Specialty coffee consumption remains at record high

June 2, 2025 | NEW YORK – 47% of American adults had specialty coffee in the past day, maintaining a record high set in 2025 and keeping past-day specialty coffee consumption again higher than past-day traditional coffee consumption (42% of American adults), according to the National Coffee Association’s (NCA) 2026 National Coffee Data Trends (NCDT) Specialty Coffee Report, released today (Tuesday).

Based on a nationally representative survey conducted by Dig Insights and released by the NCA in collaboration with the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), the Specialty Coffee Report further reveals that specialty coffee’s popularity is driven in large part by younger adults, with 69% of 25–39-year-olds having had specialty coffee in the past week, the most of any other age group.

In addition to being younger than traditional coffee drinkers, specialty coffee drinkers are more likely to have their coffee prepared out-of-home—36% of past-day specialty coffee drinkers had coffee prepared outside the home, compared to 23% of traditional coffee drinkers.

The NCA’s Spring 2026 NCDT report found that 66% of American adults had coffee in the past day, more than any other beverage including tap or bottled water.

NCA President and CEO Bill Murray commented:

“Specialty coffee clearly plays a key role in contributing to coffee’s overall popularity, just one of the ways coffee adapts to many different tastes and preferences. With so many choices available to them, Americans consistently choose coffee—for flavor, comfort, energy, proven association with health benefits, and so much more.”

SCA CEO Yannis Apostolopoulos remarked:

"These numbers tell an important story about specialty coffee and where the industry is heading. When nearly half of American adults are choosing specialty coffee on any given day, and when that preference is strongest among younger consumers, it confirms that quality, craft, and the experience around coffee matter more than ever. This is what the SCA exists to support - an industry that continues to raise its standards, deepen its connection with consumers, and build a value chain that works for everyone from bean to cup. For the SCA, this data is both encouraging and a call to action to continue advancing the industry through innovation and agility."

Other key findings include:

•  The majority of past-day specialty coffee drinkers enjoyed their brew hot (76%) but cold coffee is also a popular choice (60%).
• 35% of past-day specialty coffee drinkers say that flavor is part of what makes a cup of coffee “specialty coffee.”
• The most popular flavors for specialty coffee drinkers and traditional coffee drinkers alike are chocolate, caramel and brown sugar (including toffee, butterscotch), and vanilla. The next most popular flavors are nutty (e.g., hazelnut, almond, praline), followed by fruity.

Specialty coffee is defined in the NCDT as including any espresso-based beverage (lattes, cappuccinos etc.); non-espresso-based beverages like frozen blend, cold brew, nitro; and traditional coffee that consumers perceive to be brewed from premium coffee beans/grounds. The 2026 NCDT Specialty Coffee Report is available at ncausa.org/specialty and the media highlights are available here.

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For media inquiries, contact media@ncausa.org.

About the National Coffee Association (NCA)

NCA, established in 1911, is the United States’ oldest and largest trade organization representing coffee businesses of all types and sizes, including the producers, roasters, brands, and other companies responsible for 90% of U.S. coffee commerce. More American adults drink coffee each day than any other beverage, and coffee supports 2.2 million U.S. jobs—operating in every U.S. state and territory and contributing nearly $350 billion to the U.S. economy every year. For more information, visit ncausa.org or contact coffee@ncausa.org.

About the Specialty Coffee Association

The SCA is the global stage for specialty coffee, where culture, commerce and community collide. As the world's largest coffee trade association, we bring together diverse voices across the value chain to spark dialogue, fuel innovation and make coffee a vibrant, relevant force for all. Through collaboration and progressive approaches, SCA supports the industry through research, standards, education, and events.