Published 07 March 2025

8 min read

Coffee culture has evolved: globally, younger consumers treat the beverage as a means of flavour exploration, personal expression, and even social connection. Meanwhile, coffee shops are becoming compelling settings for late-night sober gatherings and luxury tasting experiences.

Evolving Customs & Consumers

Expanding Café Culture

Global Coffee Resonates

Many Gen Zers are moving away from a serious brewing-technique-led approach to coffee to embrace fanciful dessert-like flavours – such as candyfloss and cracking chocolate – and elaborate social-media-ready aesthetic drinks. However, as coffee prices have risen, cost has become an obstacle, with some consumers hosting their own coffee pop-ups at home and choosing affordable lo-fi equipment.

Many Gen Zers are moving away from a serious brewing-technique-led approach to coffee to embrace fanciful dessert-like flavours – such as candyfloss and cracking chocolate – and elaborate social-media-ready aesthetic drinks. However, as coffee prices have risen, cost has become an obstacle, with some consumers hosting their own coffee pop-ups at home and choosing affordable lo-fi equipment.

Summary

Evolving Customs & Consumers

Many Gen Zers are moving away from a serious brewing-technique-led approach to coffee to embrace fanciful dessert-like flavours – such as candyfloss and cracking chocolate – and elaborate social-media-ready aesthetic drinks. However, as coffee prices have risen, cost has become an obstacle, with some consumers hosting their own coffee pop-ups at home and choosing affordable lo-fi equipment.

Expanding Café Culture

Globally, the function of coffee shops as third spaces is evolving, as consumers seek places to socialise without the influence of alcohol. This is manifesting in cafés serving as cosy late-night sober venues and coffee-shop raves. In China, independent coffee houses are taking on niche themes and formats – think archaeology-themed venues and funeral-parlours-cum-coffee-shops – to stand out in an increasingly crowded market.

Global Coffee Resonates

As coffee enthusiasts look for novel experiences and flavours, coffee rituals and formats from around the world are gaining greater appeal. Multi-course luxury omakase coffee flights originating from Japan is one such ritual making global waves. Meanwhile, East and Southeast Asian coffee shops, drink formats and flavours are becoming a staple in western markets.

Exploring New Coffee Culture

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Exploring New Coffee Culture

Exploring New Coffee Culture

Exploring New Coffee Culture

Exploring New Coffee Culture

Exploring New Coffee Culture

Coffee culture has evolved: globally, younger consumers treat the beverage as a means of flavour exploration, personal expression, and even social connection. Meanwhile, coffee shops are becoming compelling settings for late-night sober gatherings and luxury tasting experiences.

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