Coffee is not only the favorite drink of Germans and Austrians, but also an important sales driver in the catering and HoReCa sector. With an average of three to four cups per day, guests have a great thirst for coffee – and this offers restaurateurs the opportunity to offer innovative, trendy coffee offerings with attractive profit margins. The coffee trends combine enjoyment with sustainability, creativity and a more conscious lifestyle and offer numerous opportunities to redesign the coffee offerings in restaurants, hotels and cafés.
The demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable products is on the rise. With the introduction of the new home-compostable paper-based capsules, Nespresso, for example, has joined this trend and created a sustainable alternative for hoteliers who want to offer their guests coffee in hotel rooms or meeting rooms. The “HOME COMPOSTABLE Collection” consists of 82% paper pulp and can be easily disposed of in home compost. At the same time, Nespresso Professional has also added the Fairtrade certified ORIGIN Indonesia variety to its range. The special processing method gives this type of coffee a unique flavor profile and promotes responsible production that benefits the communities in the growing areas.
Modern guests love variety: fruity coffee creations and individual spice notes are very trendy. The “Yuzu Peach Coffee” for example, combines exotic yuzu citrus flavor with peach syrup and soda water. Spices such as cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg or cardamom also give the coffee exciting aromas. These ingredients can be perfectly integrated into the coffee enjoyment and at the same time offer the guest the freedom to customize the taste according to their personal preferences. Whether as a topping on the milk foam or stirred directly into the coffee - aromatic ingredients make the coffee experience even more personal and give the classic a creative touch.
In 2024, coffee will increasingly develop into a functional drink. “Healthy coffee” with collagen, antioxidants and vitamins is growing in popularity because it can provide health benefits such as supporting the immune system or metabolism. “Glow Coffee” with skin-improving collagen and “Mushroom Latte” with medicinal mushrooms such as Reishi and Chaga are just a few examples of the trend towards health-conscious coffee. These options are ideal for the catering industry that targets conscious and health-oriented customers and wants to offer added value through special ingredients.
In everyday business life, many consumers like to use caffeine-rich options. With varieties like “Forte Extra”, Nespresso Professional offers a particularly caffeinated variant that provides that extra push for long days. With a caffeine content of up to 140 mg per cup, the need for intensive stimulants is met - a development that is ideal for breakfast buffets or meeting rooms where guests or employees want an energy boost for the tasks ahead.
Coffee cocktails will continue to be in demand in 2024. Classics like Irish coffee and espresso martini are experiencing a revival and are perfect drinks for the evening or as a digestif. “Carajillo”, a mixture of espresso and brandy or other spirits such as rum and aniseed liqueur, is particularly popular in Spain. Coffee cocktails offer an elegant and exciting way to integrate coffee into the catering offering and offer an interesting selection, especially for evening guests.
The “Tiramisu Latte” is the perfect drink for dessert fans and lovers of Italian classics. This coffee variant combines espresso with foamed milk and is refined with a creamy mixture of mascarpone, sugar and cream. Decorated with ladyfingers and cocoa powder, the result is a liquid interpretation of the popular Italian dessert that delights guests and is a culinary attraction as a special “dessert drink”.
Flash Brew, a further development of Cold Brew, promises aromatic coffee enjoyment with a more intense taste, as the coffee is freshly brewed and cooled down in a flash. Ideal for warm days and as a basis for creative recipes such as Coffee Tonic, Flash Brew follows the trend towards refreshing, intense coffee enjoyment and fits perfectly into modern cafés and restaurants that focus on summery coffee creations.
Artificial intelligence also opens up new possibilities in the coffee industry. Through precise analysis of cultivation and harvest data, yields can be made more efficient and sustainable. In addition, AI-powered adjustment of the roasting temperature and duration allows the flavors in the coffee bean to be perfectly highlighted. For the catering industry, this means even more aromatic and distinctive coffee experiences that focus on quality standards.
The coffee trends offer the catering industry a wide range of opportunities to differentiate itself with original, sustainable and creative offers. Whether innovative capsule alternatives, functional coffee drinks, or exciting recipes with fruit syrups and spices – modern coffee culture thrives on diversity and sustainability. It is precisely the innovative strength and creativity presented by brands such as Nespresso Professional that make coffee in the catering industry a special experience for guests and a success factor for the business.
For the tenth time, “Ikarus” Executive Chef Martin Klein is providing insights behind the scenes of the restaurant with a book. However, the anniversary edition of “Die Weltköche zu Gast im Ikarus” not only offers a look back at the culinary highlights of the last year and a half, but also a deep insight into the world of 17 top guest chefs from all over the world.
Food trends in gastronomy and nutrition are shifting strongly towards sustainability, naturalness and innovation. Consumers want less and less GMOs and are reluctant to eat cultured meat. It is important for restaurateurs to be aware of these trends and implement them in a well-considered manner. After all, the most important requirement for the food service industry in 2025 is to set a clear focus and simplify offerings and processes as much as possible – also using automation and AI. Food trends are part of this change: it is important to make targeted use of them.
The culinary world is embracing a revolution: vegan cuisine as a sustainable and innovative future. From fine dining to brunch menus, leading chefs like Nikodemus Berger demonstrate that plant-based dishes can deliver gourmet excellence. Explore how creativity and dedication are reshaping gastronomy.
Coffee is not only the favorite drink of Germans and Austrians, but also an important sales driver in the catering and HoReCa sector. With an average of three to four cups per day, guests have a great thirst for coffee – and this offers restaurateurs the opportunity to offer innovative, trendy coffee offerings with attractive profit margins. The coffee trends combine enjoyment with sustainability, creativity and a more conscious lifestyle and offer numerous opportunities to redesign the coffee offerings in restaurants, hotels and cafés.