How to Choose the Right Tea for You

There you are. Happily chatting away endlessly at the ear of your boss. Your boss is clearly irritated but you just can’t seem to notice it. You go on and on about that amazing sale you had about 6 months ago and for some reason, you can’t stop talking. Now, usually, any normal boss would have kicked you out and fired you. But this boss is your friend and she’s too friendly to do that. So she just stands there, pretending to listen. But she probably understands that you’ve had too much coffee to drink again and you probably finished all the coffee syrups in your tiny apartment.

Yes, it’s time to cut back on your coffee and start drinking something else. Give your boss a break and instead of taking several cups of coffee in the morning, gulp down tea instead.

Tea is definitely a much healthier type of drink for mornings. However, because of the variety of tea leaves and beverages that you can make, you might not know which type of tea will be perfect for you.

Here’s how you can choose the right tea drink for you and how you can finally start controlling your energies again.

There are 4 main types of tea.

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Black tea is made with tea leaves that have been fermented. If you really need to get your mind working for the day without drowning yourself in coffee, this is your perfect alternative. Black tea is usually the basis of flavored tea beverages, including chai. If you have many friends that smoke, drinking black tea can help protect your lungs. It also helps to prevent stroke.

Green tea, on the other hand, is made by steaming tea leaves. One of the healthiest types of tea, Green tea can prevent clogged arteries, burn fat, counteract any oxidative stress in your brain and even reduce your risk to neurological disorders. It also helps to improve cholesterol levels. Unlike black tea, it doesn’t have as much caffeine. Because of its natural and grassy flavor, Green tea is best for those who need to relieve stress.

As a rare type of tea, White tea has developed a lot of curiosities among those who love to drink tea. It can only be picked a few weeks in a year so its supply is rare and the process of its leaves is kept a secret. Among the types of tea, White tea is also the one with less caffeine. However, it is also the one that provides the most antioxidants. Because of its light flavor, White tea is best drunk by those who want to feel refreshed and healthy.

Oolong, on the other hand, is a cross between green and black tea. The name itself means Black Dragon and it is highly known for its positive effects on your digestive system. Oolong tea can also help some people to lose weight. This kind of tea is best for those who just want to quench their thirst and try something new.

Cut back on coffee and try tea this time around. Better yet, invite your boss so you both can stop drinking too much coffee for one day. 

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Important Aspects of a Good Coffee Shop

Starting a coffee shop may be easy if you have a good coffee machine and a lot of recipes for coffee drinks. However, besides that, you’ll also have to consider a few other aspects in order to make sure your coffee shop stays in business.

Variety of coffee

No one likes a coffee shop with a limited menu. Gone are those days when black coffee was the only variation of coffee itself. Today, coffee has many different versions. If you don’t have different types of coffee to offer, people may favor those with a wider selection over your good coffee. After all, nothing beats coffee that tastes like raspberry. And you don’t have to be an expert barista either. Coffee syrups are available everywhere and you can simply mix them into your coffee to change its flavor.

Variety of drinks

Coffee shouldn’t be the only thing you offer in your coffee shop. Despite its name, you should also be open to offering various kinds of tea,juices and other beverages in your shop. Offer milk tea or green tea. Have a set of juices on display. The wider your selection, the bigger your market.

Food

No coffee shop can be complete without some food. Even if it’s just a small selection of desserts and pastries, giving your customers something to eat while they stay in the coffee shop is a good way to earn more. Besides, coffee is always good with food. Customers who will stay in your coffee shop for hours will end up buying both food and drinks.

Comfortable environment

Have you ever thought of setting up some sofas in your coffee shop? Sofas are really soft and comfortable so your customers can rest while sipping their coffee. Choose soft seats, instead of those garden chairs that can be really hard and uncomfortable to sit on for hours. Offering a comfortable environment can make a difference, especially if you’re catering to businesspeople and students who have more than the stress they can take. If you provide your customers with a comfortable environment, they’ll keep coming back – even if it’s just for your soft seats.

Atmosphere and ambiance

One of the major aspects of a coffee shop, both the atmosphere and the ambiance makes a difference for most coffee shops. Usually, this is the only aspect that differentiates coffee shops from one another. But if you can give your customers the right amount of lighting and welcoming ambiance, they’ll be back another day. Refrain from putting up bright lights, it’ll hurt your customers’ eyes. Play some soft, relaxing music and decorate your coffee shop with art. Stack books or magazines for some light reading.

Wi-Fi

Internet is a really big thing for people nowadays. If a person isn’t in a coffee shop to read, then they might be there just to go online. Giving your customers free Wi-Fi access will allow them to come back, just so they can bum off your internet as well. Now if they’ll be staying in your coffee shop, they’ll be obliged to buy from you. It’s a win-win situation. 

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Pros and Cons of Buying Used Restaurant Equipment

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The problem with starting a restaurant is that sometimes, you don’t have all the money to make it all work. There are so many things that you need when it comes to running a restaurant and even with a good, planned budget, sometimes, it doesn’t all work out. In fact, when you see the prices of used equipment, the desire to spend less might cloud your better judgment. If you spend less on equipment, you might be able to spend more on supplies like custom beverage napkins or personalized plates and cups.

Before you make a decision on buying brand new restaurant equipment or settling on secondhand stuff, use these pros and cons in buying used restaurant equipment to help you make your decision.

 Pros:

-          There’s nothing better than getting one of the major equipment for a cheaper price. If you’re buying secondhand restaurant equipment, there’s a possibility that you’ll be paying a fraction less than what it would usually cost at a hardware store. Now if you were to spend that much less for equipment, you can spend more on other important stuff for your restaurant.

-          The beauty of secondhand restaurant equipment is that most of the time, they will come from restaurant owners whose businesses didn’t last very long. If they are desperate to get rid of their equipment, you can haggle the price to your liking and they’ll probably agree to it just to get rid of the equipment and earn back some money.

-          Some owners will also be so desperate to sell the items that they’ll let you leave with lots of freebies. If you buy more than one equipment from them, they might end up throwing more into your purchases, free of charge.

Cons

-          The problem with buying used restaurant equipment is that the item sold to you may not be of good condition anymore. What if you buy equipment for an expensive price only to find it broken the week after? You’ll spend more just having it repaired and that’s not something a new restaurant can afford.

-          Speaking of repairing equipment, you’ll only spend more money. Used restaurant equipment may have some hidden defects and if you’re not careful, the seller will take advantage of your trust to sell the equipment to you at a much higher price. If the equipment happens to break down after a few uses, it might take more than the original price you paid for just to get it back to its good shape.

Before you consider buying secondhand equipment, make sure to check the item twice. Look for defects, any signs of weaknesses that can lead to future repairs. On the other hand, other restaurant equipment and supplies can be bought secondhand. After all, there’s really nothing wrong with using an old table cloth that doesn’t have obvious spills. Do be careful in choosing where to buy your supplies and equipment whether or not it’s brand new. This stuff is critical to the success of your business. 

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Ways to Get Better Coffee

Are you wondering why you don’t seem to like your coffee? Although you love the effects of coffee, you just can’t stand its bitter taste and how you have to sit through two or three cups just to energize yourself. This is normal for many people. Sometimes, they just get so used to the taste that they never really bother to wonder why they don’t seem to enjoy the taste of coffee – at least not as much as other caffeine addicts may be.

So how can you start enjoying your coffee – for real this time?

Use a coffeemaker

As much as you may deny it all you want, maybe the problem with your coffee is the fact that you don’t brew it well enough. Coffee can have a really rewarding taste, especially if you brew it to your liking. If you use powdered coffee, you won’t be able to control the strength of your coffee. And if you don’t know how to use a coffeemaker right, you might not be getting the best benefits of it. By using a coffeemaker, you can get a different taste out of your everyday coffee run.

It’s not just any coffeemaker though. There are different types out there and sometimes, you need to choose which one will help make the perfect coffee. It might take a lot of trial and error with different coffeemakers. However, to save time and money, you can also read reviews online to help you decide which coffeemaker might be the one you’re looking for.

Change type of coffee

But then again, maybe it’s just the taste you’re looking for. Have you tried black coffee? Coffee with milk? Coffee with sugar? If you have and you still don’t like it, then you might want to try changing the flavor instead. Nowadays, coffee beverages are available in various flavors. You can change the way your coffee tastes, just by adding flavored coffee syrups. With the use of different syrups, you can pick the flavor you want for your daily drink. By drinking flavored coffee instead of the usual morning brew, you won’t have to settle for the bitter taste anymore. Adding a good amount of these syrups can already spice up your drink. And the good thing about syrups? There are so many flavors and brands to choose from! All you have to do is find the one mix to help you enjoy your daily morning coffee.

Change your beans

If all else fails, maybe it’s time to change your coffee beans. Coffee is made in different parts of the world. Each type of coffee has its own taste. For some, the difference may not be noticeable at all. But for others who have a much more sensitive sense of taste, the difference could mean a lot. Have you tried different brands? Have you tried Arabica coffee? Arabica coffee itself has several varieties originating from different parts of the world. Or Robusta coffee? Green coffee from Brazil? One of these types of coffee beans just might help you enjoy your coffee more. 

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10 Characteristics of a Profitable Restaurant

In order to make sure that a restaurant will last for a long time in the market, you have to make sure that it has these 10 very important characteristics.

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1. Good marketing strategies – every restaurant needs to have its own way of promoting themselves to the public. Putting up a sign outside may be enough for you, but if you’re hoping to reach a time when your restaurant can finally branch out, then you may have to establish a strong marketing strategy to get the word out to people. The better your strategy, the bigger the opportunities for your restaurant.
2. Affordable supplier – a restaurant cannot last without its supplies. If you have to purchase supplies for your restaurant at sky-high prices, you’d end up having to offer expensive food. In turn, you’ll end up having a limited market. If you cannot find a cheap supplier offline, try making a search of online suppliers.
3. Good food – no restaurant can survive without good food. If you cannot provide delicious food for your customers, they won’t have any reason to go to your restaurant at all. Serving good food is one way to attract loyalty in your customers.
4. Welcoming ambiance – an important aspect of a restaurant. If your restaurant does not look welcoming or engaging for the customers, they won’t have any reasons to come back.
5. Brand awareness – if you want to make marketing your restaurant easier, building your brand is very important. Getting people to see your brand is a good way to get customers for future branches. If your restaurant can provide good food and service as part of its brand, they can expect to see this in future branches.
6. Custom made supplies – one of the best ways to promote your brand is to buy supplies that are specifically made for your restaurant. Use custom beverage napkins. Offer branded cups and have your plates printed with your logos. This way, every time a customer sees your logo, they’ll remember your food and services.
7. Caters to the likes of customers – even if you have a special type of food for your restaurant, you still need to consider your customers. What do they like? What will make them go to your restaurant more? If you cater to the requirements of your customers, you’ll attract more people.
8. Variety of menu – if you offer a limited set of menu to your customers, you’ll only end up turning them off, especially if you don’t serve a dish they like. Having some variety will allow your customers to choose which dish they want to taste for their meal. A good variety will allow them to come back for more.
9. Accepts feedback – restaurants need feedback from their customers so that they can improve in time. Set a box for suggestions and feedback by the cashier. Give your customers a chance to tell you what you should improve. This way, you know which aspect of your restaurant requires improvement.
10. Organization – your restaurant needs to be organized in order to be profitable. Keep supplies in one place. Have your sales and expenses recorded, just in case you might need them in the future. An organized business decreases the chances for mistakes and makes room for development in the future.

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Coffee or No Coffee? Other Beverages That Can Help You Energize

Mornings can be pretty hectic for anyone who didn’t get the right amount of sleep the night before. When this happens, it is important for them to find something to energize them. At least for the next 8 hours that they have to be alive, alert and awake at work. But when coffee’s just a little too much for the moment, what other beverages can you drink that won’t give you insomnia for the rest of the night?

Tea

Unlike coffee that has a good amountof caffeine resulting in keeping you up for the rest of the night, tea won’t give you the same effect. Since it only has around half the amount of caffeine in your coffee, it will stimulate your body enough for an energizing effect, but not too much that you’ll end up having to take sleeping pills just to make it through the night. Just like coffee, tea also has a good amount of antioxidants for your body. Best of all, you can choose among a wide variety of flavors so you don’t get bored with just one. Some of the most popular types of tea include green tea, licorice tea and black tea.

Smoothies and Juice

On the other hand, to stay completely away from caffeine altogether, you may want to try a cold glass of juice or smoothie instead. Juice is so much healthier than tea or coffee. And when it comes to variety, nothing beats it either. For fiber and potassium, carrot juice is the best option. Unfortunately, because it has a lot of sugar, it might not be a healthy option for a daily morning routine. Pomegranate juice, however, has 3 times the antioxidants compared to green tea. Not only that, it also functions as a blood thinner, making it excellent for the heart. A smoothie made out of cherry juice will also benefit those who suffer from arthritis, muscle pains or any other types of pain. Also filled with antioxidants, it can also prevent a heart attack, stroke or even colon cancer.

Protein Shakes

If you really need a lot of energy in the morning, then protein shakes are great for your morning routines. By drinking protein shakes, you can easily get your fruit and vegetable requirements in just one beverage. If you’re creative, you can even create your own protein shake, adding in everything you want and need in a diet. In a few minutes, you’ll get your drink and you can even bring it with you to the office. Even if you don’t eat anything, your protein shake will serve as a good substitute.

Flavored Coffee

However, if you truly cannot shake off your love for coffee, you can make a difference by using flavored coffee syrups instead. Syrups allow you to get a different taste of your favorite everyday coffee. At least, you can lessen the amount of sugar you drink daily. If you also like fruits, you can even get your coffee in the flavor of your favorite fruit.

Now, which type of beverage would you choose for your mornings?

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Party Tips: Different Ways to Prepare Your Table

When you’re preparing a party for a client, you’ll find yourself plagued with a variety of decisions in order to meet their requirements. One of these decisions includes how to prepare their party table. This decision will usually come from the client themselves. However, if they don’t know how to prepare a party, they need to give you details so you can suggest themes and ways to prepare. This way, you have to prepare the party’s entertainment, decorations, food and catering and even set up invitations, if needed. But one of the most important decisions you’ll be making will involve your preparations for the party table.

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A formal table setting is usually required in formal party themes. If your client will be having some business guests and important visitors, you’ll probably want to recommend this type of setting. In a formal party environment, your guests will be doing a sit-down meal, complete with a business-like setting.

Your plates, utensils should be placed in the right positions and your glasses should be at the upper right of your plate. If you have no idea how to create a formal table setting, there are some tutorials online that can give you ideas. Don’t forget to place the napkin above the plate, as this is one of the major differences of a formal and casual table setting. Be careful in choosing utensils and plates too. If you don’t use elegant pieces (aka proper China), you’ll end up disappointing a lot of your client’s guests.

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A casual setting, on the other hand, is for friends, maybe officemates and even bosses off hours. This type of table setting should be used only in a care-free environment. Preparing a table for a casual event is much different than that of a formal event. Most formal events have sit down dinners. Casual parties, on the other hand, not so much. If your client requires a sit-down dinner for their casual party, set the table up similar to a formal dinner style. The only difference is that the napkin is placed beside the plates instead. Now that you have a friendlier environment, you can use stylish plates and utensils. Prepare custom beverage napkins too, just in case the guests will need it after dinner.

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A buffet style party is different than both casual and formal table preparations. This time, the attention isn’t focused on the setting on the table. It’s focused on how you set the food on the table. Since all of the food will be placed on one table with the guests lining up to pile their food, you have to arrange the food in the most convenient way possible for the guests. Be sure to separate meals by table. Desserts should be with desserts, while the main course should all be in one table. Keep your appetizers in another. Don’t just place the food on the table, of course. Use your creativity to make the buffet table look attractive and convenient for guests. 

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