Dec
04

2017 Coffee Trends for Cafes and Restaurants

Posted on November 24, 2017 by Ash Bennett

If you’re like millions of caffeine lovers, coffee is an integral part of your life. It might even be hard to make it through your day with a jolt of joe. Every year, someone is telling you about the latest hype and trends. While espressos, cappuccinos, and lattes are still big sellers, consumers such as millennials are looking for new ways to get their caffeine fix. The 2017 National Coffee Drinking Trends Report shows that millennial patrons are changing the market by their desire for innovation.  From iced coffee to coffee on tap, 2018 promises novel ways to give your customers what they ask for.

1. Cold Brew Coffee  This isn’t your mother’s iced coffee. In fact, adding ice to your java can water it down and change the flavor. Increasing numbers of coffee lovers are asking for cold brew, which is exactly what the name implies. Instead of using hot water to force the caffeine, sugar, and oils from the bean, cold brew relies on soaking the beans in cold water for 12 hours or more.
2. Coffee on Draft Sounds like a beer, doesn’t it? Think creamy and frothy. Smart coffee shops are adding nitrogen-infused coffee on tap to satisfy the desires of consumers. The process involves using a nitrogen tap to infuse nitrogen-rich bubbles into cold-brewed coffee. The result is a creamy, frothy mix that doesn’t need tons of cream or sugar to reduce the bitter taste. Health-conscious consumers love the idea, and those who like to try new things are asking for it by name.
3. Ready to Drink Coffee   Bottled and canned coffee sales surpassed $2.4 billion in 2017, and have climbed steadily since then, according to Bloomberg. Even as carbonated soft drink sales have diminished, sales of ready to drink coffee have continued to rise. Especially on a hot  summers day. Mobile consumers who are constantly on the go can get their caffeine fix in grocery stores or gas stations. But you don’t have to lose your customers to this trend. Add ready to drink beverages in your coffee shop for the customers who don’t want to wait for their java jolt.

These trends show no signs of slowing down. It might be a good idea to consider one or all of these innovations in your shop. The days of a simple cappuccino may be over. There are those who will always look for the no-frills cup, but an increasing number of customers are seeking fun or interesting takes on the same old Joe. Supplement your standard offerings with those that are easiest to implement. Mix or match trends to come up with the brew that appeals to your customer base.