5 new coffee trends you can expect for 2021

The world of coffee consumption is ever-evolving, with each year bringing a new medley of exciting things to wow us – like 3-ingredient whipped ‘Dalgona’ coffee, never-before-seen latte art or coffee drinks that are pumped with gas to make it fizzy. There’s no shortage of fresh, novel ideas when it comes to one of the world’s most beloved beverages. Which is why we’re sharing some coffee trends you may spot this year as you navigate a new chapter of pandemic life.

The rise of neighbourhood cafes

Winston Thomas, three-time SA Barista champion says that COVID-19 has given rise to new coffee shops and cafes opening in residential areas. “There have been many cafes closing down, but there has arguably been an equal amount of new ones opening in the suburbs – either in the form of ‘brick-and-mortar’ spaces or mobile units. With this shift, we see the “neighbourhood cafe” catering to consumers who are now working from home indefinitely. Although some neighbourhood cafes have been slinging shots since before the lockdown, there’s been a big increase since the pandemic hit.”

A shift to quality and convenience

With more people making coffee at home comes an understanding of how hard it is to make a really good cup, says Winston. “It’s cultivating an understanding of what good coffee really is – from the beans you use, to the freshness and preparation, to the technique. This can only help the coffee industry to grow and create a larger market to showcase high-quality coffee. Right now there seems to be more of a shift to convenience beyond instant coffee. The demand for coffee capsules is only growing, and there are also new brewing products available for home use such as the Pocket Brew (similar to a tea bag except with ground coffee). This shift is also forcing larger corporates to adapt. For instance, we now see Single Origin instant coffee on supermarket shelves!”

Coffee subscription boxes

With fewer people popping into their favourite coffee shops every morning on the way to an office, the rise of at-home experiences has sharply risen. One way that coffee drinkers can still enjoy their morning rituals is to have their coffee beans or grinds delivered to their door in the form of a coffee subscription. Each brand has its own unique offering – exclusive how-to videos, access to people who do the roasting, and the opportunity to try new and different coffees that you may not have been exposed to before.

Check out some local coffee subscriptions:

Rosetta

Bean Box Club

Blue Bird Coffee Roastery

East London Coffee Company

Coffee Drops Co. 

Canned coffee 

Also known RTD (ready to drink) coffee, this form of coffee is a fast-growing segment in the retail coffee market, according to Mintel. It reports that 46% of Gen Z consumers in the US buy and drink canned or pre-bottled coffee. They’re viewed as a healthier grab-and-go option over sugar-laden soft drinks. Which leads us onto the next trend…

Healthy coffee drinks 

Biohackers around the globe have been enjoying mushroom coffee, ‘bullet-proof’ coffee, collagen coffee and turmeric coffee for some time but now these functional healthy caffeinated drinks are finding a place for themselves onto coffee shop menus. Also, the rise of alternative milk (or ‘mylk’) has meant that you can get an almond or oat milk flat white pretty much anywhere in an urban area. Try these local brands the next time you feel like ditching the dairy or doing the Veganuary Challenge:

Oh Oat (oat milk)

Oatify (oat milk)

Oaternative (oat milk)

Almond Creamery (almond milk)

ButtaNut (almond milk, oat milk, macadamia nut milk)

SOMA (almond milk)

Earth & Co. (almond milk, oat milk, rice milk, soya milk)

While you’re here, you might want to read why the hand coffee grinder was the worst idea ever