"Coffee is the common man's gold, and like gold, it brings to every person the feeling of luxury and nobility." - Sheik-Abd-al-Kadir
2024 Coffee Statistics: Consumption, Preferences, & Spending
The love for coffee is deeply ingrained in many cultures around the world. It is not only a morning ritual or a pick-me-up during the day but also a social experience that brings people together. To shed light on the world of coffee, we have gathered the latest and most intriguing coffee statistics from a survey conducted by the Drive Research Company with 1,300+ people across the U.S. in January 2024. According to their research:
For further analysis, the data is broken down in the following ways: General Coffee Statistics, Consumption Habits, Preferences, Spending
General Coffee Statistics
Coffee has become a beloved staple in the lives of people around the world, and in this section, we explore some intriguing general coffee statistics that shed light on its immense popularity. From global consumption figures to other food items as part of the coffee industry, these statistics highlight the widespread love and fascination people have for this caffeinated beverage.
2 in 3 Americans make coffee at home every day.
- 66% of American coffee drinkers make coffee at home on a daily basis, with 89% making it at home at least once a week. Others make it at home once every few weeks (3%). Only 4% of people never make coffee at home.
Over 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed in the world daily.
- This staggering statistic not only emphasizes the scale of coffee's popularity but also highlights its pervasive presence in various cultures and societies. Whether enjoyed in bustling cafes, offices, or homes, coffee serves as a common thread that brings people together and provides a comforting ritual enjoyed by millions across the globe each day.
87% of Americans consider themselves somewhat or full-on coffee-obsessed.
- The statistic reveals that a significant majority of Americans, 87%, identify themselves as having a strong affinity for coffee, ranging from being somewhat obsessed to fully consumed by their love for the beverage. This suggests that coffee plays a central role in the lives of a large portion of the population, indicating its widespread popularity and cultural significance in American society. In fact, our study found that only 2% of those surveyed hated coffee.
1 in 4 Americans likes to drink espresso martinis - a 79% increase from 2022.
- Coffee consumption habits can extend beyond a beverage. For instance, over half of the respondents surveyed enjoy coffee cake (61%) and coffee ice cream (54%). Other popular selections included Irish coffee (35%), coffee liqueur (30%), The love for espresso martinis is on the rise. According to our survey, 25% of people like to sip on espresso martinis, a 79% increase from when we polled people in 2022.
Shot-flavored lattes are the most popular coffee order at coffee shops.
- 38% of people order shot-flavored lattes at coffee shops as their go-to coffee order. Others order flat whites (32%), filter coffee (31%), cold brew or cold drip coffee (30%), cappuccino or Piccolo lattes (29%), long black or Americanos (20%), and espresso (19%).
Most people drink coffee because they like the way it tastes (83%)
- Drinking coffee can come with many benefits, but its taste is the biggest driver for most people to consume it. Other reasons people drink coffee include: it gives them energy (67%), it increases their productivity (43%), the perceived health benefits (29%), and it suppresses their appetite (20%).
Coffee Consumption Statistics
Coffee consumption has become a ubiquitous part of daily life for countless individuals. These statistics offer a glimpse into the fascinating world of coffee consumption and its impact on individuals and societies alike.
73% of Americans drink coffee every day.
- The survey also found that 93% of people drink coffee at least once a week, while others only drink it once every few weeks (4%), once a month (1%), and less often than once a month (3%).
Retirees are most likely to drink coffee every day (81%).
- The survey also asked respondents to select statements that represented them. Among categories such as stay-at-home parents, new parents, retirees, full-time college students, full-time employees, and part-time employees - retirees were most likely to drink coffee every day.
36% of coffee drinkers limit their coffee intake to 3 to 5 cups daily.
- Alternatively, the survey also found that 60% of people drink 1 to 2 cups of coffee a day, while 4% of people drink at least 6 cups of coffee a day.
Coffee drinkers most prefer Keurig coffee pods (30%) when brewing a cup of joe.
- Other popular ways to make coffee included drip (29%), ground (20%), instant (8%), and french press (8%). Only 1% of survey respondents prefer whipped coffee.
Only 18% of people prefer to drink their coffee black - a 56% decrease from 2022.
- According to the 2024 coffee survey results, fewer people enjoy black coffee and are more likely to opt for many of the coffee enhancement flavors available. The data indicates a significant shift in coffee preferences, with only 18% of individuals opting for black coffee, marking a substantial 56% decrease compared to the preference observed in 2022. This suggests a notable change in consumer taste or a growing preference for coffee variations with added ingredients or flavors.
Males are 2.4X more likely to drink black coffee than females.
- According to the survey, 31% of males drink black coffee, while only 13% of females prefer their coffee black. However, both males (61%) and females (81%) like their coffee the most with at least milk or creamer.
77% of people put milk or creamer in their coffee - with almond and oat milk preferences on the rise.
- Of those who prefer milk and/or creamer in their coffee, 51% use generic coffee creamers such as Coffee-Mate or International Delight. The survey found that other popular additions were half-and-half (43%), 2% milk (26%), almond milk (24%), oat milk (19%), and light cream (17%). Both almond milk and oat milk are growing in popularity among coffee drinkers. Preferences for oat milk grew by 90%, and preferences for almond milk grew by 71% since 2022.
44% prefer coffee with sweetener - with most using pure sugar.
- 67% of coffee consumers use normal sugar, whereas 38% of people prefer Stevia or similar zero-calorie sweeteners. Other coffee sweetener preferences included, honey (19%), agave (10%), and maple syrup (7%).
On average people use 3 packets of sugar or stevia in their coffee drinks.
- The average usage of 3 packets of sugar or stevia in coffee drinks suggests a notable sweetness preference among individuals. This data implies that a significant portion of coffee consumers prefer their drinks to be moderately sweetened, indicating a prevalent taste trend in the population surveyed.
Coffee Roast Preference Statistics
These statistics provide valuable insights into the nuanced preferences surrounding coffee roasts and the consumption patterns of regular and decaffeinated coffee among the surveyed population, highlighting the diverse ways people enjoy and customize their coffee-drinking experience.
49% of Americans prefer medium roast coffee, while others prefer dark roast (28%) and light roast (12%).
- When it comes to coffee roast preferences among Americans, a significant 49% favor medium roast coffee, appreciating its balanced flavor and aroma. Meanwhile, 28% lean toward the bold and robust profile of dark roast, while 12% opt for the milder and more nuanced flavors of light roast. Surprisingly, only 11% of coffee drinkers have no specific roast preference, indicating that the majority of individuals have distinct taste preferences.
Only 11% of coffee drinkers have no roast preferences.
- The fact that only 11% of coffee drinkers have no roast preferences highlights that the majority of coffee drinkers have developed specific tastes and preferences when it comes to the roast level of their coffee beans. This statistic underscores the importance of roast profiles in shaping the overall flavor, aroma, and intensity of brewed coffee.
Only 29% of people drink decaf or decaffeinated coffee.
- And even fewer only drink decaf coffee (16%). This preference for regular coffee over decaf suggests that people often turn to coffee not only for its taste but also for its invigorating properties. Caffeine is known for its ability to enhance alertness, concentration, and mood, which may explain why the majority of coffee drinkers opt for the caffeinated version.
Of those who drink decaf (29%), 19% switch to decaffeinated coffee between 4 and 7 PM.
- Among those who choose decaf coffee, a specific time window becomes significant. 19% of decaf drinkers make the switch from regular coffee to decaf between the hours of 4 PM and 7 PM. This suggests that these individuals may prioritize a reduction in caffeine intake during the afternoon to avoid potential sleep disturbances or excessive stimulation later in the day. Others make the switch between 12 PM and 4 PM (18%) and between 7 PM and 10 PM (11%), while fewer swap for decaf coffee before noon (9%).
38% of Americans prefer coffee unsweetened.
- Other preferences included somewhat sweetened (28%), a little sweetener (22%), very sweetened (8%), and no sweetener used (4%)
Coffee Spending Statistics
Unfortunately, love doesn't cost a thing but coffee does. Let's dive into how much money people spend to make coffee at home or to purchase it at a coffee shop.
31% of people will spend $11 to $20 a month on coffee to make at home, while 11% will spend over $40 a month.
- Of those who spend up to $40 a month were college students at only 6% and new parents at 36%. Other at-home coffee drinkers spent $21 to $30 (25%), $31 to $40 (15%), and less than $10 (13%).
51% of people purchase coffee from a coffee shop at least once a week.
- Every town has its Central Perk, right? We sure hope so. More specifically, the study found that 8% of Americans buy coffee from a shop every day (8%), a few times a week (27%), once a week (16%), once every few weeks (17%), once a month (8%), and less often than once a month (17%). Only 7% of people never purchase coffee from a coffee shop.
New parents are more likely to frequently purchase coffee from a coffee shop.
- According to the survey, 67% of new parents report purchasing coffee from a coffee shop at least once a week, with 49% of new parents buying coffee more than once a week.
Most people spend $20 or less on coffee from cafes or coffee shops each month (54%).
- The survey also found that 16% of people spend $21 to $30 on coffee at shops each month, while 14% spend $40+. Additionally, 12% spend $31 to $40 each month on coffee at coffee shops.
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