More than 250 years after the Boston Tea Party, coffee's popularity in America continues to soar, especially with the rise of specialty coffee. A National Coffee Association (NCA) report reveals that 45% of American adults consumed specialty coffee in the past day, marking an 80% increase since 2011. This surge has led to specialty coffee surpassing traditional coffee consumption for the first time. Specialty coffee's growth is driven by younger consumers, particularly those aged 25-39, with 66% having drunk specialty coffee in the past week. Espresso-based beverages and non-espresso-based beverages have seen a significant uptick, with ready-to-drink options becoming increasingly popular. Brands like Café Bustelo and NESCAFÉ are innovating to meet these trends, introducing new iced coffee collections and cold-liquid-dissolvable products. This evolution reflects not just changing tastes but also a growing interest in health and wellness benefits associated with coffee.
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