The 10 Most Important Coffee Consumer Trends of 2022

It is always exciting to discover what the next big thing in the world of coffee is. As we kick off the year 2022, knowing a few of the hottest consumer trends in the coffee industry can help you take advantage of everything, the industry has to offer. 

This year, there are ten trends you should know about coffee consumers. Prepare your favorite coffee cup in this way to get all the benefits of your favorite beverage.

Consumer trends for coffee in 2022:

1. Healthy coffee blends

It makes sense that healthier coffee would play a bigger role in the year 2022 when our overall health is one of the primary concerns. When it comes to weight or being healthy, black coffee isn't much of an issue for coffee lovers. 

However, what about the cream? How about the caffeine? Not a problem. As long as plant-based milk is used and half-caf is available, caffeine and cream will not be an issue. 

In addition, mushroom and hickory root coffee are alternatives to real coffee for those looking to make more drastic changes.

2. Creating digital coffee events

By sharing their love of coffee during the COVID-19 pandemic, coffee lovers learned how to share. In an effort to keep the love and connection for coffee alive, coffee shops throughout the world made coffee events digital. 

The trend should continue into the year 2022. In spite of the ease of spending time in your favorite local coffee shop, live digital coffee events are still expected to take place, making life even more fun for those who enjoy living at home.

3. Specialty Coffee Bags

Coffee bags aren't a new trend. Would we be able to find specialty coffee in convenient brewing bags? Certainly.

 Coffee bags would be a perfect way to offer what people want and make a profit at the same time for those who enjoy coffee at home but lack the skills to make their favorite specialty brews or drinks.

4. Grab-and-Go coffee

Are you on the go and haven't tried canned or bottled coffee yet? Canned and bottled coffee are becoming increasingly popular due to their convenience.

 Younger coffee drinkers are particularly prone to this. More vending machines and local retailers will be offering them soon.

5. Snap chilling

If you are not familiar with snap chilling, now is the perfect time to learn about it. Maybe 2022's new iced coffee will be snap chilling, which is a bit like flash freezing. 

By avoiding ice cubes and a slow cold brewing process, snap-chilled coffee is faster than cold brew.

6. Coffee World Tour

In recent years, more and more coffee drinkers have become curious about the industry surrounding their favorite drink. This has led to the growth of coffee tourism. 

People can learn more about the harvesting process and how coffee is made while on vacation by visiting coffee farms and breweries.

7. Hard Coffee Cocktails

In 2022, you should expect to see more of the combining of coffee and cocktail, which may be the opposite of healthy coffee.

8. Eco-friendly coffee

Sustainable coffee is more than just the packaging it comes in; there is more to it than that. Nowadays, people are more aware of the world around them and the damage caused by the actions of human beings. 

Knowing that coffee is sustainably harvested and that growers are paid fairly is something they demand when choosing a brand.

9. Coffee Subscriptions

A coffee delivery service to your doorstep is an ingenious idea. There's no need to remember to order coffee every month with this coffee subscription service. 

A coffee lover's dream may come true in 2022, with so many subscription choices available.

10. Vegan milk

Plant-based milk was mentioned above, but it deserves a separate mention in this list. Plant-based milk can give the coffee a sweet, creamy taste you may enjoy. 

Many people prefer their coffee black, but plant-based milk can add a sweet, creamy taste. The rise of specialty coffee drinks containing plant-based milk is expected to continue growing because it is a healthier alternative to regular milk.

A Changing World of Coffee

Even though the pandemic changed things in the coffee industry, there are still more changes ahead. Despite the young age of coffee drinkers, more trends, brew methods, and taste combinations are only the tip of the iceberg. Gone are the days when coffee had no flavor. We now have chilled coffee, specialty beverages, and even healthier milk options.

It's possible that your favorite coffee shops will have a new menu in 2022 with options you haven't seen before. We mentioned above that keeping up with the coffee consumer trends will help you decide what to try. 

Coffee lovers should seek out snap chilled coffees while everyone should embrace sustainable, healthier coffee brands.

Final thoughts

Clearly, coffee lovers are in for a plethora of trends in the coming year. Fortunately, none of these trends are necessarily harmful to us or to the industry, since we need our favorite beverage every day. You should be open to new things as a coffee lover as you move into 2022. Maybe you will discover a new flavor or brew that you enjoy.