We all want to take better care of our bodies, but these days it feels like there’s a new “miracle food” every month. It can be challenging to know what’s the real deal, especially with the fad diets and trendy health-food culture we live in today. How can you tell the legit from the scams? One way is to rely on history, and that’s where you can find one of our very favorite products: kombucha. Kombucha is on the rise right now, but it’s no fad! People have been drinking kombucha and singing its praises for thousands of years, but it’s only now that we’re understanding exactly why it makes us feel so good! Originating in China in 221 BC, kombucha has been dubbed the “Immortal Health Elixir” and the “Tea of Immortality”. So what is it exactly? This delicious, lightly carbonated beverage is made by fermenting tea and natural…

We’ve all been there. Trying to make a latte with an alternative milk, and it screams, scorches, and separates in the cup producing a beverage that’s less that beautiful. Or, you’re trying to make an iced latte, and the milk curdles and clumps up at the bottom of the cup. Why is this happening? The truth is, the soy almond and rice milks you can buy at the grocery store aren’t made to be steamed. The high temperatures can cause the milk to separate and scorch, and the high acidity in espresso can curdle the milk. But never fear! These days there are many better alternatives, and you can find them here at Tradecraft. First, the true pioneers, Pacific Barista Series. Pacific has spent years working with baristas and leaders in the coffee community to develop a non-dairy milk that’s just as good as traditional dairy. Their soy, almond, rice,…

Matcha: it seems like it’s everywhere these days! What used to be a relatively obscure ingredient has skyrocketed in popularity in the US and all over the world. Once specific to Japanese culture, Matcha is now everywhere you look. It’s served on it’s own, in lattes, baked goods, beer, cocktails, even popcorn! Dozens of nationally recognized brands have incorporated matcha into their menus, and it’s becoming clear that this isn’t just a passing fad. Recently Brian Keating of the Sage group said that “In 20 years of analyzing the tea industry it is clear that Matcha is a major trend with long term viability. US retail sales of Matcha green tea powder rocketed 54.9% in 2014, and sales of Matcha products in the US are estimated to continue to grow 25% annually between 2015 and 2018.” So what is it exactly? Simply put, Matcha is a traditional Japanese green tea…

I am a firm believer that every cafe needs a signature beverage. A good signature drink can turn you into a destination, a viral success, and set you apart from the competition which all, of course, drives sales. So…you want one, but where to start? Consider these guidelines: Make it Entry Level: A good signature drink should be something that everyone can enjoy, even if they aren’t a connoisseur. Coffee and tea can be intimidating, so your signature drink needs to be approachable and unpretentious. This can be a great opportunity to introduce your customer to flavors that may be an “acquired taste”. Don’t like straight espresso? I bet you’ll love it over a scoop of gelato! A little intimidated by matcha? Put it in a mocha! Make it Executable: You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Some of my favorite signature drinks are fundamentally uncomplicated. There’s nothing wrong with using simple…

We often hear this question: what is it that you guys do? And, without fail, our excitement to answer is unmet. For starters, we love the craft of great coffee and tea…from harvesting to the cup you have in front of you. And, we love the art of a truly great experience. Now more than ever, consumers are driven towards authentic experiences over products – and we believe a great experience is the core foundation of any brand to consumer relationship. Now, let’s get to the facts. Tradecraft Outfitters is a one-stop solution providing craft coffee and tea with the equipment, training, service, and accessories needed to deliver the best possible product experience. Our client base is diverse and complex – restaurants, hotels, offices, cafes, specialty grocers, and coffee and tea lovers everywhere – and we offer each and every one a direct connection to the best roasters and suppliers…

We have some exciting news! As of March 6th , Truebrew Outfitters is undergoing a name change to Tradecraft Outfitters. As we’ve continued to grow our leadership position in coffee and tea experiences around the country, we’ve found confusion in the marketplace with several other service providers around the name Truebrew (both inside and outside our industry). As a strategic move to underscore and secure the value we provide to our partners, we’ve selected a name that reflects the vision and direction of the company— Tradecraft Outfitters. We believe this name change positions us to tell a better story around origin and our care for the “craft”, from farm to cup. While our name has changed, our mission has not.  Still constant, is our dedication to helping our business partners grow and adapt to the rapidly changing marketplace.  A commitment to craft is behind our mission to create transformational craft…

At Stumptown, they do everything possible to source the best coffees in the world. This begins with their commitment to spending copious amounts of time with coffee farmers in order to ensure they grow, pick, and process the ripest and most intensely flavorful coffee cherries. Wherever possible, their aim is to work as directly and transparently as humanly possible with each and every one of their coffee farmers. “National Roaster Of The Year” —Roast Magazine     Dark Matter Coffee™ adheres to a philosophy where quality coffees are sourced based on traceability, innovation and social responsibility. Sustainability and fair business practices are very important to them. While aligning with organizations like Fair Trade Alliance, Rainforest Alliance or UTZ, help to ensure fair practices, they have also created direct partnerships with farmers in El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico. These partnerships have grown to become family, allowing Dark Matter to directly source…

At first glance, one might think the idea of adding butter to your coffee is strange or unhealthy. However, using butter for its health and cognitive benefits is actually an ancient practice used the world over. Bulletproof coffee is made by adding grass-fed butter and a specific coconut oil extract to a cup of hot coffee. The combination of these ingredients creates a delicious drink that boosts your mental clarity, gives you energy, and even helps you burn fat throughout your day. It’s a drink that’s gotten very popular lately and many people including professional athletes swear by it. Just one more approach to a truly satisfying cup.  

Stumptown Cold Brew is everything you know and love about Stumptown Coffee. They use high quality, hand sorted, meticulously roasted coffee beans to craft their Cold Brew. The same formula they’ve brewed by hand in their cafes for years is now bottled and ready to tuck into coolers on camping trips, park picnics, backyard BBQs and anytime in between. “Cold brew,” also known as “cold press” or “toddy coffee,” is brewed without heat over a long duration. They craft their well-loved version by steeping freshly roasted coffee in room temperature water for over 12 hours, and using a double filtration process to procure the end result: a complex, smooth and sweet, full-bodied brew with bright juiciness, low acidity and a long chocolate finish. Stumptown Cold Brew is refreshing and uplifting straight out of the refrigerated bottle, over ice, with a splash of water or cream, or as a mixer with…