Coffee is coffee, we’ve been drinking it for hundreds of years. But like how design never stays the same, how we drink coffee is always evolving. The last year has truly shaped coffee trends for the better, as we've noticed an emphasis on healthier, less sugar-laden beverages, sustainable practices, and convenience.
We've identified a few ways to spice up your morning coffee routine that can be implemented at home and on the go. Some you may already be on board with, while others could be completely new to you.
"We don’t expect the communal coffee pot to cut it anymore," said Illy's master barista Giorgio Milos of the overarching trend of single-serve options and the customizations that make them tailored made to your preferences. "Instead, we expect people to bring the quality coffee experience they’ve grown to love at home into the office and create a second personal coffee station of their favorite machines, coffees, and products."
So, start up your best coffee makers and get those coffee mugs ready because these are all coffee trends you can take part in at home.
1. Non-dairy Alternatives
When it comes to lattes and cappuccinos, milk for decades reigned supreme as the ingredients… and known to froth better. As non-dairy alternatives have increased in popularity, have they reached their acme? They’re not just popular among our lactose-intolerant friends, but for those looking for more eco-friendly and sustainable ways to live. While we’ve been long aware of the popularity of almond, soy, coconut milk, and current milk-darling, oat milk, the "what’s next" in milk mixology is here. First, pistachio milk brings another nut into the mix, while Barley milk (made from upcycled barley) from Take Two is ready to make a splash.
"We launched Take Two to help solve the billions of pounds of spent grain going to waste each year," explained Take Two Co-Founder and CEO Jerek Theo Lovey. "Almost 1/3rd of our food supply is wasted, which is one of the major contributors to the climate crisis. By drinking a barleymilk latte, people are shrinking landfills, conserving land and water, and reducing global emissions. It's remarkable to think of the collective impact that's possible just by swapping milks."
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2. Healthy coffee
Coffee’s benefits are about to extend a lot further than simply caffeine. Today’s best blends are all about adaptogens, with ingredients not typically associated with coffee: think turmeric, mushrooms, ashwagandha, ginseng, .etc
“Coffee enriched with adaptogens is seemingly the new secret superfood trend for healthy living,” said Hannah Mendoza, the founder of Clevr. “It allows us to incorporate functional nutrition in our lives through something we consume daily, like our cup of coffee or morning latte. Essentially, adaptogens work to fight off both emotional and physical stress that can lead to anxiety and inflammation down the line.”
We’ve seen it in a number of ways, from ready-to-drink cans to easy powdery mixes, or as a tincture to your coffee.
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3. Coffee Subscriptions
It’s 2021, if you can order sofas online, you can definitely manage a coffee subscription, and expand your coffee drinking habits beyond the grocery store selection ( although, those are pretty good too). Throughout the pandemic, the demand for coffee delivered swelled and remained steady. "I think since the pandemic more and more people are starting to make coffee at home," said Cary Wong, a member of Partners Coffee's education team. "With so many companies making great tools to brew coffee at home, I think we'll see more home brewing equipment trending as well as many roasters offering subscription services.
Not only does subscribe to a coffee subscription expand your options to coffees and offer a constant, reliable stream of coffee at intervals consistent with your consumption, but it can also introduce you to unique options that you could only find by being a member, as well as a new favorite blend.
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Instant coffee and single-cup alternatives
Did it start with Dalgona coffee going viral on TikTok last year or even an uptick in an interest in coffee jelly? Perhaps! That, and continued interest in convenience and sustainable single-serve coffee. Instant coffee has since gone luxe, with premium coffee brands buying into methods that are fast, convenient for individuals, and portable for travel, without sacrificing the flavors you'd find from brewing with your favorite machine.
Beyond the traditional use of instant coffee as a quick caffeine fix illy’s Master Barista Giorgio Milos brings about some recipe inspiration "Instant coffee is versatile not only for beverages, but also as an ingredient to take savory or sweet dishes to new heights. Try adding instant coffee to a favorite marinade during the heating phase. The coffee caramelizes and adds a subtle bittersweet dimension. You can also use it as a spice rub by combining instant coffee with salt and paprika."
However Milos' personal favorite pairing? Desserts. "In traditional tiramisu, to enhance the flavors of a rich chocolate cake, or to use in creating an infused coffee cream mouse atop a sweeter cake, like banana and paired with a caramel toffee."
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