Key takeaways Cold coffee, matcha, and refreshers have emerged as major sales drivers at chains and quick-service restaurants. Younger consumers, in particular, are drawn to their aesthetic appeal and customisation potential. “The out-of-home beverage segment now entails many different things, sometimes all in the same day. Like cold brew in the morning, a functional antioxidant […]
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Key takeaways Around 200 million cups of coffee are consumed daily in Germany, according to CBI, and nearly 89% of German adults drink it regularly. The story of coffee in Germany begins in the late 17th century, when the first coffeehouses opened in cities like Hamburg and Bremen. By the 18th century, coffeehouses had become […]
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Key takeaways The global coffee industry’s attention has turned to the Philippines for several reasons. Ingredients like ube, pandan, and salted egg yolk are trending in coffee shops worldwide, attracting the attention of younger consumers seeking more globally-inspired flavours and customisable drinks. “People are looking for flavours that are authentic, meaningful, and connected to a […]
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Key takeaways Central Europe’s specialty coffee market is growing, and Hungary is one to watch. No longer confined to Budapest, a city with a deep connection to coffee, specialty coffee is spreading across the country. According to European Coffee Trip, around 170 specialty shops and roasters now operate nationwide, and Hungary’s Specialty Coffee Guide tracks […]
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Key takeaways Romania had few specialty coffee shops in the early 2010s. Today it has close to 300, according to European Coffee Trip, most of them in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and Brașov. The country, which sits at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, has a long history of coffee consumption, which has fed a […]
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Key takeaways During the 2010s, minimalist packaging reflected specialty coffee’s inward perspective. Roasters expressed only the most essential elements of their coffees through simple packaging design. But after a decade of muted tones, clean lines, and simple typeface, less may not always be more. Today, consumers, especially Gen Z, are rejecting minimalism in favour of […]
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Key takeaways In a little over three decades, ecommerce has revolutionised the way we shop. And when the pandemic hit, forcing businesses worldwide to close their doors, online sales exploded. Ecommerce sales in the US more than doubled to about 35% in 2020, roughly the equivalent of ten years of growth. Today, according to McKinsey, […]
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Key takeaways In many markets worldwide, including coffee-producing countries, specialty coffee consumption is growing rapidly. Revenue from India’s cafés is rising at nearly twice the pace of that of its North American counterparts, while Indonesia’s coffee consumption has tripled since the pandemic – putting it on track to overtake Japan, a country with a sophisticated […]
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Key takeaways For over two decades, black filter coffee has served as the calling card of specialty coffee. Considered the clearest expression of flavour and terroir, it remains the drink of choice for many industry professionals and enthusiasts alike. But today, Gen Z’s preferences, which centre on “little treat” culture and convenience, have shifted this […]
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Key takeaways When cafés worldwide were forced to shut their doors during the pandemic, coffee subscriptions boomed. Data from the Specialty Coffee Association showed a 109% increase in subscription coffee sales in 2020. This surge changed many roasters’ business models almost immediately. With the desire to create a café-level experience at home, subscriptions became the […]
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Key takeaways The coffee industry has always been competitive. Specialty coffee brands position themselves as the higher-quality alternative to multinationals and large chains, a distinction that demands constant product development and technical credibility. But as green coffee prices remain volatile and the expectations of baristas and café owners grow more demanding, the investment required to…
Key takeaways Brazil remains the world’s largest coffee producer, and its domestic consumption is keeping pace with that status. Global commodities trader StoneX recently projected a record 182.5 million bags for the 2026/27 harvest, with Brazil expected to lead the growth, driven by a 20.8% year-on-year increase in total output. Specialty coffee consumption is also […]
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Key takeaways Thailand currently ranks as the world’s 20th-largest coffee producer, down from the top 15 a decade ago. The country grows mainly robusta, though arabica production is growing, highlighting a sharper focus on quality. Domestic demand consistently outpaces the country’s supply, which is why the majority of Thailand’s speciality coffee stays within the country. […]
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Key takeaways Around the world, coffee has always been more than just a beverage. It’s a ritual, a reason to gather, and a cultural force that connects people across borders and generations. “Specialty coffee is genuinely collaborative in a way that most industries aren’t,” says Giada Biondi, Global Communications & Culture Manager at La Marzocco. […]
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Key takeaways North Africa’s coffee scene is changing fast. The region – home to Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Sudan, and Western Sahara (and Mauritania, according to African Union regional definitions) – is quickly becoming one of the world’s most dynamic coffee scenes. Across major cities like Cairo, Marrakech, Tunis, a younger generation of consumers […]
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Key takeaways Canada’s coffee culture has grown fast. According to the Coffee Association of Canada, 71% of Canadian adults drank coffee in the past day, making it the country’s most consumed beverage. National consumption has risen by almost a million 60kg bags per year over the last decade, with Canadians averaging 2.7 cups daily. Adam […]
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Key takeaways Competitions, most notably the World Barista Championship (WBC), are best known for showcasing rare coffees, precise extraction techniques, and an attention to detail that defines specialty coffee. But there is another element to competitions that tends to receive less attention: hospitality. How a barista guides the judges through their routine, manages their presence […]
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Key takeaways The Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania lie on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. The three small nations that regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 have since built some of Europe’s most vibrant coffee scenes. All three are now EU and NATO members, and their shared history runs […]
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Key takeaways Extraction, sales, and inventory data are often at the forefront of coffee businesses, offering insight into daily operations that drive some of the most crucial decisions. Yet the data points with the highest financial consequences are often the ones that go unnoticed. For businesses managing multiple locations or wholesale accounts, certain tasks can […]
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Key takeaways As the exclusive producer of rooibos tea, South Africa has always been a predominantly tea-drinking country. However, the majority of adults in South Africa – up to two-thirds – are now drinking coffee daily. The earliest documented consumption of coffee in South Africa traces back to the arrival of Dutch colonisers in the […]
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Key takeaways Indonesia, currently ranked the world’s fifth-largest coffee producer with plans to surpass Vietnam, is drinking more coffee. Its consumption has tripled since before the pandemic, making Indonesia the world’s fifth-largest coffee consumer. Historically, much of the coffee Indonesians drank was far from specialty-grade. Lower-quality robusta was typically roasted dark to mask overly…
Key takeaways Turkish culture has always been associated with the small, strong cup of coffee that bears its name. The 500-year-old tradition, brewed in a cezve or ibrik and served thick with sediment, is more than a beverage; it has earned UNESCO recognition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. “It’s a symbol of Turkish hospitality, accompanies […]
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Key takeaways New Orleans, Louisiana (often nicknamed “NOLA”) is one of the most influential culinary and musical cities in the US. At the heart of that influence is the melding of diverse cultures. Originally inhabited by the Chitimacha Tribe, New Orleans was colonised by the French in 1718 and the Spanish in 1763. Throughout this […]
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Key takeaways: When we talk about Gen Z’s coffee – or perhaps more fittingly, non-coffee – preferences, colourful, Instagrammable, and flavoured concoctions first come to mind. Matcha is considered the go-to option, and it’s always iced. Brands like Blank Street and Black Sheep, both hugely appealling to Gen Z consumers, have capitalised on this. Blank […]
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Key takeaways: A visit to a café or a glance at a roaster’s Instagram feed clearly illustrates how far coffee packaging design has evolved in recent years. Shelves and social media are now filled with brightly coloured bags, illustrated tins, minimalist monochrome designs, and experimental formats that blur the boundary between packaging and art. Some […]
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