In our recent coffee conversation, we delved into the world of gourmet coffee, revealing intriguing insights into the meticulous process that goes into crafting our beloved coffee flavors. From discussing our unique approach to flavored coffee, exploring the science behind flavor ratios, and addressing allergen considerations, we covered a wide range of topics that reflect our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
One fascinating aspect of our coffee creation process is our distinctive approach to flavored coffee. We take pride in selecting a neutral base coffee, steering clear of overpowering earthiness or acidity, allowing our flavors to shine without being overshadowed. Unlike some purists who dismiss flavored coffee, we recognize that a significant portion of our business is built on crafting exceptional flavored coffees that delight our customers' taste buds.
During our conversation, we shared an anecdote from a coffee convention where a renowned speaker expressed skepticism about flavored coffee. Laurie, our COO promptly stood up to address the misconception, explaining that flavored coffee accounts for a substantial portion of our business. The key difference lies in our commitment to using 100% specialty-grade Arabica coffee beans, representing the top 3% of coffee produced globally. We then enhance the coffee with flavoring oils and extracts post-roasting, ensuring that each flavor is meticulously calibrated to achieve the perfect balance.
Our dedication to precision is evident in our meticulous flavoring process. Every flavor has its unique ratio, and we conduct extensive testing to ensure it's just right. Given the natural variations in coffee batches, maintaining consistency is a scientific challenge we continuously embrace. For our K-Cup production, we employ a specialized process with a small sprayer to individually infuse each cup with flavor, guaranteeing a consistently delightful taste experience.
Our journey into the world of coffee flavoring led us to explore the distinction between natural and artificial flavoring. While some advocate for purely natural ingredients, our research unveiled a deeper understanding. Natural flavors, derived from plant or animal sources, are not always as straightforward as they seem. For instance, we discovered that natural vanilla flavor originates from the secretions of a beaver's anal glands, shedding light on the complexity of natural flavor origins.
We also delved into the process of decaffeination, contrasting natural decaffeination methods using ethyl acetate with the Swiss water process we use. While both involve natural substances, the application of these chemicals in decaffeination is anything but "natural." Our commitment to transparency and quality ensures that our customers can enjoy our decaf coffee with confidence.
Allergen considerations are paramount in our coffee crafting process. We take pride in ensuring that all our flavorings are free of the top eight allergens, providing peace of mind for customers with dietary restrictions. Even our nut-flavored coffees, like Toasted Almond and Hazelnut, contain no allergenic particles, as these flavors are sourced artificially. This meticulous approach extends to our allergen-conscious practices in our production facility.
Our conversation also touched on the history of some of our previous flavored coffee offerings, such as Hawaiian Coconut, Swiss Mocha Almond, and Cinnamon Supreme. While these flavors once incorporated real ingredients, we transitioned away from them due to allergen concerns. We believe this change has not compromised the quality or popularity of our flavored coffees, as evidenced by our continually satisfied customer base.
In addition to our flavoring process, we discussed our dedication to serving our customers better through website enhancements. We are embarking on a redesign journey to make our website more user-friendly and intuitive. While these changes may take time to implement fully, our goal is to streamline your online coffee shopping experience and make finding your favorite blends even easier.
Our chat wouldn't be complete without mentioning the exciting news about our VIP Access program. This membership offers exclusive access to our limited-time-only (LTO) coffee flavors, ensuring that you never miss out on your favorites. We encourage you to take advantage of this program to enjoy early access to LTO releases.
As we continue to innovate and refine our coffee offerings, we want you to know that your feedback is invaluable to us. We embrace your suggestions and ideas, striving to create an even better coffee experience for you. Our commitment to quality, flavor, and customer satisfaction remains unwavering, and we look forward to sharing many more coffee conversations with you in the future.
