Now that you’re up on all of the insider secrets that will help you feel on top of your coffee game, here are some current trends to put on your radar, too.
5 Current Coffee Trends to Check Out
COFFEE TREND: Dalgona coffee
A do-it-yourself coffee trend called Dalgona Coffee has taken social media by storm and gained popularity thanks to quarantine boredom. The beverage originated in South Korea and invokes a sense of nostalgia for many South Koreans since it tastes similar to a beloved childhood candy. Victoria Quirk, barista and social media manager at Crema, tells us, “Dalgona coffee is sweet and delicious and was the perfect pandemic distraction everyone needed for the week or two that it was around.”
It’s created by whipping equal amounts of instant coffee powder, sugar and hot water until it develops a creamy consistency, then it’s added to hot or cold milk. If folks are feeling fancy, they can add cocoa, honey, or any number of other sweet treats on top. The jury is still out on whether or not this trend is a passing phase, so we may not be seeing it on local coffee shop menus any time soon, but if you’re curious about how to make one of your own, TikTok is the place to go.
COFFEE TREND: Bulletproof coffee
By this time, you may have heard of Bulletproof coffee, which started making waves several years ago. Part of the reason it became popular is that it’s Keto Diet-compatible, but its history is fascinating, too. The founder, Dave Asprey, was on a Tibetan trek and losing energy fast when a Sherpa introduced him to yak milk tea, which miraculously helped him regain his stamina. That tea became the foundation for Dave’s more approachable beverage made with coffee, grass-fed ghee or unsalted butter, and MCT oil (which supposedly helps boost body strength). All of the ingredients are blended for a creamy coffee that’s high in calories and gives you lasting energy without the sugar crash. It’s also intended as a breakfast replacement, so don’t expect to drink it alongside a giant stack of pancakes unless you plan to spend the rest of your morning in a food coma. “It works if you are trying to fill up without eating breakfast,” says our very own SB Editorial and Marketing Assistant Manager (and former barista) Bailey Torkelson, “but similar to the Dalgona coffee drink, unless you’re willing to put the time in each morning to make this, it feels like a passing trend.”
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COFFEE TREND: Alternative milk
“Alternative milk” is a trend that’s likely to stick around — especially oat milk, according to Ryne Hambright, director of operations for Dose Nashville. “Alternative milk will always be a front for discovery in the coffee community, and as more and more people are trending toward plant-based diets, it’s been interesting to see what pairs best with espresso and drip coffee.” Dose Coffee and Tea is one of the only (if not the only) coffee shop in Nashville that carries Minor Figures Oat Milk, a top-of-the-line product imported from the United Kingdom. “In our humble opinion, it takes the cake,” says Ryne. “It also steams extremely well, so if you care about latte art (and we do), this helps make coffee both tasty and pretty.”
Victoria adds, “Oat milk is not as hard on the environment to produce as almond milk, and while it is a little higher in carbs and sugars than regular milk, its creamy consistency makes it worth it.” Other alternative milk options include almond, soy, coconut, hemp, rice, and cashew.
COFFEE TREND: Origami dripper
You’re not the only one who doesn’t know what an origami dripper is, but it’s cool. The origami dripper first made an appearance at the 2019 World Brewers Cup Championship (by the winner), and we’ve heard rumblings about it ever since — only we can’t seem to find anyone who’s tried it. Ryne jokes, “I’m not sure what it is, and I’m not sure if it’s worth trying, but I hope they exclusively come in crane shapes.”
The Japanese-made, cone-shaped coffee tool helps regulate brew time and optimize the speed for pour-over coffees, making the perfect cup every time. While we can’t vouch for its effectiveness, Victoria notes that it comes in some pretty cute colors while Bailey adds, “I don’t know much about this one, but pour-over coffee is worth the hype regardless of whether or not you use this device.”
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COFFEE TREND: Coffee subscriptions
The pandemic has brought the idea of coffee subscriptions front and center since it’s a contactless way to try out new types of coffee without ever leaving your house. “They’re quite popular and often a great way to sample many different roasters, or find a roaster you love and sample through their rotating offerings,” says Ryne.
Victoria agrees, saying, “They also ensure that you’re receiving coffee regularly, so you never have to worry about running out.” And we can all agree that running out would be quite the tragedy.
Now that you’re up on the latest coffee trends, check out more insider secrets from some of Nashville’s favorite baristas.
We hope the perfect cup of coffee is in your near future!
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