Britain may be famous for its tea, but coffee keeps gaining ground. New research from the British Coffee Association, with figures produced by economic consultancy CEBR, puts UK consumption at 103 million cups of coffee a day, up from 98 million in 2018. Two in three adults now drink coffee daily, and 29% have three cups or more.
The standout finding is generational. For the first time, 18-34-year-olds drink more than the over-55s, at 1.9 cups a day versus 1.7. Younger drinkers' intake has risen by about half since 2021, when it stood at 1.3 cups. They also spend more when out, paying around £4 a cup compared with £3.20 for older consumers.
The study links the shift to the appeal of flat whites, cold brew and iced coffee. For anyone selling hot drinks, the message is that younger consumers will pay for quality and experience.
Source: British Coffee Association