STiR coffee and tea magazine

24 STiR coffee and tea | 2026 Quarter 2 Summer (Jun/July/Aug) The NCA representative attributes this growth largely to a generational shift: "Younger adult coffee drinkers appear to be driving the increase in spe- cialty coffee consumption, with 69% of those aged 25-39 drinking this type of coffee in the past week, more than any other age group," they said. "The growth in specialty coffee consumption also coincides with a recent phenomenal rise in consumption of some beverages that were virtually un- known before, such as cold brew and ready-to-drink." This trajectory has significant implications for coffee retailers, roasters, and foodservice operators. The 25-to-39 demographic is not just experimenting; it is establishing durable preferences that will shape the market for decades. Home Brewing Hits a 14-Year High as Preparation Methods Evolve At-home coffee consumption reached 85% of past-day drinkers. This is the highest figure recorded since 2012. The drip coffee maker remains the most widely owned brewing device (60%), followed by single-cup machines (47%) and instant coffee (35%). Among past-day preparation methods, drip leads at 37%, with the single-cup brewer rising sharply. NCA contextualizes the shift without overstat- ing it: "Home has always been Americans' favorite place to enjoy their coffee, and that is still the case, with 85% of coffee drinkers having their coffee at home in the past day, up slightly from 82% in fall 2025," stated the spokesperson. "Out-of-home coffee consumption remains popular too, with 36% of past-day coffee drinkers enjoying their cof- fee out and about, consistent with recent years." The workplace (14%), transit (13%), and eat- ing places (10%) remain the most common out-of- home venues. The single-cup brewer's near-22% rise since fall 2025 signals a consumer appetite for convenience and customization that bridges home and café-quality coffee. 507 Million Daily Cups Cement Coffee's Cultural Status The Spring 2026 NCDT report delivers a verdict on coffee's place in American life that requires lit- tle elaboration. "It is difficult to make predictions, but coffee has been America's favorite beverage for decades, other than (sometimes) bottled water, and we do not expect that to change," concluded the spokesperson. With 507 million cups consumed daily, enough to fill 48 Olympic-sized swimming pools, the re- port is less a snapshot than a confirmation. Coffee is not merely popular in America; it is woven into the rhythms of daily life across every region, gen- eration, and season. For the industry, the direction of travel is clear: more specialty, more cold, more home, and no signs of slowing. The Spring 2026 National Coffee Data Trends re- port is published by the National Coffee Association USA (NCA). Data is based on surveys of American adults aged 18 and over. US coffee consumption has outpaced bottled water. Chart credit: NCA NCDT Spring 2026 Report Specialty and cold coffee consumption have captured the hearts of Gen Z. Photo credit: Vo Nguyen NCA's Spring 2026 NCDT report shows record home brewing numbers, the highest in 14 years. Photo credit: Mikhail Nilov American coffee drinkers consume an average of 2.8 cups per day Coffee Is America's Favorite Beverage! 66% 64% 47% 46% 26% Past-day consumption, adults aged 18+ Coffee Bottled water Tea Soda Juice

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