The Problem:
Nearly everyone looks forward to a great cup of fresh brewed coffee, or better yet, a really brilliant cappuccino. But satisfying the urge for a fine cup where you work is not so simple. The conundrum has three separate aspects – Quality, Convenience and Time – that must be addressed simultaneously.
What options do people have to choose from in the search for a good cup of coffee?
Option #1 – The Coffee Bar:
Gather your friends (or their orders). Walk (or worse, drive) to the coffee bar. Get in line. Wait. Order and pay. Wait some more. Get your coffee; hike (or drive) back to the office. Distribute orders; collect money.
Quality: Excellent in most cases.
Convenience: Low to abysmal.
Time: 30 minutes, perhaps more, per person. And if you and your colleagues need your espressos after the coffee bar is closed, all bets are off.
Option #2 – Brew Your Own:
Brewing an espresso for yourself is often impractical at best — who wants to grind the coffee, steam the milk and clean the espresso machine? – and for a true espresso-based drink, nearly impossible anywhere aside from the barista’s station at the nearest local coffee bar – assuming you are allowed behind the counter.
Quality: Variable. Quite. Convenience: Who is kidding whom? Time: Undeterminable, but assuredly not a matter of seconds.
Option #3 – Office Coffee:
The very reason why everyone finds an excuse to go out for a cappuccino.
Quality: Highly variable, ranging from very good to embarrassingly bad.
Convenience: Good – unless you need to brew a fresh pot for yourself.
Time: Variable, depending whether the coffee on station is already prepared and still fresh, or if you need to stop and brew a cup or potful for yourself.