We talk about trends a lot. Like, A LOT. That makes sense because there are always new tastes and innovations that build off of past trends. It’s kind of the nature of trends. Now, we’re diving into the hottest coffee game-changers of the coming age to carry you through the end of this year and into the next.

Trend 1. Sustainability and Diversity

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again and again. As both roasters and consumers shift away from the woes of single-use sins, tastes are set on clean innovation. Coffee itself is spurring change in the sourcing, roasting, and distribution of our favorite little beans. We’re seeing a trending focus on fair-trade and transparency. We’re also giving small, local businesses and our diverse roasters the attention they deserve. You can see momentum building in the accessories, necessities, and by-products of the industry as a whole. Examples include sustainably made cups and stirrers, reusable straws, and recyclable coffee machine pods, just to name a few. There are plenty of start-ups re-purposing used coffee grounds to make cups and mugs and even clothes. Our bet? Future coffee trends have a heavy focus on reducing waste.

Trend 2. Ready-to-Drink

In the current state of things, this one makes a lot of sense. Ready-to-drink coffee refers to pre-packaged bottles of coffee and coffee beverages. They store well, require absolutely no preparation, and usually taste fantastic. With a re-found focus on individual products to avoid any cross-contact with high-touch surfaces or your associates, this trend fits your needs with ease. And new innovations in packaging and logistics stick to our first trend, and RTD coffee is more sustainable than ever.

Trend 3. DIY Specialty Drinks

It’s more complicated than ever to venture down the street for your favorite fancy coffee. As a result, we see plenty of consumers getting self-sufficient in the era of lockdown. And when teams return to the office, we’ll see a trend toward machines that can make anything, including intelligent espresso machines, for the most popular coffee beverages. For a quick rundown of the best coffee brewing methods, check out this post.

Trend 4. Healthy Additives and Alternatives

Gone is the age of dairy. In a world with healthy living on the brain, not to mention sustainability, creamer alternatives are all the craze. Around here, we love oat milk, but from almond and coconut to soy milk, there are now countless alternatives to dairy. And with a load of nutrients you won’t find in dairy milk, each has its own specific health advantage. If you can dream it, there’s probably non-dairy milk for it.

Trend 5. Subscriptions

We think this brings the whole lot together in the trendiest way. It’s easier than ever to get new, innovative, and tasty coffee treats to meet your immediate cravings, spur your DIY aspirations, and explore the limitless world of brews and roasts. We offer premade boxes, coffee specific boxes, and boxes you can build yourself, and you don’t even have to go anywhere. Okay, sure, we’re shamelessly plugging our own product here, but we’re positive you’ve seen the rise of subscription boxes. It was only a matter of time before coffee and boxes met, and we think it’s a perfect match. Think work-from-home perks, holiday gifts, friendly thanks-yous, or just get it for yourself because you’re social distancing but want a treat. These just make sense.

All-in-all, we know coffee is changing. Every year it seems like there’s a new craze blowing up your newsfeed. And while most trends are here to stay (we’re looking at you, pumpkin spice), there are always fresh and creative ways to use them on your own. With things like sustainability on the list, we think it’s a pretty good thing. For everything coffee related you need and more, contact us today.