If you take a look at the various coffee shops during your morning commute through New Jersey, you’ll immediately notice how big of a deal coffee is. No matter the type, almost everyone starts their day off with a cup of coffee.
As the coffee industry continues to rapidly evolve and change, coffee is now seen in many different forms. Long gone are the days when the only choices were black or with cream and sugar. Nowadays, coffee drinkers have plenty of options!
From more flavors (like vanilla, hazelnut, and peppermint) to the way it’s processed and served (chilled or on ice), coffee has truly blossomed from its simple form. Millennials and their fast-paced way of living have greatly influenced how coffee is consumed these days – and the coffee industry is doing everything it can to keep up and stay fresh.
Coffee has a long history behind it. It certainly didn’t start out as just a trend and it isn’t going away anytime soon. Coffee has been around for centuries, it has roots dating back hundreds of years ago to monks in Ethiopia.
Since that time, its fame and reputation have only grown. Those that discovered coffee were first attracted to the energy it induced to those who consumed it. Likely, this is what keeps us coming back to it today.
In the United States, before it was the United States, that is, coffee was grown in the colonies. However, it was not until the beginning stirring of the Revolutionary War and the famous event of the Boston Tea Party that our American love of coffee really took off.
At the time, drinking coffee, instead of traditional tea, was considered patriotic. So by all means, grab your cup of coffee. Around the turn of the 20th century, savvy business partners began selling pre-roasted coffee beans in easily sellable bags and tins, which changed the ease with which people could create their own cups of coffee.
This movement also increased sales and usage of the drink and therefore changed the coffee game. This change in production became one of the biggest “coffee trends” of all time. It was in the late 1960s and 70s that specialty coffees first made their debut.
50 years later, companies are becoming more and more creative with their specialty coffees and many flavors and coffee trends have become household favorites or seasonal must-haves. Think of your own personal favorite cup of coffee.
Almost everyone has a go-to, favorite drink at their local coffee shop or in their kitchen cabinets. It is likely this favorite evolved from a long line of development from very dedicated coffee roasters and baristas.
Luckily for us, love of the coffee bean has grown and transcended through the ages. It’s looking a little fresher and more modern these days, of course. The even better news is coffee is still growing and changing in 2018.
Here are some current coffee trends you’ll soon see in New Jersey if you haven’t already.
1. What We Value with Coffee
The millennial generation is on-the-go. They grew up with their whims and desires met almost immediately. Information has been at the tip of their fingers since they could use a computer.
This same crowd is also extremely social. They created and solidified the social media movement and their daily lives revolve around others; what others are doing, where their friends and colleagues are at and who is there.
Some of the simplest daily tasks now involve others. How many times do we see a picture of a food plate snapped and shared or a check-in from a concert or cool venue?
The young generation values their friends and makes sure to involve them in almost everything they do. This generation is the newest, youngest and fastest growing group of the American workplace – and their influence is surely being noticed.
A cup of coffee is no different. Because of the social and vibrant nature of the millennial generation, making coffee and taking the time to drink it at home is no longer as common as before.
The days of dad sipping a cup of joe over the newspaper are headed to the wayside. Prior generations looked at making coffee at home as comfortable and a way to save money.
However, millennials are not necessarily paying much attention to the price. In their eyes, there is so much more to a cup of coffee than the taste and the cost.
This newer generation values the experience rather than the price tag. Although price still plays a factor, for a great experience, the price tag can often be ignored.
It is because of this that you see more coffee shops popping up on every corner of your city or suburb. A calming, warm and inviting atmosphere with a superior cup of coffee can easily win consumers over. Comfortable, inviting furniture, tables for creative collaboration and trendy unobtrusive music lure customers in to enjoy the entire experience.
Aside from coffee shops, more coffee companies are focusing on their packaging. They need to appeal to the senses of the young working class and really stand out with great customer service and a cool company image.
Making a connection with consumers can make all the difference. When customers decide they want to bring coffee back home, coffee companies want their name to be the one consumers go to.
2. On-The-Go & Ready to Drink
As you may have noticed, our world today is more fast-paced than ever. Given the many conveniences we’ve become accustomed to, we rarely sit around and just wait for things to happen.
Because of this on-the-go environment that we live in, ready to drink coffee has become extremely convenient and important to the busy coffee drinker. More than just convenient, it’s almost a requirement.
Many people are beginning to realize the downfalls and dangers of sugary, unhealthy drinks. Less and less people are drinking bottled, sugar-filled beverages and instead are picking up bottled or canned coffee.
You may forgo a diet soda or a sports drink, but you don’t have to give up the flexibility and ease of a portable and cost-effective morning boost or afternoon refreshment. Bottled coffee makes it that much easier to get your caffeine fix while handling the other necessary aspects of life as well.
Whether a coffee drinker is on her way to work, busy carting around kids, traveling for business or taking some time for herself, an easy grab and go option is highly appealing. If you are looking for unique ways to get your coffee on the go, consider taking a stroll down the coffee aisle of your local grocery store.
You’ll find ready-made drinks in convenient packaging perfect for packing in your bag on your way to work. Another option to fit this on-the-go lifestyle is a unique on the go coffee press that creates french press style coffee while doubling as a travel mug.
Perhaps you prefer standard coffee, hot and steamy – single-serving coffee pods have been all the rage for years, now. Choose a fun travel mug that fits your personal style and purchase your favorite flavor from the hundreds of options available.
3. Specialty Coffee
Cheap coffee doesn’t seem to have a place in our growing and changing world, today. A cup of poorly brewed coffee just doesn’t cut it anymore. The high-end coffee that first focused on quality and superior taste that found its way into our world back in the 1960s and 70s has continued to grow.
It isn’t surprising to find that specialty coffees, which become more and more creative and unique, will continue to grow into2018. There are many different flavors, different ways to brew and several types of preparation methods.
The ways in which to prepare a simple cup of coffee are numerous. More and more shops are popping up and emphasizing their specialty profile in order to compete in the market today.
Consumers are finding their niche and their comfort zones when it comes to types of coffee. The breakfast brew might win over one while the artsy latte draws in the attention of another.
Coffee houses are forced to find what works for their customers in order to stay current and relevant. Keep in mind, specialty coffee is no simple concept.
There is actually a very active association, the Specialty Coffee Association of America. This organization has a vetting process for farmers, brewers and even baristas to ensure each cup of coffee is perfection for the consumer.
4. Coffee on Tap
This is one of the more surprising coffee trends making its way into 2018. This specialty coffee definitely falls in the unique and experiential category that many people are searching for.
Similar to beer on tap, this coffee can now be poured the same way. This type of coffee is specially referred to as “nitrogen infused coffee”. Coffee on tap is said to have a similar feel to beer; that rich, creamy, foamy taste.
This sudsy consistency makes the coffee much less bitter with no real need to use milk and sugar. Coffee on tap may appeal to those that don’t prefer the raw taste of coffee but don’t wish to put unhealthy additives in their drink.
This new trend gives individuals a reason to stray from their on-the-go habits and actually stop inside a coffee shop for the full experience. Since coffee on tap is not a thing in homes, yet, it’s a genius move for coffee houses who have already picked up on this trend.
Look for much more of this as you see this trend take off. And bonus; if you have one too many of these you may not be able to sleep, but at least you can drive.
5. Cold Brew Coffee
Iced coffee has always been the go-to for people looking to get their caffeine fix in a refreshing way. This is especially popular during those hot summer months and in cities located in warmer climates.
However, there’s a new coffee trend that has even more people saying, “Cool!”. Iced coffee is dying and cold brew coffee is taking its place.
Though the two drinks sound quite similar to one another, there is a big difference between the two. What truly differentiates a specialty cold brew coffee from the traditional iced coffee we’ve come to love is that iced coffee brews the same way that hot coffee does.
Using heat, the flavors, oils, sugars, etc are extracted from the coffee beans. You perform preparation just like you make your hot cup of steaming coffee. You then pour iced coffee over ice.
Cold brew is drastically different. Cold brew coffee is made strictly from letting the coffee beans soak in water for about 12 hours or more. This ultimately makes the water turn into coffee.
The different process truly makes all the difference in flavor – it is much smoother and less acidic. Much like beer that is created at different temperatures and provides a stronger or weaker taste, a more or less bitter taste, creating coffee using different temperatures changes the amount of bitterness and the overall taste.
Cold brew coffee is perfect for those looking for a different type of drink to get their traditional caffeine fix. If you find yourself enjoying coffee but not liking the bitter aftertaste, this brew may be for you.
6. A Combination of Tea and Coffee
Some people are strictly coffee drinkers, others are strictly tea drinkers and some truly enjoy both of these beverages. This new trend gives these individuals who have trouble deciding on these two beverages, the perfect blend of each.
This new fad combines both tea and coffee to give consumers the best of both worlds. Keep an eye out for friends and coworkers literally mixing it up. In 2018, it will become much more common to have a light roasted coffee, blended with green tea.
With the combination of caffeine and the antioxidants found in tea, this combination can truly provide many benefits. Not only do you have a great and unique taste, but you also have the health and energy boosting benefits of both drinks.
Coffee shops around the country are trying out these new coffee trends. To make your own, you need about a teaspoon of your favorite blend, a tea bag and boiling water. Combine the three for a taste that will change your coffee game forever.
The beginnings of coffee and human’s love of it is deep and long. Coffee houses can be traced back to the 15th and 16th centuries, where people would go, socialize and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee (sound familiar?).
It was around the 17th century that coffee made its debut in Europe, with even the Pope giving it his blessing once tasting it himself. There, the coffee house model continued to mirror what we know today.
They were havens for artists, lovers of music, books and chess. Naturally, coffee found its way to America along with the rest of Europe.
Today, 25 million producers depend on the growth, sales and consumption of coffee. This beverage has become a $30 billion a year industry in America alone.
We’ve gone from simple coffees with milk and sugar, basking in the heat and the potent caffeine to finding new ways to consume and enjoy the delicious drinks we’ve grown to love.
Americans are drinking coffee as they get ready for the day. They are grabbing a cup as they head in on their morning commute. They want and expect to have a place to get a cup of coffee during the workday.
Because coffee has become such an important part of our daily lives in America, modern-day employers would do well to recognize the real need to provide coffee in their offices. Employees have come to expect this bonus as a natural part of the workplace environment, especially in areas where commuting is an integral part of your employees’ work days. Corporate Essentials offers local coffee roaster services for New Jersey offices so that your employees can enjoy coffee shop grade beverages without having to leave the office.
Office place coffee offerings can range from a simple, old school coffee maker next to the mini fridge in the break room to a lavish and luxurious specialty coffee station created to encourage rejuvenation and social and collaborative discussions among employees.
Employees don’t always have the time to step away from their desks and go get a cup of coffee outside of the office. Having it available at work can make their lives much easier and create a more engaged group of employees.
New recruits will pay attention to these details and make sure that this perk is provided for staff members. A great way to make sure you offer quality, great tasting coffee is to hire an office coffee service provider. These companies know quality coffee and will consistently provide employees with their coffee needs. Corporate Essentials can help you stock your New Jersey break room with the latest coffee trends, whether it be local brewing or new single pod flavors.
