For Coffee Lovers: A Look Into Coffee Consumption Across the U.S.
Each morning, coffee drinkers around America reach for that familiar cup of joe. It’s no secret that coffee consumption in the United States is on the rise, with more than 150 million Americans drinking coffee every day. Americans are loyal to their coffee habit, as they spend roughly $40 billion a year on coffee alone. Curious to know which city drinks the most coffee? Let’s take an in-depth look into coffee consumption in the U.S.
When it comes to coffee consumption, the stats in the U.S. are impressive. According to the National Coffee Association, 64% of Americans over the age of 18 drink coffee daily. Consumers prefer to drink their coffee throughout the day, with the majority of coffee being consumed between breakfast and lunch. Most coffee drinkers prefer their cup of joe poured from a machine, such as a Keurig or a conventional coffee maker. For those who opt for a take-out cup, they often purchase their drinks from specialty cafes and grocery stores. On average, Canadians consume 150 liters of coffee a year, which is the highest in the world.
To put this into perspective, let’s look at the stats per city. After surveying 76 American metropolitan statistical areas, a recent study conducted by the American Coffee Association has revealed that the city of Los Angeles is the official capital of coffee consumption in the United States, with Los Angeles coffee drinkers drinking an average of 4.21 cups per day. The city of Washington D.C. followed closely with an average of 4.06 cups, and San Francisco with an average of 3.71 cups per day. To round out the top five, Boston and Seattle come in at 3.43 cups and 3.42 cups per day, respectively.
When it comes to coffee consumption, there are a few coffee loving cities that have made especially impressive strides in the past few years. Experts point to Denver’s flourishing cafe culture as contributing to the nation’s overall coffee consumption. Denver’s coffee scene has exploded over the past decade, with local cafes and chains offering readily accessible coffee pour overs, lattes and cappuccinos. Denver’s coffee consumption is growing rapidly, and experts predict that it will soon be in the list of top 5 cities in the nation.
Additionally, the city of Philadelphia has seen a rise in coffee consumption thanks to the numerous collegiate coffee shops the city boasts. Locals, students and tourists flock to these cafes to enjoy delicious coffee and pastries. Philadelphia may soon be bumping elbows with Los Angeles as one of the cities with the highest coffee consumption in the nation.
Coffee Trends In 2021
The current trends in American coffee consumption suggest that consumers are favoring specialty coffee drinks over traditional, run-of-the-mill cups of joe. This has caused the specialty cafe market to skyrocket, and many chains to have had to adjust their business models accordingly. Additionally, the trend of home and office coffee delivery services has contributed to the increase in coffee consumption across the United States.
In 2021, experts predict that consumers will continue to favor specialty coffees as well as even more exotic creations. Many cafes and roasteries now offer nitro cold brew, flavoring syrups, espresso shots and a variety of custom drinks. Coffee-lovers can also look forward to pre-made drinks that are more convenient than ever before. Thanks to the continuous technical advancements and new creations in the coffee market, coffee lovers can look forward to even more inventive coffee products in 2021 and beyond.
The Environmental Impacts of Coffee
While the perks of a cup of joe are obvious, let’s not forget the environmental impacts that come with it. Coffee comes from the roasted beans of the coffee plant and requires large amounts of water for production. The paper and plastic cups that accompany coffee drinks are also wasteful. Fortunately, many cafes and companies are taking efforts to make their products more environmentally friendly.
Many cafes are beginning to offer drinkware such as ceramic mugs, as well as bulk discounts for customers who use reusable cups. Additionally, some companies such as Starbucks, who sell reusable tumblers, are finding ingenious ways of rewarding their customers into using more eco-friendly products.
The Impact Of Home Coffee Machines
Nowadays, having a home coffee machine has become commonplace due to the convenience that they offer. Consumer reports show that the popularity of home coffee machines has dramatically increased in the past few years. With the right machine, you can make a variety of coffee beverages with just the push of a button.
Though home machines are convenient and have reduced costs for coffee lovers in the long run, they still come with their own set of environmental and economic drawbacks. For instance, home coffee machines oftentimes require special filters, pods and other disposables, which can generate a noticeable amount of waste over time. In addition, the technology built into home coffee machines can be excessively expensive.
How Culture Is Impacting Coffee Consumption
Coffee has long been used as a tool for sharing the warmth of an idea and culture. Going out for a cup of coffee often signals a desire to connect with people, perhaps over shared experiences or even politics. This can be seen in numerous cities around the country, with coffee often being a social tool used to bridge differences.
Coffee culture has also heavily impacted the way that people consume coffee. Recent research suggests that many consumers are choosing to savor their coffee, sitting down and combining their coffee-drinking experience with their digital one. People are increasingly grabbing their cup of joe and indulging in a book, laptop or a chat with a friend.
Coffee’s Health Benefits
The coffee bean, though humble, packs hidden health benefits. Coffee is full of multiple vitamins and minerals such as B2, B5, B3, magnesium and potassium. To add even more coffee-derived health benefits to your diet, consider adding milk and sugar, which are both nutrient-dense ingredients. Studies suggest that drinking three to five cups of coffee a day can help reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, depression and heart rhythm disorders.
Some experts are beginning to encourage moderate coffee consumption due to its potential health benefits. These health benefits are especially true for people who enjoy their coffee in moderation and without additional sweets, fats and unhealthy ingredients.
Iced Coffee: A Growing Trend
Refreshing and delicious, iced coffee has become a part of the mainstream coffee market, with iced coffee shops gaining traction all over the country. Iced coffee allows people to enjoy their coffee while beating the heat all summer long. Additionally, more consumers are turning to nitrogen-infused cold brews, as well as iced lattes to get their caffeine fix.
Experts believe that the growth of the iced coffee market is attributed to its unique flavor and to the increased availability of cold brew over the past few years. Companies are also pushing the boundaries of cold brews and iced coffees, offering inventive, caffeinated cocktails and frozen concoctions that draw in both coffee-lovers and curious consumers alike.
Innovation in Coffee Products
From coffee pods to espresso shots, coffee products are continuing to become more and more advanced. Technology has allowed companies to find creative ways to make coffee more accessible with fast and easy-to-use machines. There are also a wide range of coffee machines that are designed to make specific beverages, such as cappuccinos, espressos, mochas and macchiatos, to name a few.
Going forward, experts in the coffee industry believe that coffee products will continue to become even more sanitary and revolutionary, as companies are constantly pushing the boundaries of technology to produce the best coffee beverages.
Home Roasting: Making Coffee-Loving Even Easier
To make coffee-drinking even more accessible and fun, there has been a rise in home roasters. These machines make it possible to roast fresh, organic coffee beans in the comfort of your own home or office. This increases ease-of-access for those who may not have access to specialty roasters due to geographic or financial restraints.
Home roasting has been incredibly well-received and is growing increasingly popular thanks to the quality of the coffee it produces. With this invention, coffee lovers can now maintain control over the flavors, grind and roast of the beans, a level of control that cannot be achieved with store-bought coffee.
Growing Speciality Coffee Culture
As coffee consumption in the United States continues to rise, there is a growing trend of specialty coffee culture in cities. With this, there is an increased demand for specialty coffee beans, as well as unique coffee shops and cafes. Consumers are seeking out unique and exclusive blends of coffee that add to their overall experience.
There is also an increasing presence of coffee conferences and barista championships popping up around the U.S., giving coffee aficionados the opportunity to learn from coffee industry professionals from around the world. Additionally, coffee-lovers can explore roasteries and partake in cupping classes and coffee tasting in multiple cities throughout the United States.
More and more, coffee drinkers are beginning to look beyond the traditional, everyday cups of coffee and instead turn to more specialty, artisanal coffee offerings. As coffee consumption continues to rise, there is no telling how coffee consumption in the U.S. will change in the years to come.
