How does coffee rank as a beverage and how local coffee suppliers are expanding their range

Worldwide the amount of coffee consumed every day is estimated to be over 2 billion cups. Whilst this is obviously an approximation it is without question a lot of coffee. Estimates also suggest that coffee drinking worldwide continues to grow, with some suggesting that the amount of coffee consumed could double over the next 5 years. Indeed various coffee associations place themselves as the second most popular beverage worldwide behind water. A very impressive role for the humble coffee bean.

Of the 2 billion or so cups of coffee consumed worldwide every day, the British Coffee Association reports that approximately 95 million cups of coffee are consumed in the UK every day. This number is predicted to grow as the UK coffee drinker explores the varied flavours available from better coffee beans and different coffee drinks provided by suppliers. Growth in several key areas of coffee bean consumption has added to this overall increase in coffee suppliers. The worldwide and UK estimates on the amount of coffee consumed from all coffee bean sources and suppliers are included in the estimate for commercial and home consumption. The figures also include coffee beans that are grown primarily for their caffeine extraction. This caffeine extracted mainly from the Robusta variety of coffee bean then forms supplements in a variety of formats utilised by other suppliers in manufacture of energy drinks to medicines.

In a complex market there are several factors that have fuelled the growth in coffee bean suppliers in the UK. The growth of high street coffee shops, both well known coffee chains and independent coffee shops which use freshly ground coffee beans, have an enormous impact in the growth of coffee bean suppliers. Central to the majority of these coffee businesses is the espresso coffee machine that extracts the fresh coffee from freshly ground coffee beans. It is without question the most valuable piece of equipment a coffee shop would purchase and when paired with fantastic coffee beans from their chosen coffee suppliers and a good quality coffee bean grinder can have one of the biggest impacts on their business. A glance up at the coffee menu board will quickly demonstrate the range of coffee based drinks produced from these machines and a competent barista. Good news for the coffee drinker and the coffee bean suppliers.

Whilst still a niche area for coffee drinkers many establishments offer alternative coffee brewing methods, giving new ways to produce coffee from the beans, alongside their traditional espresso coffee machine. Once the coffee beans have been ground, these alternative methods have the added benefit of engaging the consumer in the coffee brewing process once the beans are ground fresh. This offers the coffee drinker the option to fine tune the resulting coffee to their personal taste and experience the depth in flavour coffee beans can have. Some of these coffee brewing methods are also better suited to single origin coffee beans some coffee suppliers can provide, which can be more delicate and may not respond well to the commercial coffee machine extraction process. These different brewing methods can also require coffee beans to be ground differently in order to get the most from the coffee bean.
Coffee suppliers are actively sourcing different varieties of coffee beans in order to expand the range of coffee available from suppliers. The growth in speciality single origin coffee beans has been part of this development. In a market initially dominated by a few large suppliers this divergence is welcome and we can now see a wide variety of coffee beans available from many different coffee bean suppliers.

In the UK for the home coffee drinker there has been an increase in the use of complex electrical coffee makers promoted by some coffee suppliers. These machines use a specific coffee capsule, with pre ground coffee beans, that lock people into their particular brand of coffee from said coffee suppliers. In my opinion as enjoyable and effortless as these can be, coffee drinkers would be better off purchasing home coffee making equipment from coffee suppliers that would allow them to use different coffee beans from numerous coffee suppliers. Especially when paired with a suitable coffee bean grinder, these techniques can also be much more financially stable, and allow the drinker to experience the range of coffee beans available from all the different coffee bean suppliers. Our online store has freshly roasted coffee beans and freshly ground beans complimented by a small selection of our extensive range of coffee equipment for purchase.

Coffee bean suppliers, like Blue J Coffee Co., can provide home equipment that can range from a few pounds for a simple cafetiere type, which uses coarse ground coffee beans, up to several thousand pounds for the highest quality single group espresso machines, that use a much finer grind for the coffee bean. It all depends on how much you like fresh coffee, how intricate you are willing to make the coffee preparation and your budget. Your coffee suppliers should be able to advise you on the set-up that is right for you and introduce you to a new world of home brewing that isn't limited to a few plastic pods. Get in touch now to find out how we can help you get the most from our coffee beans.