Times have certainly changed: less than a decade ago, working from home was a rarity, with only those few lucky freelancers being able to choose where they’re going to work from today. Now though, you’d struggle to find a regular office worker who doesn’t stay home at least one day out of the working week. It’s even more true for us Brits, apparently: a recent survey has found that people in the UK spend more time working remotely than pretty much any other country, with the average number of work-from-home days amounting to 1.8 over here.
What does that mean for our daily habits?.. Well, that means they’re changing too. In a home-office world, your day revolves around your personal rhythm: no managers poking at you, no co-workers tempting you with yet another short break, no unexpected disruptions that are so common in the workplace. You’re in charge of your own productivity—and your coffee. Yes, for us regular coffee drinkers, the two are pretty much inseparable, with the beloved cup of joe shaping how our working day starts, how we recharge during lunch, and how we unwind once our job’s done for the day. From quick instant drinks to espresso machines, let’s explore the different methods of fuelling our productivity, all hailing from none other than our own kitchens!
Quick, Casual, Convenient: From Instant Coffee to Bean-to-Cup Machines
Did you know that, collectively, the UK drinks as many as 98 million cups of coffee per day? With such a staggering number, it’d be naive to expect all of those cuppas to be enjoyed as part of a slow, mindful ritual. It’s certainly nice to sit down, relax, and take some quality time to sip on your favourite brew, but there are times when that’s simply unrealistic. We all know the feeling of being forced to gulp down the coffee you’ve whipped up in less than a minute in between getting the kids ready for school, trying to throw some sort of a family breakfast together, hastily picking out an outfit, and answering those early work calls. No wonder that instant coffee is still flying off the shelves in the supermarket: who has time for anything else?..
Speed is certainly an advantage when you’re busy—but an instant cuppa isn’t the only option. The busy bees out there certainly benefit from automating their coffee routine, which is where coffee machines come in. Press a button, and your cappuccino’s ready! Some bean-to-cup coffee machine models nowadays are so advanced that there’s no need to worry about maintenance either: your appliance serves you coffee, then cleans up after itself. The sales of coffee pod machines have been through the roof lately for the very same reason; the convenience of coffee pods is, after all, hard to beat, and a machine of this type is far from a huge investment. If you’re looking for some quick productivity on your work-from-home days, there’s plenty to choose from—and, as you can probably see already, instant coffee is just the beginning.
Making the Most Out of Your Coffee Breaks with Espresso Machines
There’s the pleasure of getting something pretty much as soon as you’ve begun craving it—and then there’s the pleasure of rolling your sleeves up, and crafting that something yourself. The growing popularity of whole coffee beans, as well as specialty coffees, indicates that the joy of a slow coffee ritual is no stranger to plenty of coffee drinkers. Nor is the mindful craftsmanship involved in brewing yourself a proper espresso at home.
The importance of pausing for a while, taking some time for yourself, and putting some distance between you and your daily to-do list is even greater for those of us who are working from home. Sure, home offices have lots of advantages; but turning your home into your workplace has its drawbacks too. Why not make your cup of coffee the one thing that doesn’t mix with work? If that’s the kind of home coffee you’re after, then espresso machines are the ideal solution. Instead of pressing a button and taking your brew straight back to your laptop, imagine grinding your coffee beans freshly, pouring them into a portafilter, tamping the ground coffee carefully, then timing your extraction to make sure that you get the flavours just right… Espresso machines take coffee way beyond a quick, convenient cuppa. Instead, they turn it into a veritable ritual. There’s no better excuse to leave work in the other room for a while, and recharge properly before you get stuck back in.
The Right Coffee Machine = The Right Work-Life Balance
Whether you’re looking for maximum convenience or wholesome rituals, remember that the way in which you choose to brew coffee at home is all about finding your personal rhythm. For those of us who work from home, the right coffee machine can help implement the right work-life balance. After all, coffee’s got much more than just caffeine to offer—it offers a kernel to build your whole daily routine around. Now all you have to do is go get yourself a cuppa, and start building!
