Let’s find out where we’re all based right now.

It's been interesting to see the rise, then fall, and now the rise again in oat milk within the coffee world. I think alternative milks these days are as popular as ever. Do you guys like oat milk? I prefer it in my shampoo!

Inspired by the fact that quite a few of us have started our journey in coffee from the dark side of instant coffee (myself included). I wanted to do a bit of a dive into the present stats of how many people out there drink instant still. 😲 Globally, instant coffee is consumed by a large portion of coffee drinkers due to its convenience. In 2023, the instant coffee market was valued at $36.23 billion and is projected to grow to $53.32 billion by 2030. Here’s a regional breakdown of instant coffee consumption: 1. Asia-Pacific: This region leads in instant coffee consumption, driven by large populations in countries like China, Japan, and India. China, in particular, has seen rapid growth, with instant coffee making up a significant portion of total coffee consumption. 2. Europe: Countries like the UK, Germany, and Russia have a strong demand for instant coffee. The UK, for example, is a major consumer, with about 77% of the coffee consumed being instant. Being based here as a roaster, this was a surprising state for me. 3. North America: Instant coffee is less popular here compared to other regions, with a preference for freshly brewed coffee. 4. South America: While Brazil is more associated with coffee production, instant coffee consumption is growing here as well, particularly in Brazil and Argentina. 5. Middle East and Africa: Instant coffee consumption is on the rise, especially in countries like Saudi Arabia and South Africa, where it is often preferred for its ease of preparation. A key trend in the instant coffee market is the rise of premium instant coffee products, including those that feature single-origin beans and specialty blends. Companies like Nescafe and Starbucks are working hard to capitalise on this shift.