COUNTER INTELLIGENCE
fresh businesses & products
POLLINATION NATION Just like people across the world are different, so are honey bees. Hives near yellow clover in Colorado yield a sweet, syrupy honey that bears little resemblance to the malty, crystalline honey made by bees buzzing around buckwheat fields in Washington state, whereas New York pollinators feast on the flowers of basswood trees to produce a mildly herbal honey that lets teas shine. The climate, water, and food in a bee’s environment affect how honey feels, tastes, and smells, which is why the folks at Bee Raw have created a line of single-origin honeys that showcase how bees across America create flavors unique to their environment. Bee Raw works to preserve honey bee populations through wild and organic sourcing, beekeeping education, and support of the artisanal beekeeping community. beeraw.com
GOT COLD MILK?
SERVING UP SHAMROCKS
Keep dairy and milk alternatives cold for hours
Matcha is everywhere these days,
in the Zojirushi Stainless Vacuum Creamer/
but finding a well-made cup is like
Dairy Server. The one-liter vacuum-insulated
looking for a shamrock in a field of
carafe is made of durable 18/8 stainless
clover—everything’s green, but rarely
steel with superior vacuum insulation. It is
magical. Proper mixing technique
easy to clean, thanks to its electro-polished
takes time and skill that many baristas
SlickSteel® interior and minimally-threaded
don’t have, and tea quality varies,
one-piece lid. An “always open” insulated lid,
too. Lucky for us there’s Matchaful.
easy-pour handle and spout are all designed
Not only are their powdered green
for maximum control while minimizing drib-
teas creamy, delicious, and sourced
bling. NSF certified. www.zojirushi.com/
directly from Japan, but they are also
new_sh-mae
the only US distributor of the Shaka Shaka Electric Whisk. The motorized version of a traditional bamboo stirrer (aka shaka) whips up a cup of matcha in seconds. matchaful.com
STRAWS THAT DON’T SUCK Plastic has become the bane of the world’s existence, with an estimated eight metric tons of the nonbiodegradable material entering oceans and landfills each year. Plastic straws, in particular, have been targeted as an avoidable form of plastic. In their place, Aardvark offers a brand-able, durable, and bendable paper straw that doesn’t get soggy when sipping through them. Even better, they can be composted, taking a month or two to decompose, and they are marine degradable. aardvarkstraws.com
BEER ME From frosty cold pints to warm plates, beer syrup adds an extra buzz to your beverage and food menu. Since 2004,
COFFEE OFF THE GRID
The Beer Syrup Company has been
For those who appreciate coffee and love plunging headfirst
turning craft beer and cider into sweet
into the wilderness, the Espro Ultralight combines French
syrups that can be used in a variety of
press and hydration functions in a 9.5-ounce canteen that
ways around the café, from sweetening
keeps beverages warm or cold for hours. Whether parachuting
cold brew to mixing up unique cocktails,
into the middle of the Amazon or spearfishing for salmon in
or even pouring over ice cream, waffles,
Alaska, the Espro goes where you go. espro.ca
and pancakes. Flavors include Pecan Nut Brown, Chocolate Porter, Semi-Dry Cider, and Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout. thebeersyrupcompany.com
JUST FONDUE IT To the ranks of vinyl
KEEP YOUR LID ON Ill-fitting lids can turn even the best-tasting cup of coffee or tea into a day-ruiner in a matter of moments. Coollids make sure liquids stay in the cup, thanks to a patented double-walled design. An extra chamber in the lid allows beverages to cool faster before drinking, so customers no longer need fear unwanted drips or accidental spills while conquering their day. coollid.com
26 | APRIL 2018 » freshcup.com
records, Polaroid cameras, and macramé plant holders we add fondue, which has made its way back into vogue. PG Fondues has developed a next-generation chocolate fondue—no Sterno needed. Simply warm the porcelain container in a microwave, stir, and serve with fruit or pastries for dipping. They’re perfect for cafés with limited counter or kitchen space. Available in nine decadent flavors, including Dark Belgian Chocolate, Dark Chocolate Espresso, and Dark Cinnamon Cayenne. pgfondues.com