When it comes to sustainable living and maximising storage solutions, we’ve got you covered with our Instant Coffee tins. While these tins are initially designed for your coffee fix, they can serve countless other purposes around the home, garden, and beyond. Let’s explore some of the innovative and practical uses for these stylish tins that will inspire you to think outside the box, or, tin! Organising Art Supplies For artists and crafters, keeping supplies organised can be a challenge. Our Instant Coffee tins are perfect for storing paintbrushes, markers, and other small tools; we even use them as pen pots in the office! Pet Food Storage If you have furry friends at home, consider using a TrueStart tin for their food. They can hold a good amount of dry food or treats while keeping them safe from moisture and pests. The fun, colourful design also means they look great in your cupboard or pet corner. Keeping Food Fresh Ever opened a tin of baked beans or soup and ended up using half of it? Our Instant Coffee tin lids fit perfectly over these tins, sealing them to keep their contents fresh. This nifty trick keeps what you don’t eat fresh, stopping great food from going bad and eliminating waste. Crafting Supply Organiser From buttons to ribbons, our tins are perfect for sorting crafting supplies. Use them to store beads, threads, buttons and any other small, loose items. The compact size makes them easy to stack, with a tight lid so you won’t lose anything, and a bright, bold design so you never misplace them! Seed Storage for Gardeners If you’re an avid gardener, you know the importance of keeping seeds dry and protected. Our tins are great for storing leftover seeds from your gardening ventures. Label each tin with the seed type and date, and they’ll be ready whenever you want to do some planting. You can even use them as planters to start off veggies or plants of any kind before later transferring them! Conclusion TrueStart's Instant Coffee tins do more than just hold your coffee; they offer a wealth of creative storage solutions that promote sustainability and organisation in your home. Whether you’re an artist, pet owner, DIY enthusiast, or simply looking for practical ways to keep your space tidy, these tins have you covered. So next time you finish a tin of TrueStart, you don’t have to recycle it. Instead, get creative and give it a new purpose. Your home will thank you for it!

At TrueStart Coffee, we’ve always believed that coffee is more than just a drink - it’s a source of positive energy, a way to bring people together, and a powerful connector. Whether it’s a morning brew to kickstart your day or a shared coffee break with friends, TrueStart has always been about fostering connections and making people feel great. Whilst we started with a focus on energising people for physical activity, our mission has evolved. Now, we’re here to spread love, positivity, and great coffee to everyone—wherever they are and whatever they’re doing. The Social Power of Coffee There’s a reason why coffee has long been at the heart of gatherings. It’s the fuel behind coffee catch-ups, casual conversations, and moments of connection with friends and family. At TrueStart, we’ve crafted coffee that not only provides a clean, stable boost of energy but also brings people together, helping to create and share moments of positive energy. Whether you’re brewing our smooth instant coffee at home, grabbing a convenient coffee bag on the go, or crafting an indulgent espresso-made coffee, TrueStart fits perfectly into your life and helps you connect with the people around you. TrueStart’s Roots: Coffee and Physical Wellness TrueStart was originally founded with a focus on health and fitness - creating a clean, healthy coffee to energise people as they stay active. From athletes looking for a natural boost to those taking on their first parkrun, we’ve been there, fuelling countless adventures. Our commitment to supporting fitness communities is still going strong, especially through our involvement with parkrun events across the UK, where we share our coffee with runners who live for that weekend buzz of physical activity and community spirit. There's no better feeling than knowing TrueStart is helping people feel energised and great while staying active. TrueStart and Mental Health: Spreading Positive Energy with Mental Health Swims But TrueStart’s mission has grown beyond just physical energy. We’re proud to be part of a wider movement to promote mental well-being as well. That’s why we’re teamed up with Mental Health Swims groups—an incredible organisation that brings people together to experience the benefits of open-water swimming while supporting mental health. We believe that a good cup of coffee can be a source of comfort and positivity, and we love being able to provide free coffee to these groups. Whether it’s warming up after a refreshing swim or simply enjoying a chat over a hot drink, these moments are a reminder that coffee can nourish both the body and the mind, and we’re honoured to be part of that experience. Coffee for Everyone: TrueStart’s Evolving Mission While we began as a brand focused on energising fitness, TrueStart has evolved into something much more. Today, our mission is simple: we make healthy coffee for everyone, spreading love, positive energy, and delicious coffee in every cup. Whether you’re a runner gearing up for parkrun, a swimmer finding peace in the water, or someone who just loves a quality coffee moment at home, TrueStart is here for you. Our coffee is designed to make you feel amazing, no matter how you choose to enjoy it. Join the TrueStart Community At TrueStart, community is at the heart of everything we do. From the runners at parkrun to the incredible folks in Mental Health Swims, and all our coffee-loving customers, we’re constantly inspired by how coffee can bring people together. Whether in person or online, the connections we’ve made are what drive us to keep spreading positive energy through our coffee. We invite you to be part of this journey. The next time you brew a cup of TrueStart, know that you’re part of a community that believes in living life with energy, positivity, and love. Whether you’re in the office, brewing up a cuppa at home, or out adventuring, TrueStart Coffee is here to make those moments even more special. Thank you for being part of our community and helping us spread positive energy, one cup at a time ☕💛

When it comes to coffee, instant isn’t what it used to be—and that's a good thing! Gone are the days when instant coffee was seen as the lesser option. With a busy lifestyle or just a craving for a quick, delicious cup, instant coffee is a fantastic go-to. But not all instant coffees are created equal. Whether you're a coffee connoisseur or just want to know what's going into your cup, understanding the difference between spray-dried and freeze-dried instant coffee is key to picking your perfect brew. So, let’s break it down! What is Spray-Dried Instant Coffee? Spray drying is the OG of instant coffee processing. The method has been around for decades, and it’s all about speed. In this process, brewed coffee is sprayed into a chamber where hot air rapidly evaporates the liquid, leaving behind fine coffee powder. The coffee is brewed in bulk, blasted with heat, and voilà—instant coffee is born. The Pros: Cost-Effective: Spray drying is faster and less complex than freeze drying, making it cheaper to produce. If you’re after an affordable pick-me-up, this is your option. Finer Texture: The spray drying method leaves a fine, powdery coffee granule that dissolves quickly, making it super convenient. The Cons: Lost Flavour: Unfortunately, the high heat used in spray drying can lead to a loss of some delicate coffee aromas and flavours. If you're a coffee lover looking for richness and complexity, you might find this process slightly underwhelming. Lower Quality: Spray-dried instant coffee is often made from lower-grade beans. While it’s great for an affordable caffeine hit, it might not satisfy your inner barista.   What is Freeze-Dried Instant Coffee? Freeze drying is the fancy cousin in the instant coffee family. The process is a little more high-tech and slower, but the results speak for themselves. Coffee is brewed, frozen into large slabs, and then placed in a vacuum chamber where the ice is evaporated. This results in those chunky granules you see in freeze-dried coffee jars.The Pros: Better Flavour: Freeze drying happens at a low temperature, meaning more of those essential coffee oils and flavours stay locked in. You’ll taste a more complex, full-bodied coffee that’s closer to fresh brew. Higher Quality: Freeze-dried coffee is often made from better-quality beans, giving it a more premium taste. The Cons: More Expensive: The extra steps and time involved make freeze-dried coffee a bit pricier than spray-dried. But for many, it’s worth the splurge for that next-level flavour. Slightly Slower to Dissolve: Because freeze-dried coffee has chunkier granules, it takes a little longer to dissolve compared to its spray-dried counterpart. How To Tell The Difference You can instantly tell the difference between freeze-dried and spray-dried coffee by their appearance. Freeze-dried coffee typically has larger, chunkier granules with a crystalline texture, while spray-dried coffee appears finer and more powdery, with smaller, more uniform particles. TrueStart's delicious chunky, freeze dried granules are bursting with flavour, for a real coffee in an instant!  Which One Should You Choose? The answer really depends on what you're looking for in a coffee experience. If you’re after a budget-friendly option for your daily brew, spray-dried instant coffee will give you a quick and convenient caffeine fix. But if flavour is your number one priority, freeze-dried coffee offers a taste that’s much closer to freshly brewed coffee—perfect for those moments when you want quality without the fuss of grinding beans and brewing.At TrueStart Coffee, we believe that your coffee experience should always be full of flavour, energy, and positivity, no matter how busy life gets. That’s why we opt for the freeze-dried method for our instant coffee. You get all the flavour, all the energy, and none of the compromise. So, if you want to start your day with a cup that truly tastes as good as it makes you feel, freeze-dried might be your new best friend.Whether you’re a spray-dried or freeze-dried fan, one thing is for sure—instant coffee has come a long way, and there’s never been a better time to be a coffee lover!Cheers to your next brew!

You may often here us talking about 'speciality grade coffee' but what is specialty grade coffee? Where does TrueStart score? What does it all mean? This blog will hopefully break that down into easy to read chunks but as ever, if you have any questions we're only an email away! Let's dive in.. What is Specialty Grade Coffee? Specialty coffee is a term for the highest grade of coffee available the SCA (Speciality Coffee Association) created a system to give coffee a score out of 100. To be classed as speciality, a coffee must score at least 80/100 and all of our coffees score 82 or higher. How do each of our coffees score? The people that score the coffee are called "Q-graders" and below we've got a couple of examples as to how our Colombian & Brazilian coffee has scored in a grading this week (20th Sept 2024). Energising Colombian: 84.25 / 100 Tasting Notes: Blackcurrant, vanilla, chocolatey. A smooth & juicy coffee. Bright-Eyed Brazilian: 83.5 / 100 Tasting Notes: Apple, sweet nut, caramel. A round, smooth & mellow coffee. Every single small-batch we roast is graded by a Q grader, ensuring that the coffee you make at home is top quality & absolutely delicious. What does this all mean? In short, the score itself just dictates that we sit in the specialty coffee band, which means you get a high quality coffee at home every single time and this way you know that we're supplying you with consistently epic coffee! At the end of the day though, you have to love the taste personally and that's more important than any score.

Don't sleep on our Decaf.. When most people think of coffee, they think of a caffeinated kickstart to the day, but Decaf is a fantastic option if you love the taste of coffee but want to cut back on caffeine. It still offers the same rich flavour and several benefits of regular coffee, and at TrueStart, we believe Decaf deserves just as much love! So, What Exactly is Decaf Coffee? Decaf coffee is made from coffee beans, just like your regular brew, but with the caffeine removed. The decaffeination process happens before roasting, and here at TrueStart we use all natural methods to decaffeinate our coffee such as the Swiss Water Method for our Fresh Coffee, we use this process for both our Brazilian Decaf & our Mexican Decaf. This is a completely chemical free process, where the coffee beans are soaked in water to remove caffeine and a filtration system extracts the caffeine. The beans are then reintroduced to the original water to reabsorb the flavour compounds - minus the caffeine!However, as the Swiss Water Method is not commercially or environmentally viable for any instant coffee, we use a food-grade organic solvent derived from algae to decaffeinate our Instant Coffee. This means you get a clean cup of coffee with all the goodness, and none of the caffeine! Benefits of Decaf Coffee: Just because it’s missing the caffeine doesn’t mean it’s missing the benefits. Decaf coffee comes with a host of health perks: Antioxidant Powerhouse: Like regular coffee, decaf is loaded with antioxidants such as chlorogenic acid, which help protect your body from damage caused by oxidative stress and fight free radicals. (Farah A et al., 2008). Lowered Risk of Disease: Drinking coffee, Decaf included, has been linked to a reduced risk of certain diseases, including Type 2 diabetes, as coffee contains beneficial compounds such as antioxidants, polyphenols, and magnesium, which can improve insulin sensitivity and help regulate blood sugar levels (van Dam RM, Hu FB, 2005) and (Neiber K., 2017).There is also research to suggest that decaf coffee can help reduce the risk of heart disease (Chieng D et al., 2022) and protect against liver disease (Nieber K., 2017) Smoother Digestion: Many people find that Decaf coffee is gentler on the stomach compared to regular coffee, especially for those sensitive to acid or caffeine. This makes it a great alternative for those who still want their daily brew but without the digestive discomfort. Why Decaf is Perfect for Anytime Drinking? One of the best things about our Decaf is its versatility. Want a cup of coffee after dinner without staying up all night? Decaf’s got you covered. Looking to cut back on caffeine but still crave the comfort of a warm brew in the morning? Decaf to the rescue. Whether it’s an afternoon pick-me-up or a pre-bedtime wind-down, decaf coffee still offers several benefits, without interfering with your sleep. Is Decaf Coffee Right for You? Decaf coffee is perfect for those who are sensitive to caffeine, trying to cut down, or simply looking for a coffee fix without the added buzz. It’s especially great for pregnant women, people with certain medical conditions, or anyone who enjoys coffee late in the day but still wants a good night's sleep. Or if you’d like to cut down your caffeine without venturing all the way to Decaf, we have a delicious Lightly Caffeinated Instant Coffee that provides a similar amount of caffeine to your average English breakfast Tea. Final Thoughts: Sip Happy, Sip Decaf So, if you’ve been hesitant about Decaf, now’s the time to give it a try. You can enjoy all the delicious flavour and an awesome amount of health benefits. Whether you’re trying to wind down for the evening or just want a smoother coffee experience, TrueStart's Decaf is the perfect choice to keep you sipping happy all day long. Ready to experience all the benefits of Decaf? Give it a go and enjoy a smooth, flavourful cup whenever the mood strikes! References Farah A et al. Chlorogenic acids and lactones in regular and water-decaffeinated arabica coffees. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2008. van Dam RM, Hu FB. Coffee consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2005. Nieber, K. The Impact of Coffee on Health. Planta Medica, 83(16), 1256–1263. 2017. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-115007 Chieng, D., Canovas, R., Segan, L., Sugumar, H., Voskoboinik, A., Prabhu, S., Ling, L.-H., Lee, G., Morton, J. B., Kaye, D. M., Kalman, J. M., & Kistler, P. M. The impact of coffee subtypes on incident cardiovascular disease, arrhythmias, and mortality: long-term outcomes from the UK Biobank. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 29(17), 2240–2249. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjpc/zwac189

When you’re always on the move, whether it’s hiking up a mountain, diving into a wild swim, or just tackling the daily grind, you shouldn’t have to compromise on your coffee. Enter TrueStart Coffee Bags – the ultimate solution for coffee lovers who crave quality and convenience, no matter where they are. What Are TrueStart Coffee Bags? Think of TrueStart Coffee Bags as your trusty adventure companion – or as your favourite tea bag’s cooler, more caffeinated sibling.  Packed with our specialty grade Ground Coffee,  they deliver a fresh, flavourful brew in minutes, no cafetiere or fancy equipment required.  All you need is a mug, hot water, and a love for great coffee. Why Choose our Coffee Bags? Here’s why TrueStart Coffee Bags should be in every coffee lover’s arsenal: Quick & Easy: Get a smooth, rich cup of filter coffee in just a few minutes, without the wait or mess of a cafetiere. Portable: These little beauties are perfect for your backpack, whether you’re heading to work or camping in the wilderness. Simply toss a couple of Coffee Bags into your bag, and you’re ready for anything. Outdoor-Ready: Perfect for wild swimming mornings, hiking trips, or cozy nights under the stars. Just add hot water for a brew that’s as adventurous as you are. Eco-Friendly: Our Coffee Bags are made with the planet in mind, and as a B Corp company we always put the planet and people first, so you can sip with a clear conscience. Range: Our Loose Coffee Bags come in three different blends, our signature smooth Energising Colombian, our stronger Super Blend, or if you want all the flavour but none of the caffeine, we’ve got you covered with our Decaf Coffee Bags. Brew Perfect Coffee, Anywhere Making great coffee shouldn’t slow you down. With TrueStart Coffee Bags, you can have your favourite brew, anytime, anywhere: Boil Water: Get your kettle or camp stove going and boil some water. Steep: Pop a Coffee Bag in your mug, pour over the hot water, and let it steep for 3-5 minutes. Enjoy: Stir, remove the bag, and enjoy a delicious, energising cup of TrueStart. Fuel Your Adventures Coffee Bags are ideal for anyone on the go and for us, they were made with the great outdoors in mind. Whether you’re gearing up for a sunrise swim, a day out trail running, or a weekend camping under the stars, these Coffee Bags are ready to fuel your adventures. No bulky gear, no fuss – just pure, positive energy in every sip.  So, when you’re packing for your next adventure, don’t forget to bring TrueStart Coffee Bags along for the ride. Perfect coffee has never been so portable – or so easy.  Happy sipping!

Cold Coffee is Cold Coffee right? Wrong.  We're talking about Cold Brew vs Iced Americanos in today's blog, and their subtle but importance differences! We want to ensure there's a coffee for everyone as we all have different favourites so here's a quick guide on which type of cold coffee is for you! Let's dive in.. WHAT IS COLD BREW? Cold Brew is a method of brewing coffee using cold water over a long period of time, and if you were to make it at home from scratch be prepared to wait 12 to 24 hours. Don't worry though, we've got it ready for you to drink in a can! You steep coffee grounds in cold water, resulting in a smooth, less acidic coffee concentrate that can be served over ice. HOW IS IT MADE? Grind: Start with ground coffee beans. Brew: Steep the grounds in cold water for 12 to 24 hours. Filter: Strain out the grounds to leave a pure, smooth coffee concentrate. Serve: Pour over ice and you’re ready to enjoy! The extended brewing process extracts flavours from the coffee beans more gently, resulting in a naturally sweeter and smoother taste, that’s perfect for sipping on a sunny day. You can try our sugar-free & vegan Cold Brew in two flavours: Original Black or Chocolate Fudge! WHAT IS AN ICED AMERICANO? An Iced Americano, on the other hand, is all about that bold espresso kick, chilled to perfection and topped up with cold water! So for this, you simply add cold water to a freshly brewed espresso, then pour it over ice. This method maintains the strong, bold flavour of espresso but with a refreshing twist. You can choose from either our Energising Colombian, Super Blend or Bright-Eyed Brazilian Beans for a caffeinated kick or if you want all the flavour and none of the caffeine, use our Brazilian Swiss Water Method Decaf! HOW IS IT MADE? Brew: Make a double shot of espresso. Dilute: Add cold water to the espresso. Serve: Pour the mixture over ice. Simple and delicious! This method keeps the espresso’s robust flavour intact offering a refreshing and invigorating coffee experience, making it a favourite for those who enjoy the classic espresso taste. If you want to make this with our Instant Coffee then simply take 2 x teaspoons of your favourite Instant and some cold water to make a mini espresso. WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE COLD BREW? Smooth Taste Cold Brew is all about that smooth, mellow flavour with a natural sweetness. If you love your coffee easy-drinking, this one's for you! Low Acidity Thanks to its gentle brewing process, Cold Brew is kinder on your stomach, making it a great choice for those who need a lower acidity option. Versatility Our Cold Brew is a coffee chameleon! Pick a flavour, serve it over ice, dilute it with milk or drink it straight from the can. Convenience Brew a big batch of Cold Brew with either our Fresh Coffee / Coffee Bags or even Instant Coffee or, for total ease, top up with our cans! Either way you'll have a ready-to-drink coffee stash in your fridge for days. Perfect for busy mornings or when you need a quick coffee fix!   WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE AN ICED AMERICANO? Bold Flavour Love the strong, rich taste of espresso? The Iced Americano delivers that bold flavour you crave, even when chilled and diluted with water. Quick and Easy Got a machine or a kettle & need a coffee fast? An Iced Americano is your speedy solution. Just a few minutes and you’re ready to roll with a refreshing, energising drink from either our Beans or our Instant Coffee. Refreshing and Energising The combo of cold water and ice with robust espresso makes for a drink that’s both refreshing and a serious energy boost. Perfect for hot days or when you need a pick-me-up!   THERE'S MORE... Both Cold Brew and Iced Americano have their unique qualities, and choosing between them depends on your taste preferences and coffee habits. At TrueStart Coffee, we use specialty grade beans to ensure that whether you're sipping on a Cold Brew or enjoying an Iced Americano, you're getting the highest quality coffee experience. If you want to make an Iced Americano you can make an espresso shot with our Fresh Coffee range or even our Barista Grade Instant Coffee range! More inclined to a cold, lighter black coffee? Then head to our Cold Brew range or make one with any of our Coffee Bags. So, why not try both and decide for yourself?   

You may have noticed that we've launched a delicious new drink with Bubble CiTea 🧋 But what is Bubble Coffee? Well let's tell you about it.. Bubble Coffee: What is it? This Bubble Coffee is a delicious, milky drink that has our Barista Grade Instant, brown sugar syrup & traditional Taiwanese chewy tapioca pearls in it. Who are Bubble CiTea? Bubble CiTea are one of the UK's biggest bubble drink brands, they have 50+ stores across the UK and are serving up a whole range of mouth watering drinks. Why did they partner with us? At Bubble CiTea, they are constantly innovating and expanding their menu to create the perfect blend for our customers. After an extensive search for the finest local coffee brand, they landed on us due to our mutual commitment to high quality products & delivering fun, but exceptional customer service. So what are the products? Their Bubble Coffee range features two signature drinks that blend the rich flavours of TrueStart's coffee with their signature ingredients. These drinks not only celebrate the taste of coffee but are also blended to perfection, capturing the fun and unique experience that Bubble CiTea is known for.Dirty LatteThe Dirty Latte is a delightful blend of their signature brown sugar syrup and top-rated coffee from TrueStart, combined with your choice of milk and a scoop of chewy tapioca. Each sip offers the perfect balance of velvety texture and rich flavour.Dirty FrappéThe Dirty Frappé is a dreamy frozen mixture of TrueStart Coffee, delicious brown sugar syrup, and fresh milk blended to perfection. This slushie is served with a scoop of tapioca, topped with whipped cream and an extra drizzle of brown sugar syrup. The CEO of Bubble CiTea, Suneet Sachdeva, said of the collab, "Bubble Coffee has been on our radar for a while and our customers have been buzzing about coffee. Now is the perfect moment to brew something fresh and unique! We're excited to partner with TrueStart, and every member of the BCT family can't wait to introduce our first delicious and refreshing Bubble Coffee to the market" So there you have it - a quick rundown on everything you need to know about this product.. is this your thing? If so, get yourself to the nearest Bubble CiTea now!

We have an epic range of Fresh Ground Coffee for every taste: Energising Colombian, Super Blend, Bright-Eyed Brazilian and Swiss-Water Decaf. Today, we're diving into the wonderful world of Ground Coffee and all the ways to brew it. Our Ground Coffees are all "omnigrind coffee", so you can make them in heaps of different ways! So, grab your favourite mug, and let's get to it!     What’s "Omnigrind Coffee" Anyway? Omnigrind coffee is like the Swiss Army knife of coffee grounds. It's ground to a medium size, making it perfect for a variety of brewing methods. Whether you're in the mood for a quick cup or a slow, luxurious brew, omnigrind coffee has you sorted. So, what can I make? Let's dive in to some recipes.. AeroPress: The Quick and Versatile Champion The AeroPress is a fantastic little gadget that brews up a delicious, smooth cup of coffee in just a couple of minutes. Just add your ground coffee, pour in hot water, give it a good stir, and press down—voilà! It’s perfect for those mornings when you need a tasty cup ASAP! What You Need: AeroPress Omnigrind coffee Hot water (around 93°C) Stirrer (we use the humble teaspoon!) Instructions: Prep Your AeroPress: Place a paper filter in the cap and rinse with hot water. Assemble: Put the AeroPress on your mug. Add Coffee: Use 1-2 scoops (about 15-20 grams or 3-4 tablespoons) of your TrueStart ground of choice.  Add Water: Pour hot water up to the top of the AeroPress. Stir and Steep: Stir for about 10 seconds, then let it steep for 30 seconds. Plunge: Slowly press down the plunger. Enjoy! Delicious and ready to go!  French Press: The Classic and Bold A French press, or cafetiére, makes a robust and full-bodied brew. It takes a little more time, but the reward for your patience is totally worth the wait!  What You Need: French Press Fresh Ground Coffee Hot water (around 93°C) Stirrer (...a good ol’ spoon!) Instructions: Prep Your French Press: Rinse with hot water to warm it up. Add Coffee: Use 1:15 coffee to water ratio (about 30 grams or 3 heaped tablespoons of coffee for 450 ml of water). Add Water: Pour hot water over the coffee grounds. Stir and Steep: Stir gently, then place the lid on with the plunger pulled up. Let it steep for 4 minutes. Plunge: Slowly press down the plunger. Serve and Savor! Pour into your favorite mug and enjoy! Drip Coffee: The Everyday Hero The drip coffee maker is a favourite in many homes and businesses. It’s straightforward, reliable, and makes a whole pot in one go.  What You Need: Drip Coffee Machine/Filter Coffee Machine TrueStart Ground Coffee Filter Instructions: Prep Your Machine: Place a filter in the basket. Add Coffee: Use 1-2 tablespoons of ground coffee per 180ml of water (or per cup). Add Water: Fill the reservoir with water. Brew: Turn on the machine and let it do its thing. Pour and Enjoy! When it’s ready, grab yourself a nice big cup. Pour Over: The Artisanal Brew The pour-over method is all about precision and patience, resulting in a clean, complex cup of coffee. What You Need: Pour Over Dripper (like a V60) Filter TrueStart Ground Coffee Hot water (around 93°C) Top Tip: If you want to push the boat out, use a gooseneck kettle for precision Instructions: Prep Your Dripper: Place a filter in the dripper and rinse with hot water. Add Coffee: Use 1:16 coffee to water ratio (about 25 grams of coffee for 400 ml of water). Bloom: Pour a small amount of hot water over the coffee to bloom (let it sit for 30 seconds). Pour: Slowly pour the remaining water in a circular motion. Wait: Let all the water drip through. Sip and Enjoy: Pour into a mug and enjoy the nuanced flavors. Cold Brew: The Cool and Refreshing If you haven’t tried our fantastic Cold Brew range yet, you’re missing out! But if you're up for a DIY adventure and have a bit of time to spare, making your own cold brew at home is a fun way to enjoy a smooth, slightly sweet coffee that's perfect for hot summer days. What You Need: Large jar or pitcher Omnigrind coffee Cold water Fine mesh strainer or coffee filter Instructions: Combine: Add 1 cup of TrueStart Fresh Ground Coffee to 4 cups of cold water. Stir and Steep: Stir well and let it steep in the fridge for 12-24 hours. Strain: Strain the coffee through a fine mesh strainer or coffee filter. Serve: Pour over ice and enjoy your refreshing cold brew. Whether you're in the mood for a quick AeroPress brew or a slow, luxurious French press, our Fresh Ground Coffee Range has got you covered. Have fun experimenting with these methods and discover your perfect cup. Happy brewing! ☕  

We are buzzing to announce our partnership with Mental Health Swims! We've admired the work this incredible community does and to be able to be a part of it is an honour. A huge thank you to Rachel and her team for having us involved; we can't wait to see the impact our support has and, of course, seeing the dippers enjoying their TrueStart by the water. Who are Mental Health Swims and what do they do? It can be really intimidating joining a new group, especially when you are experiencing mental health issues. This was certainly true for founder of Mental Health Swims, Rachel Ashe. In 2019 after a period of mental ill health Rachel was looking for ways to connect with others. When she couldn't find what she was looking for she started an outdoor dipping group in Swansea where she lives. This one small group turned into the nationwide social enterprise that Mental Health Swims is today.  How do they create safe & welcoming spaces for people living with mental illness?  Mental Health Swims was created with this in mind. We try to make joining our swim groups a gentle experience. We do this by having wonderful volunteers facilitate the sessions so that you will always receive a friendly welcome.  Our volunteers have all completed our volunteer training which includes cold water safety, mental health awareness, risk assessment and how to create safe and welcoming spaces for people experiencing mental health issues. Lived experience is really important to us. Everyone, including board members, the core team, volunteers and participants have lived experience of mental health issues, either personally or through supporting someone close to us. This means that everyone in our organisation really understands what it is to struggle.  Since we started in 2019 to now, we have trained over 400 volunteers and have a network of groups all across the UK and beyond.  What are you planning for 2024? This is an exciting year for us because we have a new project called "Swim Together" which takes our peer support model indoors. We hope this will make mental health peer support swimming groups more accessible to a wider range of people.  We are thrilled to be working with TrueStart coffee whose beliefs align with ours. It means a lot to have their support on our mission to share our love of swimming with more people.  Check out their website to find out more..

LAST SWIM OF 2024: Friday 20th December / 7.30 - 9am / Clevedon Marine Lake  We've been carrying out our Monthly TrueStart Dips for almost two years now and those Friday mornings are some of our very favourites. We bring our truck Sunny to the lakeside car park and hand out free delicious coffees for the brave dippers, bringing along cosy red changing robes for anyone who needs one! But, why do we do it? What are the benefits of cold water swimming? Why do our community come along? Let's dive into exactly why we love our cold water dips for both our minds + our bodies, and we think you would too.. Boosts Your Immune System: Cold water swimming has long been associated with strengthening the immune system. The shock of cold water on the body stimulates the production of white blood cells, which are essential for fighting off infections. Regular exposure to cold water may help make your immune system more resilient, potentially reducing the frequency of colds and other illnesses. Enhances Blood Circulation: The cold water causes blood vessels to constrict, which in turn improves circulation. This increased circulation can benefit overall cardiovascular health, aiding in the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs. It's Magic on Stress & Anxiety: There's something uniquely calming about immersing yourself in cold water. The shock to the system triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural mood lifters, leading to a sense of euphoria and relaxation, especially after you're out. Cold water swimming has been linked to reduced levels of stress and anxiety and we're here to make you happier & healthier. Improves Your Mental Resilience: Stepping into cold water requires a certain level of mental fortitude. Over time, regular exposure to the discomfort of cold water can help build mental resilience and discipline. It teaches you to embrace discomfort, adapt to challenging situations, and emerge stronger on the other side, both in and out of the water - our team have certainly noticed the benefits both at home & at work. Promotes Muscle Recovery: Athletes have long used cold water immersion as a means of aiding recovery after intense workouts - just check out how many athletes use ice baths like LUMI. The cold water helps reduce inflammation in muscles and joints, providing relief from soreness and speeding up the recovery process.  Increases Metabolism: Cold water swimming activates brown fat, a type of fat tissue that generates heat to keep your body warm, hence why you have to warm up your body with hot coffee / tea afterwards. But as your body works to maintain its core temperature in cold water, it burns more calories improving your metabolic function over time. Brings You Back to Nature: There's a profound sense of connection that comes from immersing yourself in nature, whether that's woods, mountains parks, or in this case; in bodies of water. Cold water swimming offers an opportunity to disconnect from the hustle & bustle of daily life and reconnect with the natural world. We're incredibly lucky to be able to access a marine lake just 20 minutes outside of the city but any body of cold water outside will have that similar feeling of connection. Whether you're swimming in a lake / river / ocean, dipping in an ice bath or even popping cold shower each immersion becomes a chance to appreciate the beauty of the environment around you. Plus, Andrew Huberman (prof of Neurobiology) notes that if you have a coffee / other source of caffeine, before immersing yourself in cold water your dopamine receptors will increase. In simple terms, you will feel the effects of the "happy hormone" more intensely & for longer and we all love to feel happier! We know cold water dipping may not be for everyone and accessing spots can be tricky depending on where you live & physical ability but perhaps starting with a cold shower will be your gateway. The mental & physical benefits of cold water swimming extend far beyond the initial shock of the cold, especially when you're heading to our truck Sunny for a hot coffee afterwards..  If you're interested in joining us at Clevedon Marine Lake but want to have a chat about anything before hand or have any questions please email India (india@truestartcoffee.com) and she'd love to help! We can't wait to be diving in with you soon :)

Two years ago, we decided to take an industry-first step in understanding our carbon emissions. From what we could understand, no one had done it before for instant coffee, which is a core product line for us. There was no template to follow, but we’re always up for a challenge! We partnered up with Ecofye - an Earthshot Prize nominated environmental consultancy - to carry out a 3-phase process;   Phase 1 - Calculation Of our scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.  Scope 1 includes all carbon emissions from our direct energy use (gas, fuel), Scope 2 includes all carbon emissions from our indirect energy use (electricity, steam), and Scope 3 includes EVERYTHING ELSE! That could be the amount of carbon created on the rainy days we drive into the office, the amount we use delivering coffee to you, all the way to the paper we use to write you guys welcome notes. This phase was lengthy as it involved a lot of data collection from our supply chain - from farm to cup. Phase 2 - Reduction & Improvements  Asking ourselves with this new knowledge, where could we immediately have an impact? This was where we made a decision to upgrade our instant coffee large tub packaging to fully recyclable aluminium, for example. Carbon emissions are now thoroughly considered as a routine part of our considerations for any product or process decisions (existing and improvements, as well as new).  Phase 3 - Investment In selected social and environmental projects that remove, sequester, avoid and offset 120% of the carbon that we emitted in that previous year. Each year, we re-select these projects. For 2022, we financially supported four Verra-certified projects in the nations from which we buy our coffee; Forestry Project - Colombia 🇨🇴 This one is super special as it’s the heartland for our coffee & where Helena used to live. As a carbon removal project it actually takes CO2 out of the atmosphere & this one supports local farmers, restores biodiversity & improves fresh water supply. It provides financial and technical support to local farmers, enabling them to adopt new, sustainable farming practices.  Hydroelectric Energy Project - Honduras 🇭🇳 This project is carbon avoidance focused, meaning it contributes to climate action by preventing carbon that would otherwise have been released into the atmosphere. It provides renewable energy which in turn reduces dependency on fuel wood, relieving deforestation pressures & improving access to electricity for local communities. Renewable Energy Project - Brazil 🇧🇷 Another carbon avoidance project this has switched the fuel used in a factory from illegal sources to residues. Improving income and working conditions in local communities & avoiding nearly 133,000tons of CO2e. Biomass Power Project - India 🇮🇳 Our final carbon avoidance project uses rice husks from local communities to make electricity, then the money generated provides a First Aid Health Center which provides education and a hand pump to Tada village. Following our 2023 calculations, we are financially supporting two fantastic projects, including continuing support for the Chinchina Watershed project in Colombia, and adding support for: Hydro Power Project - Indonesia (Bengkulu) 🇮🇩 This project has been running since 2006 and generates enough electricity to supply 700,000 Indonesians a week. It has created 50 workplaces in the area and the project re-invests part of the revenue into new income streams for the local community (eg. a new marketplace, farmers benefit from improved infrastructure access land/rice paddies). The project also offers free training for locals on composting and organic fertilisers. It has built a primary school, orphanage and mosque, and has its own reforestation programme. Proudly Becoming Carbon Negative Once we had completed this process, we set about the task of working out the best way to communicate our carbon-conscious approach to our customers! We chose ‘Carbon Negative’, which we were super happy with! It felt simple but accurate - the International Energy Agency states that “becoming carbon negative requires a company, sector or country to remove more CO2 from the atmosphere than it emits” (accurate at the time of writing - March 2024).  By investing in projects that remove, sequester, avoid and offset 120% of the carbon that we emitted in that previous year, this made TrueStart eligible to proudly claim ‘Carbon Negative’ status! We took a lot of time to consider this language, because language is important. We thought about options such as ‘Carbon Neutral’ and ‘Planet Positive’, but felt that they were inaccurate or unclear.  Social Impact In addition to our support of carbon-related environmental and social projects, TrueStart works with Magic Breakfast to provide nutritious, healthy meals to children at risk of hunger across the UK. We also donate coffee to food banks, community centres and Fareshare whenever we can. Finally, we are extremely passionate about improving education - on better health (including neurodiversity awareness) and better business. From working with schools and universities to teach students about ethical and sustainable business, to public speaking on my own personal journey from an ADHD diagnosis aged 7, we believe it is our job to inspire the next generation to make a splash.  Continuous Progress Simon and I have always made decisions that we believe in our hearts are the best decisions for both people and planet.  As a certified B Corp, we’re committed to continuous improvement and progress.  Carbon is complex, and our priorities are to help our customers understand what we do, whilst also fighting against greenwashing. Over the past year, we’ve come to realise that there is some confusion around certain terminology, such as ‘Carbon Negative’, ‘Carbon Neutral’, and what it means to be ‘Net Zero’. It’s also become clear that there are companies out there offsetting destructive, unnecessarily high emissions - emissions around which there is no reduction strategy or thought process in place - in order to claim Carbon Neutral or Carbon Negative status. This is greenwashing. TrueStart is an inherently carbon-conscious company, always looking for ways to do better. This goes back to how Simon and I have always made decisions in the business - for example, using sea and road rather than air-freight to transport both our coffee and packaging. We want to ensure that TrueStart remains crystal clear in our communication, and do not wish to use terminology that could be considered confusing for any of our customers. New Packaging Call Outs - Our Commitment We are currently reviewing the best way to update the ‘Carbon Negative’ claim on our packaging. Whilst it remains technically correct, we want to find an even clearer way to share our approach with our customers and do not want to be associated with confusing terminology. TrueStart will continue to financially support environmental and social projects that remove, sequester and avoid carbon across the world.  This year for the first time, we will be looking for a UK-based biodiversity, forestry or rewilding project to support - one that we feel excited about as a team! This is alongside the continued support of the Chinchina Watershed Forestry & Biodiversity project in Colombia, which is the primary source of our coffee. So how do we best communicate this approach to our customers on our packaging? At the moment, we’re thinking of updating our ‘Carbon Negative Coffee’ stamp to read simply ‘Supports Biodiversity Projects’. This feels very clear and factual, and will be backed up as always by more detailed information here, at truestartcoffee.com. Due to the time and investment required to make these changes across all our products, we will be making the changes one product/range at a time, with a target completion date of December 2025.  We hope to have made a decision on what exactly the packaging update will be by July 2024. We Need You! To help us to use the clearest possible language on our packaging, to communicate our approach, and the work we do. Please do get in touch if you have any thoughts or suggestions! Click below to go to a form where you can let us know in just 10 seconds what words you'd like to see on pack to replace 'Carbon Negative Coffee'.. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9rtlCLDkOMsQUoIFRAygwIhAr8oEWlPSBmMgUTFaE8Ecvfg/viewform?usp=sf_link This really is a team effort, we’re all learning together about how we can make the world a better place! 💙