new release: 2026 National Coffee Data Trends Specialty Coffee Report
The 2026 National Coffee Data Trends (NCDT) Specialty Coffee Report was released by the National Coffee Association (NCA).
Drawing on a nationally representative survey conducted by Dig Insights, this report is released as part of a partnership between the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and the National Coffee Association.
Specialty coffee consumption remains at a record high, with 47% of American adults having had specialty coffee in the past day, again surpassing past-day consumption of traditional coffee (42%). The full 2026 NCDT report found that 66% of Americans had a coffee in the past day, more than any other beverage including tap or bottled water.
The report also shows that specialty coffee's popularity continues to be driven by younger adults, with 69% of 25–39-year-olds having had specialty coffee in the past week, the highest of any age group.
Specialty coffee drinkers are also more likely to have their coffee prepared out-of-home, with 36% of past-day specialty coffee drinkers having their coffee prepared away from home, compared to 23% of past-day traditional coffee drinkers.
NCA President and CEO Bill Murray commented: "Specialty coffee clearly plays a key role in contributing to coffee’s overall popularity, just one of the ways coffee adapts to many different tastes and preferences. With so many choices available to them, Americans consistently choose coffee—for flavor, comfort, energy, proven association with health benefits, and so much more."
“These numbers tell an important story about specialty coffee and where the industry is heading," said Yannis Apostolopoulos, SCA CEO. "When nearly half of American adults are choosing specialty coffee on any given day, and when that preference is strongest among younger consumers, it confirms that quality, craft, and the experience around coffee matter more than ever. This is what the SCA exists to support - an industry that continues to raise its standards, deepen its connection with consumers, and build a value chain that works for everyone from bean to cup. For the SCA, this data is both encouraging and a call to action to continue advancing the industry through innovation and agility."
Additional key findings include:
The majority of past-day specialty coffee drinkers enjoyed their brew hot (76%), though cold coffee remains a popular choice (60%).
35% of past-day specialty coffee drinkers say flavor is part of what makes a cup of coffee "specialty coffee."
The most popular flavors among specialty and traditional coffee drinkers alike are chocolate, caramel and brown sugar (including toffee and butterscotch), and vanilla, followed by nutty (e.g., hazelnut, almond, praline) and fruity flavors.
For this report, "specialty coffee" is defined as including any espresso-based beverage (lattes, cappuccinos etc.); non-espresso-based beverages like frozen blend, cold brew, nitro; and traditional coffee that consumers perceive to be brewed from premium coffee beans/grounds.
The 2026 NCDT Specialty Coffee Report is available here.
