Coffee has overtaken tea as the most popular hot drink in the UK, with 63% of consumers regularly drinking coffee compared to 59% for tea, according to an ITV report. However, that doesn’t mean tea is faltering – far from it. Research shows the UK drinks 98 million cups of coffee and an astonishing 100 million cups of tea every single day.
This trend is evident on the high street, with a thriving café and coffee shop scene across the UK. However, a common and unwelcome by-product of tea and coffee is the stubborn stains left on our cups, mugs and crockery.
In this article, we delve into the origins of these troublesome tannin stains, and more importantly, share effective methods to eradicate them using our Supachlor Detannin Detergent, which has been specially formulated for this purpose.
What's Behind those Tea and Coffee Stains?
The culprit behind those stubborn brown marks that just won't wash off? Tannins. Found naturally in numerous plants, tannins are powerful antioxidants with remarkable binding properties.
While tannins contribute to the health benefits of many foods and have been used as dyes for centuries, they unfortunately pose a real challenge for your café dishwasher.
The tannins found in tea and coffee leave unsightly stains on crockery, which can create a problematic scenario for your coffee shop dishwasher and crockery presentation.
Removing Tea and Coffee Stains: Suplachlor to the Rescue
When faced with these persistent marks, many will increase the wash temperature, not knowing that this approach merely sets the stains more firmly. Another common solution is bleach, but while bleach can make the stains appear clear, it does not remove them entirely.
The secret to stain-free crockery lies in a high-quality detergent. The right detergent can make all the difference for your coffee shop commercial dishwasher. In fact, a simple switch to a specialist crockery detergent like Supachlor can solve this stain dilemma.
Supachlor, a chlorinated detergent, has been formulated precisely for this problem, removing tannin stains from crockery without leaving any residue or impacting flavour. The detergent's two active components work in harmony - one component breaks the bond between the stain and crockery, while the other removes it entirely. Swap your regular detergent for Supachlor, and you'll see your cups, mugs and glasses returning to their spotless best in no time.
Have Chalky Deposits on Your Glassware? We've Got You Covered
Of course, tea and coffee stains are not the only issues faced by operators when it comes to keeping items spotless. What about those cloudy, white stains on your glassware, familiar to any commercial glasswasher user?
If you’re struggling with chalky deposits, we've published an article titled, 'Glass Renovation: The Key to the Perfect Pint'. It uncovers the cause of these stains and advises on how to best remove them to ensure your glassware remains in pristine condition.