campfire/bonfire, place a marshmallow on a wooden or metal skewer and hold it over the fire, rotating frequently, until it is golden brown and the inside is gooey. If you prefer your marshmallows dark brown and charred, simply leave over the fire for an additional 30 seconds.

Next, assemble your s'more. Put one biscuit on a flat surface with a chunk of chocolate on top, then add the cooked marshmallow, another chunk of chocolate and top it all off with another biscuit. Eat it sandwich style for maximum enjoyment!

Alternatively, if you are making s'mores at home, simply assemble your s'more as above but without cooking the marshmallow, then wrap the whole thing tightly in tin foil and place in an oven pre-heated to 180℃ for two minutes until the marshmallow and chocolate begin to melt.

One of the best things about s'mores is that no two are the same, so feel free to experiment with different types of biscuit, marshmallow and chocolate until you find your favourite combination. Substituting the chocolate for chocolate spread works well too.

Would you like to know s'more?

At Cafe2U, we've been big fans of the s'more for many years and we're sure that after just one taste you will be too. To order one of our incredible s'more flavoured coffees, simply contact your nearest Cafe2U van here.

Cafe2U's Green Coffee Fortnight 2021

Now in its third year, Green Coffee Fortnight is an annual event designed by Cafe2U to raise awareness of environmentally-friendly practices in the coffee industry and encourage more people to adopt sustainable coffee drinking habits. This year's event will take place from Monday, September 27th, until Sunday, October 10th.

To celebrate, we're running down the new environmentally-friendly initiatives we're adopting at Cafe2U.

Compostable paper cups

You may have seen that we've already kicked off this year's celebrations by unveiling the world's first all electric coffee van, which will help reduce our CO2 emissions and carbon footprint. But that's not all - to help minimise our paper use, we're also launching a range of compostable paper cups.

Compostable cups are biodegradable, so they can be composted or recycled, reducing waste and ensuring fewer items are sent to landfill. And with people in the UK drinking approximately 95 million cups of coffee every day, we need to convince consumers to move away from single use cups as soon as possible.

Our new compostable cups are available from your local Cafe2U van now.

Reusable cup giveaway

Everybody likes something for nothing so, for the duration of Green Coffee Fortnight, we're giving our incredible reusable cups away free with certain purchases!

Please note this offer varies depending on your location so find your nearest Cafe2U van here and get in touch to find out how you can claim your reusable cup.

Coffee grounds recycling scheme

Throughout Green Coffee Fortnight, we're giving customers the opportunity to take our used coffee grounds away with them absolutely free.

Normally, used coffee grounds are thrown in the bin, where they end up as landfill or in an incinerator. However, neither option is good for the environment, which is why we want to let more people know that they can also be recycled, reducing harmful greenhouse gases and giving your latte a second life.

Used coffee grounds have a number of uses, including:

1. repelling insects. Simply put the used grounds in a bowl outside and burn them like incense. The grounds are very potent and will drive pests away in no time.

2. making a useful fertiliser. Sprinkling used grounds - which are packed with key nutrients - on the soil surrounding your plants will encourage them to grow quicker.

3. helping compost heaps. By adding some used grounds to your compost heap, you'll improve its structure and attract worms, which speed up the process by turning food scraps into compost.

4. eliminating smells. A handful of used coffee grounds in your fridge will absorb food odours and ensure your meals taste like they should.

5. cleaning your pans. A couple of spoonfuls of used coffee grounds are abrasive enough to clean the dirtiest of pans - just apply the grounds to a cloth and get scrubbing! Remember to check a small area of the pan first to make sure the grounds don't stain the surface.

Going paper free

Switching to compostable paper cups is just one part of our move towards becoming completely paper free by 2022. 

In addition to the paper cups, we're also:

• digitising all our files at head office

• switching from print to digital advertising, and

• doing away with the old loyalty card system in favour of a digital version accessible via the Cafe2U app.

We need your help!

Supporting our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint is easy - simply pick up a reusable or compostable cup next time you visit your local Cafe2U van and, if you could use some, take some of our used grounds away with you. You'll be helping us help the planet!

Find your nearest Cafe2U van here.

Beat The Work Blues With Coffee

You can't put a price on waking up on a Monday morning and feeling good about going to work. For most people, work is part of daily life so being miserable between 9:00 and 5:00 every weekday is the last thing you want.

Luckily, in 2015, two women started Happy Office, a company that helps employers increase happiness in the workplace to benefit their employees and from that excellent idea came International Week of Happiness at Work - a week-long event designed to spread happiness among employees all over the world.

Taking place from September 20th-26th, your employer (or company) can sign up to take part here. Popular events include putting on happiness breakfasts at the start of the work day or arranging runs/walks to boost positivity.

Another stalwart of the working day is coffee, which famously gives drinkers an energy boost and makes them more alert. But can it also make you feel happier?

Coffee improves your mood

Yep, it's true - coffee has been scientifically proven to increase wellbeing and brighten your mood.

When you drink coffee, caffeine blocks the receptors in your body that cause tiredness, forcing it to release chemicals which improve your mood and make you feel happier. 

By stimulating the central nervous system, coffee can also act as an antidepressant. In a 2011 Havard study, people who drank four or more cups of coffee per day had a whopping 20% lower risk of suffering depression. Incredibly, two cups of coffee a day has also been shown to reduce the risk of suicide by 50%.

Coffee helps build work relationships

Everybody needs friends and, given the amount of time you spend with them, work friends are especially important.

Regular coffee breaks are the perfect opportunity to interact with your colleagues and form better relationships with them, which in turn helps create a happier work environment. Including newer members of staff in coffee break chats is a great way to help them settle in and feel more comfortable in their new role too.

Coffee is good for your body

Having a healthy, happy body is as important as having a positive mindset and coffee is among the best things you can ingest. 

Because coffee is high in antioxidants (substances that protect your cells), regularly drinking it can help reduce the risk of: 

• cancers

• suffering a stroke

• Parkinson's disease

• Type II diabetes

• Alzheimer's disease

• dementia 

Coffee has even been shown to reduce the risk of premature death by 25% compared to non-coffee drinkers. 

Furthermore, it is a popular performance enhancer among athletes because of its ability to help them exercise for longer by improving endurance and increasing muscular strength. It can also help you lose weight by boosting your metabolism and increasing fat burning, while some studies also suggest caffeine could reduce your appetite and help you eat less. And if you're happy in yourself, you'll be happier at work.

Why not have great coffee delivered to your work?

Whatever you do this International Week of Happiness at Work, ensuring there is plenty of coffee to go around your employees and colleagues is an excellent way to kick things off. At Cafe2U, our mobile cafes are available to bring our top quality coffees to offices all over the UK and you can find your nearest one here.

The World's Biggest Coffee Morning 2021

Macmillan's Coffee Morning is one of the UK's most important and popular fundraising events, bringing people together to enjoy a drink and a bite to eat while raising donations for the charity. With Coffee Morning 2021 taking place later this month, we want to show you how you can get involved.

When is Coffee Morning 2021?

This year, the event officially takes place on Friday September 24th but you can host your own event any time.

Why take part?

As a charity that relies almost entirely on donations, taking part helps raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, enabling it to continue providing care and support to people affected by cancer. This year, many cancer sufferers have reported feeling more anxious and scared as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, so there's never been a more important time to support the cause.

How do I take part?

Taking part is easy - simply sign up here on the official website and they'll send you a fundraising kit to ensure you have everything you need, including decorations, recipe ideas, a collection box and event posters.

Next, select a date and location for your coffee morning, invite your guests, and stock up on hot drinks and/or cakes to sell them. If you're hosting an event at work, remember to book a meeting room - or similar - that's big enough to allow social distancing to take place too; if you're uncomfortable in social situations right now, you could even host a virtual coffee morning with friends and family over Zoom.

Then, after the event, all you need to do is collect all your donations and send them to Macmillan.

Where does the money go?

Every penny goes to Macmillan to help them care for people with cancer. Your donations could pay for vital telephone services, cancer information booklets, mindfulness sessions for patients or to train a person affected by cancer to become a Cancer Support Course facilitator.

How Cafe2U can help

If you're hosting a large event or would just like a professional barista to make your guests' coffees, why not book one of our mobile cafés to come and handle the cappuccino-making duties for you?

Our baristas are trained to provide excellent customer service and to deliver the finest quality coffees, food, snacks and hot and cold drinks. You can find your nearest Cafe2U van here.

Weird and Wonderful Coffee Stories

Coffee has been around for such a long time that almost everyone knows a little something about it - that it (probably) originated in Ethiopia, that it's the most traded commodity in the world apart from crude oil, that it keeps you alert and so on.

But with such a long history, you'd think everything there is to know about coffee would already be common knowledge.

Not so. The story of the world's most popular drink has more than its fair share of unusual chapters and we're going to take a look at some of them here.

People will go to great lengths to make the tastiest coffee

Typically, coffee is prepared by grinding coffee beans which then have hot water poured over them. Typically, but not always... 

One of the most expensive and sought after coffees in the world is Black Ivory Coffee from Thailand, which sells for as much as $1,100 per kilogram and $50 per cup in some establishments. But why is it so expensive? Because it's made from elephant dung, of course!

Yes, believe it or not, the coffee's incredible taste is the result of feeding coffee beans to elephants, then recovering them from the elephants' dung once they've been 'processed'. The elephants' digestive juices fermenting the berries is what gives the coffee its delicious taste and, we're not going to lie, we'd definitely try a cup. Probably best not to try this one at home though.

Fantastic filters

Until roughly 100 years ago, if you were lucky, your coffee filters were made of cloth; if you were unlucky, you made use of whatever was to hand, such as a sock. However, even if you could afford cloth filters, they had a tendency to over-brew the coffee and make it taste bitter, so a new solution was required.

Enter Melitta Benz, a German homemaker. Fed up with disappointing coffee, she took a page from her son's school book and filtered her morning brew through it. Delighted with the results, Melitta patented her invention and the paper coffee filter brewing system was born.

The Catholic church had to stop coffee being outlawed

It wasn't just alcoholic drinks that used to be prohibited - in the 16th century, coffee was banned in Europe.

The drink first reached European shores - Venice, Italy, to be precise - from Arabia. European travellers were already aware of coffee and described it as mysterious and intoxicating, which resulted in European Catholics, who were wary of the drink's perceived Muslim background, decrying it as 'the bitter invention of Satan' and having it outlawed.

Luckily, Pope Clement VIII was on hand to calm the situation down and decided to sample a cup for himself. On tasting it, he proclaimed that it was a Christian as well as a Muslim drink and that it would be a sin to let only pagans enjoy it. Following the Pope's approval, coffee began to spread across Europe and the rest, as they say, is history.

Top quality, convenient coffee

At Cafe2U, we love making coffee. And while you're welcome to sift through elephant poop to make coffee which needs to be filtered through a sock and/or risk being banned by the church, we think contacting your nearest Cafe2U mobile barista here and buying a coffee from them is much easier.

Summer Iced Coffee Recipes

When the sun comes out and the temperature soars, caffeine lovers often find themselves facing a conundrum - what should I drink when it's too hot for coffee?

The answer, of course, is iced coffee!

Cool, refreshing and delicious, iced coffee's popularity has grown steadily in recent years and the drink is now a summertime staple throughout the UK. It's also easy to make and tailor to your own tastes, so refill your ice tray and we'll explain how it's done.

Basic iced coffee

Iced coffee can either be poured hot over ice or served already chilled. If you're attempting the latter, start by making a cup of strong black coffee, then allow it to go completely cold. Pour it into a blender, add a quarter of a cup of milk, two handfuls of ice and syrup - if using - then blend until smooth and serve in a tall glass.

If you usually add sugar to your brew, remember it doesn't dissolve easily in cold liquids, so you'll need to add it to the coffee before it cools or swap it for a sugary syrup. And don't worry about it being too strong as the ice will dilute and weaken the coffee.

Coffee lemonade

If there's a drink that symbolises summer better than lemonade, we've yet to try it. Combining it with a hit of caffeine results in a refreshing drink you'll want to make every time the sun's out.

Making coffee lemonade couldn't be simpler. Just combine cold black coffee, ½ a cup of orange juice, ⅓ of a cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice, ⅓ of a cup of honey and two handfuls of ice cubes in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve in a tall glass half filled with more ice cubes and enjoy!

The sweet treat

When the first ingredient is ice cream, you know you're onto a winner!

Put a scoop of your favourite ice cream into a tall glass, cover it with cold black coffee, add another scoop of ice cream, then finish with a dash of sparkling water to make the whole thing fizz. 

For an even greater sugar fix, thread your favourite jelly or gummy sweets onto a toothpick and lay across the mouth of the glass.

Peanut butter iced coffee

Okay, peanut butter isn't traditionally associated with summer, but trust us, this rich, creamy recipe will quench your thirst and cool you down in no time.

To make, simply combine peanut butter, Nutella and cream in a saucepan, then heat gently while whisking until the mixture is melted and smooth. Leave it to cool in the fridge, then pour into a blender alongside the black coffee and ice and blitz until foamy. 

At Cafe2U, we love experimenting with new flavours and ingredients all year round. Find your nearest Cafe2U mobile barista for more details and be sure to ask about our summer range.

Setting Your Franchise Up For Success

The Tokyo Olympics are now well underway and, with double figures in the medals already, this is the best start for a British team in Games history - and the highest number of gold medals for Britain at this point.

With Team GB impressing from the start, we've taken a look at what we can learn from its sporting success and how it can be applied to our businesses to ensure we stay ahead of the competition.

Teamwork

If you've listened to the winning Olympians' post-event interviews, you will have noticed that almost all of them emphasise the importance of teamwork, with their coaches, trainers, nutritionists and families often receiving special praise. What you won't have heard is an athlete claiming their success was down to them and them alone.

At Cafe2U, we know that, just like athletes, our franchisees can't succeed without support, so, in addition to providing them with a support network to cheer them on, coach them and challenge them, we also provide them with a comprehensive four-week training course to ensure they have the skills necessary to hit the road as a qualified mobile coffee business owner.

From barista training to business processes training, our Franchise Development Managers are always there to help our franchisees reach the top of the coffee podium.

Confidence

Just like athletes need to believe in their own abilities, entrepreneurs must be bullish about their chances of becoming the best.

At Cafe2U, we assess potential franchisees to ensure our business is right for them, so when they start up their mobile coffee business, they can be confident that we have faith in them and will be there to cheer them on, no matter what.

In fact, we're so confident that our new franchisees will do a great job, we offer a £275 per day income guarantee during the early days of their franchise.

Passion

Why do athletes limit their calorie intakes and put their bodies through stress, pain and the risk of injury? Why are they constantly looking for ways to improve performance? Because they're passionate about what they do and they want to be the best at it.

The same is true of successful entrepreneurs. Setting up your own business is hard, stressful and demanding, and inevitably involves encountering obstacles. If you're not passionate about the thing you do, you won't be motivated to overcome those obstacles and you'll fail.

Fortunately, many people are incredibly passionate about coffee, including us. From our unique blend, which is sourced from some of the finest growing regions in the world and roasted by small batch coffee roasters, to the expertise provided by our barista trainer, passion goes into every cup of coffee you'll sell. 

Practice, evolve, improve

In addition to determination, drive and focus, practice is the most important weapon in an athlete's armour, and the same is true of Cafe2U franchisees. 

Practice enables you to learn and expand your skill set, two abilities that are vital for any successful businessperson. Cafe2U has been on the road for more than 17 years and, although we know the coffee industry like the back of our hand, we're constantly creating new avenues for growth and keeping up to date with new trends so we can ensure our franchisees have the latest equipment and are familiar with any new changes in the industry.

Our weekly newsletter also communicates new insights to our franchisees that help boost their bottom lines, whether it's news about new discounts that have been negotiated or ways to source weekend events. We believe there's no finishing line when it comes to improvement.

If you’re thinking about becoming a Cafe2U franchisee, find out more about the process here.

Euro 2020 - How do Other European Nations have their Coffee?

In England, the humble latte is the most popular type of coffee but there are an almost infinite number of ways the drink can be enjoyed.

Now the belated Euro 2020 football tournament is finally underway, what better time to take a look at some of the ways coffee is consumed by our European neighbours?

Italy

As the world capital of coffee, Italy knows a thing or two about drinking the black stuff. Espressos are the most popular option, with Italians typically drinking multiple cups each day.

Rich and thick, espressos are brewed by forcing a small amount of nearly boiling water through finely ground coffee beans and, in Italy, are commonly served with a slice of lemon to bring out their sweeter flavours. 

Despite increasing your metabolism, helping you burn calories faster and being delicious, professional athletes are still more likely to opt for water at half-time.

Portugal

A refreshing twist on a classic, one of the most popular coffees in Portugal is the Mazagran, aka the original iced coffee.

Available in any Portuguese pastelaria worth its salt, Mazagran is a sweetened, cold beverage that typically consists of espresso and lemon juice. However, the lemon can be replaced with rum for coffee fans in need of an even stronger kick. Ronaldo might not approve.

Finland

Finland may be something of an unknown quantity when it comes to its national football team but, in the UK, even less is known about Kaffeost, one of the country's traditional drinks.

A combination of coffee and cheese cubes - which are immersed in the liquid - Kaffeost is traditionally 'enjoyed' by groups of Finns as a welcome drink. Opinion is divided about whether the cheese should be eaten before the coffee is drunk or vice-versa but one thing Kaffeost fans agree on is that it should be drunk before the coffee becomes cold and somehow makes the whole thing taste even worse.

In the European Championship of coffees, this one is unlikely to make it out of the group stage.

Turkey

Turkish coffee, or Türk kahvesi, is prepared using very finely ground coffee beans and is one of the most popular types of coffee in the world due to its seriously high strength.

Simmered in a special brass pot known as a cezve, Turkish coffee is rich and gets its potency from being unfiltered, resulting in a higher concentration of caffeine and a drink that should come with a warning. Not for the faint-hearted.

Spain

Among the best looking of all coffees, Spanish cafe bombon coffees are a sweet-toothed coffee lover's dream.

Sugary and so thick you can chew them, cafe bombons are equal parts black coffee and sweetened, condensed milk, served in a glass in order to appeal to the eyes as much as the taste buds. 

By slowly adding the milk to the coffee, the milk sinks to the bottom of the glass and separates, resulting in a coffee in two distinct, irresistible layers that look and taste classier than Andrés Iniesta in a three piece suit.

Whichever type of coffee you prefer, we're confident you'll find something to love among our range of quality Cafe2U coffees. Find your nearest van here and make a booking.

Father's Day Gift Ideas with a Coffee Twist

Father's Day is almost upon us, which means it's time for children across the UK to rack their brains and try to find a suitable gift for the hardest person in their life to buy a gift for: dear old dad.

While traditional presents like books, whiskey, slippers and novelty aprons are all well and good, nothing beats giving your old man a present he genuinely didn't see coming, so why not surprise him with one of these coffee-related gifts?

Coffee Mug Warmer

Ensure the paternal coffee lover in your life never has to face a cold brew ever again with a stylish mug warmer. 

Designed to keep hot drinks hot or make cold drinks warm again, this nifty little mug warmer can be set to one of three temperatures, is suitable for various mug sizes and features an auto shut-off feature in case your dad falls asleep in front of the tv with it on. Buy one here.

Good Coffee

What better present for a coffee lover than some top notch coffee? 

Our baristas use only grade 1 beans sourced from micro lots (single plots of land on a specific farm) to guarantee the highest quality coffee and bags of these very same beans are now available to enjoy at home. Contact your nearest Cafe2U barista here and your dad will be brewing like Captain Starbucks in no time.

Coffee Bean Plant

Not only will this coffee arabica plant enable your dad to grow his own coffee beans, it will also add a dash of colour to his life.

A word of caution, though - growing coffee requires a lot of patience and it could be months before he starts to see any results. Remember, a coffee bean plant is for life, not just for elevenses.

Coffee Stencil Set

For dads with a serious coffee habit, how about a stencil set to help him wow visitors?

This stainless steel set of 16 stencils will unleash your dad's inner coffee artiste, letting him decorate his brews with cool designs guaranteed to raise a smile and make him the envy of his coffee-loving mates.

Coffee Grinder

Having your own coffee grinder is the key to making great coffee at home so treating your dad to a quality grinder is sure to get you in his good books. 

There are a wealth of options to suit every budget but we recommend this conical burr coffee grinder - easy to use and with a whopping 19 grind settings, it delivers great results, looks fantastic and doesn't cost the earth.

Prepaid Cafe2U Card

If your dad is a regular Cafe2U customer, make his next few visits free by picking him up one of our prepaid gift cards. Better still, if you pre-pay for five coffees, you'll get the sixth one free!

Get in touch with your nearest Cafe2U barista here.

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there, we hope you all have a great day. Our Cafe2U vans will be on the road as usual to help you celebrate if you're out and about.

Which Biscuits Go Best With Coffee?

Ben & Jerry's. Marks and Spencer. Burger and fries! Some things just go well together, bringing out the best qualities in the other and ensuring the results are greater than the sum of their parts.

Perhaps the best example of this is a hot beverage and a biscuit. When break time rolls around, is there anything more satisfying than pairing a fresh cup of coffee with a tasty biscuit? Of course not.

The question is, with so many to choose from, which biscuit goes best with a mug of coffee? To celebrate the imminent arrival of National Biscuit Day on May 29th, we've compiled a list of some of the top biscuits to enjoy with a steaming hot brew.

8. Ginger Nuts

Gingery, delicious and steadfast in the face of repeated dunking, ginger nuts are one of the UK's most beloved biscuits and rightly so. However, there's a reason ginger and coffee isn't a common combo. An acquired taste.

7. Party Rings

Yes, the colourful, crunchy biscuits that are still required by law to be served at every child's birthday party. Childish? Perhaps. Delicious with a cup of coffee, especially when the icing starts to melt? Absolutely. One for sweet-toothed coffee aficionados.

6. Rich Tea

One of the founding members of the Biscuit Premier League, Rich Tea biscuits live and die by their no-frills approach. They're a safe bet, nobody dislikes them and there's no question they go well with a coffee. Unfortunately, the game's moved on since the Rich Tea's heyday and modern fans expect something more exotic from their biscuit.

5. Maryland Cookies

If we're splitting hairs then, yes, technically this is a cookie and not a biscuit. But if it's a chocolatey treat you want with your coffee, these bad boys are hard to beat. Robust yet satisfyingly melty once dunked, these classic cookies have chunks in all the right places.

4. Biscotti

Like cookies, some purists may question biscotti's inclusion on this list. But if you can't get past the fact that they're a different shape to your common or garden biscuit, you're really missing a trick. Originating in Italy, these twice-baked, almond flavoured delights were born to be enjoyed with a fresh cup of good coffee.

3. Shortbread

Ah shortbread. Neither short nor bread-like, what these classic biscuits lack in a sensible name they more than make up for in deliciousness. Dense, sweet, buttery and among the driest biscuits on the market, eating shortbread without coffee simply isn't an option.

2. Dark Chocolate Digestives

Any variation on the classic digestive biscuit could easily have claimed second spot on this list however there's just something about the combination of rich, aromatic coffee and rich, slightly bitter dark chocolate that works so well together. Add in the crunch of the biscuit base and you've got yourself a contender for the biscuit-to-enjoy-with-a-coffee hall of fame.

1. Biscoff

When it comes to biscuits to enjoy with a coffee, nothing beats Biscoff. They're crunchy, they don't fall apart when dunked, they're small enough that you can eat several in a single sitting without feeling guilty and, most importantly, they're delicious. A combination of caramel and cinnamon - both excellent accompaniments to a cup of coffee on their own - Biscoff is biscuit royalty.

Whatever biscuit you prefer, be sure you match it with a quality coffee from Cafe2U. Find your nearest van here and make a booking.

Also, keep an eye on our social channels for our 'Best Biscuit To Have With Coffee' poll to help decide once and for all which biscuit is the best.

Things to Look Forward to After Lockdown

The government has now introduced a plan to get us out of lockdown, so we have decided to put together a list of all the coffee-related things you can enjoy each step of the way.

Outdoor Meetings and Sports - March 29th

If the return of schools goes smoothly, then we will be onto the next step of the roadmap of recovery. You can now plan to meet friends and family outdoors on March 29th - using the ‘rule of six’ or two households.

This step also includes the return of outdoor sports for adults and children. You can now participate in five-a-side football, jog with your friends, play golf and much more.

It’s important for sports to return for our physical and mental health - take a look at one of our previous blogs regarding coffee and exercise and how it can help to improve your fitness. We also recently listed out the health benefits that coffee can give you, both physically and mentally!

Retail to Open Back Up - April 12th

One of the first major steps is on 12th of April, which sees the return of retail and outdoor hospitality, with a few indoor facilities opening - we can all get our haircuts again! We can start planning to enjoy our lives a little bit more, with outdoor restaurants and pubs also taking bookings from the 12th.

Gyms will also be back open and ready for business - which is great news for fitness lovers. Make sure you grab a Cafe2U coffee before you head to the gym to maximize your workout - we are just a message away!

Indoor Activities to Return - May 17th

May 17th will see the return of indoor activities - we will be able to return to some of our favourite locations, like stadiums and restaurants.

You will be able to book indoor restaurants, visit the cinema and even see your favourite sports team live. Many of us will be returning to office life, so you’ll need to make sure you are fully caffeinated - check out our coffee benefits at work blog.

You will also be able to book one of our mobile coffee vans to bring you our award-winning menu of coffees and food to your workplace or event. Whether it’s an industrial estate, office block or a 10k run, our mobile cafés have got you covered.

No more Limits on Social Contact - June 21st

With hopefully no limits on social contact, large events, and nightclubs set to return on June 21st - the perfect time to enjoy a coffee wherever you like.

Cafe2U will be back in full capacity, serving our loyal customers across the United Kingdom - we can’t wait. We hope to see you all at a van this June enjoying a drink from our summer range.

Mother’s Day Coffee Gift Ideas

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to grab your coffee-loving mum a java-inspired gift. So we’ve put together a list of the best coffee gifts for this Mother’s Day, from reusable cups to your favourite Cafe2U coffee!

Their Very Own Ecoffee Cup

Grab a Cafe2U Ecoffee Cup for your coffee-loving, environmentally conscious mother from your local Cafe2U barista. Ecoffee’s mission is to encourage the use of reusable cups and we are proud to have teamed up with them to provide environmentally friendly alternatives to paper cups.

Espresso Martini Cocktail Kit

If you’re looking for something fun for the cocktail lover in your life, then this Espresso Martini kit from Not On The High Street is just what you need. It includes a recipe card with three cocktails, including the Espresso Martini, Cuppa Joe, and Toasted Almond.

Become your mum’s personal bartender this Mother’s Day and if you can’t be together, you can enjoy a cocktail or two over Zoom.

Ultimate Afternoon Tea Selection

Treat your mum to the ultimate afternoon tea with this wonderful hamper from Marks & Spencer - it comes with a few treats, cakes, ground coffee and a selection of tea. It’s the perfect way to spend an afternoon with your mum!

Coffees of the World Gift Set

This Whittards Coffee of the World Gift Set offers a selection of brews to fit any mood, and perfect for any coffee-loving mum. From the rich and chocolatey to the sweet and fruity there’s plenty of flavours and nations to explore.

Treat them to a Cafe2U Coffee

If you or your mum are regular Cafe2U visitors you can purchase the same delicious coffee you enjoy everyday as a gift to enjoy at home, or you could simply order their favourite coffee straight to their door using the Cafe2U app.

We have a huge selection of coffee, tea and hot chocolate available - take a look at the full menu here.

We are still on the Road

We hope you and your family have a wonderful Mother’s Day and get to spend time with your loved ones. Remember, we are still on the road, ready to serve our freshly-brewed, barista-made coffee and hot drinks all over the UK.

5 Reasons to Become a Cafe2U Franchisee

Are you looking to start your own franchise business? Then Cafe2U is perfect for you - within 4-6 weeks you could be a qualified barista and mobile coffee franchise owner, serving your first customers in your own exclusive area. 

Want to know more? Below we have listed 5 reasons why a Cafe2U franchise is the business opportunity you have been waiting for:

1. It Attracts a Loyal Customer Base

People are drawn in by your Mercedes-Benz Cafe2U van and if they like you and your coffee, these same people will become regulars, requesting your services at business parks and other areas. In other words, where there’s demand for you, gaining a loyal customer base is easy.

2. It’s Unique

There are plenty of coffee shops, but not many of them sell their coffee on the road. Cafe2U provides the best equipment to get you out on the road serving barista-quality coffee - you’ll get a Mercedes-Benz Vito van, a commercial espresso machine and on-demand grinder. Plus, with our 4 to 6 week training program you will quickly become a qualified mobile barista. Find out more here. 

3. You can Upsell

Whilst coffee is a very important part of every Cafe2U franchise, it doesn’t have to be the only thing you focus on. Capitalise on your coffee sales and you can sell pastries, sandwiches, biscuits and snacks - people will gladly buy these upsell items to complement their coffee break. Cafe2U has potential to make money beyond coffee!

4. You’re given Support and Opportunities

Cafe2U organises and hosts regular national and regional meetings for our coffee van franchisees across the UK. These meetings provide the perfect opportunity to meet, network and swap tips and tricks with your fellow mobile coffee business owners. 

As well as this, on-going support is available and designed to suit franchisee needs at different times of the franchise journey - this covers everything from phone calls, visits and operational updates.

5. It’s Relaxed

You can create your own relaxed working environment, simply serving your loyal customers, and with the new Cafe2U app customers can pre-order their drinks before you arrive; so you can make them ahead of time, helping you serve customers in a more timely manner.

You can also keep in touch with your potential customers via social media pages that Cafe2U can help set up - keeping them informed of your whereabouts and if you’ll be serving in their area today. It also gives them the chance to give you feedback and inform Cafe2U about what a good of a job you’re doing!

Those are just five reasons why becoming a Cafe2u franchisee is perfect for you - take a look at our how to become a franchisee page today! 

How Coffee can Help Improve your Fitness

As we head into 2021, many will be wanting to burn off those Christmas calories. Well there’s no need for any pre-workout or supplements, coffee can do the trick! 

Below we’ve explained some of the ways that coffee can improve your fitness, physical performance and help you recover - using the science of course!

Be sure you take a look at our alternative milks blog as well, if you’re looking for a change in diet alongside your fitness goals.

What Exactly can Coffee do to the Body?

Coffee, when consumed before exercise, can cause fat cells to be used as an energy source as opposed to glycogen. Also, drinking highly concentrated caffeine in a short black coffee without the dilution of milk will increase your metabolism, which makes you burn more calories throughout the day.  

When Should you Drink Coffee before a Workout?

Not too long after you finish that cup, is what research has shown!

If you’re looking to begin your run or home workout when your caffeine boost is at its most powerful, you’re going to want to consume that caffeine goodness around 45 minutes before you start to exercise. 

The peak concentration of caffeine in the bloodstream occurs around 45 minutes after drinking. From that point forward, your body is burning through the caffeine, lessening its effects. So if you hit the weights you’re going to be experiencing the peak of your caffeine buzz before your body has had time to process that coffee.

Make sure that you don’t exceed your 400mg of caffeine allowance during the day though, so if you are having a coffee before make sure it’s in moderation.

It can Decrease muscle Pain

Post workout pain, known as DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness), can be very painful for the following few days after a tough workout. 

In a study to be published in the issue of The Journal of Pain, a team of University of Georgia researchers finds that moderate doses of caffeine, roughly equivalent to two cups of coffee, cut post-workout muscle pain by up to 48 percent in a small sample of volunteers.

So next time you feel sore, get some Cafe2U coffee down you and you should be back on the mend and raring to go!

It can Help Your Performance

Caffeine can increase adrenaline levels and release fatty acids from your fat tissues. It also leads to significant improvements in physical performance.

As we previously mentioned in our health benefits of coffee blog, coffee has numerous positive effects from concentration, endurance and increasing metabolism and burning fat. 

This article from Very Well Fit summarises all the physical benefits from coffee into six solid points. 

How Cafe2U can Help

With our new 2021 drinks range, you can use us as your coffee hub - as you get back to full fitness! 

Speak to your local barista and they will be able to provide you with our full menu, they can also provide you with alternative milks if you’re looking to go dairy free this year. Let us know what changes you will be trying to make in 2021 and let us know your workout routines!

Alternative Milks Explained

As we enter 2021, you may be look for ways to become healthier and some may even be taking part in Veganuary - the 31 day challenge of going vegan. So if you’re looking for a means of getting the best of both worlds, you may want to try switching to alternative milks.

But what exactly are alternative milks and which ones are the best for you? Let’s go through each option to help you decide which one you might want to try.

Oat Milk

One of the most popular alternative milks within the coffee community, with a delicious creamy taste! Made by blending water and oats, and then straining out the liquid it’s a fantastic and naturally sweet alternative as it is low in protein and contains no saturated fat - giving you your essential vitamins and minerals.

You can see all the listed out health benefits of this vegan friendly milk ​here​.

Soya Milk

Soya milk is made by soaking and grinding soy beans. The beans are typically soaked overnight, their skins are then removed before being blended with water and strained. The remaining liquid or ‘milk’ is then heated before being cooled and stored, after which it is ready to consume - becoming soya milk!

Soya milk is rich in fibre which has a considerable effect on the BMI and good cholesterol levels - perfect for those looking to burn off those Christmas pounds! It also makes for an excellent post-workout drink, if you’re also getting back to the gym as a New Year’s resolution.

Coconut Milk

Coconut milk comes from the white flesh of mature brown coconuts. The texture is similar to skimmed milk, which can be a plus when it comes making lattes. We personally think it goes perfectly with a Cafe2U hot chocolate!

Coconut milk is highly rich in fibre and is perfect for those that are lactose intolerant - as it’s lactose-free! BBC Good Food has the perfect guide to all its nutritional information and included some recipes you can incorporate coconut milk into! Take a read ​here​.

Almond Milk

Lastly, almond milk is one of the most popular nut-based milk alternatives for coffee. Almond milk is made by blending almonds with water and then straining the mixture to remove the solids. You can also make it by adding water to almond butter.

It ticks all the boxes for being healthy, low in calories and is lactose and dairy free! Usually, extra nutrients such as calcium, riboflavin, vitamin E and vitamin D are added to it to boost its nutritional content.

Cafe2U is Here to Help

If you’re looking to make these health and diet changes this 2021 then Cafe2U is here to help you!

Our vans are stacked with alternative milks and wonderful coffees! Whether you are vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian or just trying to make a change, our range is suitable for everyone!

Get in contact with your ​local barista​ today to find out more!

Festive Recipes: Christmas Bakes that Everyone can Make

As we get even closer to Christmas, here at Cafe2U we’ve decided to compile a list of recipes of all the best festive bakes we can find.

Our list should get you right into the Christmas spirit, plus most of these come with a Cafe2U coffee twist!

Gingerbread Latte Cake

For all the latte lovers out there, this decadent cake serves up to sixteen people! This showstopper has many different flavours, spices and of course that wonderful hint of coffee!

It’s a cake that requires a lot of effort to make, so be prepared to spend around three hours preparing and baking! If you’re feeling really creative add some decorative edible Christmas trees on top to really impress your family and friends!

You can find the full ingredients and method from Sainsbury’s. We hope you enjoy making this wonderful cake!

Espresso Martini Cake

Another delight from Sainsbury’s, the Espresso Martini Cake - it’s the perfect grown up treat to enjoy over Christmas!

It’s a chocolate sponge cake that’s then drizzled with boozy coffee syrup then layered up with indulgent espresso icing at the top! It’s another big cake that can serve a lot of people. 

Take a look at the full list of ingredients and the seven steps it takes to make this spin on the alcohol beverage. 

Coffee Chocolate Christmas Cake

A coffee and chocolate twist on the classic Christmas cake, for all of you that would prefer a much more indulgent treat! If your family and guests fancy a change, we recommend that you prepare this cake the night before - so you can enjoy this gorgeous cake together on Christmas Day.

Take a look at the lists of ingredients and the method for making this delightful cake here. 

Mince Pies

This recipe from BBC Good Food, is ideal if you don’t want to put too much effort into making them but still want a delicious treat. It’s easy to get the kids involved and there’s also no rolling required!

Take a look at what ingredients you need and the six step method to make these pies here. 

Christmas Biscuits

Here’s another example where the kids can get involved in the prep and baking. What’s more, you can cut out a range of festive shapes from the spiced orange dough and get creative decorating them with pretty coloured icing.

Take a look at the full ingredients and cooking instructions for these great Christmas treats! 

Christmas with Cafe2U

We wanted to give you a little reminder that our Christmas drinks have returned - and one of our festive beverages could be the perfect accompaniment to this baking.

This means our Christmas Classics and Winter Warmers range is back ready for you to enjoy. There are drinks such as the Gingerbread Latte, the Festive Spiced Biscuit Cappuccino and an Irish Cream Mocha - plus many more! Be sure to ask your local barista to see the full menu.

Also, if you’re struggling with gift ideas this Christmas or fancy some last minute shopping, we have the perfect coffee gift guide. Take a look at our Christmas coffee gifts blog here and see our present suggestions that are perfectly designed for coffee lovers.