Grocery and ‘everyday’ item prices continue to rise but specialty coffee consumption in America is not waning, in fact, quite the opposite is true. According to the National Coffee Association’s (NCA) 2026 National Coffee Data Trends (NCDT) Specialty Coffee Report, 47% of American adults had specialty coffee in the past day, maintaining a record high set in 2025 and keeping past-day specialty coffee consumption again higher than past-day traditional coffee consumption (42% of American adults),

Based on a nationally representative survey conducted by Dig Insights and released by the NCA in collaboration with the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), the Specialty Coffee Report further reveals that specialty coffee’s popularity is driven in large part by younger adults, with 69% of 25–39-year-olds having had specialty coffee in the past week, the most of any other age group.

In addition to being younger than traditional coffee drinkers, specialty coffee drinkers are more likely to have their coffee prepared out-of-home — 36% of past-day specialty coffee drinkers had coffee prepared outside the home, compared to 23% of traditional coffee drinkers. The NCA’s Spring 2026 NCDT report found that 66% of American adults had coffee in the past day, more than any other beverage including tap or bottled water.

Specialty coffee is defined in the NCDT as including any espresso-based beverage (lattes, cappuccinos etc); non-espresso-based beverages like frozen blends, cold brew, nitro; and traditional coffee that consumers perceive to be brewed from premium coffee beans/grounds.

Commenting on the 2026 report, NCA president and CEO Bill Murray said, “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 flavour, comfort, energy, proven association with health benefits, and so much more.”

SCA CEO Yannis Apostolopoulos, added, “These numbers tell an important story about specialty coffee and where the industry is heading. 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.”

Other findings from the NCDT Specialty Coffee Report include:

· The majority of past-day specialty coffee drinkers enjoyed their brew hot (76%) but cold coffee is also a popular choice (60%).

· 35% of past-day specialty coffee drinkers say that flavour is part of what makes a cup of coffee “specialty coffee.”

· The most popular espresso-based beverages are lattes (21%) and espressos (20%).

· The most popular non-espresso-based beverage is cold brew coffee (18%).

· The most popular flavours for specialty coffee drinkers and traditional coffee drinkers alike are chocolate, caramel and brown sugar (including toffee, butterscotch), and vanilla. The next most popular flavours are nutty (eg, hazelnut, almond, praline), followed by fruity.

· In terms of at-home preparation, 32% use a drip coffee maker followed by single serve systems at 26%, and ready-to-drink at 21%, while 18% make coffee using an espresso machine. The 2026 NCDT Specialty Coffee Report is available at ncausa.org/specialty.

• Vanessa L Facenda is editor of Tea & Coffee Trade Journal. She may be reached at: [email protected].