4 Coffee Industry Trends to Keep an Eye on in 2022
Even though coffee has been around since the 13th century, it's still one of the most popular beverages in the 21st century and will probably continue to grow and evolve for years to come . And if there's one thing a lot of people have in common, it's probably the desperate need for their morning coffee. Whether generation Z (Gen Z), millennials or any other generation, the generational love for coffee stays the same, but it comes in different shapes and forms. In this article we delve more into the upcoming coffee trends for this year and the direction coffee shop owners or franchisees should follow. At Tayf, we are always looking for coffee collaborations, from concept development to franchise opportunities that will develop the already booming coffee market in Egypt.
Coffee Industry Trends
1. Sustainable and Green
Being socially and environmentally responsible is one of the latest and most important trends when it comes to coffee. After light has been shed on the ecological and social adverse effects that the coffee industry has been causing, many coffee brands and coffee shops have taken steps towards a more sustainable approach such as being more conscious and dealing with responsible farmers, having eco friendly packaging and decreasing carbon foot print as much as possible .
Supporting the large number of conscious consumers and being a sustainable eco friendly coffee provider is becoming an increasingly important trend. In the U.K alone approximately 7 million to-go cups are used each day, so having a green packaging is definitely the better option in 2022.
Another point to take into consideration is that more than 2.5 million acres of forests were cleared in Central America for coffee crops, which again suggests that it is better to opt for fair trade with certified and ethical farms as well as empower local farmers and roasters. With the large amounts of coffee being consumed daily, being socially and environmentally responsible is key for this beautiful industry to keep on booming.
2. Healthier Options & Non-Dairy Alternatives
Millennials and Gen Z are more concerned with their well-being than any other generation, which may be due to the fact that everyone now has more access to information than before. So the trend for 2022 is the more options, the better. From all types of dairy alternatives, such as oat milk, soy milk, coconut and almond milk to products free of allergens and that are protein rich.
Another option that is now becoming widely available and is bound to be essential in the upcoming years is the different coffee intensity levels and the different types of roasts available. Having different options that cater to different consumers is ideal, since many might have some sensitivity towards caffeine, so having the option to order the perfect cup of coffee that is personalized to each customer will get those sales up!
Curious to know about the evolution of coffee? Check this article out!
3. Aesthetics and Interior Design
Coffee shops are a place for many activities, outings, business meetings, a good reading session or just grabbing a coffee to go, the aesthetic and the interior design needs to be unique yet serves all these functions at once. It can be tricky, but having the right look and the right feel will definitely bring in the right people. For example, having larger tables will appeal to groups of friends or business meetings. Loads of natural lighting and letting in the sun is also appealing to many who like to work from coffee shops instead of the office or home. Another thing to add can be visually appealing and cozy interior and furniture, such as adding bookshelves, couches and in some hipster coffee shops, a bed even! Having unique themes and approaches can definitely set you apart.
4. Younger Audiences
While millennials as a group of coffee consumers can not be ignored, Gen Z are the new coffee addicts we need to focus on. Gen Z are actually averaging on 5 coffee purchases per week or more, compared to millennials who purchase around 5 coffees or less, which means that Gen Z are a big share of coffee consumers. Studies show they not only repeat said purchases, but it is also usually a gourmet beverage, meaning they are responsible for more sales revenue than other consumer age groups. Which is why modern coffee shops tend to gear their aesthetics and marketing towards younger audiences. They are also often responsible for trends going viral online and spreading word-of-mouth advertising, which is how your coffee shop can be out there in 2022!
Finally…
Coffee in all shapes and forms will always be an appeal, but coffee shops and coffee providers need to keep a heads up for the latest trends to stay modern, relevant, successful and delicious! Since coffee shops have become such an important part of our modern world, they should always update their menus and make informed business decisions based on these trends. Tayf promises to always get you the latest coffee news and updates. We also have something very cool brewing! Make sure to stay tuned.
*Fun fact: This article is written and edited while working from a coffee shop! Coffee has its own magic that way.*
The coffee journey from coffee beans to a hot macchiato.
References:
- https://perfectdailygrind.com/2020/02/exploring-millennial-trends-in-specialty coffee-2/
- https://joinposter.com/en/post/coffee-shop-trends
- https://millennialmagazine.com/2015/04/13/the-appeal-of-coffee-shops-for millennials/
- https://www.webstaurantstore.com/blog/2356/top-coffee-trends.html