Coffee Facts You Didn’t Know (2024)

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, valued for its unique aroma and caffeine content. The drink is brewed from roasted beans of the plant species called Coffea that live in sub-Saharan Africa and some islands in the Indian Ocean. Green coffee is prepared from raw green coffee beans, which are preferred for their weight loss, strong antioxidant properties, and other health benefits. 

The coffee plant is believed to originate from Ethiopia. A national legend points to the goat herder, Kaldi, as the discoverer of the potential of coffee beans. After seeing how energetic his goats became after eating the coffee plant berries, he started grinding and brewing the beans to make a drink from them. 

Coffee cultivation began in the Middle East, spreading spread to coffee houses throughout Türkiye, Syria, Arabia, and Persia by the 15th century. In Europe, the drink arrived in the 16th century, but many Europeans refused to use it as they regarded it as an infidel beverage. Of course, the pope, notably Pope Clement VIII (1536-1605), had the final word, approving it after trying a cup. That is how the drink spread throughout Europe and the Americas.  

Nowadays, coffee is grown in over 70 tropical countries and enjoyed everywhere. It is the second-most-exported and needed commodity in the world after oil. Colombia, Brazil, and Vietnam are the top countries producing coffee globally. The highest annual consumption per person takes place in the USA. American drinkers consume almost as much coffee as the residents of Germany (2ndplace according to the coffee consumer statistics – 520.2M lbs.), Japan (3rd place – 453.1M lbs.), France (3rd place – 371.5M lbs), and Italy (4th place – 328.1M lbs) summed up for 2024.  

Want to know what coffee and gambling have in common? Click here to learn how does caffeine affect your gambling performance.

General coffee statistics:

• Coffee is the world’s second most traded commodity, closely behind oil globally.  
• On average, a cup of coffee in US coffee shops costs around $2.70. 
• The average American coffee drinker consumes about 3.1 cups of coffee a day. 
• 3 in 4 Americans (73%) drink coffee every day. 
• Latte is the most popular coffee beverage in American coffee shops. 
• The UK coffee shop industry is valued at over £10 billion. 
• Brazil is the world’s largest coffee producer globally, having supplied a remarkable 62.6 million 60 kg of coffee in 2022, followed by Vietnam and Colombia. 

The Coffee Industry: coffee consumption statistics

Based on the results of our global online survey, here are the statistics on coffee consumption we outlined: 

• 36% of coffee drinkers limit their intake to up to 3 – 5 cups daily. Our coffee investigation found out that 60% of people drink 1 to 2 cups of the beverage daily, while 4% drink at least 6 cups every single day! 
• Only 18% of the population prefer their coffee black, which shows a 56% decrease from 2022. According to our 2024 coffee research results, fewer people drink their coffee black and are more likely to use many of the enhancement flavors that are available. Only 18% of individuals opt for black coffee, marking a significant 56% decrease compared to the preference seen in 2022. This is a notable change in consumer tastes with a growing preference for coffee variations with added ingredients or flavors for the cost of decreased health benefits. Black coffee is provenly healthier than coffee with creamers and added sugars, but the taste has its final word for people.  
• 75% of the caffeine consumed by Americans comes from coffee. Americans get as much as 75% of their dose of caffeine from sipping coffee. Other products that ensure body caffeine include chocolate, energy drinks, some soft drinks, matcha, green tea, and all cacao products. Chocolate bars, for example, can give you up to 50 mg (about twice the weight of a grain of rice) of caffeine, depending on the type. It is worth mentioning that the antioxidant in coffee is what produces caffeine.  
• Healthy sources of caffeine include organic matcha and green tea products, raw cacao beans and drinks, and dark chocolate without sugar (with natural and healthy sweeteners). All these are also full of antioxidants.  
• Over 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed daily in the world. The coffee usage statistic emphasizes the scale of coffee’s popularity, highlighting its all-encompassing presence in various cultures and societies. It is an intrinsic part of our routines and social meetings. You can order coffee in cafes and bars or prepare it at home. Coffee is a common thread that brings people together, providing a comforting ritual enjoyed by millions of people across the globe every day.  
• New parents are more likely to buy coffee from nearby coffee shops. 67% of new parents report buying coffee from coffee shops at least once a week. 49% of new parents purchase the beverage more than once a week. 

Coffee consumption by country 2024

To paint a clearer picture of how loved and enjoyed this beverage is, here are our 2024 global statistics about coffee consumption by country. It will help you compare and calculate the data. 

The countries with the highest coffee drinking rates are the United States, Germany, Japan, France, Italy, Russia, the United Kingdom, Spain, Poland, and the Netherlands. The USA stands tall above all others as the most significant coffee consumer – 1.6 billion pounds of coffee are consumed per year. The second biggest fan of coffee is Germany, with a relatively lower rate of 520.2 million pounds. The third place is taken by Japan that consumes 453.1 million pounds of coffee per year. France and Italy, famous for their coffee cultures, are just a little behind with 371.5 million and 328.1 million pounds, respectively. 

Further down the list is Russia – 289.2 million pounds annually, while the United Kingdom indulges in 226.2 million per year. Spain registers 195.2 million pounds of annual coffee consumption, and Poland – 150.1 million pounds. Last in the top ten, but by no means the least, comes the Netherlands, partaking with 121.8 million pounds of coffee annually. 

The above coffee-drinking statistics across the globe have a particular emphasis on the United States, a significant shareholder in the coffee market. Coffee culture is intrinsically woven into the American lifestyle. Apart from its prevalence in everyday American life, the USA’s coffee consumption data can be surprising both by itself and compared to the rest of the world. As you can see, the USA residents drink almost as much as the other three countries in the 2nd to 4th position by coffee consumption, over three times more than its runner-up, Germany! According to recent statistics about coffee consumption, the United States residents drink a staggering 1.6 billion pounds of coffee annually. 

Key findings from the data include: 

• On a global scale, the USA is the largest consumer, with an annual coffee consumption rate of 1.6 billion pounds, significantly higher than any other country. 
• In comparison, Germany is the second-biggest consumer, taking in 520.2 million pounds (about 235 958 558.4 kg) a year — less than one-third of the US’s consumption. 
• Japan leads in coffee consumption among Asian countries with 453.1 million pounds per year. 
• European countries consume coffee heavily, with France, Italy, and Russia the leaders (371.5 million pounds, 328.1 million pounds, and 289.2 million pounds, respectively.) 
• The United Kingdom and Spain consume 226.2 million pounds and 195.2 million pounds, a lesser but substantial attraction towards caffeinated drinks. 

The various regions and cultures showcase the irreplaceable charm they find in coffee. The above coffee usage statistics indicate the industry’s weightage, underlining this beloved beverage’s cultural importance. 

Types of coffee – Arabica, Robusta or Decaf?

Robusta coffee has much more caffeine than Arabica beans, which hold all the aroma and flavor. Arabica coffee sorts are understandably more expensive than Robusta because they give the flavor, odor, and taste of coffee. Robusta is used for a standard brew of coffee blends, which are way more potent than an espresso brand. The latter has just a third of the caffeine in the regular Robusta coffee cup.   

So, regarding caffeine content, the most robust types are all Robustas, espresso brand coffees, and last come Arabicas and decaffeinated types. Usually, people make and buy blends of Arabicas and Robustas with varying ratios, depending on the preferences for taste, aroma, acidity, caffeine percentage, etc.  

People who intend to quit coffee prefer decaffeinated coffee since it is perfect for the adaptation period. We recommend you opt for types of decaffeinated coffees that have their caffeine removed the Swiss way or with methods that do not involve or leave chemicals like all conventional decafs. Decaffeinated coffee is also a great option for the afternoons as it does not create alertness or restlessness during night sleep.  

Coffee Preferences

The diversity of instant, green, roast, decaf, and caffeinated coffees allow for choice for all tastes. Let’s check out some other intriguing facts about coffee drinking-preferences.

• Swapping a cup of coffee for a bath is not an option for 50% of coffee lovers. Do you love coffee? How much will you give up for a steaming cup of coffee? Taking a bath is not as tempting for 50% of drinkers as freshly brewed coffee. Going even further, another 49% are prone to leave their house without a cell phone for most of the month rather than skip their coffee ritual. 
• Which makes people drink coffee? – 83% of the beverage drinkers love the way it tastes. Coffee can bring many benefits, but its taste is the biggest driver for most who consume it. Other reasons include the fact that it is an energy booster (67%), the increased productivity (43%) people believe it gives them, its perceived health benefits (29%), and its appetite-suppressing properties (20%).  
• Men are 2.4 times more likely to drink black coffee than women. Our survey on the consumption of coffee among all countries, 31% of males and only 13% of females prefer black coffee, with 61% of men and 81% of women would instead drink it with milk or creamer. 
• 44% of the coffee drinkers prefer it with sweetener, most using pure sugar. 67% of coffee consumers use regular sugar, while 38% opt for stevia or similar calorie-free sweeteners. Coffee sweetener preferences also include honey (19%), agave (10%), and maple syrup (7%). 
• Our statistics on coffee consumption found that 38% of Americans prefer unsweetened coffee. Other USA residents would drink coffee somewhat sweetened (28%), a little sweetener (22%), significantly sweetened (8%), and without the use of any sweetener (4%).  
• People use 3 packets of sugar or stevia on average in their coffee drinks. This tendency suggests a notable sweetness preference among individuals, implying that a massive portion of coffee consumers prefer their drinks moderately sweetened.  
• Only 29% of people drink decaf or decaffeinated coffee. And even fewer (16%) drink decaf only. The preference for regular coffee over decaf suggests that people turn to coffee not only for its taste but for its energizing properties as well. Caffeine enhances alertness and concentration and improves mood, which explains why most coffee lovers opt for its caffeinated version. 
• According to our coffee drinking statistics, of the 29% who consume decaf, 19% switch to decaffeinated coffee between 4 and 7 PM, suggesting that these individuals reduce caffeine intake in the afternoon to avoid potential sleep disturbances or excessive stimulation later during the day. Others make the switch to decaf between 12 PM and 4 PM (18%) and between 7 PM and 10 PM (11%), while even fewer swap for decaf coffee before noon (9%). 

After taking your daily boost of caffeine, you might want to check if you are a gambling type and get inspired with the best quotes on risk-taking, luck and gambling.

American drinkers’ preferences

We have systematized the latest and most intriguing coffee statistics results from an online survey we conducted with 1,300+ people across the USA in January 2024. Here is what we found out: 

• 3 in 4 Americans drink coffee every day (73%) 
• 36% of people consume 3 to 5 cups of coffee per day 
• 51% of the residents of the USA buy coffee from a coffee shop at least once a week 
• 25% of Americans like espresso martinis, which is a 79% increase from 2022 
• 48% of people believe that drinking coffee is healthy for them 
• Another 48% of the U.S. population revealed that Starbucks coffee is their favorite brand 
• 45% of the Americans prefer drinking Dunkin’ coffee 

Coffee drinking health benefits and drawbacks

Here, we will discuss why people would try to lessen their coffee intake in the next 12 months. These include lowering their dependency on caffeine, sleeping better at night, and reducing anxiety.  

Our online coffee research on global consumption revealed that 16% of people plan to drink less caffeine next year. Most reported wanting to diminish their caffeine dependency (54%). In comparison, others want to sleep better at night (46%) and decrease their anxiety levels (35%). 

Among the other reasons people are expected to drink less coffee in 2024 include: 

• to lose weight (30%) 
• to lower their blood pressure (26%) 
• to save money (20%) 
• planning to get pregnant (5%) 

Key Takeaways

Despite the plenty of options individuals can replace coffee with, such as green and black tea, matcha powder tea, and cocoa drinks, coffee remains loved by the majority. It is versatile and allows for all kinds of experimentation and enhancements since it can be combined with plenty of different flavor boosters, both healthy and not-so-healthy. Coffee is interwoven in many cultures, making it a reason for social gatherings and events.