Back to basics: how much coffee do we drink?

It’s a bit disappointing to note that we Brits are lagging behind in coffee consumption. On average, a UK adult drinks about two cups of coffee each day. While this figure may seem reasonable, it is significantly lower than the consumption levels in the top coffee-drinking countries. No gold medals for us this time, folks.

Scandinavian nations take all the top spots, with the average Finn drinking 12kg of coffee each year (a British adult only gets through 2.8kg). Surprisingly, neither the UK nor the US make the top 20, which means only one thing…best put the kettle on!

Less of a shock were the times when most people drink their coffee. Over half of all coffee consumed is enjoyed at breakfast, while about a third is drunk between mealtimes (which we know as the ‘coffee break’). The remaining 13% is sipped alongside other meals.

Age is just a number… Although it is interesting to find out which age groups like to keep caffeinated.

You might think all those dissertation-writing undergrads would guzzle down the most, but it’s the over-65s that take first place, with 84% drinking at least 2 cups a day. The 55-64s come next, then the 45-54, and then, well, you get the idea. Gen Z-ers currently drink the least coffee, with those in their under-20s fancying an average of 0.5 cups per day.

This, however, looks to change. Millennials are getting thirsty for more, with one in four drinking more coffee than they were this time last year. They’re also thirsty for the good stuff, with 29% now going for indie coffee brands like Two Chimps. Great choice! We couldn’t be more pleased to have you! Online stores and coffee subscription services certainly appeal to this crowd!

If you’re wondering what the go-to drink is nowadays, let us introduce you to the humble cold brew. Sales of iced coffee hit an all-time high in 2019 as cool new coffee creations went back and forth on TikTok. This caused popular coffee chains to introduce frappes and iced lattes to their regular line-up rather than summer specials.

So, what makes cold brew so popular? Most cold brews are naturally sweet and offer endless flavour possibilities. Additionally, they’re incredibly convenient—you can prepare a batch that lasts all week. Gone are the days of rushing to make your cup of coffee before work. Now, you can grab your pre-made cold brew from the fridge and be on your way!

How to make cold brew at home

Boys and Girls

We got really sciency and found that coffee consumption rate was higher in males than in females (50.8% and 32.8%, respectively). Their reasons for drinking coffee were, however, pretty similar. Most drank their java to wake up or because they thought it was deeee-lish. The caffeinated participants also drank coffee to reduce stress, relax, or keep themselves in good shape.

We were surprised that only 5% knew what was in coffee besides caffeine. Let’s smash that stat because there’s so much good stuff in coffee! First, you’ve got a treasure chest of antioxidants essential to maintaining cell health.

Coffee is rich in hydrocinnamic acids and polyphenols, two powerful antioxidants that can help to reduce the risk of diseases. Many other bioactive compounds in coffee – plant alkaloids, magnesium, potassium, and B vitamins – have been found to do good stuff, like help reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes and extend lifespan.

Read more!