Gourmet Coffee Market Trends
The gourmet coffee industry has grown dramatically, especially because of America’s love for espresso and specialty coffee drinks. It is quite apparent that coffee houses like Starbucks can be found in every area of major cities, so who is behind these coffee industry trends?
Senior Citizens
A recent study has shown that coffee drinkers of the ages of 25 to 29 have increased their coffee drinking outside of their homes from 42% to 66%. In the 30 to 59 age bracket, coffee consumption has increased from 33% to 46%, but the biggest boom came from the seniors. That group increased their gourmet coffee drinking from 9% to 14%. What gives? Specialty coffee shops are prevalent, and many seniors are drawn to these locations because of comfort and affordable prices so that they can socialize with friends. A gourmet coffee drink is often cheap, so it is a good choice for seniors on a fixed income.
Hispanic Coffee Drinkers
Another booming coffee market is in the Latino community, who are opening coffee shops at rising rates. This offers the general public numerous authentic coffee beverages from native regions. In fact, this may be one of the biggest trends to watch out for in specialty Latin coffee houses that offer unique coffee and espresso beverages that you may not be able to find elsewhere.
Summer Coffee Drinks
Specialty coffees include iced coffee and blended Frappuccinos, which have recently exploded in sales. Americans actually enjoy these coffee drinks throughout the year, not only in the summer. Most consumers enjoy an iced coffee or frappe in the colder months since there are many different flavors, combinations, and styles available.
Authentic Espresso
Espresso in itself has solidified the gourmet coffee industry by creating a number of espresso-based beverages that may be unique to each coffee house location. Popular espresso drinks have risen from 4% to 7% of total sales, meaning that it is a popular option for regular coffee drinkers.
If you are a fan of specialty coffee, you can enjoy many different fine roasts from local coffee shops in your area. Still, if you want to save money and find out more about coffee, it may be wise to invest in a coffee maker or home espresso machine so that you can brew at home. If you’re interested in brewing at home, it is best to purchase fresh gourmet coffee beans, and use them within 10 to 14 days after roasting. This will ensure that you have first-rate freshness in your coffee drink by avoiding beans that are stale altogether.
The point of the matter is that we cannot deny that the United States loves coffee! Luckily, many of the drinks that are popular in the US are inspired by other coffee cultures, like Italy, France, and even Latin America, to give us all a well-rounded choice in our daily cup of Joe.