T: 01749 870055

Ice Cold

Extract from Care Home Catering

July 2017

<  Back

As the weather heats up it's the beverage
equipment that means being able to offer
residents a welcome chilled drink at all
times that really comes into its own.

ICEMAKERS: A wide range of cold beverages can be made more appealing with the addition of some ice. The location of icemakers in a care home catering operation will play a large part in determining which make and model would be best suited to that area and purpose: for example, self-service ice dispensers featuring optical sensors that enable ice delivery without direct contact, thereby dramatically reducing the possibility of contamination, could be chosen for lounges where residents and visitors might be able to help themselves.

Elsewhere the most suitable and desirable 'ice-type' will influence the choice of model, suggests Bob Wood, Director, DC Warewashing & Icemaking Systems. “'Classic' ice machines are the most popular - producing solid cubes of crystalline ice that cool quickly but melt slowly," he says.

"'Granular' ice, similar to crushed ice, is particularly suitable for care homes with post-operative patients or residents with swallowing problems, and is also useful for buffet displays and in cafeterias.

'Hollow' ice is suited to hard water areas due to its ice manufacturing process, while 'Pebble' ice is a hybrid ice which is used to make Mojitos, smoothies, iced teas and coffees."

Freshly prepared drinks are a particularly good source of vitamins and minerals, important for the residents' health and well-being. Many caterers think that making smoothies and juices is a time consuming practice. However with good quality professional equipment they can be quickly mixed up.

By making juice and smoothies on site, care home coffee shops have complete control over what is included; cost and portion control is significantly enhanced to provide a sustainable and seasonal beverage offering which residents, family, guests and staff will love.

Read full article in Care Home Catering Summer 2017 issue ...




 

Read Similar