Top Coffee Trends For Business Owners in 2021

Did you know the average person drinks almost three cups of coffee every day? In fact, many would agree that nothing helps prepare us for the day better than that first cup of coffee in the morning. Coffee lovers and producers have turned coffee drinking into an art form, with new ways to prepare and enjoy this popular beverage being introduced to eager consumers each year, making it difficult for even the most avid coffee aficionado to keep up. However, understanding coffee trends can help you have a better knowledge of your industry. Here are some of the coffee trends to watch in 2021:

Dalgona Coffee

This type of coffee gained viral fame in 2020 with millions of videos appearing across social media. This is a unique take on coffee offering a distinct bubbly texture and sweetness. As we enter 2021, you can be sure it will be sticking around. Dalgone appeals to the not-so-die-hard true coffee drinkers who need all that sweetness to make their coffee go down more easily. Not only does it provide them with a pleasant way to sip this hot beverage, but also helps it become more addictive as a sweet indulgence.

Snapchilled Coffee

Cold-brew has been all the rage for years now. However, Snapchilled Coffee is the latest trend in this “genre” of the beverage. It is along the lines of the cold brew, nitro coffee, and iced coffee trends that make it easy for people to enjoy their favorite hot beverage addiction in the heat of the summer. However, in this case, the process is to take freshly brewed hot coffee and “snapchill” it quickly before placing it in cans. The difference between this cold brew and other similar cold bottled coffee drinks is that it is supposed to more effectively preserve the fresh flavor compared to other processes.

Nitro Cold Brews

Giving cold brews a run for their money, the nitro cold brew is another process claiming to outdo other forms of iced coffees. This process continues to grow in demand, as it takes its cues from another beverage trend: the artisanal, craft brewery. Traditional home-brewed beers use pressurized valves to infuse nitrogen gas into their foamy tipples. The coffee industry has adopted the process to create a unique cold brew for coffee drinkers anxious to find new ways to indulge their coffee habit.

Matcha Lattes

This is borderline old news since it’s been around in other countries for more than a few years. However, the Matcha Latte is making an interesting partner for whipped or “dalgona” coffee trends. The addition of matcha powder, egg whites, and a small amount of sugar is by no means new, as it has been used for over a thousand years. Of course, younger generations are making it their own, acting like it was something they’ve just created.

Ready-To-Drink Coffee

Customers can now grab their coffee the way they like it right out of a commercial cooler of their local corner or grocery store. Convenient, and reportedly just as good, it’s certainly a nice alternative to a power drink or can of pop for people with more discerning tastes. It could pose some heavy competition for coffee shops as restless customers are looking for ways to avoid waiting in lines at local coffee shop drive-thrus or counters — which brings us to the next trend.

Coffee Drive-Thrus

This really isn’t anything new, or even interesting. However, what makes it a trend is the fact even the smallest local coffee shops are finding ways to offer a drive-thru option for their customers.  And it’s not just for drivers. Walk-up windows are making a big comeback allowing customers to grab their coffee and run without having to enter the shop. Perhaps inspired by the pandemic, but more likely catering to society’s total lack of patience, this trend is a go-to for any coffee shop that wants to appeal to their customers’ demanding side. Let’s not forget order apps that also make the whole process easier. It’s all about getting freshly prepared, high-quality coffee into the hands of customers as quickly and efficiently as possible without interfering with the flavor or their coffee experience.

Coffee Evolutions, Beverage Revolutions

Coffee has been enjoyed for hundreds of years in some form or another. As more and more trends inspired by global enjoyment and preparation methods have overtaken North America, it is becoming more difficult to ignore the demands of a fickle and easily bored consumer base. However, the industry’s ability to continue to evolve this traditional drink into something new every year has created a revolution in the beverage industry that has competitors “perking” up their ears.

This article has been published in accordance with Socialnomics’ disclosure policy.