Americans are consuming more than 67 million lattes per year, replacing iced coffee with cold brew and switching from almond to oat milk, according to a Coffee Data Report released by Square and the Specialty Coffee Association.
The report found that oat milk sales have increased 425 percent since June 2017, and may soon surpass almond milk, which remains the most popular alternative milk at coffee shops across the U.S. Also, a standard latte isn’t as appealing anymore, as the average American requests two add-ons to their customized coffee order.
Meanwhile, the Australian coffee classic Flat White, a new addition to the U.S. coffee scene, is gaining popularity, with sales increasing 41 percent in the past year.
Innovation in the ready-to-drink cold coffee segment has contributed to 31 percent growth since 2016, according to Mintel. Consumers want ready-to-drink coffee to offer functional benefits, with 47 percent looking for antioxidants, 40 percent brain health benefits, 35 percent anti-inflammatory benefits, and 30 percent added probiotics. In addition, 42 percent of consumers say their ideal bottled or canned cold coffee drink would help them relax, while 35 percent are interested in products with added protein.