Blogs

Refresh Your Menu: What’s Trending in Cold Drinks?
Refresh Your Menu: What’s Trending in Cold Drinks?
Spring has arrived, and at Stokes Coffee & Tea, we know that for hospitality owners, this means one thing: the "Iced Season" is officially here. While the UK might be... Read more...
Stokes Trip to Brazil 2025
Stokes Trip to Brazil 2025
Stokes Brazil Trip 2025 Mike, Training Manager at Stokes Tea & Coffee Intro & Background At the beginning of the year, we had an incredible opportunity to visit some of... Read more...
Coffee FAQ Answered: From Reddit User Questions
Coffee FAQ Answered: From Reddit User Questions
Reddit is an excellent platform for getting your questions answered authentically from people with real-world experience. Still, many of the answers aren’t written by industry experts who truly know what... Read more...
5 Coffee Trends Hospitality Businesses Should Embrace
5 Coffee Trends Hospitality Businesses Should Embrace
Trends come and go, but in the world of hospitality, it’s important to follow at least some of them to avoid stagnation. At Stokes, we don’t just supply fresh coffee... Read more...
A-Z: The Stoke Coffee Glossary
A-Z: The Stoke Coffee Glossary
This glossary is the definitive resource for anyone engaging with Stokes’ Barista Training Academy at The Lawn, Lincoln. Drawing from their full range of courses—Introduction to Coffee, Home Barista Experience,... Read more...
Creating Memorable Experiences with Stokes’ Coffee and Tea Services
Creating Memorable Experiences with Stokes’ Coffee and Tea Services
Coffee and tea are more than just drinks; they host wonderful experiences and moments you don’t want to miss. They mark the beginning of your day, bring friends together, add... Read more...
Five Ways to Create a Sustainable Corporate Event
Five Ways to Create a Sustainable Corporate Event
Event planning can be time-consuming and stressful, though usually worth it if you pull it all together in time and it’s a success. With everything to contend with, sustainability sometimes... Read more...
How to Offer a Standout Coffee Experience to Hotel Guests
How to Offer a Standout Coffee Experience to Hotel Guests
Your coffee offering can be the detail that guests remember long after checkout. At Stokes Coffee, we've partnered with hotels across the UK for over 120 years, to help them... Read more...
The Importance of Quality Coffee in Hospitality
The Importance of Quality Coffee in Hospitality
The hospitality industry encompasses a broad sector of businesses, including leisure, travel and customer experience. These include but are not limited to hotels, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, cafes, bars, and... Read more...
Ways to Make Your Coffee Habit More Sustainable
Ways to Make Your Coffee Habit More Sustainable
Coffee is a daily ritual for millions of people worldwide, but have you ever considered the environmental impact of your morning brew? From production to packaging, coffee consumption leaves a... Read more...
Simple Changes for a More Sustainable Lifestyle
Simple Changes for a More Sustainable Lifestyle
Sustainability is more than a buzzword at Stokes Tea & Coffee – it’s a philosophy woven into everything we do and has been for decades. We have our sights set... Read more...
International Tea Day 2025
International Tea Day 2025
International Tea Day 2025 is fast approaching! It’s celebrated on Wednesday, 21st May, with a full day dedicated to appreciating tea, its cultural significance, and its economic importance for millions... Read more...
A Local Hero Remembered: Major Donald Robert Stokes and the 80th Anniversary of VE Day
A Local Hero Remembered: Major Donald Robert Stokes and the 80th Anniversary of VE Day
As the nation commemorates the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, our thoughts turn to the brave individuals who served during the Second World War. Here at Stokes Tea... Read more...
Everything You Need to Know About Huskee Cups
Everything You Need to Know About Huskee Cups
Stokes Tea & Coffee are a heritage business with over a century of history in Lincoln. We’re deeply committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Known for our exceptional, ethically sourced... Read more...
Health Benefits of Drinking Coffee
Health Benefits of Drinking Coffee
For many, coffee is a staple of daily life - a warm, fragrant ritual that ignites the day. Aside from its energising properties, coffee has been studied as a potential... Read more...
5 Ways Drinking Coffee Could Improve Your Mental Wellbeing
5 Ways Drinking Coffee Could Improve Your Mental Wellbeing
5 Ways Coffee Can Make Your Brain Happy and Your Life Less Stressful We all know that coffee is a mood-lifter and a productivity booster, but did you know it... Read more...
10 Surprising Facts About Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee
10 Surprising Facts About Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee
Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is revered by coffee aficionados worldwide for its exceptional quality, smooth flavour, and rich history. Grown in the misty peaks of Jamaica’s Blue Mountains, this coffee... Read more...
The Coffee Lifecycle: How Coffee is Made
The Coffee Lifecycle: How Coffee is Made
Coffee is made through a long and intricate process that is easy to forget when you’re taking the first sips of that much-needed morning brew. It begins on farms in... Read more...
Proud to Support Lincolnshire’s Local Businesses
Proud to Support Lincolnshire’s Local Businesses
We’re incredibly proud to be part of something bigger than just supplying beans. We’re part of a network of brilliant independent businesses across Lincolnshire. These include cafés, hotels, garden centres,... Read more...
The Ultimate Guide to Decaffeinated Coffee
The Ultimate Guide to Decaffeinated Coffee
While many love the subtle buzz of energy a delicious cup of coffee brings, others just crave the warming taste without worrying about being kept awake.  Decaffeinated coffee is a... Read more...
Why Should I Service My Coffee Machine?
Why Should I Service My Coffee Machine?
Why Should I Service My Coffee Machine? Ernie, Service Engineer at Stokes Tea & Coffee Well, in short, the same reason that we service and MOT our cars. Coffee machines... Read more...
7 Unique Coffee Recipes to Try This Season
7 Unique Coffee Recipes to Try This Season
As the days lengthen and the air carries the first hints of spring, coffee enthusiasts have a splendid opportunity to refresh their brewing repertoire. At Stokes Tea & Coffee, with... Read more...
Recommended Espresso Machines & Accessories for the Budding Barista
Recommended Espresso Machines & Accessories for the Budding Barista
Recommended Espresso Machines & Accessories for the Budding Barista. Written by Mike, Training Manager at Stokes Tea & Coffee. Making café-quality espresso at home is easier than ever with the... Read more...
Coffee for Artists and Creatives: Why Coffee Shops Inspire the Arts
Coffee for Artists and Creatives: Why Coffee Shops Inspire the Arts
Many an artist have fuelled their passion with a well-crafted cup of coffee. There’s almost something magical about the relationship between creativity and coffee.  It's no coincidence that coffee shops... Read more...
a group of women engaged in sorting coffee beans
Caffeinating Change: Celebrating the Women Who Shape the Coffee Industry
Caffeinating Change: Celebrating the Women Who Shape the Coffee Industry Rianna, Account Manager at Stokes Tea & Coffee March 8th marks International Women’s Day (IWD), a global celebration of women’s... Read more...
Why Choosing a Local Roaster Lowers Your Business’s Carbon Footprint
Why Choosing a Local Roaster Lowers Your Business’s Carbon Footprint
It is your corporate social responsibility as a business to lower your carbon footprint wherever possible. It’s 2025, and we believe all businesses should look for simple ways to do... Read more...
The Perfect Gift This Mother's Day
The Perfect Gift This Mother's Day
It’s a well-known fact that many mums run off caffeine and love. Often a warm (if they’re lucky) cup of coffee or tea can help them put the world to... Read more...
How to Make the Perfect Pot of Tea
How to Make the Perfect Pot of Tea
There’s nothing quite as comforting as a properly brewed pot of tea. Whether you enjoy a classic English Breakfast, a fragrant Earl Grey, or a delicate green tea, getting the... Read more...
The Secret Ingredients Behind Stokes’ Famous Afternoon Teas
The Secret Ingredients Behind Stokes’ Famous Afternoon Teas
Afternoon tea is more than just a British tradition; it’s an experience that blends fine teas, delicious treats, and elegant presentation into a moment of pure indulgence. At Stokes Tea... Read more...
Why Afternoon Tea Is the Ultimate Social Experience
Why Afternoon Tea Is the Ultimate Social Experience
There are numerous reasons why Afternoon Tea is the ultimate social experience, and as Afternoon Tea experts, we felt it was only right of us to share with you why... Read more...
A Guide to Coffee Pairing:
A Guide to Coffee Pairing:
When you’re pairing coffee, you’re looking to marry your coffee with your food. You want it to be a happy union, one where the flavours complement each other and work... Read more...
Understanding ‘Specialty Coffee’ and How It Can Up Your Coffee Game?
Understanding ‘Specialty Coffee’ and How It Can Up Your Coffee Game?
Understanding ‘Specialty Coffee’ and How It Can Up Your Coffee Game?   Rianna, Account Manager at Stokes Tea & Coffee Walking into your local independent coffee shop, you might have... Read more...
Stokes Newark Cafe: The Place To Be This Valentine
Stokes Newark Cafe: The Place To Be This Valentine
Looking for somewhere to take a first date, celebrate your tenth Valentine's Day with the love of your life, or celebrate being single with your Galentine on the 14th of... Read more...
What are we doing about coffee prices?
What are we doing about coffee prices?
What are we doing about coffee prices? Tom, Production Manager at Stokes Tea & Coffee In my previous post (which I’d advise reading, it’s very good) I went over some... Read more...
Why Invest in Barista Training?
Why Invest in Barista Training?
Why Barista Training is Essential for Your Coffee Business Mike, Training Manager at Stokes Tea & Coffee If you're running a coffee shop or thinking about starting one, one of... Read more...
What’s happening with coffee prices?
What’s happening with coffee prices?
What’s happening with coffee prices? Tom, Production Manager at Stokes Tea & Coffee The coffee industry has had an exciting few years, to put things mildly. There’s been a lot... Read more...
Why is water quality so important?
Why is water quality so important?
Why is water quality so important? Ernie, Engineer at Stokes Tea & Coffee Q&A: Why is water quality so important in a coffee shop? Water is the unsung hero of... Read more...
How to Find a Coffee Bean Supplier: What to Look for and Why Stokes Coffee is a Leading Choice
How to Find a Coffee Bean Supplier: What to Look for and Why Stokes Coffee is a Leading Choice
Selecting the right coffee bean supplier is pivotal for coffee enthusiasts, café owners, and businesses aiming to deliver top-tier brews. With quality, sustainability, and expertise in mind, Stokes Coffee is... Read more...
How to Do Latte Art: A Beginner’s Guide
How to Do Latte Art: A Beginner’s Guide
Latte art isn’t just about crafting a visually stunning cup of coffee; it’s a way to elevate the drinking experience by blending artistry and skill. Whether you’re a budding barista... Read more...
Coffee Trends for 2025: What’s Brewing in the Coffee World
Coffee Trends for 2025: What’s Brewing in the Coffee World
Coffee Trends for 2025: What’s Brewing in the Coffee World? The coffee industry continues to evolve, blending tradition with innovation. As we look to 2025, exciting coffee trends are shaping... Read more...
How Does a Domestic Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machine Work?
How Does a Domestic Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machine Work?
How Does a Domestic Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machine Work? If you’re looking for convenience and quality, a bean-to-cup coffee machine is a game-changer. These machines are designed to turn whole coffee... Read more...
The Best Coffee Grinders For Business
The Best Coffee Grinders For Business
Here at Stokes Tea & Coffee, we have over 120 years of expertise in the coffee industry, making us uniquely qualified to help you select the best coffee equipment for... Read more...
The Best Milk for Coffee: A Guide to Finding Your Perfect Brew
The Best Milk for Coffee: A Guide to Finding Your Perfect Brew
The Best Milk for Coffee: A Guide to Finding Your Perfect Brew When it comes to making the perfect cup of coffee, it’s not just about the beans or the... Read more...
Christmas Gifts for Coffee Lovers
Christmas Gifts for Coffee Lovers
Christmas is one of the most magical times of the year. It is a time when families can rejoice together, a time of indulgence, love in abundance, and, of course,... Read more...
10 Ways Stokes Stay Sustainable
10 Ways Stokes Stay Sustainable
Stokes are on their way to becoming B-Corp coffee roasters. With their sustainable coffee and eco-friendly practices, they’re paving the way to a better tomorrow. While much work is going... Read more...
Five Scarily Scrumptious Halloween Coffee Ideas
Five Scarily Scrumptious Halloween Coffee Ideas
Halloween isn’t just about spooky costumes and trick-or-treating; it’s also a great excuse to whip up some delightful coffee creations that are just as fun as they are delicious. If... Read more...
How to Make a Cafe Latte
How to Make a Cafe Latte
Wanting to make your own barista-quality coffee at home? We’re putting together the ultimate guide to making great coffee at home. Follow this step-by-step process to learn how to make... Read more...
Cappuccino
How to Make a Cappuccino
Wouldn’t it be great to be able to make your favourite coffee at home, just like in a coffee shop? Well now you can, by following our step-by-step guide to... Read more...
High Bridge Renovation Image
History of the High Bridge
If you’re a regular on the Lincoln High Street or have visited our High Bridge Café, then you’ll know that the building is steeped in history. Originally three separate houses... Read more...
Flat White Coffee In Stokes Cup
How To Make a Flat White
Sometimes buying a coffee just isn’t an option, but what if you could make your favourite coffee at home and it taste just as good? Follow our step-by-step guide to... Read more...