If you’ve ever looked at the fruitier side of a Starbucks menu, then you’re probably familiar with the drink that was introduced by the specialty coffee chain: refreshers. The beverage combines real fruit juice with green coffee extract to provide a delightful and energizing experience. Since these refreshers have grown in popularity, a few have tried to duplicate the flavor to compete with the original. Only now is there another truly refreshing option.

Dr. Smoothie’s Refreshers are now available through Houston’s! This brand new line boasts real fruit flavor and the natural energy boost from coffee, without that toasty taste often associated with the bean, leaving you with a thirst-quenching, caffeinated beverage for any time of day. In honor of this exciting new product launch, we decided to investigate what has made this product so popular amongst consumers, as well as how Dr. Smoothie’s iteration on the recipe has improved upon the established flavored water craze.

It’s no secret that better-for-you products are quickly on the rise amongst Americans, with 43% saying that nutritional information is important to their diet. Along with that, 90% of Americans consume caffeine on a daily basis, but new evidence is showing that many are looking for alternatives to coffee that provide a reduced level of caffeine and no midday crash. Dr. Smoothie’s Refreshers offer an option for both of these groups. With limited, natural ingredients (and a calorie/sugar count that’s lower than the leading competition’s), Dr. Smoothie’s Refreshers are the obvious choice for a growing population that is dedicated to maintaining a healthy diet while continuing to enjoy a specialty coffee experience.

An increasing number of consumers also expect a personalized experience when they order a beverage from a specialty coffee operator. Whether it’s the latte art finish or a barista’s knowledge of a regular’s typical order, the ability to impress the consumer with more than a speedy caffeine solution establishes loyalty between customer and cafe. This was a central insight in developing the Dr. Smoothie Refreshers line. Instead of producing a ready-to-drink solution, these concentrates provide opportunity for the operator to craft (perhaps even customize, per the consumer’s order) a beverage behind the counter, creating a sense of quality and specialty to the product. Of course, we all know that enhancing and elevating the flavored water experience isn’t everything. It’s also important for the product’s preparation to remain simple for the establishment.

Preparing a finished Dr. Smoothie Refresher beverage only takes two steps and only requires two ingredients: Refresher concentrate and water. Here’s how it’s done.

By keeping the typical recipe simple, operators will be able to make multiple refreshers in a short time frame and with a limited cost of production. However, this also allows operators to experiment with different recipes or to customize a refresher to the consumer’s specifications. Looking for something with a little fizz? Top the mixture off with a bit of soda or add some fresh fruit and herbs to really make it taste and feel like a craft drink! Here are just a few other recipes operators might try.

With all of the possibility offered by Dr. Smoothie’s three launch flavors (Wildberry Hibiscus, Watermelon Cucumber Mint, and Strawberry Acai), there is certain to be something that operators and consumers will enjoy, but Dr. Smoothie isn’t planning on stopping there. Soon, they will be adding a fourth flavor to the mix, so stay tuned for more information on Blood Orange Coconut Ginger!

The post New Dr. Smoothie Refreshers Are Sparking a Sensation appeared first on Houston's Blog.

Kohana Coffee Company – Cold Brew Concentrates Available Now!

Kohana Coffee’s mission with cold brew coffee is to let the consumer be the barista – whether working at a coffee shop or using the coffee at home. The instructions are simple: Open bottle. Be creative.

Taking its name from kohana flowers – the small white flowers that bloom just before the arrival of the coffee fruit on the plant. The flowers herald the coming of the coffee beans, just as Kohana’s beverages usher in a new day when incorporated into your morning routine. The name itself has a shared origination with both the Japanese and Native Hawaiians.

Here, at Houston’s, we carry Kohana’s 32oz Cold Brew Concentrates in three varieties: House Blend, French Vanilla, & French Roast. The 1:2 concentrate is elegantly composed, impeccably smooth, and naturally sweet. You can enjoy it hot or pour it over ice. Ultimately, this is a very versatile staple for any coffee shop as it can be used in a wide variety of applications. It’s even a great option for intrepid chefs who want to include the richness of coffee in their dishes.

Some advantages to cold brewed coffee are:

• Low acidity
• Extended shelf life
• Smooth & bold flavor
• Ready for drinks or cooking
• Easy to take on-the-road
• Highly Customizable

As a recent addition to the Houston’s product line-up, Kohana Cold Brews are ideal for quick, easy, and delicious chilled coffee drinks. And peak-season for promoting cold brew is rapidly approaching with the warmer weather of Spring and Summer. The House Blend is easily customizable with any flavored syrup, or blend with ice for a thicker consistency frappe. The options are endless!

The post Kohana: The Perfect Pick-Me-Up… appeared first on Houston's Blog.

Cold brew may have been invented as early as the 1600’s in Japan but this refreshing process of brewing coffee has, over the past few years, increased in popularity by leaps and bounds! And as the trend of cold brew continues to grow, the cleanliness of these brewing machines and tools is becoming more and more vital to the coffee industry. The questions is – how does one keep all these different setups clean?

Urnex Brands® has provided an efficient answer to that very question. They recently introduced a cleaning product designed specifically for professional cold brew equipment called the 1-2-Cold Brew! This system is a two-step cleaning and sanitizing kit ideal for any cold brew coffee supplies and is comprised of a liquid cleaner called Clearly Cold and a liquid sanitizer called Complete Café. Clearly Cold is specially formulated and designed to remove coffee oil residue from cold brewed coffee equipment. Complete Café is an EPA sanitizer specific to cold brew equipment, but is acceptable for use with other coffee brewing equipment as well.

With the demand of cold-brewed coffee surpassing initial expectations in the market, 1-2-Cold Brew proves to have limitless benefits in the coffee world. Here are our top 3 benefits of the 1-2-Cold Brew Cleaning and Sanitizing Kit.

1-2 Cold Brew is easy to use

First and foremost, this product is very easy to use! With its liquid formulation and built-in measuring device for controlled dosing, Urnex has created an effortless cleaning process for coffee equipment. It’s as simple as mixing Clearly Cold with water and letting it soak in your tap system, keg, brew container, etc. Once you’ve let the solution soak for about 5+ minutes, you just repeat the same steps with the Complete Cafe and voila, your cold brew equipment is as clean as a whistle!

*The cleaning methods slightly vary based on the setup. Click here for full cleaning instructions.*

Coffee residue from taps

Clearly Cold and Complete Cafe

Photos courtesy of Urnex®

People can enjoy cold brew without worrying about the safety concerns

There are many safety concerns when it comes to food and beverages. In terms of cold brew, the concern of bacteria growth is at the top of the list.

Urnex Marketing Associate Lee Gordon explains, “Because cold brew coffee is brewed without hot water and often sitting out at room temperature for an extended period of time, brewing containers and dispensing systems are prone to bacteria growth. “

By routinely using 1-2-Cold Brew to clean your coffee equipment, any concerns of bacteria growth are eliminated so you can enjoy your cold brew without having to worry about getting sick!

Clean coffee equipment leads to better tasting coffee

Fresh cold brew after taps have been cleaned

Did you know that dirty coffee equipment can affect the flavor of your coffee? This is due to the oils from your coffee. Coffee is naturally a very oily substance. Any parts of your machine that are exposed to coffee, whether it is in the form of beans or grinds, will be exposed to these oils and is subject to buildup.

“Cold brew is typically brewed between 12 and 24 hours, so coffee oil residue has a much longer time to build up compared to other brew methods,” said Gordon. “If coffee residue is left uncleaned on coffee equipment, it will eventually clog the machine’s filters and tubes and cause it to malfunction. But even before this occurs, stale residue in coffee equipment will have a noticeably negative effect on the taste of coffee or espresso.”

Simply put, clean equipment leads to better tasting coffee!

In the end, if you are looking for an easy and effective cold brew coffee cleaner, 1-2-Cold Brew is your answer!  Urnex products clean and maintain your equipment. So nothing gets between you and your perfect brew!

Contact Houston’s today to order your own 1-2-Cold Brew or if you have any questions regarding this great product!

The post 3 Benefits of Urnex’s 1-2-Cold Brew Cleaning and Sanitizing Kit appeared first on Houston's Blog.

Technically, this definition is correct; a Mason jar can be used for storing fruits and veggies; but recently, they have become so much more versatile than that. Mason jars literally have thousands of uses today.  What is one of the more notable uses? Serving beverages!

Libbey has put an innovative twist on the classic Mason jar resulting in trendy glassware perfect for Summer. Introducing Libbey’s Drinking Jars! A perfect balance between casual and classy, Libbey’s Drinking Jar are guaranteed to add a nostalgic feel to any restaurant or bar. These glasses can be used every day for juice, soda and iced tea, as well as for serving mixed drinks when entertaining.

Fun Fact: Libbey Drinking Jars feature a lug finish so a lid can be attached, making it a great storage container as well! Can anyone say “overnight oats?” Or add a decorative lid and trendy paper straw to any beverage of choice!

Try out these refreshing frozen lemonade recipes courtesy of Torani and style your tabletop with Libbey Drinking Jars. Just blend together the following ingredients until you’ve reached the desired consistency and enjoy! And remember, a good drink always tastes better in a good glass!

Frozen Raspberry Lemonade

Frozen Raspberry Lemonade

• 5 oz. Torani Lemonade Real Fruit Smoothie Mix
• ½ oz. Torani Raspberry syrup
• 16 oz. Ice

Endless Summer Lemonade

• 5 oz. Torani Lemonade Real Fruit Smoothie Mix
• ¼ oz. Torani Watermelon Syrup
• ¼ oz. Torani Kiwi Syrup
• 16 oz. Ice

Frozen Strawberry Lemonade

Frozen Strawberry Lemonade

• 4 oz. Torani Lemonade Real Fruit Smoothie Mix
• 1 ½ oz. Torani Strawberry Real Fruit Smoothie Mix
• 16 oz. Ice

Citrus Bliss Lemonade

• 5 oz. Torani Lemonade Real Fruit Smoothie Mix
• ¼ oz. Torani Ruby Red Grapefruit Syrup
• ¼ oz. Torani Blood Orange Syrup
• 16 oz. Ice

The post Style Up Your Tabletop With Libbey Drinking Jars! appeared first on Houston's Blog.

You may be familiar with the sweet bubbly coffee beverage known as Frizz and their iconic bottle, but have you tried Frizz in a can? Since the 1900’s Frizz has prized themselves on making a genuine espresso beverage with only simple ingredients; espresso, pure cane sugar, water, and carbonation. Frizz’s rich coffee flavor tastes best when served cold, in a glass or straight from the bottle or the NEW can. Many enjoy it poured over ice with cream and added flavors such as Crème de Menthe, Bourbon Caramel, Irish Cream, and more. It can also be mixed with your favorite spirit for an extra kick in your cocktail.

Make sure to check out the NEW can! Same delicious taste as the bottle, but with 6 grams less sugar! Though make sure you enjoy it cold, if not it can bubble over due to the pressure in the can.

Fun fact: A case of Frizz in the glass bottles weighs 25 pounds while a case of the NEW cans weighs only 15 pounds!

Try out some delicious recipes below and see How you Frizz!

Bourbon Caramel Frizz Coffee  Image courtesy of Frizz

Frizzkey

• 1/3 bottle/can Frizz Coffee
• Ice
• 1 shot Whiskey

Directions: Pour Frizz Coffee and Whiskey over ice. Serve in an Old Fashioned glass.

Bourbon Caramel Frizz Coffee

• 1 bottle/can of Frizz Coffee
• Ice
• 1 oz. of Torani Bourbon Caramel (or any syrup flavor you desire!)
• Cream to taste

Directions: Fill a 16 oz. cup with ice, add Frizz Coffee, Torani Bourbon Caramel, cream to taste, then stir and enjoy!

Black Frizztini

• 1/2 shot Amaretto
• 1/2 shot Brandy
• 1/2 bottle/can Frizz Coffee

Directions: Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake, strain into a glass and serve.

Frizz Float

Frizz Float

• 1 bottle/can Frizz Coffee
• Vanilla Ice Cream

Directions: Fill a glass with vanilla ice cream. Pour Frizz Coffee over the top and enjoy!

Have you tried Frizz? How do you drink it – over ice, with cream or flavored syrup? Watch for new recipes and join the conversation! #HowDoYouFrizz

The post How Do You Frizz? appeared first on Houston's Blog.

As part of the Royal Rideau™ collection, Slenda offers unlimited tablescaping options. In other words, Slenda offers infinite landscaping selections for your table! You can mix and match hundreds of different shapes, patterns, and textures in the same body color for seamless coordination. Setting your table with Slenda plates and Chateau Luxor saucers can be a perfect combination. Syracuse states that the “Uncommon shapes and graceful lines of Slenda spark imaginative possibilities to beautify banquet presentations.” This line reflects inspiration and brings endless potential to any table arrangement. Syracuse China’s investment-quality dinnerware blends impeccable style with proven performance.

Contact Inside Sales for more information on how to get Slenda by Syracuse on your dinner table!

The post Slenda: Innovative, Imaginative, Impressive appeared first on Houston's Blog.

Monbana Training!

Monbana is well-known for their chocolate and Houston’s will be selling a few of their featured items. First, we carry four of their gourmet chocolate powders. When it comes to the gourmet chocolate powders, they are much different than drinking a mug of American hot chocolate. These sipping chocolates have a unique flavor in which the chocolate taste comes first, followed by the texture and flavor of the chocolate, and at the end of the sip, you can taste the sugar. This is much different than American hot chocolate because the taste of sugar tends to come first and the chocolate second. The Monbana White Trésor Gourmet chocolate powder, (trésor is a French word meaning “treasure”) is made from 45% cocoa butter whereas the Trésor Gourmet chocolate powder, Suprême European Style chocolate powder and the Organic chocolate powder are made with 32% cocoa. The Suprême European Style chocolate powder is a thicker product meant to be heated in an espresso machine and you should drink it as soon as you finish making it for the best flavor and texture.

We also carry nine of their frappé flavors. These flavors include; vanilla, mocha, yogurt, chocolate, strawberry, lemon, lychee, mango passion fruit, and caramel. Never heard of lychee before? It is a floral flavor perfect for a summer treat. The best part about the frappés is that no matter how long they sit, they do not separate. That’s right! You can drink it for an hour and it will still be together until the last drop. Similar to the gourmet sipping chocolates, the frappé flavor is always forward and the first thing you taste. After that, the body comes and then the sweetness of the frappé is in the back. It is recommended that both the frappés and the gourmet chocolate powders are used with whole milk, but they also work great with a dairy alternative as well.

Interested in how the gourmet chocolate powders and frappés work? Check it out!

Gourmet Chocolate Powders:

Option 1- Steamer: Add 7 fluid ounces of milk and steam it for 5 seconds. Then add one heaping scoop of powder and steam for a maximum of 20 seconds. Voila! You now have a yummy chocolate drink.

Option 2- Chocolate machine preparation: Add 35-170 fluid ounces of milk and heat for 15-45 minutes at 149°. Then add five heaping scoops for every 35 fluid ounces Let the chocolate thicken and then serve the tasty treat!

Frappés:

Place 8 fluid ounces of ice cubes in a cup with 8 fluid ounces of cold milk. Pour the mixture into a blender with two scoops of the frappé mix. Blend the mix to your desired consistency of approximately 20-45 seconds and there you go! A delicious milkshake- like treat.

Want to try some Monbana products? Contact Inside Sales and let us know what you think!

The post Never Underestimate the Power of Chocolate! appeared first on Houston's Blog.

This appliance is everything you need from a soft-serve machine: no assembly is required so setup is a breeze, yet it disassembles for easy cleaning, and all parts are dishwasher safe.  And putting the device back together after cleaning is equally uncomplicated—the parts are made so that it can’t be put back together incorrectly.  Simply fit the pieces with their proper counterparts and you are ready to start making ice cream again.  You need just 45 minutes to create a delicious, creamy soft serve treat.

This 1 1/2 gallon capacity machine boasts an internal memory, a gravity-draw serve spout with a 2 1/2 ounce chamber for easy portion control, and a dose counter for convenient tracking.  The Total Cold refrigeration system keeps product at a constant temperature, and with its night mode feature you don’t have to worry about emptying out the machine to preserve your product.

Measuring is simple, too.  Just remember that one gallon of mix equals 1 1/2 gallons of prepared product, whether a liquid or a powdered mix is used.  The machine is meant to hold 1 1/2 gallons of soft serve ice cream so all guess work has been eliminated.

There are two important things to note when using Vollrath’s Mini Soft Serve Countertop Freezer by Stoelting:  one, this is a dish-serve appliance only.  The finished product is not thick enough to use in cones.  And two, the machine should not be considered “self-serve”; while it is exceptionally easy to use, it does take some training in order to properly utilize the gravity draw chamber.

Is this the right soft serve machine for your customers?  Contact Inside Sales to see if it is the perfect fit for your retirement home, church, school, or anywhere a lightweight, portable ice cream maker is desired.

The post Summer Time is Ice Cream Time appeared first on Houston's Blog.

CPC Coffee Pot Cleaner, image courtesy of National Chemicals

Coffee & tea containers

These two drinks of choice any time of the day or night have many container options, which leave many places that may need a deep clean for renewed flavor.  Start by checking where the coffee or tea is made and kept after brewing. Pots or urns with brown or black stains show signs of residue, which can leave drinks tasting stale and old.  The best way to remove that flavor is to clean the pots and urns thoroughly.  National Chemicals’ CPC® Coffee Pot Cleaner works on glass, stainless steel, HDPE lined airpots, coffee pots, urns, or even cups and vending machine lines.  CPC® Coffee Pot Cleaner is odorless and known for removing odors, oil residues, and mineral deposits to keep a clean kitchen without alarming guest with cleaning fumes.

FOG Fryer/Oven/Grill Cleaner, images courtesy of National Chemicals

Fryer

Each plate is a signature of the chef who created it and the best example of the kitchen’s care for each guest.  If anything on that plate tastes stale, old, burnt, or greasy then the establishment may have lost this customer and anyone they tell about their experience.  Ensure dishes taste their best by checking the fryer, grill, and oven for carbon build-up and burnt-on grease stains as they can leave dishes haunted by the meals of tickets past.  FOG® Fryer/Oven/Grill Cleaner from National Chemicals removes the carbon build-up, cooking deposits, and burnt-on grease from fryers, ovens, and grills as well as from exhaust hoods, chrome, brass, and much more.  It can even help revive stainless steel BBQ grills.  Get back to crisp crosshatch marks on steaks and golden crispy fries by keeping grills and fryers spotless.

QA Sanitize Disinfectant Deodorizer, image courtesy of National Chemical

Floors, cabinets, walls, etc.

If a kitchen smells of old grease and spilled coffee it may be time to disinfect and deodorize.  Take the time to deodorize the kitchen and dining room with National Chemicals’ QA® Sanitizer Disinfectant Deodorizer.  Get those off-putting scents out of the dining area and kitchen, and eliminate distracting odors.

Ensure your kitchen is five-star clean – call your sales representative today to find out how adding National Chemicals products to your next order can help your customers keep their establishments sparkling.

The post Taste the Difference Clean Equipment Provides appeared first on Houston's Blog.

Torani Chai comes in Traditional and Spicy tetra paks, image courtesy of Torani

These rich, fragment blends are balanced perfectly with just the right amount of black tea and chai spices—cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, clove, allspice, and black pepper.  The ingredients are all organic and made with no preservatives or artificial elements.  Unlike other chai concentrates, the spices are visible in the cup yet they don’t create a gritty texture.  The feel of the chai is velvety without being too heavy, for those who don’t want a breve tea. All this comes together to make a drink that customers can indulge in.

Torani®’s focus was on building a balanced flavor profile with notes of milk, spice, sweetness, and tea.  This balance was achieved in two distinct chai concentrates, Traditional and Spicy, for the discerning tastes of patrons.  The Traditional concentrate is a smooth and well-rounded blend in which the spices are prevalent without being overbearing. The Spicy concentrate presents a smoky spiced flavor without being overly spicy, allowing the blended flavors to stay in the mouth and nose for a few moments after each sip, thanks to the zing of ginger and cinnamon.

Torani Tradition Chai (left) versus the current category leader (right)
Photo Credit: Christina Graiff

Torani® was the clear winner when taste-comparing these flavors against the current leader in the chai market.  Some taste testers mentioned the competitor’s chai concentrate actually tasted more like, “sweet milk” versus the bold chai aromas Torani®’s version.

Torani® Chai is a wonderful addition to any organization already serving both hot and iced beverages.  Try out this recipe for an Iced Coconut Chai Latte that will add a taste of summer to any menu.  Call your Houston’s sales representative for more information or to order Torani® Chai Concentrate today, and compare to your current chai brand.

Iced Coconut Chai Latte

• 1/4 oz. Torani® Coconut Syrup
• 4 oz. Torani® Chai Concentrate
• 4 oz. milk
• Ice

Put ice in a glass; pour all ingredients over ice and mix.

The post Chai, the Torani® Way appeared first on Houston's Blog.