Tradecraft Outfitters

09/22/2021

Home-Brewing Adventures

As is approaching quickly, we wanted to share again with you this educational video from our expert educator, Ashley, on how to make home-brewed drip coffee!

09/20/2021

National Coffee Day

We love turning everyday moments into something special. Tradecraft Outfitters is a one-stop solution distributing craft coffee and specialty tea with the equipment, training, service, and accessories needed to deliver memorable moments. Learn more at www.tradecraft.me.

09/16/2021

Chicago Scene at Metropolis Coffee Roasterie

Love seeing our coffee roaster partners featured. Check out this highlight on Metropolis Coffee Company by Chicago's local WGN Morning News, including a virtual roasting tour!

09/11/2021

On the 20th anniversary of the attack on the Twin Towers in NYC, today we remember all the lives lost, their families, and the brave heroes who were there that day.

09/10/2021

We're Hiring! Do you love educating? Do you love coffee? Our Educator and Cafe Consultant will uphold Tradecraft’s vision to give our customers the tools to create a successful coffee program through education, hands-on training, and continuous support. Learn more at bit.ly/TCOEducator.

08/30/2021

Coffee Selection for Your Craft Beverage Program - Craft Coffee & Tea Distributors - Tradecraft Outfitters

A specialty coffee program should be an integral part of your hospitality business, supporting a high-quality experience for your guests all the way through to the end of the meal. A 2021 National Coffee Association survey shows a higher percentage of specialty coffee drinkers in afternoon and evening dayparts, underscoring the need to offer a variety of specialty coffee beverages in venues that operate in those times.

Read more in our latest blog post for criteria in selecting the right coffee partner for your business.

Need help setting up an end-to-end beverage program solution with carefully vetted coffee/tea, equipment support, and training? We do all of that so you can focus on providing the very best hospitality experience to your guests, right down to the cup of coffee with their dessert, the great finish that will bring them back time and again.

A specialty coffee program should be an integral part of your hospitality business, supporting a high-quality experience for your guests all the way through to the end of the meal. A 2021 National Coffee Association survey shows a higher percentage of specialty coffee drinkers in afternoon and eveni...

08/26/2021

We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Hyatt Alila Napa Valley on their morning coffee experience for guests at their coffee bar. This is such a beautiful property and a great place to grab a cup of Red Bay Coffee.

08/21/2021

We are loving the new features in the Mazzer grinder line - both have aesthetic upgrades and some exciting functional improvements. Most notably, users are now able to access the grinder chamber for cleaning without using their grind setting. Additionally, there is an improved user interface with more robust usage statistics!

08/09/2021

GB5 S - Superior temperature control - La Marzocco USA

We are thrilled to see this new equipment from La Marzocco USA. We appreciate the updated electronics that allow for on-board testing of valves, allowing the technician to determine if a component is faulty without opening the machine and disconnecting the wires for diagnostics, saving both the technician and the client valuable time.

The GB5 S also adds built-in water quality monitoring capabilities, allowing techs a window into how well filtration is performing without disconnecting the machine from its water source and collecting samples for testing.

Finally, this machine features the same easy-rebuild steam valves that debuted on the KB90. These valves cut down significantly on the time it takes to complete preventative maintenance, with steam valve rebuilds being the most time-consuming task on the original GB5.

Equipped with a CPU board, the La Marzocco GB5 combines gracious lines and harmonious curves with powerful technological advancements

07/23/2021

We tried some Smith Teamaker refreshing summer tea cocktails with a sophisTEAcated flair. This week, Rebecca walks us through the drink building of Smith's Tropical Summer Iced Tea in the video. Smith Tea's full recipe below.

Ingredients:50 oz unaged cachaca75 oz Aperol
1 oz Lillet Rose75 oz Smith Big Hibiscus tea syrup (see notes)

Instructions:
1. Add all ingredients into a shaker tin with ice and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
2. Strain into a coupe glass.
3. Garnish with a grapefruit peel.

Notes:
To make Big Hibiscus tea syrup: Bring 12 ounces of freshly drawn filtered water to a boil in a medium saucepan and remove from heat. Add Big Hibiscus iced tea sachet and steep for 5 minutes. Remove sachet and add 4 cups of sugar. Stir until dissolved and add 20 oz of filtered water. Bottle, date, and refrigerate.

07/20/2021

Welcome Jeff Batchelder to the Tradecraft Team! ☕📕⁠
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Jeff first began working as a barista in 2001 but took a deep dive into the world of specialty coffee in 2008 and hasn’t looked back since. Having worked as an educator for two of the most influential craft coffee roasters – Intelligentsia Coffee Co. and Counter Culture Coffee – he's worked alongside world-class baristas and green coffee buyers, while also having the opportunity to train hundreds of baristas over the years.⁠
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Equipped with a finely tuned palate and a calm demeanor, Jeff helps baristas to improve their skills by assessing where they are and helping them discover avenues to level up their skillsets. When not tasting coffee, he likes to camp, hike, or grab a drink with friends – but he also appreciates a nice, quiet evening in his home in Denver. ⁠
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We are excited to have such a seasoned coffee professional join the team. Welcome, Jeff! 👏⁠

07/19/2021

We're excited to see more businesses reopening to 100%. We got to spend some time with the folks at Coco and Blue Café for a barista refresh training.

Coco & Blu is a must-stop when in Arlington Heights, IL! Hang out all day with a delicious cup of Dollop Coffee Company made on their beautifully blue espresso machine, and then enjoy a hand-crafted cocktail in the evening. 🥂

07/16/2021

Happy ! Treat yourself to a cool, caffeinated delight - matcha affogato. 🍵🍦 Our barista training team recommends coconut milk ice cream, if you have it.

Ingredients:
1 tsp matcha powder
2 oz hot water
1 scoop (6 oz) ice cream

Preparation:
add matcha powder to bowl
add hot water
whisk powder and water together until frothy and free from lumps.
pour prepared matcha over your scoop of ice cream & ENJOY!

07/15/2021

We are thrilled to see more tradeshows coming back. During June’s Coffee Fest San Antonio, we asked some of our roaster partners to share their experience!

Jason Cain from Greater Goods Coffee Co. emphasized the importance of trade shows as a networking event. “It’s always great to be able to interface with colleagues and make new connections! It goes a long way towards building camaraderie in our industry. They are also quite useful for keeping up to date with new equipment offerings.” Having the chance to connect or re-connect with folks in-person post pandemic reaches a new depth of meaning for us all these days.

Christi Bond from Independence Coffee Co. compared 2021 Coffee Fest to other years, saying it “felt small and connected, not rushed and very laid back and energetic at the same time. Everyone was excited to be there, out in the world again enjoying coffee the way you are supposed to.” Christi said they were asked to showcase their products at the Texas Trail booth. Also, very exciting to hear Christi was invited to be a panelist on the Entrepreneur Panel for starting your own coffee business. She says, “that was an honor, as I love sharing our experiences over the years with other aspiring entrepreneurs.”

Mike Miller from Dillanos Coffee Roasters shared, “Coffee Fest San Antonio was a blast! It was super fun reconnecting in-person and living out our mission to Help People, Make Friends and Have Fun! Can’t wait for Coffee fest Atlanta on July 15th and 16th! Stop by booth #702, try some of our brand new amazing Dillanos shelf stable ready to drink cold brew and say Hi.”

We look forward to catching up with more folks at the live coffee events coming up!

07/14/2021

Pleased to be working with Alien Donuts in Scottsdale, AZ. Now you can grab some Cult Artisan Beverage Co. espresso drinks, cold brew, and botanical teas with some out of this world donuts.

07/13/2021

Tradecraft Service Tech Training in San Diego with new trainees! We had the opportunity to install, calibrate, and go over periodic maintenance and emergency service for Nuova Simonelli and La Marzocco espresso machines. We dialed in the Mazzer grinder to Tradecraft spec and tasted some delicious Cafe Moto espresso blend.

07/09/2021

Hot tip for a cool, refreshing menu item: Cold brew your iced tea directly in your operation's tea chiller overnight. Do you need equipment for the coffee and tea programs in your business? Learn more about our programs at tradecraft.me!

07/07/2021

Tone Touch 03 wins 2021 SCA Award for Commercial Coffee Preparation, Serving Equipment

We love geeking out over cool commercial coffee brewing equipment!

The TONE Touch 03 has won the SCA Best New Product Award. Each year, the Best New Product Competition recognizes new products that ...

07/05/2021

How to Brew The Perfect Cup of Tea

Whether your customers prefer their tea green, dark, or somewhere in between, water quality and the ability to dial into the appropriate water temperature is just as important as the quality of the tea you are providing. As consumer knowledge, demand, and curiosity grows, Tradecraft Outfitters can help ensure that your café has the right equipment to product a quality cup for all type of tea.

Traditional teas remain popular, and we have seen new methods beyond the basics. Learn with Marco how to make a perfect cup of tea

06/23/2021

Supplier Spotlight – Copa Vida with Steve Chang – Craft Coffee & Tea Distributors - Tradecraft Outfitters

Steve Chang and his wife exited their family's noodle and pasta business looking for their next venture. They traveled the world to experience and learn about specialty coffee – including coffee farm visits. The visit in Costa Rica was where they learned the phrase Pura Vida that led to Copa Vida's name today.

As Steve puts it, it's the love of cafes that drove him. "Creating spaces where community could be built over a shared love of coffee, teas and great food."

Copa Vida understands the importance of the story behind the coffee and the development of an experience for the consumer. Their goal and vision is to be approachable and welcoming, authentic and transparent, and an engaged member of the local and global community.

Tradecraft is proud to work with the best craft coffee and specialty tea partners around the country. Our success depends on the relationships we’ve built with our roasters and growers and our portfolio represents the best in the country. It’s a privilege to be a part of this global community an...

06/21/2021

We are pleased to share that Tradecraft Outfitters will is now supporting the café program at Space Center Houston featuring Independence Coffee Roasters and Tea Smith with Rise Brewing and Brew Dr. on tap. Grounds Control Coffee Bar is a brand-new café, outfitted by Tradecraft, perfect for grabbing a coffee on the go or spacing out for a while.

06/19/2021

Today we are celebrating freedom, perseverance, human rights, and a more hopeful future.

06/16/2021

Ready to cool down with one of Intelligentsia Coffee's new RTDs – Cold Coffee, Oat Latte, and Oat Spiced Latte are all vegan, gluten-free, packaged in grab-n-go 100% recyclable 11oz Tetra-Pak cartons. Be sure to stock your pantries, office spots, and retail shelves with these. Visit tradecraft.me/contact-us to get in touch with us today!

06/11/2021

Graduate East Lansing is a real show stopper, especially with their hunter green La Marzocco Linea! Tradecraft's Director of Education made an account training visit and said, "This was the first time I used the updated Mazzer grinder. It’s quite user friendly and doses coffee consistently!"

06/09/2021

As many as 62% of specialty coffee drinkers are more likely to experiment and more likely to try new types of coffee since the start of the pandemic. Now is the time to encourage exploration with your menus whether it be with your coffee selection or the specialty beverage you are offering. Learn more about our programs at https://www.tradecraft.me/.

06/07/2021

Did you know that 53% of people miss the social aspect of getting coffee out of home, 52% miss going to their coffee spots, and 51% miss treating themselves to specialty coffee away from home? Tradecraft is a one-stop solution providing you the coffee and tea products, brewing equipment, barista training, and technical services for the brewing equipment.

06/03/2021

Supplier Spotlight – Copa Vida with Steve Chang – Craft Coffee & Tea Distributors - Tradecraft Outfitters

"Simply providing price points, nutritional data and traceability reports are no longer enough. More companies are interested in knowing the background and depth of the products they purchased." In honor of AAPI heritage month, we sat down with Steve Chang, co-founder and owner of Copa Vida. We wanted to hear his story as a Korean immigrant and as a coffee professional in the industry. Read the full interview here:

Tradecraft is proud to work with the best craft coffee and specialty tea partners around the country. Our success depends on the relationships we’ve built with our roasters and growers and our portfolio represents the best in the country. It’s a privilege to be a part of this global community an...

06/01/2021

✨Honey Matcha Shaker ✨ Matcha: a green tea powder that can be whisked with water to create a "shot", similar to a shot of espresso. It's high in antioxidants and strengthens the immune system. For this drink, that shot is shaken with honey, ice, and coconut milk. We recommend the Pacific Barista Series Coconut Milk!

Ingredients:
◾ 1 tsp Matcha Powder
◾ 2.5 oz hot water
◾ 0.5 oz honey
◾ ice filled to just below the glass rim and coconut milk filled to 2" below the rim.

Assembly:
◾ Add matcha powder and hot water to a bowl.
◾ Whisk powder and water together until froathy and free from lumps.
◾ Add ice and coconut milk to a cup, then add to cocktail shaker.
◾ Stir honey into whisked matcha and add mixture to cocktail shaker.
◾ Shake vigorously for 10 seconds.
◾ Pour into a cup and top with ice if needed.
ENJOY!

05/21/2021

Tradecraft's loose-leaf and tea sachet programs are known for their highest quality organic, fresh-every-season leaves that are sourced from tea families who have been raising traditional teas and herbs for generations. These direct relationships allow them to produce rare and exclusive teas. Our partners also share our values in sustainability, fair labor, and organic farming.

Join us in observing - a day to promote and foster collective actions to implement activities in favor of sustainable production and consumption of tea and raise awareness of its importance in fighting hunger and poverty.

05/11/2021

Thank you Lofty Coffee for hosting the Tradecraft team for a delicious cupping! Its always great to get out and connect with our local roasters.⁠

05/07/2021

The Tradecraft team stays in touch and stays educated on all things coffee and tea during their monthly coffee breaks. Led by Tradecraft’s training and education team, this month we mastered the French Press and completed a tasting of Dillanos Coffee Roasters!

05/06/2021

Guide - Best Pour Over Coffee Makers - Tradecraft Coffee Outfitters

The rich taste that highlights all the flavorful notes. The wonderful aroma that fills the room. There is something special about the pour over method that makes truly makes a difference. We wrote a blog post on how to use a pour over coffee maker and the best ones to use. Use that link in our bio to read!

Guide - Best Pour Over Coffee Makers - Tradecraft Coffee Outfitters. So much better than machine brewed coffee. Guide to find the best of the bunch.

05/04/2021

✨Coconut Turmeric Latte ✨A warming, spiced beverage for those cool spring days. The ingredients work together to not only wake us up, but also boost metabolism, fight inflammation, and are rich in antioxidants. We recommend using Pacific Barista Series Coconut Milk!

Ingredients:
◾ 5 oz Turmeric Concentrate
◾ 1/2 oz honey
◾ 5 oz coconut milk
◾ 2 espresso shots (2 oz)

Assembly:
◾ Stir honey into espresso.
◾ Steam turmeric concentrate and coconut milk together to a latte-style milk foam.
◾ Pour steamed milk mixture into espresso mixture as you would a latte.
ENJOY!

05/03/2021

There is a myriad of milk options out there. What should you even offer? As non-dairy beverages become more popular, its important to offer choice for your customers to drive sales. Tradecraft can not only provide coffee, tea, and kombucha products but we have all the syrups and accessories you need to create beverages that are tasty and on trend. Visit tradecraft.me/contact-us to get in touch with us today!

03/30/2021

When Alyza Bohbot James took over her parents’ company in 2015, she decided she was going to make it her own by creating her own path in the coffee industry. After hearing a story at the International Women’s Coffee Alliance about how a woman in Columbia was refused a loan to fix a broken piece of equipment, Alyza founded City Girl. City Girl’s goal is to source as much coffee as possible from women owned or managed farms as well as working with organizations like the IWCA and Café Femenino.

Alyza says, “City Girl is about sparking a conversation and embarking on a movement to empower the women of the world, or in our case, the women of the coffee world!”

Learn more about our partners at City Girl Coffee!