If you didn’t think coffee could get any more popular than it already is, think again! According to the National Coffee Association (NCA) Spring 2024 National Coffee Data Trends (NCDT) report, 67% of American adults had consumed coffee within the past day, and 75% had gotten a caffeinated boost within the past week. This shows an increase of nearly 40% since 2004, reaching a 20-year high.
But this trend isn’t limited to Americans; in 2023 alone, global coffee servings increased by 5% year-over-year.
Taking a closer look at the numbers, two things immediately stand out: a focus on quality and convenience.
The NCA report found that 57% of people splurged on a specialty coffee at least once within the past week, up 7.5% from the previous year. Interestingly, at the same time, RTD (Ready-to-drink) coffee beverages have nearly doubled in popularity, going from 8% to 15%, to become the third most popular brew method in the US.
In the UK, instant coffee is far and away the most popular way of enjoying their joe at home at 73%. Seen as the global market for instant coffee is projected to hit US$140.80bn in 2025, UK consumers appear not to be the only ones enamored with a quick and convenient cup of coffee.
Seeing the opportunity in both of these areas, specialty roasters from across the globe are investing in their RTD and instant offerings.
Yet, these aren’t the only trends coming to a mug near you. The wave of functional foods and beverages that have been taking the industry by storm in recent years appears to have its sights set on coffee as one of the premiere vehicles for health-boosting ingredients.
Fueling Your Day with Functional Coffee
In addition to coffee’s status as a daily staple for many, there are a variety of reasons why it is the perfect match for functional beverage development.
Not least of which is caffeine, which is already famous for being a functional ingredient in its own right.
It’s not news that the boost in energy, alertness, or just the help waking up that caffeine provides is one of the primary reasons why people love coffee so much. That’s why so many developers, roasters, and start-ups are looking to capitalize on this by adding additional benefits to your morning mug.
Far and away, the most common are adaptogens and nootropics, primarily mushrooms. These include but are not limited to lion’s mane, reishi, chaga, cordyceps, and more. Antioxidants, CBD, and other health-boosting ingredients often show up as well.
These ingredients could potentially improve focus, mental clarity, immunity, or even reduce stress.
Another reason why these pair so well with coffee comes down to taste. Many of these functional ingredients have strong, earthy, dirt-like, and bitter characteristics. Though these might not necessarily sound appealing as part of a beverage on their own, they are able to work well with the similar earthy, smoky, and bitter characteristics of coffee.
Still, while some may love this taste, others, even those who generally forgo the cream and sugar, may not.
Functional & Flavorful
Whether it’s RTD, RTM (ready-to-mix), or any other type of brew, getting the taste just right can be what separates success from failure for functional coffee beverages.
Beyond roasting and brewing, flavors could be exactly what’s needed to make a product’s experience unforgettable, with or without memory-boosting functional ingredients.
As a global leader in the taste of dairy, Edlong is no stranger to helping craft rich and indulgent coffee beverages and creamers that wow consumers.
Moreover, offerings like our Sweet Success line, designed specifically to provide masking and characterizing properties that can deal with stubborn off-notes, make functional and unbelievably flavorful beverages possible.
Also, with our new and expanding Sweet Brown flavors, developers can bring rich, decadent, and authentic profiles ranging from a variety of chocolates, vanillas, and caramels to marshmallow, pumpkin spice, cheesecake, and more for unbeatable functional coffee beverages consumers love.
If you’re looking to add a boost to your consumers’ morning (or anytime) brew with tastes that will make it the best part of their day, contact Edlong’s team of international experts and get started today!
About the Author: Emily Sheehan, Applications Manager, EMEA
Hi! I’m Emily Sheehan. I’m the Applications Manager, EMEA at Edlong, and my job is rooted in creating exciting new possibilities for our people and processes. It’s inspiring to reflect on how much Edlong has achieved and even more amazing to be involved in such thoughtful innovation. We enjoy pushing boundaries in food and flavour, and we welcome everyone in the food industry to join us. If you’re in need of expertise or inspiration, I’d love to collaborate and help you design flavour solutions that resonate with consumers!
Topics: Functional FoodsSweet dairy flavors
Resource Type: Article