What’s Brewing in 2025? Emerging Consumer Trends for Coffee Biz

As Coffee industry is evolving, there are many brands which are coming with cafes and innovative coffees marking their mark in the sector. Launched in early 2024, Fast Coffee offers high-quality coffee in a quick service style setup while fostering a strong connection between consumers and coffee producers, standing firm on sustainability principles. The goal is to offer more than just great coffee; they aim to create sustainable, ethical coffee culture that is impactful for consumers as it is for the environment and communities that are served. 

In an exclusive interview with RestaurantIndia, Soomanna MM, Founder of HumbleBean Hospitality talks about his brand identity, sustainability practices, coffee culture, expansion and much more. Excerpts:

The Entrepreneurial journey
Soomanna is a third generation small and medium farmer as he grew up in the farms. He joined the corporate world after his education, spent 13 years in banking after he got saturated into the corporate world. His main aim was to add a value with what he comes from and want to deal with issues in coffee like he can address the problem while building the brand.

The Brand and their USP
Fast Coffee was launched in early 2024. Humblebean is a luxury model founded in 2017. They also have HumbleBean Agro where they roast coffee, exports coffee and all. HumbleBean as a concept store is now called as HumbleBean Coffee and Patisserie which is focused on luxury coffee brewing craft experiences, flavor science and french patisserie. Humblebean has one concept store in Indiranagar, Bangalore. Fast Coffee will be that brand wherein everyone can resonate with.

The Vision & Mission
Their Vision is to be the Indian global brand, create products inspired by nature, drive economic activity through a socially inclusive platform and encourage mindful consumption. 

The Coffee Production- How They are helping the Community
“If the place of produce doesn’t change then there is no point in building a brand. I want to address the problems of the place of produce. People are not conscious about quality orientation and if they do then the coffee can be appreciated in the main stake brewing, and it can be extremely palatable. We want to connect the place of produce into consumption of tomorrow. We wanted to be a fully integrated coffee company where the brand is supporting the farm program as without having to go to trade coffee from traders, can focus on quality orientation, education to the farming community and buy from them,” he shared.

Growth of Coffee Culture in India
Coffee culture is growing but with a different meaning, as coffee is dominated by the cafes in the name of coffee. There are very less brands that focus on coffees as there are hardly any coffee shops. Like, we promote more of coffees than food. We believe food has to be complimented alongside the coffees, but it should not overpower the actual concept. 

Why sustainability and ethical sourcing became central to the brand's identity
“For us, the community work surpasses everything. I want to create the brand that is more towards sustainability taking back the mission of creating something for the farming community,” he added.

Support small and medium sized estates over single estates
Single estates are usually a definition done by specialty coffee mostly by the western world. Specialty means that scores above 82 percent. It is very difficult for small and medium farmers to follow all the process like picking, drying and others. Specialty Coffee is making India proud; this has done by less than 1 % of the farming community as it constitutes the single estates and specialty farms. We give more importance to regional focus like Kerala, Tamilnadu, Chikmanglur and other places.

Expansion plans
We have 5 dark stores and 5 outlets as of now. We are expanding in Bangalore currently then we will be moving in tier-2 and tier-1 cities. This year, we will be opening 7/8 outlets. The main focus is on Fast Coffee for expansion first, followed by HumbleBean. Right now, it’s all company owned model and not on franchise model.

India has been a country of tea drinkers for centuries, but the trend is slowly shifting towards healthier options. Matcha, a type of green tea that originated from Japan, is now making waves in India as people become more health-conscious and aware of the benefits of consuming organic products.

The first Indian matcha was produced in 2016 by a tea garden in Upper Assam. While it may not match the quality of the original Japanese matcha, it was a step in the right direction. Matcha, which literally means 'powdered tea', is consumed as tea or used as an ingredient in recipes. Its health benefits exceed those of other green teas, with 137 times more antioxidants as matcha drinkers ingest the whole leaf, not just the brewed water.

Matcha was brought to Japan by a Buddhist monk over 900 years ago and has been an essential component of Zen Buddhism philosophy ever since, especially in tea ceremonies. According to Grand View Research, matcha green tea consumption is predicted to grow from $2.6 billion in 2017 to $5.6 billion by 2025.

Matcha is already popular in the US and European countries as a superfood for fitness, but it is still a relatively new product in India. Nevertheless, the market for green tea has tripled in India, with consumers' changing mindset about organic products and rising healthcare costs. This trend is expected to surpass the market for black tea by 2025.

Matcha coffee, also known as matcha latte, is another variant of matcha that is gaining popularity in India. It has a unique flavor that is slightly bitter and earthy with a hint of sweetness. The vibrant green color comes from the chlorophyll in the tea leaves. Matcha coffee is often marketed as a natural energy booster, which appeals to India's young and busy population. It is also a favorite among fitness enthusiasts and people following a plant-based or vegan diet, as it is dairy-free and contains no animal products.

One of the key reasons for the rise of matcha tea and coffee in India is its numerous health benefits. Matcha contains caffeine, which helps to increase energy levels and improve focus. Restaurants and cafes across India are capitalizing on this trend by adding matcha tea and coffee to their menus. Many have even created specialty drinks and desserts featuring matcha as a key ingredient, which have become popular with consumers looking for unique and healthy food and drink options.

In the world of culinary exploration, the introduction of Matcha tea and coffee has been nothing short of a sensation. Fig At Malcha and Fig at Museo are just a couple of establishments that have added this unique and flavorful option to their menus, delighting their patrons with its health benefits and incredible taste. From hot tea to iced and hot lattes, this vibrant green tea has taken the culinary world by storm.

One of the great things about Matcha is that it can be served in many ways. Whether you prefer a hot tea or a cold latte, the flavor and nutritional benefits remain intact. At Fig At Malcha, they have taken it a step further by offering Matcha lattes with alt milk options, like coconut and oat milk, to give their patrons a truly elevated experience. Fig's brand manager, Sureena Dalal, believes that the gradual spike of caffeine in Matcha makes it a perfect alternative for coffee lovers who need a break.

Kampai, a Delhi-based Japanese restaurant, has also embraced Matcha in their menu. Their guests rave about the newly launched Matcha Cake, a delectable dessert with a creamy Matcha-flavored cake filling on a crunchy cookie crust. Not only does it taste great, but the visually appealing green color of Matcha has made it a popular option for Instagram-worthy food and beverages.

It's not just standalone cafes and restaurants that are taking notice of Matcha's popularity, but even food and beverage chains like Starbucks have introduced it in their menu. Their Matcha Tea Latte has become a favorite alternative to traditional coffee and tea options, with its unique taste and health benefits.

According to Pratishtha Rawat, founder of Glow Glossary, one of the prominent suppliers of Matcha tea in India, the demand for high-quality Matcha has risen gradually. People are more health-conscious and prefer a good quality Matcha that is free from additives. Rawat emphasizes that quality is paramount and cafes can no longer benefit from keeping the commodity grade tea anymore.

The gradual rise in demand for Matcha is attributed to the exposure and experience it provides. It is an acquired taste that requires patience in preparation and drinking. However, with ceremonial grade Matcha, the experience is even more delightful. The tea is delicately sweet and has a more refined taste compared to commercially sourced options, as noted by Sureena Dalal of Fig.

Matcha has taken the world by storm, and it's no wonder why. With its unique flavor, nutritional benefits, and visually appealing color, it has become a staple in the culinary world. Whether you prefer it hot or cold, in a latte or a dessert, Matcha is a must-try for all food and beverage enthusiasts.

Matcha is not only visually pleasing but also has a unique taste that can be enhanced by combining it with complementary ingredients and flavors. For example, a vanilla-based cookie soil or a soft scoop of Matcha in a dessert can add flavor and texture to the drink, making it even more delicious. When paired with the right ingredients, Matcha can become an enjoyable and palatable drink.

The presentation of Matcha tea is also essential to its success. The way it is presented and served can have a significant impact on how it is perceived by people. A beautifully crafted Matcha latte with latte art can be very enticing and inviting. The way Matcha is served and paired with other flavors can also add to the overall experience of drinking it. With the growing trend towards health and wellness, Matcha is likely to continue to gain popularity in India and become a staple in many households.

After the outbreak of COVID-19 and its spread in India, most people are staying at home as a precautionary measure. The virus spreads through droplets so crowded places are potentially dangerous. Thus, people working from home maybe weeks, a month, perhaps even longer, and can naturally occur stress and anxiety among any individual.

Coffee is considered to be the best drink to reduce stress and has stimulating qualities. It is one of those drinks that a lot of people can’t do without. A good portion of the public starts their day with coffee and even it acts as a wake-up alarm too for most of us. But to have a perfect cup of Coffee you have to step out and going outside nowadays is to be avoided. Have you ever thought of making your coffee or how about a coffee that is on-the-go and easy to carry? 

However, customers are still skeptical; since the virus spreads through coughing and sneezing, one may think twice to step outside for a Coffee date or shopping Nevertheless, Beanly Coffee launched with an innovative technique to brew a cup of coffee from freshly coffee grounds. Being Eco-Conscious, this Coffee has been seeking out coffee beans that have been sustainably grown and hermetically sealed to keep the freshness permanent starting from the sourcing of the bean to the finely ground coffee for consumption Only they know how to make a finely flavored coffee by using the latest, easy and most convenient method. They have taken coffee to another level by introducing never seen before single-serve pour and dip coffee which is the latest trend among coffee connoisseurs.

Making a cup of coffee where ever and anywhere you want is every Coffee lover dream. Beanly’s Pour-Over Method for brewing coffee has remained one of the oldest and most trusted ways to brew a quality cup. The coffee brand has introduced an innovative new method to drink coffee with single serve pour producing a consistently great coffee every time because there is more control over the heat and the timing of the water poured over the grounds - which means more flavor and less bitterness. You don’t need to grind or use any electricity nor do they need any hefty maintenance or cleaning costs.

Revolutionizing Dip coffee which involves running hot water through coffee grounds that are held in a filtering device. Processing and adding the right amount of coffee beans in a coffee bag is tough but important. Beanly uses the highest quality beans that give the best flavour you have ever tasted. The coffee dips usually made up of water and essential coffee oil extracts, are then collected inside a coffee collecting basin. This dipping coffee has no side effects and is non- toxic for the body and has everything perfect. Originating from Hasan, Baba Budangiri, Chikmagalur, and Coorg, all these make a perfect coffee to taste. 

In conclusion, in these times of distress, it is more convenient for people to make a homemade food or homemade drinks. Beanly has risen to the occasion to make daily life more comfortable for the consumers. We aim to keep our Coffee stable, convenient and easy to use. Made with love and packed with care! In this difficult time, BEANLY COFFEE assures the highest level of service, quality, safety, and commitment. 

Inputs From: Rahul Jain and Samayesh Khanna, Founder, Beanly Coffee

Global coffee exports reached 8.79 million 60-kg bags in January, up slightly from the same month in 2014, showed the ICO data, according to a latest Reuters report.

World coffee production in 2014-2015 is estimated to drop by 3.2 per cent from the previous season to 142 million bags, the lowest in three years, the International Coffee Organization said in a report.

The output was revised up slightly from 141.6 million 60-kg bags estimated last month due to higher output in Honduras and slight upward adjustments in Tanzania, Cameroon, Rwanda and Burundi, the London-based ICO said in its February report.

"This puts the coffee market into a deficit for the current year, although stocks in exporting countries have so far allowed exports to continue at a strong pace," the report said.

World coffee consumption is expected to grow at least 2 per cent in 2015, picking up from an annual rise of 1.8 per cent last year when consumption was at around 149 million bags, an ICO executive said on Friday.

Global coffee exports reached 8.79 million 60-kg bags in January, up slightly from the same month in 2014, ICO data showed.

Witnessing this trend the coffee chains have also started manufacturing their own machines. For example, Cafe Coffee Day, one of the largest coffee retail chains in India has recently launched its own brand of coffee maker called Coffee Day Wakecup which is capable of dispensing two different flavours of coffee in 30 seconds. The machine also comes with milk frother that will help the consumer make his own cappuccino by providing foamy topping of milk.

Machines used in restaurants & cafes

With the changing demands, restaurants and cafes today prefer a unique range of professional coffee machines at their outlets that can save their staffing cost and thus new age coffee machines at these outlets can prepare a cup of coffee by  less human effort. Some of the machines which are used by the restaurant owners are super automatic machines, traditional machines, coffee dosing machines and Le Pavoni amongst other.

Commenting on the machines used by the cafes,  Rahul Leekha, Director, Di Bella Coffe India, says, “We widely use Wega Coffee Machines in Australia and in India we use La Cimbali coffee machines apart from Wega . Both are very premium machines with high performances.”

Cost accounting

Generally price of a coffee machine depends on its features and the brand the machines represent. Some of the coffee machines are available at a starting price of Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 which goes higher to a range of Rs 5 – Rs 7 lakh depending on the industry standards, durability, long-life, high performance and capability.

For example, the coffee machines made by CCD which is capable of dispensing two different flavours of coffee in 30 seconds are priced at Rs 3,999 (semi-automatic) and Rs 4,999 (automatic) exclusive of taxes. On the other hand Lavazza's sleek portable coffee machines named as Lavazza Blue 850 are priced at Rs 13,500. While the price of the high performance machines like Lacimbali and La Pavoni used by the coffee chains and restaurants in India are approximately priced between Rs 5-7 lakh.

Commenting on the same, Dinesh Singh Gosain of Indian Coffee House, said, “The price of a coffee machine depends on its quality and service. We have machines approximately ranged between Rs 2-3 lakh.”

Making the brewing easy

The machines used by the restaurants are not only competing with the industry standard but also meeting the need and the demand of the cafes increasing the efficiency of the brewing game.

Speaking on the same, Trilok Saini, Manager, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, says, “The professional machines that we use at our cafes are very efficient and works without any disturbance brewing at least 1000 cup coffee per day with its high pressure maintaining capacity.”

Coffee machines which has high pressure maintaining capacity maintains the water and steam pressures working continuously for hours without creating any delay in the business.

Coffee machine manufacturers

Coffee machine manufacturers and suppliers in the country have geared up manufacturing and supplying the best quality coffee machines seeing a great demand of the café culture in the country. Though cafes like Di Bella directly import the machine from Italy but brands like Coffee Bean and Tea Leafs buy these machines from Mittal International located in Delhi which is known for supplying imported machines and tools.

Some of the other coffee machine manufacturer names include Aroma Technical Care, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Café Coffee Day and Lavazza which have also marked their footprints in manufacturing machines.

Technical know-how

Coffee machines can suffer from a variety of faults including obstructions, blockages and electrical issues. Many of these common faults can be rectified relatively easily and prevented from happening in the first place. Many a times if the fault is major- replacement is the only solution.

One of the most common faults in coffee machines is blockages which clog the water dispenser tube and slows down the operation of the machine by preventing water from running freely through the filter basket. Using fresh water during coffee preparation is the solution for this type of blockages.

Speaking about how the damages are recovered, Saini, says, “Replacement is the only solution if the damage is major, however minor issues are brought to the notice of the manufacturers if the machine is in warranty period.”

To conclude, it is here to say that growing demand for coffee in India is giving a new direction to the equipment manufacturers by forcing them to come up with new and modern technology coffee machines giving the coffee dispensing businesses an ease by producing high quality coffee within a flash of seconds.