Why operators are choosing Q Grader approved coffee

For example, would your customers rather a more savoury, malty flavour, or are they perhaps drawn to fruity or citrussy notes? It is here where the expertise of a Q Grader is invaluable in being able to identify these aspects of a coffee and create a blend that gives consumers exactly what they want.

The coffee experts at Lincoln & York have their ear to the ground when it comes to the latest coffee trends and consumer preferences and at the moment are seeing a much bigger demand for 100% Arabica blends, and for medium-lighter roasts, which allow the individual flavours of the coffee to really stand-out.

Beyond house blends, consumer demand for speciality coffee is also on the rise with Lincoln & York’s research finding that almost half of those surveyed said they would ‘always’, or ‘occasionally’ pay more to try a speciality blend or single origin coffee. With this in mind, operators should consider featuring a speciality coffee on their menu as a signpost of premium quality. But what makes a coffee speciality?

Q Graders score coffees on a 100-point scale, evaluating all attributes of the flavour profile including acidity, body and balance. To be deemed speciality the coffee must score 80 or more on the Q scale – making this the best quality coffee that you can serve to your customers and offering a superior flavour and aroma. With the help of a Q Grader, you can decide which speciality offering aligns best with your existing menu and take your consumers’ coffee experience to another level.

Tried and tasted

Q Graders can assess everything from green beans to finished roasts and can detect defects or inconsistencies at any stage of the process. These defects can be the result of issues anywhere along the supply chain from growing and harvesting to processing which is why its key to assess coffee at every stage to avoid the end product being anything less than perfect.

Enlisting the skills of one of the UK’s 134 Q Graders not only ensures that any defects are identified as early on in the process as possible, but also ensures operators deliver a consistent coffee experience for their customers every time.

At Lincoln & York, three in-house Q Graders are responsible for assessing all of the 9,000 tonnes of coffee that comes through the roastery each year. Tasting 150 cups a day, the Lincoln & York team cup pre-shipment samples from origin, green bean arrivals at the roastery and post-roast samples to ensure quality and consistency for its customers.

Served with a side of support

And the work doesn’t stop once the coffee has been created. With more consumers keen to understand the characteristics of their coffee and how these come about, Q Graders can support in educating operators so they in turn can share the story behind their coffee with customers.

In terms of practical support, a Q Grader will also be able to provide any guidance operators may need to ensure every coffee gets the treatment it deserves. From calibrating a coffee machine to helping master barista skills, Q Graders can support in ensuring coffee is always served to perfection.

As consumer expectations around coffee continue to rise, there’s no better time to enlist the help of an expert coffee partner to make sure your coffee is consistently hitting the spot.

The Q Graders at Lincoln & York offer a range of services including blend matching and bespoke blend creation, working closely with operators to refine their end product. Lincoln & York has been producing high quality coffee for the out of home market for over 30 years, combining expertise, insight and artistry to create perfect blends for 150 customers across out of home and retail.

So, if you’re looking to perfect the art of out of home coffee, get in touch to discuss your blend requirements and arrange a blend match with the experts at Lincoln & York.

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