From Beans To Buzz: What’s Brewing In Coffee

Two-thirds of American adults drink coffee each day (66%), which is higher than past-day consumption of tea, juice, soda, and bottled water, according to the Spring 2025 National Coffee Data Trends report (NCDT). In 2025, the global at-home coffee consumption market is expected to reach $96.45 billion. Out-of-home coffee revenue in restaurants and bars will hit $376.70 billion. Combined revenue is expected to reach $473.10 billion, with a 2.96% CAGR until 2029, according to GourmetPro. In the US, overall coffee sales totaled $16.7 billion, up 3.3%, for the 52 weeks ending April 20, 2025, per Circana. According to Renub Research , the European coffee market is forecasted to reach $66.98 billion by 2033, with a CAGR of 3.80%. Tastewise’s US data shows social conversations about coffee have increased by 15.95% year-over-year.

The coffee market is volatile. US coffee prices surged following President Trump’s tariffs on coffee. In April 2025, all countries received a 10% tariff on coffee. In August, the U.S. imposed a 50% tariff on Brazilian coffee. As of September, roasted coffee sold in stores costs about 41% more than it did 12 months prior. Soaring coffee prices are impacting consumers. According to NIQ , 88% of survey respondents say prices are higher than a year ago, 94% are concerned, and 56% are extremely concerned about food cost inflation. On November 13, 2025, President Trump announced the removal of coffee tariffs . Hopefully, prices will ease, but climate change and supply issues will continue to impact the coffee market.

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Coffee is an integral part of American culture. 46% of American adults consumed specialty coffee during the past day in January 2025, up 18%. Traditional coffee held steady over the same time, with 42% of adults drinking it, per NCDT. Similarly, 62% of consumers say, “my day doesn’t start until I’ve had a cup of coffee,” according to Keurig Dr Pepper State of Beverages 2025 Trend Report . NCDT’s data found that espresso-based beverages, including cappuccinos, espressos, lattes, caffè mochas, macchiatos, flat whites, and Americanos, increased by 17% in the last five years. Non-espresso-based beverages, including frozen blended coffees, cold brew coffees, and nitro coffees, rose nearly 42% in the same period.

Gen Z and Millennials are responsible for driving many food and beverage trends, including unique coffee flavors. Tastewise reports a 150% YoY growth in Gen Z’s coffee-related social media conversations. Higher than any other generation, 53% of Gen-Z consumers prefer their coffee cold. Keurig Dr Pepper research shows 65% of adults customize their drinks, led by Gen Z and Millennials, with 75% in each group doing so. According to NIQ, Gen Z and Millennials are embracing instant coffee, while Boomers and Gen X stick with whole bean and ground coffee. For example, instant coffee sales jumped 15% – adding $196 million to the $1.5 billion market in the year ending October 4, 2025, driving 8% of packaged coffee growth.

Whether your customers drink coffee hot or cold, Flavor Dynamics is among the best-regarded specialty coffee flavor providers in the industry. Contact us today to flavor your ground, whole beans, or RTD coffee products.

Consumers seek functional ingredients and expect beverages to do more than taste good. Protein is the rage, and coffee is no exception. According to Datassential , protein coffee sales have grown 154% over the past four years, with another 33% growth projected by 2029. Protein Whipped Coffee is rising fast among health-conscious consumers, with “high protein coffee” mentions increasing by 29.6% in recipes, according to Tastewise . For example, 59% of consumers are interested in trying beverages with added protein, per Keurig Dr Pepper. In response, brands are introducing protein-packed coffee in unique flavors.

Bulletproof 360 Inc. adds two instant High Protein Iced Coffee blends: Original and Mocha with 12 grams of whey protein. UK brand Free Soul launched Protein Mocha Coffee, “a protein-boosted, just-add-water café-style frappé.” It features 19 grams of plant and dairy-based protein. Throne Sport Coffee introduced Premium Charged Lattes with 150 milligrams of natural caffeine and 10 grams of protein from ultra-filtered, lactose-free milk. The flavors are Coffee Latte, French Vanilla, Mocha Java, and Salted Caramel. In 2026, PepsiCo will roll out Starbucks Coffee + Protein RTD in Classic Caffé and Caffé Mocha flavors. The beverages contain 100% Arabica coffee, 22 grams of protein, 5 grams of prebiotic fiber, five essential vitamins and minerals, and 2 grams of sugar. A novel launch is Ajinomoto’s Atlr.72® GRe:en Drop Coffee, a dairy-free ice latte that incorporates Solein®, a protein developed by Solar Foods, with a beanless coffee alternative made from rice and chickpeas.

Proteins are inherently bitter and often have unwanted, earthy notes. Flavor Dynamics, Inc. provides natural and kosher bitter maskers ideal for protein powders, blends containing high levels of artificial sweeteners, and high-intensity natural sweeteners. Contact us today to discuss your protein-rich coffee needs.

In addition to RTD brands, Quick Service Restaurants (QSR), are offering protein-infused beverages. Starbucks debuted Protein Lattes and Protein Cold Foam on its menu. The lattes offer between 27 to 36 grams of protein per 16-oz. The cold foam adds 15 grams of protein per 16-oz beverage and comes in Banana, Brown Sugar, Chocolate, Matcha, Plain, Salted Caramel, Sugar-free Vanilla, and Vanilla flavors. Gregorys Coffee and Nuzest collaborated on the Protein Buzz, which includes 18 grams of plant-based protein. The coffee contains cold brew, Nuzest Clean Lean Protein (Vanilla), peanut butter, coconut water, and date syrup.

Desserts act as a muse and inspire unique coffee flavors. For example, caramel’s smooth, buttery taste has wide appeal. Caramel is appearing in 3.6% of all new coffee product launches, and vanilla has 9.9 million Instagram posts, according to Kimbo . These decant flavors appeal to the younger demographics and fit with the “treat culture” and “affordable luxury” trends. QSR and coffee brands are launching seasonal, limited-edition, indulgent dessert flavors.

Inspired by the classic Italian dessert, the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf launched Tiramisu Cream Iced Latte and Tiramisu Ice Blended Drink. Both drinks feature espresso with a rich mascarpone flavor and a dusting of dark chocolate cocoa. Peet’s unveiled several seasonal coffees, including Pistachio Cold Brew Oat Latte and Holiday Spice Latte. The Holiday Spice Latte highlights Espresso Forte with cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg, topped with salted caramel crunch. For the holiday season, Dunkin’ introduced Cookie Butter Cloud Latte, an iced espresso with a brown sugar cookie flavor, topped with cookie butter cold foam and cookie butter crumbles. Tim Hortons Canada, in collaboration with Biscoff, launched a Biscoff Latte and Iced Capp topped with brown‑sugar syrup, whipped cream, and Biscoff cookie crumbs. Dutch Bros launched a limited seasonal Dulce De Leche Freeze and Latte, topped with sweet cream, caramel drizzle, soft top, and cinnamon sprinkles.

QSR popularized dessert flavors in coffee beverages. Retail brands follow suit with sweet, indulgent launches. Bones Coffee Company’s Winter 2025 Collection features Horchata and Toffee Almond Crunch, in whole or ground beans. The Horchata is “smooth, creamy, and spiced with vanilla and nutty goodness,” while the Toffee Almond Crunch is “candy in your coffee.” Bulletproof introduced Cinnamon and Vanilla Ground Artisan Coffee. Cinnabon and International Delight team up on Cinnabon Iced Coffee, which combines the flavors of sweet cinnamon and cream cheese frosting with a classic iced coffee. Innovative Beverage Concepts Inc. introduced MOCAFE™ Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Frappe Mix. UK-based brand Jimmy added Caramel Waffle, a new limited-edition flavor, to its portfolio. It tastes like “the center bite of a Stroopwafel.” Also in the UK, Oatly unveiled a new range of RTD iced coffees in Oatly Barista Iced Caramel Macchiato and Oatly Barista Iced Flat White.

Drink your dessert with Flavor Dynamics’ ever-expanding library of decadent and unique coffee flavors. Contact us today to sweeten your formulas.

Spiking coffee with Irish cream, coffee liqueurs, and spirits such as whiskey and rum is a common practice. RTD hard coffee has been trending since 2019. Espresso martinis continue to create a buzz. Social conversations about espresso martinis have increased by 54.5% in the US and 61.9% in Spain over the past year, according to Tastewise . Likewise, Glimpse data shows espresso martini searches climbed 34% over the past year, now reaching 1.4 million per month. Datassential identified Carajillo, a popular Spanish alcoholic coffee drink made with espresso and a spirit such as brandy, rum, mezcal, or coffee liqueur, as a rising trend in the adoption phase. 34% of consumers are aware, and 55% are interested.

Brands are getting creative and using a variety of spirits to spike their RTD coffee products. Awakened Spirits, a beverage company that merges craft vodka with cold brew coffee and comic book culture, offers Awakened Coffee Vodka, a 60-proof spirit made with locally roasted cold brew and distilled corn vodka. Each bottle features original comic book-style artwork and QR codes that link to digital comics, expanding the brand’s fictional universe. UK coffee café brand Grind released its first RTD Espresso Martini, blended with barista-quality coffee and a double measure of premium vodka with a 14.9% ABV. Yoju, the Asian brand known for its soju, drinkable yogurt beverages, introduced Hard Vietnamese Coffee. The cocktail features soju instead of vodka and blends Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk, with a 7% ABV. Subourbon Life expanded its bourbon cocktail lineup with the Bourbon Espresso Martini made with six-year Kentucky bourbon and 5% ABV.

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Coffee is also spilling into non-alcoholic beverage innovation. Tom Holland and Robert Downey Jr. teamed up on two limited-edition beer -inspired drinks: Holland’s Bero Coffee Draught, a lightly caffeinated 0.5% ABV nitrogen stout, and Downey Jr.’s Eternal Hoptimist blend, a slow-roasted arabica coffee inspired by Bero’s hops. BLK MGK Espresso Hemp Spirit is a non-alcoholic functional drink that can be consumed as a shot, added to coffee, or used as a non-alcoholic mixer. Pathfinder’s RTD Espresso Tonic uses the brand’s Hemp and Root (a botanical zero-proof spirit) and Caffe Vita’s Cold Espresso Shot as a “refreshing take on the endlessly popular Espresso Martini.”

Innova Market Insights named “Relaxed Sociability” as the top 2026 global trend. Consumers seek relaxed social occasions and spaces. Coffee shops are “third spaces,” where people can build connections, foster a sense of community, and promote wellness. Research shows that the role of coffee shops in socializing has grown by 22%, largely driven by Millennials and Gen Z. A Starbucks survey of 2,201 U.S. adults found that 70% of Gen Z consumers planned to visit a coffee shop Thanksgiving week, compared to about one-third of the same demographic who plan to visit a bar or pub. Moreover, nearly half of Gen Z plans to sit down and “savor the moment” with family or friends during their Thanksgiving week coffee shop visit, more than any other generation surveyed except for millennials.

Pop culture is also influencing social connections. In December, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences launched its second Friends-themed Central Perk Coffeehouse in Times Square, New York City. The décor draws inspiration from the show’s famous setting, including the orange couch. The menu is inspired by the series and characters, such as Blended Princess Consuela’s Banana Mocha, Chandler’s Chocolate Cold Foam Latte, and Oh.My.Gawd! Coldbrew. The One with NYC Matcha and NY Relaxi Taxi Tall Iced Cooler are exclusive to New York. It also offers six Central Perk Coffee Co.’s coffee blends in ground, whole bean, and capsule formats. The signature roasts include Pivot Blend, How You Doin’?, and We Were on a “Coffee” Break, inspired by the show’s popular catchphrases.

The latest trend is coffee raves. According to a November 7, 2025, Food Institute article , “cafés in major U.S. cities are hosting coffee-fueled parties to maintain margins and foster community.” According to Eventbrite , “coffee clubbing” events are up 478% year-over-year, and attendance has risen by 150%.

Beyond cafés, brands are also adapting to evolving consumer lifestyles. For the First Time in 133 Years, Maxwell House temporarily rebranded as “Maxwell Apartment.” This move was in response to younger consumers who seek value and affordability. Many of whom are opting to rent an apt versus purchase a home. On September 29, 2025, Maxwell House promoted a 12-month “lease” on Amazon, offering a year’s supply of coffee in rebranded canisters for under $40. Innovation isn’t limited to branding; products and services are addressing consumers’ needs. For instance, the Bad Ass Coffee Shop chain developed “Rescube,” a program that freezes leftover coffee into ice cubes. The brand adheres to its “truly bad ass coffee freshness standard,” and does not serve a coffee 45 minutes after it is made. This program is two-fold; it prevents coffee from getting watered down and reduces waste.

Grab a cup of joe with Flavor Dynamics to discuss your needs for unique coffee flavor. Contact us today to make an appointment.

Coffee is part of America’s daily grind. It is the #1 beverage Americans can’t live without, according to Keurig Dr Pepper. Furthermore, coffee fulfills functional needs of energizing, relaxing, and comforting. Health and wellness is driving interest in protein. For example, Keurig Dr Pepper’s research found 66% of consumers seek out beverages that improve their physical health. And 59% look for beverages that help them meet their daily essential nutrient needs. Coffee brands are responding by incorporating dairy and plant-based proteins. Healthy or not, Americans have a sweet tooth. Coffee brands are delivering dessert-inspired beverages, enabling consumers to drink their dessert. Coffee is also appearing in alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Additionally, coffee shops are creating coffee experiences for individuals to socialize and make connections. Although coffee prices are volatile and consumers are concerned, coffee is a mainstay. Expect innovation in indulgent flavors, functional ingredients, and coffee experiences.

Flavor Dynamics specializes in unique coffee flavors with a proprietary Flavor Mapping program. From seasonal to year-round, we offer a never-ending array of flavors. Contact us today to percolate your next coffee flavor.

Protein isn’t just appearing in coffee. Protein is appearing in water, soda, and even ice cream.