Why gourmet-coffee numbers continue to perk

Was that really a latte you saw Grandma drinking over Thanksgiving?

Chances are good that it was. Gourmet coffees and coffee drinks — everything from iced frappes to espresso shots — are selling better than ever these days, and it’s no longer just young hipsters who are knocking back the aromatic pick-me-ups.

Here’s our end-of-year round-up of the latest gourmet-coffee trends:

Seniors in on the caffeine craze
While recent studies indicate that coffee drinkers ages 25 to 29 increased their consumption of coffee outside the home from 42 percent to 66 percent, and those 30 to 59 increased their consumption from 33 percent to 46 percent, the most surprising jolt comes from seniors, who increased gourmet coffee consumption from 9 percent to 14 percent.

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The reason? As gourmet coffee shops increase their penetration in virtually every location, seniors are recognizing the comfort and affordability of the coffee house as a place for socializing, and gourmet coffee drinks are a relatively inexpensive yet highly flavored choice for refreshment.

Coffee-loving Latinos
Another huge growth area is among Hispanics, who are opening coffeehouses at record rates, providing both the general public and their countrymen with the beloved coffee drinks of their native lands. Watch this trend — from where we sip, the Latin coffee house may well be the next big trend.

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Ice is nice … all year
The traditional triumvirate of specialty coffees — lattes, cappuccinos and espressos — still sell very well. However, iced coffee drinks have exploded in sales not just for summer fare, but all year-round. And, as more and more adventuresome consumers segue from latte to frappe, they are more inclined to try new flavors or new styles of coffee drinks, compare one estate or country’s coffee with another, and be more in tune with the steps necessary from grind to cup.

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Other options
Another big growth area is the tiny espresso. Espresso-based beverages — macchiato, Americano, espresso shots in a variety of drinks — jumped up from 4 percent to 7 percent of total coffee sales.

Crazy about coffee? For a free subscription to my monthly e-newsletter Coffee Chat News, just go to www.coffeechatnews.com. There you’ll find the latest in coffee recipes and coffee trends.

And for 20 great printer-friendly coffee recipes for this year’s holiday season (including main dishes, desserts and of course the best coffee beverages) go to my main Web site at www.supermarketguru.com/page.cfm/7126.

Phil Lempert is food editor of the “Today” show. He welcomes questions and comments, which can be sent to or by using the mail box below. You can also visit his Web site at www.supermarketguru.com.

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