Published July 29, 2021

For centuries, people around the globe have enjoyed a simple morning cup of coffee. However, in recent years, we’ve seen some major innovations in how coffee’s made and enjoyed. In today’s world, there are virtually endless different types of coffee’”from lattes and cappuccinos to frappuccinos and more. And that’s not to mention all the different flavors. In order to stay relevant, it’s crucial to stay on top of these ever changing coffee trends. A simple bag of coffee beans will no longer suffice. You have to include trendy coffee in your product offerings now if you want to stay competitive.

In this blog post, we will be discussing the different coffee trends in 2021, how to serve up the best coffee for at-home consumption, how to keep up with the market, and more. Drinking coffee never goes out of style, so it’s important to be aware of the different trends in the coffee beverage industry in order for your business to succeed. Keep reading for a full overview of new trends in coffee, or use the links below to go straight to a specific topic.

• Coffee Trends in 2021
• International Coffee Drinks
• At-Home Coffee Drinks
• Coffee Delivery
• Coffee Subscriptions
• How to Serve the Coffee Customer in 2021

Coffee Trends in 2021

So what kind of coffee trends have we seen in 2021? We all know that the majority of 2020 was spent at home. Which means all those people who were used to getting their daily coffee at a coffee shop had to switch to making it themselves. But being at home didn’t just impact where we get our coffee from, but also how much coffee we drink. There has been a 13% increase in daily coffee consumption over the last year.

But while people were stuck at home for a year, many got adventurous with their coffee drinks. Over the last year, 41% of people reported trying a new type of coffee drink during the pandemic. For example, dalgona, or whipped coffee, was one of the most trendy coffee drinks during the pandemic. If you didn’t try it, there’s a good chance someone you know did. Whipped coffee was everywhere.

The pandemic had a huge impact on current coffee trends. People are looking for high-quality, ready to drink coffee that they can easily make from the comfort of their homes. The use of single-serve coffee also increased in the past year. According to IRI, there was a 7% increase in weekly average sales of single-serve coffee during COVID, which has carried over into 2021 trends. People want their coffee quick and easy, which you can get with single-serve coffee. The pandemic heavily influenced how we shop, with online shopping taking the lead. Now, 47.3% of people buy their coffee online with only 14% buying from a grocery store. That means it’s absolutely necessary for your coffee business to have an online presence.

Some of the other new trends in coffee include:

• Nitro cold brew: This next level cold brew has a less bitter flavor with a smoother texture.
• Matcha latte: Matcha is a good alternative to coffee and contains antioxidants and fiber.
• Non-dairy milk in coffee: For those who don’t want to consume dairy, alternatives like oat, almond, coconut, and soy milk have become increasingly popular.
• Ready-to-drink coffee: People want convenience when it comes to making coffee in the morning.
• Subscription coffee: With a subscription, it’s easy to maintain a consistent supply of your favorite coffee.

People are also paying more attention to the quality of the coffee they drink. They don’t want to sacrifice quality for convenience. People want high-quality coffee that’s easy to make, but comes in a variety of flavors and offers health benefits. It’s a lot of factors to consider, but if you want to keep up with the popular coffee trends, your coffee business will have to accommodate.

What Factors Have Influenced 2021 Coffee Trends

So now that you have a better idea of the most prominent 2021 coffee trends, you’re probably wondering what factors influenced them. Trends don’t appear out of thin air, after all. These are some of the factors that influenced the most popular coffee drinks and habits of 2021:

• Pandemic: More people started drinking coffee at home throughout the day. People want convenience when making their morning cup of coffee, which has increased the usage of single-serve coffee.
• Social media trends: Social media is one of the biggest ways coffee trends grow and spread. Social media influenced the consumption of speciality drinks and whipped coffee. Drinking aesthetic coffee, such as coffee with bright colors and latte art, also became more popular because of social media.
• Prioritization of sustainability: Sustainability matters when it comes to the coffee consumers are drinking, which includes things like recyclable cups and reusable straws, as well as more ethical sourcing and manufacturing practices.

International Coffee Drinks

In recent years, there has been a growing interest and consumption of internationally inspired coffee drinks, including:

Dalgona Coffee

Dalgona coffee became an online sensation in the very beginning of the pandemic. Dalgona coffee is also known as whipped coffee, and in order to make it you have to quickly whip a blend of instant coffee, sugar, and hot water until it forms a whipped consistency. You then pour the whipped concoction over a glass of cold milk and voilà‘”you have whipped coffee. Dalgona coffee grew in popularity due to social media, namely TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. It quickly became one of the most popular coffee trends worldwide.

Turkish Coffee

Turksih coffee is derived from arabica and is made from a high-quality blend of finely ground coffee beans without filtering. It was created all the way back in the 15th century, so it has been perfected over time. The goal of Turkish coffee is to enjoy it in a social setting while chatting with friends and family. Turkish coffee is popular because of its strong taste and added health benefits. Drinking turkish coffee can help cure colds and headaches, as well as give you a boost of energy throughout the day.

Vietnamese Coffee

Vietnamese coffee is made from robusta beans and uses a unique type of dripper, called a phin, to steep the coffee before it filters into the cup. Vietnamaese coffee is traditionally made with condensed milk and served over ice, which results in a sweet, yet strong flavor. However, it can also be made with added ingredients to boost the flavor profile. Vietnamese coffee is so popular because of its deeply rooted heritage, but also because it’s a unique and delicious coffee for all to enjoy.

At-Home Coffee Drinks

At-home coffee drinks have become increasingly popular in the past year. This is because people were stuck at home and forced to make their own coffee instead of getting it from a shop. Consumers wanted an easy and quick way to make coffee from home, while still getting that high-quality taste. These are some of the most popular coffee drinks people have been making at home:

Instant Coffee

Instant coffee is quick and easy to make’”all you need is some hot water and optional sweetener and you’re good to go. Dalgona coffee definitely contributed to the rise in popularity of instant coffee. Instant coffee is a great solution for coffee drinkers on the go who need to make something fast. According to the National Coffee Data Trends Report, 8% of at-home coffee drinkers prefer instant coffee.

Canned Coffee

Canned coffee mainly includes shakes, protein smoothies, and cold coffee. Young people are mostly drinking canned coffee because it’s a non-alcoholic drink alternative that you can find at most grocery stores. Canned coffee is also available in a range of flavors so it appeals to different coffee drinkers. It’s also often sold with other drinks, such as a protein shake.

Recyclable Coffee Pods

The use of single-serve coffee grew in 2021, but people are also looking for a more sustainable option, and it just so happens that recyclable coffee pods fit the bill. Recyclable coffee pods are a more sustainable way to drink coffee while still getting the convenience of single-serve coffee pods.

In 2021, consumption of K-Cups® is expected to surpass 30 billion pods annually. That’s a lot of pods to end up in a landfill. The U.S. coffee pods and capsules market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.1% between 2020 and 2025. That means it’s crucial to start using recyclable coffee pods now to reduce the amount of waste that comes from single-serve coffee.

Cold Brew Coffee

Cold brew has become more popular in 2021 for various reasons. It has fewer calories than other coffee drinks, with a creamier flavor and smoother texture. According to the National Coffee Association’s National Coffee Data Trends Report, cold brew was the top brewing method for 10% of participants. Not only can people make it at home, but virtually every coffee shop large and small now has their own cold brew blends.

Coffee Delivery

Although the pandemic may be nearing its end, the impact it had on society is likely to be everlasting. That includes the coffee beverage industry. While you may be able to go to your favorite coffee shop, coffee delivery is still rising in popularity. Many consumers prefer the convenience of getting their favorite coffee delivered right to their doorstep. Coffee delivery is a great solution for people who tend to be too busy to go to the store to stock up on coffee and other groceries.

Coffee Subscriptions

Coffee subscriptions are another great alternative for those who want their coffee delivered to them. The pandemic influenced the rise of coffee subscriptions as it gave people the opportunity to still receive their daily fix of coffee without having to leave the house. With a regular coffee subscription, you never have to worry about waking up one morning to no coffee ever again. Plus, coffee subscriptions often give consumers the option to try unique, high-end blends they otherwise wouldn’t know about.

How to Serve the Coffee Customer in 2021

As a business owner, it’s crucial to stay on top of the ever-changing coffee trends in the industry. In order for your brand to succeed, you have to make changes to adapt to these trends.

This is what coffee brands should be focusing on in 2021 in order to remain competitive:

• At-home solutions
• High-quality blends
• Coffee options for those on-the-go
• Eco-friendly packaging and practices
• Added health benefits
• Unique coffee drinks

Partner with Intelligent Blends

If you’re struggling with how to grow your coffee business, you should consider partnering with a reputable manufacturer who can help you meet your goals’”Intelligent Blends will do just that. With Intelligent Blends, sustainability matters and we are focused on providing eco-friendly solutions for all coffee drinks. We offer custom K-Cups that are completely recyclable and customizable, as well as stick packs, espresso capsules, and more. We pride ourselves on our innovative K-Cup design, which yields more coffee extraction than leading competitors and has a longer shelf life. Not only that, but we can help you every step of the way as you develop and improve your coffee offerings.

Learn more about what we pack and how we can help your coffee business succeed.

Remain Competitive in the Coffee Market in 2021 and Beyond

In order to remain competitive in the coffee market in 2021, you need to keep up the new trends in coffee. Whether it’s whipped coffee or nitro cold brew, trendy coffee isn’t going anywhere. That means making the necessary adjustments to ensure success for your business and help you stand out among all the other brands vying for the same customers.

It’s important to work with the right manufacturer for your coffee business, like Intelligent Blends. Intelligent Blends will help you create high-quality private label coffee, so you can remain competitive in the coffee market for years to come.