Consumer Coffee Trends to Look Out For
Coffee is the most popular beverage in the world. More than 400 billion cups are consumed each year, and 450 million cups are consumed in the United States every day. Coffee creates a sense of comfort and community, and helps many to feel more productive. With so many partaking in at least one cup a day, the demand for flavor and brewing innovations is on the rise. What’s next for the future of coffee? Advanced Biotech gives insight into the top consumer trends to look out for.
Spices and Herbs
The addition of herbs and spices breathe new life into plain coffee. Ground herbs and spices are added directly into the grinds or added in the form of essential oils post-brew. Natural additives like cinnamon, star anise, ginger, and even lavender have been growing in popularity for their health benefits and unique flavor.
Coffee Cocktails
With many seeing coffee as more than a lifestyle than a simple beverage choice, it’s no surprise that coffee is becoming prevalent past the morning hours. While cocktails such as White Russians and Espresso Martinis are traditional menu staples, and every brewery has at least one coffee stout on tap, we predict that the popularity in coffee flavored drinks will continue to rise. Coffee acts as a fun twist on conventional alcoholic beverages, and opens the door for coffee lovers to create and experiment with new and unique flavor combinations.
Nitro Brew
Nitro brew is a new trend that combines traditional coffee techniques with cutting-edge science. Cold brew is infused with nitrogen, giving it a thick, satiny texture and natural sweetness that, visually, resembles a stout beer. Sweet without added sugar and creamy without containing dairy, nitro brew is a popular choice for a wide variety of consumers including vegans, health-conscious, and younger generations looking for new and interesting spins on familiar tastes.
Sweet Coffee Drinks
Younger generations tend to forego the traditional cup of bitter black coffee and look for sweeter ways to get their caffeine fix. Coffee slushies, smoothies, and milkshakes are popping up more and more on menus, while cold brews and lattes are flavored with syrups like pumpkin spice, caramel, and vanilla to satisfy consumer sweet-tooths. We predict that sweet coffee drinks will continue be a popular choice as Millennials and Gen Z encourage brewers to expand their sugary offerings.