Why Coffee Pairings are the Future of Food Service: Elevating Menus with Thoughtful Coffee Choices

The dynamics of the culinary scene are rapidly evolving, with consumers looking for spectacular, personalised choices for even their casual cup of coffee.

Enter coffee pairings in food service. Much like wine pairings, with a little bit of this and that, some delightful coffee pairings can revolutionise a menu, bring consumers closer and help in sales.

Why Coffee Pairings Matter

Gone are the days when coffee was just a standalone beverage to be consumed after a meal. With consumers currently craving well-rounded gastronomic experiences, coffee pairings in food service have the potential to lift a simple dish to an extraordinary experience.

Imagine how good a dark roast espresso would taste with a decadent piece of chocolate torte or how exhilarating that sip of cold brew feels when taken between bites of a sweet berry tart. Be it in an upscale restaurant or a casual café, when coffee is paired with breakfast items, the appeal is almost universal.

Popular Coffee Pairing Ideas

If you’re looking forward to incorporating coffee pairings in food service, make sure to pair it right. The idea has to be engaging and exciting for the process to be an unforgettable one. For a start, try out the following coffee pairings in your food service:

Breakfast and Brunch Pairings

A creme-filled Flat White would pair well with an avocado toast, as the naturalness of the plate is complemented with the natural balance of the creme-filled glass. A lighter beverage, like yoghurt and granola, would be prominent with a fruity Single-Origin Pour Over as it would accentuate the natural sweetness of the granola.

Pastries and Sweet Treats

Savouring a patisserie with a cup of coffee is an art. A flaky, butter-filled croissant with a silky latte is a classic pair. The vigorous, frothy texture of a cappuccino balances out the dense, moist texture of a chocolate tart.

Desserts

Sweets and coffee are lovely counterparts. A strong-bodied dark-roast espresso with a decadent, molten chocolate cake fights off the chocolate’s sweetness. A fruity, tangy sorbet lemon or berry pavlova is accentuated by a cold brew.

Savoury Dishes

Coffee is a versatile ingredient with savoury items as well. A velvety, full-bodied Americano with a heirloom spinach and gruyere quiche or turkey sandwich is a powerful combination. There’s a strong, earthy synergy between flavours in this combo.

How to Implement Coffee Pairings

This trend can be a win for your business and it’s going to take every guest’s palate captive. You’ll need to create an experience that has them excited and willing to try something new. Here’s how to do it:

Staff Training

Baristas and other staff should have a good understanding of the flavour profile of a specific coffee and the choices of brewing method. From this, they can make decisions about what they think would be a good pairing for different guests.

Menu Design

Add coffee-food pairings to the menu itself and explain why a specific brew suits a particular dish. Also, add notes or symbols to make the choice that much easier for the guest.

Sourcing the Right Beans

Try to look for bean options that have distinct flavour notes. Work with a roaster to create a unique single-origin or curated blend that reflects the desired tasting notes you would like to have on your menu to complement the other items on the list.

Create Experiences

Engage with your customers with coffee pairing events and classes to educate them on their taste palettes. Invite them to join you for an interactive tasting that will teach them about how well balanced flavours can make and break a dish. Taking the time to host coffee tastings in your business cements your business as a resource for all things coffee and food.

Profitability of Coffee Pairings

Given that coffee has a fairly high-profit margin, when paired with food, operators can look at increasing the average check size. They can also encourage guests to add the perfect coffee pairing to their main dish or dessert. If they know they’re getting premium service, they will inform others and your business will make more money.

Nice coffee pairings can add appeal and even help you own a distinct marketing position. That’s fantastic to attract the right coffee crowd and the foodies. This crowd wants to try new coffees and are excited about the experience. Once they’ve tried them, they will keep coming back for more.

A Tasty Experience

Using different types of coffee in food service gives guests more than just a drink in a cup. The right bean type, paired with precision and a little creativity, can take your menu to a whole new level, providing flavour and satisfaction

If you manage a nice little restaurant, a charming coffee shop or an elegant hotel, coffee pairings might represent a simple solution to attract guests, increase profits and keep them coming for more. It’s time you started to consider this drink an ally for your proposals, so that your recipes turn into memorable opportunities to live unique moments.

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Holli Greaves: Meet Holly, our versatile freelance journalist and featuers writer who has a passion for dissecting the ever-evolving landscape of business and technology. Your guide to understanding the forces driving our digital age with insightful perspectives and in-depth storytelling.