Our News

Specialty Coffee on the Rise

Coffee Supplies MN

The number of Americans who drink and enjoy specialty coffee continues to grow year after year. According to the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), specialty coffees represent 48% of US coffee cups and are considered the highest quality in the world. With nearly half of American’s preferring specialty coffee, what does the future look like for these delicious beans? Learn more here from Coffee Mill:

Why the Growth in Popularity?

One of the main reasons more and more people are choosing specialty coffee is because they are becoming more aware of how these beans are made and the long journey they take from the farm to their cup. It’s not difficult nowadays to find out exactly where the specialty coffee came from that you are drinking. Most often you can learn details of the exact country, city, and farm if you are willing to do a little research. On top of that, there is a growing interest in Fair Trade practices, human rights, and protecting the environment, so there is some level of satisfaction that comes from purchasing a product you know was produced and harvested in an ethical manner and with the utmost care. In addition, these beans make a fantastic cup of coffee both in taste and aroma. It’s more of an experience than a simple beverage.

For millennials (ages 18-34), coffee shops continue to grow in popularity for a number of reasons, a few being internet access, a place to meet with friends, and their overall love for coffee. According to The Pew Research Center, “This year, the “Millennial” generation is projected to surpass the outsized Baby Boom generation as the nation’s largest living generation.” What does that have to do with the growing popularity of specialty coffee? According to the SCAA, 35% of 18-24 years old say they drink specialty coffee daily. Meaning a huge percentage of the largest living generation of people make it a point to stop and get a specialty coffee every day of the week. Why? Millennials enjoy high quality items that are both convenient and come at a value, but they’ve also shown concern for how products are made, where they come from, and lean towards the organic.

What Does the Future Hold?

With the growing demand for specialty coffee, is there a chance that there will be a shortage of these precious beans? Maybe, maybe not. With the drought continuing in Brazil, the world’s leading coffee producer, there could be tough times ahead. Take into account the impending climate changes as well as increased coffee consumption around the world, and there could be a potential shortage that would not only result in less coffee, but also higher prices.

Fortunately, for the time being, there is no need to worry about where your next cup of coffee is going to come from. In 2015, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Honduras picked up the slack and managed to produce record breaking amounts of coffee. The question is, can they continue and for how long?