What's the one place that everyone goes to for inspiration, news, and updates on practically everything? Social media. It might not be an actual place but for much of the world, it's a destination in digital cyberspace that might as well be a physical location. It's here that we find any and all trends, many of them turning out to be short-lived while some, such as the food trends, tend to have a bit of longer shelf life to them than several weeks. In terms of coffee trends, these are some of the most attention-grabbing because in the present-day, caffeine intake is everything.
In fact, everything from the way we get our caffeine to the method in which it's procured has been the subject of intense analysis on social media. Around the world, there have been many trends that took accounts by storm and were repeated, shared, and posted in other parts of the world, meaning coffee was one of the top-trending social media topics at one point... So, were any of them worth it?
Mushroom Coffee Can Be Beneficial, But No More Than Eating Vegetables Would Be
It sounds a bit strange but in reality, it's not. For centuries, China has been incorporating herbs and mushrooms in holistic and beneficial recipes. Incorporating mushrooms into coffee has just gained more attention as it has become more popular, with more and more people looking to gain natural benefits from the beverages they drink every day while also reducing their caffeine intake. Interestingly enough, it's not all that outlandish, either - since mushroom powder, essentially, is what's added to coffee beans, there's nothing definitive about the flavor that would make it taste any different than a regular cup of coffee. So, is this trend worth it?
While certain mushrooms do have the potential to interfere with medications (always check with your doctor beforehand if you're uncertain), switching to mushroom coffee isn't that big of a deal. Certain mushrooms are better in providing specific health benefits which might require some research (along with potential long-term effects), but overall, experts claim there's really not much of a difference between drinking your mushrooms and simply adding them to a meal once or twice a week. So, is it worth it? Sure, if you're hardcore opposed to just eating mushrooms.
Dalgona (Whipped) Coffee Is Fun In Moderation
Dalgona coffee is another trend that, while it seemed new and exciting, it actually wasn't - new, not exciting. This trend became so big that even major news publications were writing about how to make it at home, with much of social media being filled with photos and videos of their newly-found creations. It also gained the name 'cloud coffee' which is actually more accurate; despite being called Dalgona coffee, there's no actual Dalgona in it, which would make it authentically Korean.
Nevertheless, the trend became uber-popular during the quarantine as it was cheap to make, fairly easy, and required little more than instant coffee, milk, water, sugar, and a strong whipping arm. However, with the hefty amount of sugar needed, it's best that this beverage remain one that's consumed in moderation. Is it worth it? Sure, it's a fun thing to try and makes the morning a bit more cheery, if nothing else.
Cold Brew, All Year-Round
Cold Brew is one coffee trend that's undoubtedly here to stay. Out of every trend this year, this one has gained the most attention for the longest duration as weather no longer has a bearing on when and how people take their coffee.
The beauty of cold brew is the ability to hang onto all the robust flavor and deep richness of a specific type of coffee, without sacrificing it to ice cubes, syrups, or sweeteners. In fact, it could be said that the number one coffee trend of the year was an appreciation for the pure nature of the coffee bean, starting with cold brew. Now, it comes in ready-to-drink bottles and can be found nearly everywhere, not just at artisan cafes and shops.
Sustainable Origins And Brewing At Home
In speaking to the idea behind cold brew, another trend has been sustainable coffee and the art of home brewing. Many people began sharing their own at-home setups as well as taking up an interest in coffee bean suppliers. Many wanted to know exactly where their coffee was coming from, how it was grown, and what the best way to brew it would be.
Whether this required a specific coffee machine, grinder, or other device was irrelevant - it seems that everyone has been happy to press their own coffee if it meant ending up with a cup of coffee that was pure, steaming perfection.