Consumption of coffee outside home returns to pre-pandemic levels

Out-of-home coffee consumption reached its highest level since January 2020, and a majority of Americans believe coffee is good for their health, according to the Fall 2024 National Coffee Data Trends analysis published ahead of National Coffee Day on Sept. 29.

The analysis, conducted by Toronto-based Dig Insights on behalf of the National Coffee Association, New York, found that home remains the most popular place for coffee consumption, with 81% of past-day coffee drinkers having coffee at home compared with 36% having coffee outside the home. However, at-home and out-of-home coffee consumption are not mutually exclusive, however; some coffee drinkers will have consumed coffee in multiple locations, the analysis said.

The report also found:

“There’s no better way to celebrate National Coffee Day than with the great news that coffee remains America’s favorite beverage other than bottled water and that most Americans are familiar with coffee’s unique health benefits,” association President and CEO William Murray said.

Those who consumed a beverage in the past day selected:

Meanwhile, 61% of Americans had a traditional coffee and 56% had a specialty, while 24% of past-day coffee cups were served cold—up 60% compared with winter 2023. American coffee drinkers consume an average of 2.5 cups per day, and American adults drink about 413 million cups daily—enough to fill an Olympic-size swimming pool more than 39 times.

Other Findings

Specialty coffee maintains its 13-year high, with 45% of Americans having this type of coffee in the past day. Among specialty coffees, past-day consumption grew the most for non-espresso-based beverages, up 26% since January 2024.

Cold brew was the most popular non-espresso-based beverage, with 21% of Americans drinking cold brew in the past week, up by more than 30% since January 2024. 

Drip coffee makers have long been the most popular preparation method, at 36%, for past-day coffee drinkers, with single-cup brewers remaining in second place, at 24%. Ready-to-drink remains in third place, 18%, and continues to grow in popularity, with past-day consumption more than doubling since 2023.

Elsewhere:

Reasons for the Love

Reasons that coffee drinkers enjoyed their brew the previous day:

Time of Day

The time coffee drinkers enjoyed their brew the previous day:

Location

Coffee consumption around the country is highest in the Northeast. Past-day consumption of those 18 years and older:

The National Coffee Association (NCA), established in 1911, is the United States’ oldest and largest trade organization representing coffee businesses of all types and sizes, including the producers, roasters, brands and other companies responsible for 90% of U.S. coffee commerce and nonprofit organizations involved in the world of coffee. Coffee supports 2.2 million U.S. jobs—operating in every U.S. state and territory and contributing nearly $350 billion to the U.S. economy every year.

This story was originally featured on CSP Daily News, a sister publication of Supermarket News.