By DALLAS SHERRINGHAM
COFFEE drinkers are universally ‘going natural’ in 2022 but also re-embracing quality instant coffee according to a new report.
The report by webrestaurantstore.com found coffee connoisseurs -that’s you and I – are cutting coffee drinks laden with artificial colors, sugar and cow’s milk in favor of simple and ethically sourced coffee and tea beverages enriched with plant-based ingredients.
“When people choose to visit a coffee shop in 2022, they will make up for the lost time by staying longer and ordering more,” the report said.
“However, quarantines cemented the importance of off-premise business models. Many of today’s coffee and tea consumers drink their beverages at home or on the go, so businesses should diversify their e-commerce and takeaway options.”
It seems quality and convenience are the driving forces behind the top coffee trends of 2022. The average person consumes two cups of coffee a day.
They are making at least one of those two cups at home and many want fast options they can grab on the go for cup number two.
“However, people aren’t willing to sacrifice sustainable sourcing and flavor. The coffee market must provide options that taste great, are easy to whip together and are healthful for patrons’ bodies and the planet.”
The five coffee trends of 2022 are:
- Instant Coffee
Once upon a time, coffee pods were the answer to fast and convenient homemade coffee. However, when Dalgona style coffee recipes overtook the popular social media app TikTok during COVID-19 quarantines, the focus shifted on to instant coffee. Fast forward to 2022, and people are using various forms of instant coffee as environmentally responsible coffee pod replacements.
RTD (ready to drink) cans of coffee and coffee powders will be the hottest coffee trends of 2022.
- Locally Roasted Coffee
People are looking for a premium experience when they visit a coffee shop and that starts with freshly roasted beans. Raw coffee beans are green-hued and grassy tasting. Coffee roasting is heating and browning coffee beans to bring out their aroma and flavor. Once they’re roasted, coffee beans lose their freshness. The sooner you grind and brew your roasted coffee beans, the better.
- Flavored Coffee Beans
Flavored coffee beans are on the rise in 2022. Given the health crisis we’ve suffered through the past two years, people want to safeguard their well-being by improving their diet. However, amending dietary habits can frustrate coffee drink lovers. How can they enjoy the beloved flavor of a pumpkin spice latte without the sugar and artificial coloring? Enter flavored coffee beans.
Roasteries add flavoring oils to their coffee beans to mimic nuts, spices and fruits without the sugar. In the past, companies used flavorings to mask substandard beans and only offered unimaginative basics like French vanilla. Today, craft roasters use premium beans to create fanciful flavors such as bananas foster, pistachio gelato, and bourbon pecan.
- Single Origin Coffee
Single origin coffee, also known as single source coffee, is harvested from a single crop, country, or region and carries the unique flavor notes of its origins. Today’s coffee consumer cares about ethical procurement, unique flavor experiences, coffee tourism and sustainability. Tracing beans back to their grower allows you to confirm that they are fair trade, sustainable, and organic.
Single origin coffee beans cost more than coffee blends, but their retail value is far greater. Coffee drinkers will pay 200% more for roasts with a clear origin country.
- Snapchilled Coffee
As its name suggests, snapchilling takes coffee from piping hot to icy cold in a matter of minutes. Think of snapchillers as tabletop, instant blast chillers for liquids. Operators set the snapchill machine to the cold temperature that best suits their roast, add water and it will brew and chill the coffee to the prescribed temperature in 60-seconds.
The advent of snapchill technology presents a welcome alternative to iced coffee and cold brewing. Pouring coffee over ice dilutes its flavor and chilling coffee in the fridge oxidizes the beans. While cold-brewed coffee avoids these foibles, cold water does a poor job of extracting the coffee beans full flavor and it takes a long time to make. Brewing coffee with hot water and immediately chilling it preserves its flavor and saves time.
