UK blends traditional and modern trends in coffee consumption

While specialty drinks and café culture are growing, instant coffee, a traditional staple of UK households, remains a central part of the UK’s culture. According to Statista, 73% of the UK population drinks instant coffee at home. Many self-identified coffee lovers continue to buy instant coffee while also grinding their own beans at home. The convenience of preparation drives this preference. A quick cup before the commute is often best served with instant coffee, while the Sunday morning ritual may be more suited to artisan roast and ground coffee. 

In 2024, 31% of consumers in the UK said they drink coffee several times a day, and another 23% have at least one cup daily. These habits are shaping the future, both inside and outside the house. Coffee shops are everywhere and are very popular; over 31 million people visited at least once in 2022, yet most daily coffee consumption still occurs at home. 

Shopping habits for coffee at home are changing apace. As more people turn to online shopping for daily essentials, coffee is joining the digital basket. Online coffee sales in the UK are expected to grow to 25.2% of total market revenue by 2028, up from 15.8% in 2018 (Statista). This shift encourages brands to rethink how coffee is packaged, promoted and delivered, making flexibility and speed just as important as flavour. 

Spending on coffee is rising. In 2023, UK consumers spent more than £3.2 billion on coffee, tea and cocoa, nearly doubling over the last decade. Younger adults are particularly invested in their home coffee habits, spending up to £22 per month. Those who still contend that the British are a nation of tea drinkers haven't checked in recently. 

Most British consumers now drink their coffee without sugar, and plant-based milks, especially oat milk, are gaining popularity. Although hot coffee remains dominant, iced formats are increasingly favored by younger drinkers and often served as the first entry point into coffee consumption for older teens. Cold coffee is a trend that is now making its way from coffee shops to supermarket aisles.  Sucafina UK Ltd is at the forefront of this trend, having developed ambient iced coffee mixers which help people make cold coffee at home in seconds.  These solutions help ambitious retailers and brands serve Generation Z consumers, and these products are gaining traction now as supermarkets adjust to the new realities of the cold coffee revolution.   

George, Sales Manager at Sucafina UK, explains, “At Sucafina Instant, we see consumers’ growing passion for quality and convenience and how it drives innovation in instant coffee. People want products that fit their busy lives without compromising flavor, and they are more likely than ever before to drink their coffee cold.” 

The takeaway? The UK coffee market is dynamic and full of potential. By 2029, the total value of sales (at and away from home) is expected to be close to £9 billion per annum. 

At Sucafina Instant, we identify patterns, track trends and gather insights, responding with innovation and new product development. Today’s consumers want speed and flavor. They want trusted solutions, choice, sustainability and personalization. That’s why we’re constantly innovating: whether it’s developing ingredients or finished goods for retailers and brands, we’re helping clients to serve modern demands around the world.