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As coffee culture evolves, Ashley Palmer-Watts, chef and co-founder of Artisan Coffee Co, explores the future of brewing. Discover how trends like at-home barista-grade brews, premium quality beverages and automation are set to redefine the coffee experience for consumers and businesses alike.

The world of coffee is complex, exciting and ever-changing. As we approach the last quarter of the year and look ahead to 2025, the industry is experiencing a fourth wave.

From automation to at-home baristas, emerging trends will overhaul how brands operate and how consumers enjoy their coffee.

The at-home barista

With the rising cost of takeaway coffee – now as high as £5.50 in London – more consumers are opting to create their own barista experience in the comfort of home.

The tide is shifting for coffee shops, as the trend of overpriced, low-quality coffee seems to be fading.

In response to the economic landscape, consumers are becoming more discerning and turning to home brewing as a preferred option.

However, this doesn’t signal a resurgence of instant coffee. Today’s consumers demand more from their brew, reflecting a growing awareness and appetite for speciality coffee.

More than beans

As more people brew coffee at home, they are increasingly interested in the entire brewing process and eager to learn about their coffee’s origin and the best brewing methods.

This growing engagement will lead to a stronger emphasis on storytelling in coffee marketing, offering consumers a more premium and educational experience. A compelling story can significantly enhance the customer journey.

Flavour at the forefront

Fortunately, the era of relying on low-quality coffee suppliers is over. Operators are now discovering better-quality beans with exceptional flavour.

After years of dealing with suppliers who offered ‘free’ equipment but inflated bean prices, businesses can now provide high-quality coffee without hidden costs. Premium coffee has arrived, meeting the growing consumer demand for superior quality and excellent taste.

Consistency without compromise

Operators seek consistent, high-quality coffee, and automation offers a solution. However, balancing manual machines with automation presents challenges in training and staff turnover.

Semi-automation provides an effective compromise, allowing for daily manual adjustments while benefiting from automation’s consistency.

Moreover, automation is transforming coffee preparation by enabling users to program steam wands for various milk types, including plant-based alternatives, aligning with the growing popularity of these options.

Enhancing experience

The customer experience is now central to the hospitality industry, with coffee playing a crucial role in this shift. From innovative in-room coffee bags to freshly brewed cups in restaurants, guests’ expectations have risen significantly.

As customers become more discerning from their at-home coffee experiences, they now demand the same high standards wherever they go.

Half caff

Businesses are now boosting afternoon trade with alternative low-caff or half-caffeinated options. The trending ‘half caff’ coffee offers the perfect middle ground between fully caffeinated and decaf drinks.

#Coffee #trends

Do you have a new coffee product, technology or solution? The World Coffee Innovation Awards, happening this October, celebrate the innovators and trendsetters transforming the coffee industry. For more information and to submit your entry, visit: foodbevawards.com/coffee-innovation-awards.