Coffee Trends

Tea and Coffee: Quality, Wellness, and Value Redefined

Coffee and tea consumption is evolving as consumers reassess everyday rituals

Coffee and tea continue to play an essential role in daily routines for many consumers, but expectations around these beverages are shifting. As consumers re-evaluate their lifestyles, they are placing greater emphasis on quality, wellbeing, and value. This is reshaping what they look for in hot drinks and creating new opportunities for brands to innovate in a category long driven by habit.

Consumers seek comfort, energy, and routine stability

Coffee and tea remain deeply rooted in everyday life offering moments of calm and comfort. This is particularly valuable at a time when many are experiencing fatigue, stress, and financial pressure. These beverages serve as a small reliable ritual to help consumers with their daily routines. Emotional wellbeing is also influencing these moments, with 72% of consumers saying moments of indulgence for self-care are important. This reinforces why hot drink habits remain stable despite wider cutbacks on non-essentials.

Premiumization is rising

Consumers are becoming more conscious of what they purchase, this influences their hot drink choices. Quality is a priority for many, especially as people look for value in the small indulgences they use to enhance their day. FMCG Gurus' insights show factors such as 100% natural production and environmentally friendly production methods strongly signal premium quality. This shows even as consumers control their spending, they still look for products that communicate authenticity and elevated taste.

Health and functionality are influencing new habits

Consumers are increasingly trying to make better-for-you choices throughout the day, and this extends to coffee and tea. 40% of global consumers say they take a proactive approach to health. This shows solutions that fit easily into daily routines will be popular. This supports demand for functional ingredients, botanicals particularly, in this area. 41% of global consumers say botanicals would encourage them to increase their consumption of beverages. The strongest associations with this form of ingredients is energy, digestion, and skin health. Tea and coffee offer great platforms for this.

Flavor remains non-negotiable

Even as consumers seek better-for-you options, taste continues to be a priority in decision-making. 72% of global consumers say flavor is important when choosing food and drink, reinforcing that functionality cannot come at the expense of enjoyment. At the same time, 74% are unsure or unhappy accepting less tasty products even if they offer health benefits, highlighting the challenge brands face. Alongside this, interest in flavor innovation is also rising, with 58% saying tea could improve on flavor variety and 51% saying the same for coffee. Consumers expect beverages that deliver both wellness support and great taste.

The influence of rising living costs

Financial pressures are driving consumers to rethink where they spend. 60% of global consumers are concerned about rising living costs, and this has led many to reduce café visits, rely more heavily on promotions, or shift daily rituals into the home. As a result, at-home café moments are becoming more meaningful, often linked to mood support, self-care, and social connection. For instance, 19% plan to improve mood health by spending more time with friends and family, reinforcing the emotional value of shared beverage occasions.

Looking ahead

As preferences evolve, the coffee and tea market will continue to diversify. Brands that deliver comfort, elevated quality, functional benefits, and credible value will be well positioned for growth. Whether through premium blends, botanicals, flavor innovation, or at-home café formats, the opportunity lies in helping consumers enhance the moments they rely on most. Coffee and tea remain essential in routines, what’s changing is the expectations surrounding them.

Discover how shifting coffee and tea rituals are redefining consumer expectations and reshaping the hot drinks market with FMCG Gurus’ Trend Report - Tea & Coffee: Functional, Flavor, and At-Home Occasions - 2025. For more details, contact us at info@fmcggurus.com.

Coffee Trends: Speciality Coffees and Sustainability

Introduction

In the beverage industry, coffee trends have seen a rise in unique flavors and blends. There is an increased demand for specialty and artisanal coffees, as consumers are becoming more interested in the origin and quality of their coffee. Sustainability is also playing a big role, with consumers seeking out brands that prioritize ethical sourcing and environmentally friendly practices. Additionally, ready-to-drink coffee products have become increasingly popular, offering convenience and on-the-go options. Coffee innovations such as cold brew and iced coffee are also gaining traction.

Coffee Consumption

Drinking coffee is a daily occurrence for a large proportion of consumers. For instance, FMCG Gurus’ consumer insights reveal that 47% of global consumers drink hot coffee daily. In comparison, only 5% of global consumers drink specialty coffee daily, such as a latte or americano. This highlights how specialty coffees are seen as more of a treat rather than a daily necessity. It is important to note that of hot coffee drinkers, a majority purchase coffee in the supermarket. This suggests that regular coffee drinkers pick up coffee as part of their food shop, as opposed to those who consume specialty coffees as a treat or when they are on the go outside of the home.

Speciality Coffee

Coffee consumption has been steadily growing as more people appreciate the rich flavors and unique profiles of specialty coffees. The demand for premium and artisanal coffee is driving innovation in the industry, with companies offering unique blends and limited-edition releases.

However, it is important to consider the impact of rising costs on the specialty coffee market. FMCG Gurus’ market research has revealed that 77% of global consumers are looking to reduce spending in coffee shops and cafes over the next month. This highlights the impact of the cost of living crisis on out-of-home purchases. To respond to this, brands in the coffee market should offer premium at-home coffees during this recessionary period.

Sustainability

Sustainability and ethical practices in the coffee market are becoming increasingly important. Consumers are looking for brands that prioritize ethical sourcing, fair trade practices, and environmental conservation. Many companies are implementing initiatives to support farmers, promote biodiversity, and reduce their carbon footprint. FMCG Gurus’ consumer insights reveal that 70% of global consumers look for environmentally friendly claims in hot coffee. Additionally, 47% of global consumers seek fair-trade certified claims in hot coffee. This highlights that a significant proportion of consumers are placing a greater emphasis on the environmental and social impact of their coffee choices.

As a result, coffee brands are increasingly focusing on ethical sourcing practices, fair trade certifications, and supporting local coffee farmers. Additionally, there is a growing trend towards eco-friendly packaging and promoting recycling initiatives. Our findings reveal that 41% of consumers seek out hot coffee with recyclable packaging. As a result, the coffee market must continue to work towards more sustainable initiatives to meet the evolving demands and values of environmentally-conscious consumers.

Sugar Content

With a greater focus on long-term health, consumers are seeking out healthier alternatives and reducing their sugar intake. FMCG Gurus’ market research shows of the consumers who check nutritional labeling on coffee, 60% check for sugar content. In response to this demand, coffee brands must offer low-sugar or sugar-free options, as well as natural sweeteners or flavored syrups with reduced sugar content. This allows consumers to personalize their coffee experience while also aligning with their health-conscious choices.

However, it is important to note that taste and sensory appeal is a priority for many consumers when it comes to coffee, so brands must make sure they do not overpromote health and compromise on taste.

The article is based on FMCG Gurus: Coffee Trends – Global Report 2023. For more information, please click here.