Innovation, like in any other business, is vital to the future direction/trajectory of any industry. That is why we conjured up these trends for the coffee industry’s Innovation in 2023 for cafes and coffee shops.
Trend 1# Iced beverages
Who says coffee needs to be hot!? Cold brews are taking cafes across the globe by storm. Iced beverages are extremely popular, and brewing them makes for great promotional material on social media. These colder beverages are popular year-round. They also provide more customization options than traditional drinks – a big priority.
Iced beverages are great for baristas, too – they can be prepared and stored in batches, speeding up service and sales. These blends also typically don’t require extra ingredients, making them highly cost-efficient. Keeping cold drinks on your menu will give customers options for spring and summer, steadying seasonal profit. Keep embracing the cool side of coffee, and your business will have a consistently-popular way of promoting itself to today’s customers.
Trend 2# Milk variations
Plant-based alternatives have grown in popularity over the last decade and are now a common feature on cafe menus. Milk substitutes are especially popular with younger clients and those who have allergies or dietary constraints. Offering plant-based milk substitutes exposes your company to these groups, allowing you to keep your customer diverse, inclusive, and profitable. It also adds new, distinct flavors to your product lineup!
For coffee shops that have yet to capitalize on this trend, it is a booming market with numerous prospects, and 2023 is a good year to do so. It is critical to understand that alternative milks curdle owing to the high temperature and acidity of coffee, so learn how to work with different milk variants before making them available to your customers.
Some of the most popular milk alternatives to feature include:
- Oat Milk
- Goat Milk
- Rice Milk
- Hemp Milk
- Cashew Milk
- Coconut Milk
- Soy Milk
- Almond Milk
Trend 3# Healthy Alternatives
This year has seen an increase in the popularity of healthy coffee alternatives. Trends in the coffee industry are emerging as people become increasingly concerned about their health. The sudden and immense popularity of Bulletproof coffee is a testament to this fact.
Bulletproof coffee, also known as butter coffee, is a high-calorie caffeinated drink made with added fat. It is intended to fuel start your day by replacing carb-heavy breakfasts.
Other healthy coffee alternatives may include collagen creamers, alternative milks, or mushroom and turmeric infusions. Many of these supplements promise to boost gut health, metabolism, and the immune system.
Similarly, many TikTok and Instagram fitness influencers are already combining coffee with their favorite vanilla powder, and coffee businesses can capitalize on this trend by offering protein coffee versions. Many manufacturers are also developing their own kind of instant protein coffee.
Trend 4# Carbonation
Fizzy cold brew coffee is brewed with the same components as regular cold brew coffee, but with the addition of sparkling water. The carbonation from the water gives it a great fizzy kick that, when combined with the robust taste and familiar coffee flavor, is completely unsurpassed.
Several of today’s best coffee shops are expanding their beverage offerings. It’s a simple, brilliant idea: instead of brewing coffee with plain water, they use tonic or sparkling water. Carbonated coffee has a distinct flavor and texture, allowing customers to enjoy bubbly caffeine without the empty calories found in soda.
Carbonation also has a significant advantage over many other modern café trends in that it is inexpensive. Carbonated beverages also lend themselves well to experimenting with different ingredients, allowing you to expand your menu’s flavor options. You may provide clients a distinctive, trendy drink simply by altering the type of water used in your coffee!
In a rapidly evolving coffee culture, embracing the latest coffee trends is not only an option, but a necessity for being up to date and succeeding in the industry. Coffee enthusiasts nowadays want more than just a caffeine fix; they want one-of-a-kind experiences, unusual flavors, and a connection to the greater coffee world. Coffee shops and cafes that stay ahead of the curve will not only be able to meet these demands, but will also be able to establish a loyal customer base. The choices are boundless, from speciality brew methods like pour-over and cold brew to sustainable and ethically sourced beans.
