Get the ultimate in heat insulation with the new ThermoSleeve premium hot cup sleeves. The secret to the insulation is millions of tiny air bubbles that are embedded at the microscopic level. The bubbles protect hands from hot and cold beverages, making them comfortable to use. The unique MemoryTech compound gives the ThermoSleeve a 'memory' that once exposed to heat, molds the cup's shape to create a custom fit. The sleeves are 100-percent recyclable and are 66 percent less wasteful than cardboard. The ThermoSleeve is available in four stock colors -- Natural, Pure White, Chili Red, and Midnight Black, in addition to custom colors and textures. For more information, send e-mail to info@thermosleve.com, or call 866-855-FOAM.
Your customers can soak up a bit of culture as they enjoy a cup of coffee with the new collection of BuKs. A BuK is an inexpensive pamphlet that contains a provocative essay, a short story, a portfolio of pictures, a collection of poems, or other surprising entertainment that is readable in the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee. Measuring 5 x 7 inches, the BuK fits easily into a pocket, purse, or backpack and is always ready to be enjoyed. The BuK draws upon the 18th- and 19th-century heritage of pamphleteers who sold their texts on the street to spread new concepts. This 21st-century spin on dime novels is a collectible that costs $1.49 at retail. Inaugural titles include The Mall in Peril by Los Angeles Times art critic Christopher Knight and A Modest Proposal by 18th-century satirist Jonathan Swift, among others. For more information, call 323-665-6565, or visit www.bukamerica.com for a full list of titles.
The iSi Thermo Whip is the first food whipper with thermal capabilities to keep chilled preparations cold and heated preparations hot for hours. Using innovative, patented technology, the Thermo Whip features a double-walled vacuum-insulated stainless steel bottle to ensure maximum thermal performance. Also handy is the maximum filling line, which is located inside the bottle. The new thermal capability makes this an ideal whipper for cafes. No need to continually reach inside the refrigerator to grab the whipper every time it is needed. Simply leave it on the counter and the ideal temperature is maintained. Other features include a fixed stainless steel dispensing valve for precise application and control, a drip-stop feature for perfect dispensing, and a nonslip lever for a secure grip. Three decorator tips are included. For more information, e-mail nhartmann@isinorthamerica.com, or call 800-447-2426.
Fetco introduced a new stainless steel tea infuser that makes brewing tea in an airpot or a thermal dispenser quick and convenient. Available in two different sizes: 3-liter airpot size or the 1- or 1.5-gallon sizes (which work perfectly with Fetco's LUXUS Thermal Dispensers L3D-10 or L3D-15). Designed to hold the tea where the brew funnel (stem) would normally be during brewing, the infuser is easy to use. After loading tea in the infuser and placing it in the dispenser, the operator can now utilize their existing coffee brewer, with nothing in the basket, to brew tea. Hot water 'brews' over the infuser into the dispenser, or the water may be added to the hot water tower. After steeping the tea for the desired time, the infuser can be removed and the tea can be easily discarded by unscrewing the bottom cap. The tea infuser also features a diffuser plate that directs the water flow to the infuser's sides to create more turbulence for a better extraction. For more information, call 847-719-3000, or visit www.fetco.com.
Your customers can enjoy the ultimate flavor of the exotic islands with Capriccio's Mojito Libre flavoring. Made by the natural reduction of fruits and herbs, Mojito Libre has no preservatives, no artificial sweeteners, no GMOs, and zero cholesterol and fat. The flavoring syrup is the perfect blend of lime and mint and provides foodservice operators a quick and easy way to make mojitos and mojito-flavored beverages. For more information, call 800-266-7388, or visit www.mojitolibre.com.
Expanding its offerings for specialty coffee and tea retailers, GlobeTrends Inc. showcased the Taylors of Harrogate line of specialty coffees. The line of ground coffees includes Kenya High Mountains, Brazilian Bourbon Valleys, Guatemalan Cloud Forest, Colombian High Andes, Indian Monsoon Coast, and Java Volcanic Islands. All flavors are packaged in bags that feature eye-catching graphics. For more information, e-mail info@globetrends.com, or call 800-416-8327. Visit www.globetrends.com to view the entire line of coffee and tea products.
Coffee Masters, Inc. introduced its first coffee from Rwanda, Africa. Named after the farm where it is grown, Rwandan "Gatare" coffee is produced from the farm of "Gatare," whose land ranges in altitude from 1,700 to 2,000 meters. The rich volcanic soils and average rainfall of 1,300 mm per year provide the perfect ingredients for producing a high-quality coffee. In the cup, Rwandan "Gatare" coffee offers floral aromatics, bright acidity, and a complex, earthy finish with a hint of spice. Rwandan "Gatare" is available in five-pound nitrogen-flushed foil bags and 12-ounce valve bags, ground or whole bean. For more information, call 800-334-6485 or 815-675-0088, visit www.coffeemasters.com., or send e-mail to cmaster@coffeemasters.com.
Frieling presented their new Milk Chiller that is perfect for keeping a half gallon of milk chilled and ready for dispensing. Simply place the carton or bottle of milk or half-and-half into the unit, close the top, and then dispense a preset amount of product. A blue indicator light informs you when the milk needs to be replaced. For added convenience, several units can be easily connected together to provide customers with various options -- skim, whole, or half-and-half. The connected units require only one plug. For more information, visit www.frieling.com, or call 800-827-2582.
Bellissimo Coffee InfoGroup announced the release of Caffe Ambiance, a DVD that will educate coffeehouse patrons with scenes of beautiful milk art pours and coffee picking, harvesting, and processing from around the world. Caffe Ambiance can be played in cafes or on showroom floors and features an expertly photographed series of coffee landscapes accompanied by a hip soundtrack of original ambient music. The 60-minute DVD repeats continuously, allowing you to play it all day long without having to attend to the DVD player. It retails for $79.95 and wholesale discounts are available. For more information, call 800-655-3955, or visit www.espresso101.com.
Fonte Coffee announced that the 2004 crop of Ethiopia Harrar is now available. The company describes the coffee as "a big cup with a lot of aggressive, varietal character, fruity, perfume-like aroma, full body, and deep winey acidity." Also available from Fonte is Bahama Bama iced tea, a smooth blend of fruit extracts, natural flower petals, herbs, and Chinese black tea. For more information, call 206-762-0760, or visit www.fontecoffee.com.
Fresh Cup Publishing Inc. created a new publication, inside coffee, which is a consumer's guide to enjoying specialty coffee. The magazine is filled with articles covering where coffee originates to how it is roasted or what a flavor profile is. The magazine is intended to be sold by retailers as an add-on sale for their customers who love coffee and want to know more about the subject. The publication also includes a history-of-coffee timeline, a glossary of coffee-related words, and a resource directory. For more information, visit www.insidecoffee.com, or call 503-236-2587.
