We probably don’t need to tell you this but people in the UK drink a lot of coffee. According to figures released by the British Coffee Association (BCA) last year, the UK’s coffee consumption climbed to 95 million cups a day in 2018, up from 70 million in 2008.
Over the last ten years, we have truly become a nation of coffee aficionados. Whilst a third of the 2000 adults surveyed didn’t drink coffee at all, those at the opposite end of the scale admitted to drinking six or more cups of coffee a day! The average person has about two cups a day.
Of course, with so many coffee choices available both at home and on the high street, the increase in coffee consumption is not a big surprise. Nonetheless, it’s important to remember that consumers are no longer willing to accept sub-standard quality – particularly millennials.
Successful coffee shops and restaurants recognise hot beverages for their potential to maximise sales and carefully consider their offering, which often includes a variety of speciality roast and ground blends.
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But the trend for premiumisation does not stop at coffee. Consumers are looking for something better than what they can make at home, which is probably why 41% of consumers say they would be more inclined to choose tea out-of-home if the quality was improved (Taylors of Harrogate).
That is one reason why we are such advocates for loose leaf tea. Teabags have their place but loose leaf tea is much higher quality and offers an experience that teabags simply cannot match.
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Today’s Instagram culture also means that how your hot beverages look is just as important as how they taste – and this will also be reflected in customer spend! Think about the extra touches you can add to a hot drink – latte art for coffee, mini marshmallows for hot chocolate or a beautiful teapot for your loose leaf.
