One of Urnex’s stated mission goals is striving to uphold the highest standards of quality, consistency, and effectiveness within the industry. In alignment with this goal, Urnex employs an internal team of chemists and product technicians, as well as manufacturing and coffee professionals.

Urnex looks to distinguish themselves in the market by having this level of in-house expertise and experience. By investing in a deep understanding of coffee equipment, and creating products based on proprietary formulas, Urnex is able to offer a cleaning solution for nearly every brewing need.

Popular Urnex offerings include cleaning powder, liquid, and tablets for milk frothing systems, espresso machines, coffee pots, urns & brewers, ice machines, grinders, tea brewers, and more. By offering a wide range of products, often in multiple case sizes, Urnex is able to serve businesses of all types, from local coffee shops to large corporate café equipment manufacturers.

As any barista, café owner, or other coffee professional knows, cleaning is one of the most important factors in maintaining a successful business. Having clean equipment allows a business to yield better-tasting drinks, keep equipment running smoothly, and extend equipment lifespan, all while upholding health & safety standards.

In addition to being well-formulated for effectiveness, Urnex also strives to make cleaning products which are easy-to-use, making cleaning tasks more efficient for baristas and café staff.

Houston’s is your source for a wide slate of Urnex cleaning offerings, as well as a full line-up of other café and coffee industry supplies. Everything from drinkware and disposables to flavor syrups, alternative milks, and other consumables such as frappé & smoothie mixes can be found online at https://www.houstons-inc.com/catalog/index.php

Urnex offers helpful cleaning guides on their website.

Read about our other valued partner vendors on the Houston’s Blog.

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Mylk Labs is also a woman-owned and Asian American & Pacific Islander-owned company started in California with the goal of sharing healthy and convenient meals for all. Founder Grace Cheng drew upon her background as a world-traveling fashion model and saw an opportunity in the market to share her go-to everyday nutritious and energy-sustaining breakfast.

The lineup of Mylk Labs offerings currently encompasses five varieties:

• Cultivated Blueberry & Vermont Maple
• Granny Smith Apple & Sunflower Cinnamon
• Roasted Almond & Himalayan Pink Salt
• Sun-Ripe Strawberry & Madagascar Vanilla
• Toasted Coconut & Cassia Cinnamon

Each variety is Non-GMO project verified, certified gluten free, and vegan – all of which are dietary and ingredient factors that continue to see increased popularity and impact within the market in recent years.

In alignment with their stated company focus on responsible ingredient sourcing and dietary consciousness, Mylk Labs highlights their “reverse formulation” approach to product creation: nutrition first, then taste. Each variety is made using only 4-6 ingredients per cup.

Grace Cheng, Founder of Mylk Labs

Mylk Labs oatmeal begins with a foundation of whole, simple, nutritious ingredients, and is then fine-tuned with additional ingredients for taste and texture, rather than fortifying a processed product with nutrients in later steps.

Houston’s is the source for premium oatmeal offerings including Mylk Labs, which synergizes well into our portfolio of offerings for the café, restaurant, and specialty beverage industries. The easy storage and transportation of premium oatmeal cups are beneficial factors for distributors, and carrying an easy order add-on or grab-and-go breakfast option can be advantageous for café and restaurant operators.

Visit our web catalog to view the offerings and learn more.

Read about our other valued vendor partners on the Houston’s Blog.

Catch other Houston’s Highlights in recognition of International Women’s Day.

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The name Kerry is well known within the beverage and foodservice industries as an innovator, delivering a wide variety of operator-friendly offerings, while maintaining a high quality experience for the end customer.

Originating as a dairy operation in southwestern Ireland in 1972, Kerry has grown over the past 50 years to serve a global market. Kerry Foodservice U.S. operations encompasses a slate of well-known café-focused specialty beverage brands such as DaVinci Gourmet, Big Train, Oregon Chai, and Island Oasis, which are present throughout cafés and specialty coffee shops nationwide.

DaVinci Gourmet

The DaVinci Gourmet brand originated in Seattle, WA, a city often cited as the epicenter of the U.S. craft coffee movement. DaVinci is perhaps best known for its line of flavored syrups – from barista staples such as vanilla and hazelnut, to unique offerings like cheesecake and cookie dough syrups, for something just outside the ordinary.

The DaVinci family also features sauces, like caramel and chocolate, for decadent flavor and eye-popping visual presentation.

A wide range of smoothie and frappé mixes also fall under the DaVinci Gourmet name. And in alignment with the Kerry spirit of innovation, the emerging category of fruit refreshers is also represented, with Mango Dragonfruit and Watermelon Lime among the flavor offerings.

Big Train

Big Train comprises a line of frozen beverage mixes with a focus on ease of use – the “blend and pour” convenience is a favorite feature among busy café and coffee shop operators.

Iced and blended coffee beverages have surged in recent years, with some nationwide chains reporting over 50% of sales are now from cold beverages. Frappés are big business, and Big Train offers an extremely wide variety to cater to any taste. As a partner to the specialty coffee industry, Houston’s carries over 50 Big Train blends, including mochas, lattes, blended espresso, frozen hot chocolate, horchata, protein drinks, and chai.

Oregon Chai

Chai is another coffee shop category that has been trending in recent years. Under the Kerry family of brands, Oregon Chai features a roster of chai concentrates and powders which offer a great taste experience for the end customer, and, importantly, easy preparation and storage for the operator.

A number of different flavors are offered, including vanilla, extra spicy, salted caramel, and sugar free.

Island Oasis

Kerry’s Island Oasis brand may be strongly associated with the bar industry, with margarita and pina colada mixes as featured offerings. However, there is certainly room in the café industry for Island Oasis shelf-stable fruit purees, especially as summer approaches with rising demand for smoothies, craft lemonades, and other fruit-based drinks.

The hallmarks of Island Oasis include the use of only premium natural ingredients, and no high-fructose corn syrup.

Enduring Partnership

It is evident that Kerry aims to be an all-encompassing partner to the beverage industry, with a focus on operator-friendly features such as ease-of-use, shelf-stable packaging, and a wide range of brands and varieties.

By valuing innovation, Kerry sets a foundation of seeking to align with industry trends and the evolving needs of operators moving into the future.

Read about our other vendor partners on the Houston’s Blog.

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The word “numi” means “citrus” in Arabic. Founders Ahmed Rahim and Reem Hassani named their company Numi after a steeped dried desert lime drink they grew up enjoying throughout their childhood.

As brother and sister, Ahmed and Reem had a vision to share their family’s love of tea and its health and cultural connections with the world. Since 1999, their vision has resulted in a diverse selection of teas and herbal infusions to fit the taste and palate of any customer.

Among their offerings, some well-known and popular varieties can be found: Refreshing Moroccan Mint, Lemon Chamomile, Aged Earl Grey, and Gunpowder Green Tea. Customers who may be looking for their morning cup, an afternoon pick-me-up, or evening relaxation can find something familiar and delightful.

Numi also offers a slate of unique blends for customers who may want something just outside the ordinary. Chai, as an example, has been a surging product category for café operators; Numi Golden Chai features a blend of traditional Assam black tea with cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger for a symphony of spice. Milk and honey may be added for even greater depth of flavor and premium offering.

Customers looking for a bright and aromatic floral experience may find it in Numi White Rose Tea, which features organic white tea and tender spring-picked rosebuds. A velvety and uplifting blend, it can be enjoyed hot – or iced for the upcoming spring and summer seasons.

Another trend that has gained popularity in recent years is a consumer focus on functional beverages. Numi has a number of teas made with wellness and immunity-aligned ingredients with potential health benefits, such as turmeric, ginger, rooibos, echinacea, and others. Three Roots Turmeric Tea combines turmeric, ginger, and licorice root into an earthy caffeine-free blend for peace of mind any time of the day. Numi Organic Throat Soother, Immune Boost, and De-Stress Tea are a few other varieties that put focus on function.

Of course, the list of Numi tea blends wouldn’t be complete without a connection to the original desert lime drink that inspired Ahmed and Reem in the first place. Numi’s signature Dry Desert Lime Tea is distinctive, tart, and described as an “oasis of health” – tradition and function all in one.

With a lineup to fit any taste, it’s evident that Ahmed and Reem have a strong focus on creating quality products that align with customer demand and current trends. View Houston’s portfolio to find these offerings by Numi and more.

Read more about the wide world of hot tea on the Houston’s Blog.

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Since 1987, Reed’s has been on a mission to return to the roots of craft ginger beer. That is to say, they use real ginger, produce in small batches, and focus on high-quality ingredients.

Real Ginger

One of Reed’s primary features is the use of real ginger as a principal ingredient. For those that enjoy ginger, the identifiable spicy flavor, invigorating properties, and potential health benefits are among the main draws. By focusing on real ginger, and not artificial substitutes, Reed’s can more strongly connect with customers looking for an authentic ginger experience.

Reed’s Ginger Beer uses a Jamaican-style recipe; the hallmark “bite” of the ginger is present upon first taste, but is followed with a smooth finish for balance.

Small Batch Production

In alignment with their craft mentality, Reed’s produces their ginger beer in small batches. Smaller batches allow greater control throughout every step of the process, from recipe to bottle. Reed’s touts this as a factor that allows them to put more care into their offerings, compared to larger-format production.

High-Quality Ingredients

Premium ingredients play a key role in the identity of Reed’s, as well. Central to their brand is the use of a specific variety of ginger, which is only found in the Amazon rainforests of Peru. This unique strain, known for its stronger and bolder flavor, serves as the foundation for Reed’s recipes. This unique type of ginger is also organic and sustainably grown.

Houston’s Has It

Houston’s currently carries two of Reed’s varieties: Extra Ginger Beer and Zero Sugar Extra Ginger Beer. Reed’s Extra Ginger Beer contains double the amount of ginger compared to Reed’s Original. Zero Sugar Extra is a no-sugar, no-calorie offering that uses a proprietary all-natural sweetener in place of cane sugar.

With an emphasis on real ginger, and a product produced with care and top ingredients, Reed’s has established a recognizable brand presence. With the versatility to be used a mixer at the bar, or simply enjoyed on its own, Houston’s is excited to have Reed’s added into our portfolio of valued partners.

More on the history of the Moscow Mule cocktail

Houston’s Has Reed’s

Houston’s Has Moscow Mule Ingredients

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The year was 1828 when the world of chocolate was forever changed. The father and son Dutch chocolate makers Casparus and Coenraad van Houten had invented a new way of extracting excess cocoa butter from roasted cocoa beans (Coenraad would later refine the resulting cocoa powder by treating it with alkaline salts). This mixture combined more easily with water, creating a milder, darker flavor. This “Dutching” process continues to be used today by just a few of the world’s greatest chocolate manufacturers. One of those few is Hollander.

Hollander Chocolate prides itself on manufacturing truly Dutch chocolates that complement the modern cafe’s many needs. Houston’s took notice of this and has now established a partnership with this new vendor to offer its superb products to our customers. Whether making the perfect powder for hot cocoa or crafting a sauce for a sensational mocha blend, Hollander takes care to pay homage to the generations of Dutch chocolate makers before them by ensuring every product follows strict quality standards. Here are just a few of the offerings available today:

Café Sauces

• Barista Sweet Ground Dutched Chocolate Sauce – Silky and sweet, easily blend this sauce with hot and cold drinks, all the way down to the last pump.
• Barista Sweet White Chocolate Sauce – Blended with real Wisconsin dairy, you can count on a genuine white chocolate that is smooth and delectable.
• Barista Koffiebar Caramel Sauce – Cane sugar, vanilla, Wisconsin dairy, and sea salt join forces to elevate a classic flavor and make it perfect for any recipe.

Café Powders

• Barista Premium Dutched Hot Cocoa Powder – Water soluble and perfect for hot or frozen cocoa beverages, this powder packs chocolatey nostalgia in every sip.
• Barista Sweet Ground Dutched Chocolate Powder – Featuring natural vanilla and cane sugar, this Dutched cocoa is of the highest quality, with no artificial flavors.
• Barista Sweet Ground White Chocolate Powder – Hollander’s proprietary method ensures that real cocoa butter is used in this powder for a true decadent flavor.

Of course, just because Hollander’s tastes are rooted in history doesn’t mean that its practices are stuck in the past. Hollander is committed to ensuring its products are 100% Trans Fat free, absent of High Fructose Corn Syrup, and completely free of Genetically Modified Organisms. Along with its commitment to providing a responsible product to consumers, Hollander is also conscious of its effects on cacoa sources. By allowing for clear visibility on its resource lines, maintaining strong relationships with areas that offer fair employment, and giving a portion of its proceeds back to at risk communities in cacao-producing regions, Hollander has created an environment where enjoying chocolate doesn’t need to be a ‘guilty’ pleasure.

Houston’s newly-established partnership with Hollander is yet another example of our dedication to providing you with access to a unique, quality, and forward-thinking product. Just like great flavor, trends surrounding health-conscious and socially responsible products show every sign of flourishing well into the future. And, of course, chocolate will never to go out of style.

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The last week of April, Houston’s Rebecca Phillips, Geoff Dann, Amanda Hackathorn and Jarrod Bowren were invited to the Carlisle Foodservice headquarters and manufacturing plant in Oklahoma City, OK, and they were accompanied by our local Carlisle Broker, RHI. This trip included tours of two manufacturing plants, Carlisle’s distribution warehouse, and a meeting inside the corporate office. The goal was to share both Carlisle and Houston’s industry knowledge and to find ways to increase Carlisle’s market share with Houston’s through an improved partnership.

Carlisle’s manufacturing plants were extremely clean and very well organized. All of the employees were focused on their specific job, but they also had a very good idea of how their job tied into the overall manufacturing and company goals.

Carlisle’s core values can be summed up in seven simple concepts:

1. Customer Focus
2. Teamwork & Communication
3. Bias For Action & Results
4. Continuous Improvement
5. Safety
6. Mutual Trust, Respect, & Integrity
7. Empowerment

To help everyone follow the same path, they actively promote their employees, creating ideas on how to improve their specific job and department. This ranged from organizing a work area to make it more efficient when looking for supplies on all shifts, to improving their speed when changing out very large production molds. The ideas that have been used have resulted in an increased efficiency rate, which has in turn allowed them to expand their operation. It was impressive to find that by taking these tactics they were able to produce the same amount of product in half the time.

When our Houston’s team entered into the meeting portion of the tour, there were several departments that made presentations. Marketing, Customer Service, Accounting, and Sales all took their turn explaining what they do best. They described Carlisle’s vision and the partnerships the company holds with its customers. What was most impressive was how they all had the same message and used united phrases to describe their department and how it tied into the company goal. Their presentation and company culture left us impressed and with an improved perspective of Carlisle’s overall model.

The Houston’s team can certainly learn from the path that Carlisle has blazed. Carlisle did an excellent job presenting itself and talking about its partnerships. Overall, the meeting was full of good information.

When working with our own customer’s, it’s important to keep in mind that the best way for our vendors to increase business with Houston’s is to keep an open dialogue about how their company interacts with ours and where our mutual interests align. After this visit with Carlisle, we know so much more about their company, but there remains room for us to educate them about Houston’s. The foundation of our relationship has improved and we can now move forward by better educating them on the full extent of our services.

This article was written by Jarrod Bowren, Houston’s National Sales Manager.

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From left to right: Ross C., Candice M., Amanda H., Rebecca P., Christina G., Richard C., Jennifer V., and Sam L.

Dr. Smoothie Brands originally came on board with Houston’s in June 2011, starting with approximately 50 different smoothie and frappe mixes. Over the past six and half years, our relationship with Dr. Smoothie Brands has blossomed, and they have quickly become one of Houston’s top vendors. “Dr. Smoothie has become one of our lead-in vendors that gets our sales team in the door with prospective customers,” says Rebecca Phillips, Executive Vice President, “customers know the brand name, and they want the products.”

Dr. Smoothie Brands was purchased by Chicago-based Bevolution Group in late 2016. Taking the opportunity to introduce new management teams for both Houston’s and Bevolution Group, members of our team ventured down to Fullerton, California to visit one of three Bevolution locations. With plants also located in Chicago, Illinois and Frostproof, Florida; the Fullerton plant is where both Dr. Smoothie and Café Essentials products are manufactured and warehoused.

After an introduction to Bevolution Group by CEO Sam Lteif and VP of Sales Richard Crabill, we were given a behind-the-scenes tour of the plant. (For confidentiality purposes, photos weren’t allowed to be taken on the plant floor.) The overall process is extremely efficient, maximizing the production time for both liquid smoothie concentrates and powdered beverage mixes. The ingredients for the liquid smoothie concentrates are mixed onsite in large vats before being hot-packed into clear plastic bottles, and then slowly cooled under streams of chilled water for 45 minutes. Once the bottles are cooled (but still warm to the touch), they are labeled, boxed, and palletized for shipment or storage.

Café Essentials powdered beverage mixes are manufactured by a team of no more than 6 people at a single time, further emphasizing the necessary efficiencies. Again, ingredients are mixed onsite before being dumped into a large hopper than filters, mixes, and dispenses the appropriate amount of product into each package.

THE PRODUCT

Houston’s carries a variety of products from Dr. Smoothie Brands including Classic Smoothie concentrates, 100% Crushed Fruit Smoothie concentrates, Café Essentials frappe and warm beverage mixes, as well as a variety of add-ins and supplements which are not currently manufactured at the Fullerton facility. Dr. Smoothie equates their Classic Smoothie line to other competitive smoothie brands, while positioning 100% Crushed as the all-natural, premium line.

After Bevolution Group acquired Dr. Smoothie Brands last year, Houston’s brought in products from the Tropics Refreshers brand line, also owned by Bevolution. After a soft, off-season introduction, Houston’s and Bevolution have collaborated on a new plan to reintroduce the line in 2018 in conjunction with Coffee Fest and the SCA Global Expo. Often compared to Starbucks’s beverage of the same name, Tropics Refreshers are “handcrafted with a fruit flavored twist that get a little extra oomph from green bean coffee extract,” and the perfect natural, clean-label alternative to other caffeinated beverages. Available in Citrus Mint, Strawberry Acai, and Wildberry, there is sure to be a flavor to suit any pallet.

ABOUT BEVOLUTION

Bevolution’s mission is “setting a standard focused on creating the right culture and putting customers first,” which aligns well with Houston’s focus on customer service and enhancing our internal culture. Bevolution touts themselves as “small enough to be nimble, yet large enough to have scale.” Does that sound familiar?

The company is comprised of four foodservice/beverage industry leaders: Juice Tyme, Lemon-X, Tropics, and Dr. Smoothie Brands. Founded with the purchase of Juice Tyme in 2013, Lteif describes Bevolution as “a fresh thinking company, offering the highest quality beverages, fortified with honesty, innovation, and savvy business growth.” This shows in the organizations continued expansion. Bevolution also acquired Lemon-X (2014) and Tropics (2015) all before bringing Dr. Smoothie Brands on board in 2016. That same year, Bevolution also introduced a new brand of bag-in-a-box beverages, Refrasia, targeting the healthcare industry.

Targeting primarily the specialty coffee and healthcare industries, Bevolution is committed to working with Houston’s to meet the needs of foodservice industry dealers and distributors nationwide.

We look forward to helping Bevolution develop their brands by assisting in nationwide availability and decreasing lead-time to our mutual customers. Keep any eye out for more information on Tropics Refreshers, coming in Spring 2018

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Amanda H., Rebecca P., Christina G., and Jennifer V. with the David Rio crew at Chai Bar by David Rio

San Francisco-based David Rio was founded in 1996 by David Scott Lowe and Rio Miura and has grown to become a market leader in premium chai products around the world. With a strong following in Asia, Europe and Mexico David Rio has partnered with Houston’s to increase brand awareness and availability here in the United States. Over the past three years, David Rio has grown to become a valued Houston’s partner.

Members of our Management Team recently visited David Rio to introduce President Jennifer Vigil and Purchasing Manager Amanda Hackathorn to the David Rio team and to learn more about the David Rio product line at “Chai Bar by David Rio.” The specialty cafe focuses on premium chai drinks and other treats. “Chai Lab” is located in the back corner of the cafe, and offers customers a chance to try new products or taste recipes that are in development, and give immediate feedback.

Our team got to taste key products from David Rio’s Endangered Species Line®, including Tiger Spice, Elephant Vanilla, Orca Spice, and their new White Shark. Through their commitment to animal welfare, David Rio supports the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), The Greater Farrallones Associations SPCA, the local humane society, and Cat Tales Zoological Park in Mead, WA. It was through Cat Tales that David Rio adopted and funded the support for a Bengal Tiger, named Thor, in 1997. He became the inspiration behind the Endangered Species Line® and the face of David Rio Tiger Spice Chai. With Thor’s passing in 2014, David Rio decided to adopt and support his brother, Atlas.

With Chai Lab’s primary purpose being to gather feedback on new and developing recipe, the team was introduced to a multitude of spicy versus sweet chai offerings.

David Rio’s dairy-free, vegan “Power Chai” is made with Japanese Matcha and black tea, and combines bold tastes and traditional flavors with the antioxidants of the matcha. Both the Cub Chai Original and Cub Chai Super Concentrates offer more spicy alternatives via the true Masala-method of chai preparation.

The newest David Rio product, Turmeric Golden Latte is a soothing blend of turmeric, cinnamon, and spices. It can be prepared on its own, or in combination with Tiger Spice for a great sweet and spicy balance.

We appreciate David Rio’s commitment to their customers, their employees, and both the local and global communities. We take pride in working with vendors, like David Rio, who keep their carbon footprint in mind, and give back to support the world around them.

If you are ever in San Francisco, we encourage you to stop by Chai Bar for a chai and tasty snack!

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