With an ease on pandemic restrictions, 2022 is looking like a promising year for many cafes. And while takeaway options, eco-friendly packaging and milk alternatives remain among some of the most evolving trends, here are some other coffee industry trend predictions to watch out for in the coming years.
Collaborations
Many businesses within the hospitality industry have band together to form creative solutions to stay afloat. Including collaborating with products in subscription boxes and showcasing each other’s products instore. Marketing concepts such as these are predicted to continue, long after the pandemic and beyond 2022.
Home brewing
While pandemic restrictions are easing and customers are starting to return to cafes for coffee catch-ups with friends, it is predicted to still be at least another three years before there is a “new normal” in place.
The slow return to cafes is also due in part to the rise in popularity of home brewing. Many have invested in coffee equipment while being stuck at home during the pandemic. Because of the rise in popularity of home brewing, it has been predicted that future café menus will start to include options more focused towards those that love home brewed coffee options.
Milk alternatives
Milk alternatives are becoming more popular every year, not only because of dietary requirements, but also due to a rise in conscious consumption. Customers are now looking at alternatives as a way to make more educated choices that lead to better impact on the environment. They are looking beyond the impact of single-use coffee cups that are not biodegradable, to the impacts of using cow’s milk for example.
Oat milk is one of the most environmentally friendly milk alternatives, with a study showing that it can generate up to 80% less greenhouse gas emissions than dairy. Oats are a sustainable crop option that is not associated with deforestation or excessive needs on water. Among the ever-growing list of milk alternatives; Oat milk has been a clear favourite. Oat Milk ranks high on two important nutrients; protein and fibre and is allergy-friendly to those with tree nut or soy intolerance’s. It is predicted that 2022 will see more milk alternatives come to the market, including potato milk!