Office Coffee Math: Order the Right Amount of Coffee Beans

Coffee Math: How to Order the Right Amount of Coffee for Any Office Size

86coffee - Coffee Experts August 30, 2025 Coffee

If you’ve ever run out of coffee at work, you already know how fast the mood can change.

Maybe people get a little cranky, focus slips, and suddenly no one can seem to stay awake during that 9 a.m. meeting. On the flip side, ordering too much means wasted beans and wasted money. The good news is that figuring out how much coffee your office really needs is not rocket science. All you need is a little bit of “coffee math” to figure out how to go about it.

Table of Contents | Coffee Math: How to Order the Right Amount of Coffee for Any Office Size

The Benefits of Having an Office Coffee Menu
Coffee Math: The Statistics
Coffee Consumption in Canada
Coffee Station Ideas: Tips for Crafting the Perfect Office Coffee Menu
Weekly Coffee Ordering Guide for Canadian Offices
How to Calculate Coffee for Different Brewing Methods
Coffee Storage Tips in the Office
The Ultimate Solution: 86 Coffee in Calgary

The Benefits of Having an Office Coffee Menu

A good office coffee setup is more than just a caffeine source. Here’s how it can change the whole workday:

Keeps staff energized and motivated from morning to late afternoon.
Helps make your team feel appreciated and looked after.
Saves money compared to daily coffee shop runs.
Makes meetings more bearable and sometimes even productive.
Builds a sense of community around the coffee station.
It’s an opportunity to highlight the finest local beans from local Canadian coffee roasters.
It can be tailored to different tastes, diets, and caffeine needs.

Coffee Math: The Statistics

Before you place that order, you need to know the right numbers. Here’s what the coffee landscape typically looks like in Canadian offices.

1. Coffee Consumption in Canada

We’re serious about coffee in this country. Over 70% of Canadian adults drink it daily. The average Canadian coffee drinker has about 2.7 cups a day, but in an office, that number’s usually even higher. Three cups per coffee drinker per workday would be a solid estimate. That covers a morning cup, an afternoon boost, and maybe one more to share or sip to get them through that long meeting at the end of the day.

2. Standard Serving Size

A “cup” of coffee is not the size of your giant travel mug. In Canada, the standard is 8 ounces, or 237 millilitres. Most office coffee supplies are based on this size. If your crew likes oversized mugs, you’ll definitely need to increase your coffee bean order.

3. Percentage of Coffee Drinkers in Canadian Offices

Not everyone is on the coffee train. We know, *gasp.* For some teammates, it just isn’t their cup of tea.

On average, about 65% of staff drink coffee daily. The rest will stick to tea, water, or nothing at all. Knowing this percentage helps avoid ordering too much or too little.

4. Coffee to Cups Conversion

Coffee beans are still the most common choice for offices. On average, 1 kilogram of beans makes 60 to 70 cups of coffee. Thinking about using coffee pods? That’s even easier: one pod equals one cup. This makes weekly ordering calculations straightforward.

5. Decaf and Seasonal Considerations

Did you know that about 29% of Canadian coffee drinkers like decaf every now and then? So it’s definitely worth having it on hand. Coffee demand also spikes in the colder months. We all know how a hot mug of coffee is even more tempting and comforting when it’s snowing outside, so make sure to increase your winter orders.

Coffee Station Ideas: Tips for Crafting the Perfect Office Coffee Menu

Having a well-crafted menu will keep your team interested and satisfied. Here’s how to do just that:

Run a quick staff survey to see how many people in the office really drink coffee.
Ask about favourite blends and roast levels.
Offer both caffeinated and decaf options.
Include milk, cream, and non-dairy alternatives.
Rotate blends or single-origin beans to keep things fresh.
Keep enough cups, stir sticks, and other coffee accessories stocked.
Set up a clean, inviting coffee station with cozy furniture.
Try beans from Canadian coffee roasters for quality, freshness, and that local touch.
Track weekly usage and adjust orders as needed.
Add tea or hot chocolate so that even non-coffee drinkers can take well-deserved break at the designated station.

Weekly Coffee Ordering Guide for Canadian Offices

It’s time to bring out those calculators. Here’s how the math works when you put it all together:

65% of staff drink coffee
3 cups per coffee drinker per day on average
5 workdays a week
1 kg of beans = 65 cups (average)
1 pod = 1 cup

Office Size	Coffee Drinkers (65%)	Cups/Day (3 per drinker)	Total Cups/Week	Beans Needed/Week (kg)	Pods Needed/Week
5	3	9	45	0.7	45
10	7	21	105	1.6	105
20	13	39	195	3.0	195
30	20	60	300	4.6	300
50	33	99	495	7.6	495
100	65	195	975	15.0	975

Here’s how this table works:

Coffee Drinkers (65%): Multiply your total staff by 0.65.
Cups/Day: Coffee drinkers × 3.
Total Cups/Week: Cups/day × 5 workdays.
Beans Needed/Week: Total cups/week ÷ 65 cup average per kilogram of beans
Pods Needed/Week: Same as total cups/week.

Extra Tip: If you have a lot of decaf drinkers, make about 25–30% of your order decaf.

How to Calculate Coffee for Different Brewing Methods

The amount of coffee you need exactly depends on how you brew it. Each method pulls out different flavours and strengths, and the measurement differs a bit from one to another. Here’s a quick guide for the most common ones you’ll see in Canadian offices.

Drip Coffee Maker:

Use 1.5 to 2 tablespoons (7–10 grams) of ground coffee for every 8 oz (237 ml) cup.

For a standard 12-cup office pot, that’s about 84–120 grams total.

Do the coffee enthusiasts on your team prefer it strong? Stick to the higher end of the range.

French Press:

Go for a coarser grind for the best flavour.

The classic ratio is 2 tablespoons (10–12 grams) per 8 oz cup.

For a 1-litre (about 34 oz) press, use about 4½ tablespoons (43–51 grams).

Espresso Machine:

One single shot uses 7–9 grams of finely ground coffee and gives you about 1 oz (30 ml) of espresso.
Most café-style drinks start with a double shot, which is 14–18 grams.
For lattes, cappuccinos, or other milk drinks, plan on double shots every time.

Cold Brew:

Needs more coffee compared to hot brewing.
Standard concentrate ratio: 1 part coffee to 4 parts water by weight (for example, 250 grams of coffee to 1 litre of water).
Steep for 12–18 hours, then dilute the concentrate with an equal part of water or milk before serving.
You’ll get about twice the servings compared to hot coffee because you’re diluting it.

Single-Serve Pods (K-Cups, Nespresso):

Each pod is pre-measured for one cup, usually 8–10 oz.
No measuring needed, just pop it in and brew.

Pour-Over:

Works a lot like drip, but you control the pour.
Use 15–18 grams of coffee for every 250 ml (about 8 oz) of water.
Adjust grind and ratio to suit your taste.

Coffee Storage Tips in the Office

Good storage keeps coffee tasting fresh and lasting longer. Here’s how to keep your office coffee in top shape from that very first scoop to the last cup.

Store beans in an airtight container. Oxygen is the enemy here, so use something with a tight lid. Glass, stainless steel, or BPA-free plastic all work well.
Keep coffee away from light, heat, and moisture. Put containers in a cupboard or drawer, not on the counter near a sunny window or the coffee maker’s hot plate.
Skip the fridge or freezer. Cold storage actually causes condensation when you open the container. This can harm the beans and dull its flavours.
Only grind what you’ll use for the day. Whole beans keep their flavour much longer than ground coffee, so grind fresh when you can.
Label beans with the purchase or roast date. Use the older ones first, and don’t let coffee sit around for months.
Store sugar, sweeteners, and stir sticks in closed containers so they stay fresh and free from pests.
Always refrigerate milk and creamers. Check expiry dates and avoid leaving them on the counter for long periods.
Do a weekly check of supplies. Organize so the older stock gets used first and nothing stays hidden at the back of the cupboard.

The Ultimate Solution: 86 Coffee in Calgary

Ordering coffee for an office is actually part math, part taste test. Once you know your numbers, it’s easy to avoid shortages and waste. It all comes down to knowing your team and keeping track of what they drink. The key is to balance supply with preference and to keep the coffee tasting fresh, of course.

Whether you’re stocking up on the best coffee beans for office use, hunting for the best coffee in Calgary, or just looking to make your coffee in Calgary better than ever, there’s a perfect solution for it all.

Done figuring out the math all by yourself? Ordering the right amount of coffee for your office is simple with the right planning and supplier. That’s what 86 Coffee’s office program is here for.

With fresh coffee beans sourced from all over the world, unique blends, and quality office coffee supplies, we’ve got you covered. Our Canadian coffee roasters and curated selection are here to make your coffee station the most popular spot at work, minus the stress on your end.

Talk to us today to get started.

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86coffee - Coffee Experts

Chad has been working in the hospitality industry - cafes, restaurants, breweries, etc. for 25 years before discovering his calling for coffee. For Chad, it’s all about being involved in the coffee-making process every step of the way to truly understand the craft. He aims to bridge the gap, especially in terms of bringing the best service to customers.

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