For millions of Americans, a cup of coffee is the key to starting the day off right. But many people don’t know a ton about coffee, which is where these enlightening coffee statistics come into play. If you’re curious about the wonderful world of coffee, here are 34 enlightening coffee statistics to liven up your day.
Coffee Production Statistics
1. 23 Billion Pounds of Coffee Are Produced Annually Worldwide
Literal tons of coffee are produced every single year. Worldwide, coffee producers produce more than 23.2 billion pounds of coffee beans every year.
[Source: International Coffee Organization]
2. Over 13 Billion Pounds of Arabica Beans Are Produced Every Year
When it comes to coffee type, Arabica is the most common bean worldwide. Overall, 13.1 billion pounds of Arabica beans are produced annually, which is quite a bit more than the 9.3 billion pounds of Robusta beans.
[Source: International Coffee Organization]
3. Brazil is the World’s Biggest Coffee Producer, Producing 9.1 Billion Pounds Annually
When people think of coffee-producing countries, Columbia often comes to mind. However, Brazil is actually the biggest coffee producer, making 9.12 billion pounds of beans every year – that’s 39% of the coffee in the world!
Vietnam comes in second second with 3.84 million pounds, while Columbia is in a distant third, producing 1.89 billion pounds every year.
[Source: International Coffee Organization]
Coffee Consumption Statistics
4. Americans Drink 400 Million Cups of Coffee Every Day
If you’ve ever wondered just how much coffee Americans consume on a daily basis, the number is surprising. On average, 400 million cups of coffee are consumed daily, which is just shy of two cups per adult.
[Source: Amerisleep and Infoplease]
5. 62% of Americans Drink at Least One Cup of Coffee Daily
In the United States, 62% of adults enjoy at least one cup of coffee each day. These daily drinkers average three cups of coffee every day. Another 8% of American adults drink at least one cup of coffee on a weekly basis.
[Source: National Coffee Association]
6. At 26 Pounds Per Capita, Finland Consumes the Most Coffee
On a per-capita basis, Finns consume more coffee than any other country, coming in at 26.45 lbs per year. Norway is second with 21.82 lbs., while Iceland is third with 19.84 lbs.
In Finland, it’s actually common to consume eight cups of coffee a day. However, some drink much more, crossing over 10, 20, and even reaching 30 cups, possibly due to needing an energy boost because of the long, dark days, especially during the winter.
Out of a list of the top 25 coffee-consuming nations, the United States is 25th, with a per capita consumption of 9.26 lbs. That’s actually behind Canada, which places 10th with a per capita rate of 14.33 lbs.
[Source: World Atlas and Insider]
7. 90% of Older Adults Drink Coffee in the Morning, While Only 70% of 18 to 24-Year-Olds Do
Coffee is usually considered a morning beverage and with good reason. After all, of older adults, 90% have a cup in the morning. However, only 70% of 18 to 24-year-olds follow suit.
[Source: National Coffee Association]
8. Young Coffee Drinkers Are 2x as Likely to Have Coffee at Lunchtime Than Coffee Drinkers Over 60
When it comes to using coffee as a mid-day pick-me-up, younger coffee drinkers are much more likely to go that route than older adults. In comparison to coffee drinkers who are 60 years old or older, younger adults are two times as likely to enjoy coffee as a lunchtime beverage
[Source: National Coffee Association]
9. 14% of Coffee Drinkers Don’t Know How Much Caffeine They Consume Every Day
While many people would say that tracking your caffeine intake is a good idea, a surprising number of people don’t monitor their consumption. Of those who consume caffeine – including coffee drinkers – 14% say that they are “not at all aware” of who much caffeine they take in during the day.
[Source: Amerisleep]
10. Nearly 43% of Caffeinated Drink Consumers Choose Those Beverages for the Taste
It’s normal to assume that getting an energy boost is the main reason for drinking caffeinated beverages. In reality, 42.9% do it for the taste, while just 26.2% cite energy as their main reason.
[Source: Amerisleep]
Coffee Health Statistics
11. Black Coffee Contains Just 2 Calories Per Cup
On the nutritional side of things, coffee isn’t likely to hurt your waistline. Typically, a single cup of black coffee has just two calories. Plus, it contains vitamin B2 and magnesium, and just 5 mg of sodium.
[Source: WebMD]
12. Drinking Coffee Can Lower Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes by Up to 67%
Having a few cups of coffee daily may reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 67%. The results of various studies do show a range of risk reductions. However, they all have somewhat similar outcomes, showing lower risk among those who drink coffee in comparison to those that don’t.
[Source: Healthline]
13. Consuming 3 to 5 Cups of Coffee May Reduce Alzheimer’s Disease Risk by Up to 65%
If you consume three to five cups of coffee per day, you may have a lower Alzheimer’s disease risk than people who drink more or less than that amount. The risk reduction may be as large as 65%, though more research may be needed to confirm those results.
[Source: Healthline]
14. Coffee Drinkers Have 80% Lower Risk of Developer Cirrhosis of the Liver
Studies have shown that drinking coffee could be beneficial for the liver. It may reduce your risk of developing Cirrhosis by up to 80%.
[Source: Healthline]
15. 24% of Adults Consider Themselves “Extremely Productive” After Consuming Caffeine
Since caffeine can give you energy, it shouldn’t be a surprise that many people feel more productive after they’ve had some. Overall, only 6.2% of people feel “extremely productive” before they’ve had caffeine, while 24.3% feel that way after they enjoy something caffeinated.
[Source: Amerisleep]
Coffee Buying Statistics
16. Nearly Half of Coffee Drinkers Use the Drive-Thru
Of the Americans who get their coffee fix outside of the home- heading to cafés, convenience stores, or quick-service restaurants – 48% don’t actually go inside. Instead, they make use of the drive-thru, letting them get their drink while on the go.
[Source: National Coffee Association]
17. In the Last 5 Years, Use of Single Cup Coffee Machines Grew by Almost 50%
It isn’t a secret that single-cup coffee machines like Keurigs are popular. However, their popularity has soared over recent years. Over the last five years, the use of those kinds of coffee machines actually went up by close to 50%.
[Source: National Coffee Association]
18. 25% of Retail Coffee Drinkers Regularly Order Drinks Through an App
Thanks to the rise in mobile technology, it’s easier than ever to place drink orders using a smartphone. Overall, about 25% of those who get their coffee outside of their home have used an app during the last week to place their coffee drink order.
[Source: National Coffee Association]
19. Almost 60% of Coffee Served in the U.S. is Considered “Gourmet”
When it comes to coffee beans, most coffee drinkers in America value quality. Overall, about 60% of all coffee that’s served in the United States is brewed from premium coffee beans, making it “gourmet.”
[Source: National Coffee Association]
20. 53% of Coffee Drinkers Prefer Coffee Certified as Environmentally Friendly and Fair Trade
When it comes to buying coffee, more than half of coffee drinkers want to make “good” choices. They prefer beans that are certified as environmentally friendly and fair trade.
[Source: National Coffee Association]
Coffee Drink Types Statistics
21. Southerners in the U.S. Are 25% More Likely to Order Frozen Coffee Beverages Than Northeasterners
Many people enjoy frozen coffee drinks like Frappuccinos. However, these beverages are far more popular in the South, possibly due to the warmer temperatures. Overall, Southerners in the United States are 25% more likely to go with a frozen blended coffee in comparison to coffee drinkers in the Northeastern states.
[Source: National Coffee Association]
22. Decaf Coffee Actually Has 2mg of Caffeine
While most people would assume that decaffeinated coffee is caffeine-free, that isn’t the case. Instead, the process removes around 97% of the caffeine, leaving behind about 2mg in a typical coffee drink.
[Source: National Coffee Association]
23. The Pumpkin Spice Latte Is the Most Popular Seasonal Drink at Starbucks with Over 424 Million Sold
Many people have strong opinions about the Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks, with many people regularly touting their love for the drink. Overall, it’s the most popular seasonal flavor the company has ever seen, with more than 424 million of the drinks sold since it debuted back in 2003.
[Source: Well and Good]
Coffee Retail Statistics
24. 41% of Millennials Say They Spend More on Coffee Than They Save for Retirement
Most people would consider retirement planning to be crucial. However, 41% of Millennials say they spend more on coffee each year than they save for retirement. One of the main reasons cited was financial struggles, making saving for retirement difficult or impractical. Others say that living in the moment plays a role.
[Source: Acorns Money Matters]
25. The Most Expensive Starbucks Drink Ever Ordered Cost Almost $150
While it isn’t available on the menu, a custom order for a Super Venti Flat White set William E. Lewis Jr. back $148.99. It included 173 shots of espresso and coconut milk in a giant mug that he brought from home and came in with a whopping 11,200 mg of caffeine.
That cup of joe cost far more than the second most expensive custom drink that’s known to have been ordered. It was a $102.15 Caffe Americano that had 104 espresso shots and some hot water.
Starbucks has since cracked down on the concoctions, especially since many were trying to use rewards to get the costly drinks for free. Now, Starbucks mainly requires customers to use a cup that’s no larger than the company’s Trenta, which holds 31 ounces.
[Source: Money Inc]
26. Making a Cup of Coffee at Home Can Cost as Little as 3 Cents Per Cup
When it comes to cost, brewing coffee at home is definitely the least expensive option. Overall, it usually costs just 3 cents per cup if you use regular grounds. If you opt for a Keurig pod, that averages at 45 cents per cup, while the average spent on a Starbucks drink is $2.75 per cup.
[Source: Time]
27. COVID-19 Caused Coffee Store Sales to Fall by $11.5 Billion
It’s no secret that many people who grab a coffee from cafés are usually on the go. As a result, when COVID-19 hit, fewer people were leaving their homes to work or for recreation. This caused coffee shop sales to tumble by a startling $11.5 billion.
[Source: World Coffee Portal]
28. The Coffee Market Makes up 1.6% of the U.S. GDP
While most people know that coffee is incredibly popular, most people don’t understand the role the industry plays economically. In the United States, the coffee market actually makes up 1.6% of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP), showing just how critical it is to the economy.
[Source: Zippia]
29. Starbucks is the Largest Coffee Company in the World, with Annual Sales Above $22 Billion
Calling Starbucks a household name feels like an understatement. It’s actually the largest coffee company worldwide, snagging $22.38 billion in gross annual sales. In second place is Tim Hortons, with gross annual sales of $3 billion. After it comes a surprising company – Panera Bread – with $2.8 billion.
[Source: Zippia]
30. There Are More Than 32,000 Starbucks Stores Worldwide
Starbucks isn’t just a U.S. business. The company has thousands of stores spread across the globe. In total, there are about 32,600 Starbucks locations worldwide. Of those, a little more than 15,000 are in the United States.
While numbers like that may make you think that Starbuck is the most widespread fast food restaurant on the planet, it’s actually third. Number one is Subway, with over 42,000 locations. In second is McDonald’s with more than 39,000.
[Source: Statista, Business Insider, and Statista]
31. Costa Coffee Has the Most Stores in Europe with More Than 3,100 Locations
While Starbucks is the biggest coffee chain in the world, it isn’t the most common one in Europe. Instead, Costa Coffee has them beat with 3,174 stores to Starbucks 2,813. In fact, there are actually more McCafe McDonald’s locations than Starbucks, coming in at 2,893.
[Source: Statista]
32. Kopi Luwak Are the Most Expensive Coffee Beans, Coming in at Up to $600 Per Pound
Also known as Civet Coffee, Kopi Luwak are the most expensive coffee beans on the planet. It’s from Bali and is produced after the beans are consumed by civets – a small mammal that’s native to Indonesia, where Bali is located – and passes through the animals’ digestive tracts. The beans are then collected, processed, and sold.
If you buy a cup of Kopi Luwak, that single beverage can set you back up to $100. If you buy a full pound of beans, that can run as much as $600.
[Source: Business Insider]
Bottom Line
Ultimately, as the enlightening coffee statistics above show, the world of coffee is fascinating. And coffee isn’t just popular in the United States. It’s a favorite drink among people all across the globe. Europe actually leads the way in consumption, something that surprises many.
From its rich history to popular modern drinks, coffee has become engrained in the lives of the masses. In the end, that is something that is unlikely to change in either the near or distant future.