Coffee Trends 2024: What To Expect in the New Year
No one knows how long humans have been enjoying coffee, but legend has it that the enchanting abilities of coffee were discovered centuries ago by a goat herder on the Ethiopian plateau. The caffeinated brew has been a staple of Western civilization since the 17th century, and its popularity never wanes. While our love for the drink persists, trends in the coffee industry evolve and emerge from year to year. Join us as we look toward the future and discuss our predictions for coffee trends in 2024.
Increased Interest in the Story of the Beans
Customers want to know where their coffee is coming from, how it is grown, and who grew it. In 2024, more companies will hopefully begin sharing the story of their beans. Here at San Francisco Bay Coffee, we take pride in sharing the stories of our farmers. Across the globe, passionate families carefully and expertly cultivate the beans that go into our favourite brews. Many of the farms have been a vital part of coffee-growing families for generations, and we are honored to share their treasured harvest with our extended family of coffee drinkers. When you purchase from San Francisco Bay Coffee, you join our efforts to improve the lives of our farmers and those in their communities worldwide.
Strong Gravitation Towards Speciality Coffees
Coffee lovers want a great coffee-drinking experience, not just a quick caffeine fix. This passion for quality leads many to seek gourmet and specialty coffees for their daily brews. Specialty coffees are notable for their higher quality beans, more complex flavour profiles, socially and environmentally conscious growing practices, and high standards for sustainability. We are proud to share that all of our coffees are certified by the Speciality Coffee Association (SCA), which sets rigorous standards for coffee to achieve the honored specialty status.
Plant-Based Milk Alternatives
Dairy-free milk alternatives have become increasingly popular for a variety of reasons including: health considerations, ethical concerns, and environmental awareness. Luckily, many milk alternatives go great with coffee! Here are some of the options available:
Coconut Milk – Coconut milk is made from the flesh of coconuts. It has a rich and tropical flavour, which also makes it great for curries, desserts, and smoothies.
Almond Milk – Made from almonds, almond milk is one of the most widely consumed dairy-free alternatives. It has a slightly nutty flavour and works well in beverages as well as sweet and savory dishes.
Soy Milk – Soy milk is made from soybeans and is a good source of protein. It has a creamy texture and a mild flavour, making it a versatile option for cooking, baking, and beverages.
Oat Milk – Oat milk is made from whole oat grains or oat flour. It has a naturally sweet flavour and a creamy texture, making it suitable for coffee, cereal, and baking.
Rice Milk – Made from milled rice, rice milk is a neutral-tasting option. It's often used by people with nut or soy allergies. However, it tends to be thinner than other milk alternatives.
Cashew Milk – Cashew milk is made from blended cashews and water. It has a creamy texture and a mild, slightly sweet taste.
Hemp Milk – Hemp milk is made from hemp seeds and has a nutty flavour. It's also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and is often fortified with vitamins.
Flax Milk – Flax milk is made from flaxseeds and has a slightly nutty flavour. It's a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and is often enriched with nutrients.
Pea Milk – Pea milk is made from yellow peas and is gaining popularity as a plant-based milk alternative. It's often rich in protein and can have a creamy texture.
Quinoa Milk – Quinoa milk is made from quinoa seeds and is a good option for those looking for a gluten-free and nut-free milk alternative.
Check out these dairy-free recipes available:
Dairy-Free Dulce de Leche Latte
Dairy-Free Coconut Cold Foam for Iced Coffee
Buzzy Interest in Coffee-Infused Food
When you think of coffee, chances are you picture some form of a beverage. But did you know that coffee can be incorporated into foods? While we have plenty of delicious coffee beverage recipes to share, we also want to highlight some of our favourite sweet treats and savory coffee entrees.
Coffee Sugar Cookies are delicious, shortbread-style cookies that use finely ground French Roast, French Vanilla, or Hazelnut Creme coffee to impart a rich flavour. The coffee sugar cookies are easy to prepare in advance and gift to friends and family. They are sure to impress any coffee lover!
For a savory meal with coffee as the star of the show, use our Spiced Coffee Rub to coat beef, pork, or poultry. The rub features a generous amount of ground coffee along with chili powder, brown sugar, smoked sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, pepper, and cumin. It will take your next grilled, roasted, or pan-seared meal to the next level!
Cold Brew Coffee
Cold brew's smooth taste, lower acidity, convenience, versatility and trendiness contribute to the widespread appeal of cold brew coffee among consumers. Because the coffee grounds used to make cold brew are not exposed to high temperatures, the coffee tends to be more flavourful and less bitter. Depending on your coffee-to-water ratio, cold brew can have more caffeine than your average cup of hot or iced coffee, but that’s totally up to you!
Making cold brew at home is easy. Find out more in this video.
How To Keep Up With Coffee Industry Trends
Since 1979, San Francisco Bay Coffee has been growing the largest family in the world – the family of coffee lovers. We are passionate about sharing delicious coffee that benefits our community around the world. To discover delicious coffee, explore our store. Visit our blog to keep up with industry trends!