Seasonal Coffee Drinks and Seasonality in Coffee Demand

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages around the world. This niche market offers a wide variety of options and coffee trends change frequently. Seasonal coffee drinks are a good example of a trend that’s been popular in recent years and is likely to stay so. They are frequently used in coffee marketing and are a common way for the best coffee roasters, coffee shops, and other brands in the industry to increase their revenue during different seasons. In this article, we’ll share more about seasonality in coffee demand, what in-season coffee is, and some of the popular coffee drinks for each season of the year.

Key takeaway: A lot of people enjoy seasonal coffee drinks that use ingredients associated with the current season. In the coffee industry, the term seasonality is associated with the freshness of coffee that has been harvested and roasted recently. Coffee demand is highest during autumn and winter.

Seasonality in Coffee Demand

Coffee wholesalers and other businesses in the coffee industry know that the demand for coffee is fairly constant. However, different types of seasonal coffee drinks are more consumed during different seasons. Here are a few things you should know about seasonality in coffee demand.

• Coffee demand is highest during winter. It’s understandable since most people enjoy a hot beverage more during cold months.
• Seasonal coffee drinks can help increase revenue. Coffee shops and other businesses often use coffee trends as part of their marketing strategy. That’s why you’ll often see them advertise seasonal coffee drinks or sustainable coffee. 
• Different coffee grades are available at different times of the year. In different regions of the world, coffee is harvested in different months. That’s why the supply for certain coffee blends can be much lower than the demand if this particular coffee is not in season. 
• Businesses often purchase coffee during peak seasons. Companies in the beverage industry often benefit from wholesale prices when they purchase coffee. They might also purchase it when it’s in peak season in order to get even lower prices. That’s also true for some coffee shops, eCommerce websites that focus on coffee, and other businesses in the sector.

Most Popular Seasonal Coffee Drinks

Popular Spring Coffee Drinks

Spring is commonly associated with blooms and warmer weather. That’s why these motifs can be seen in seasonal coffee drinks during springtime. Here are some examples of such.

1. Lavender latte. It combines lavender syrup with espresso and steamed milk. Honey and dried culinary lavender can also be added.
2. Rose latte. It’s made with milk, rose water, maple syrup, and an espresso shot. Adding a little beetroot powder will make the beverage pink.
3. Matcha tea or latte. Technically speaking, that’s not a coffee drink. However, matcha contains caffeine and can give you the energy boost needed to go through the day. Its fresh and grassy flavor makes it a great choice for a hot or cold spring beverage.

Popular Summer Coffee Drinks

The warm summer weather is commonly associated with cocktails and cold beverages such as lemonade. However, there is a wide variety of seasonal coffee drinks that are suitable for the summer months. Allow us to share a few.

1. CBD coffee. All CBD beverages are associated with enhanced mood and reduced stress levels. That’s why CBD coffee can help you enjoy a stress-free day or go through a party night.
2. Cold brew lemonade. It combines the tartness of lemonade with the acidity of cold brew coffee. 
3. Nitro cold brew. Nitro coffee is one of the popular trends in the coffee shop industry. It is rich in flavor and has a creamy texture. Keep in mind that it requires special coffee shop inventory to make. If you want to enjoy it at home, you can buy it canned from grocery stores.
4. Iced coconut latte. Plant-based milks can help make a regular beverage into a great seasonal coffee drink for the summer. That’s especially true for coffee with coconut milk. The coconut flavor is often associated with a warm climate and summer.

Popular Autumn Coffee Drinks

As days become shorter and nights become colder, a lot of people look for more coziness with their coffee beverage. Let’s check a few examples of seasonal coffee drinks suitable for autumn.

1. Pumpkin latte. Combining pumpkin spice syrup with an espresso shot and steamed milk can result in a delicious and rich beverage.
2. Cinnamon maple latte. Seasonal coffee drinks for autumn often use various spices and sweet flavors. That’s the case with this beverage. It uses ingredients such as cinnamon powder, maple syrup, and vanilla.
3. Coffee cider. Combining apple cider and coffee results in a great beverage that’s perfect for cold fall nights.

Popular Winter Coffee Drinks

Business owners often use the holiday season in marketing. The same is true for specialty coffee shops and local roasters. That’s why the example we share below can be associated with cold weather and the holidays.

1. Eggnog latte. Combining steamed eggnog and espresso is the right choice for cold winter days. 
2. Gingerbread latte. This beverage is done by mixing an espresso shot with gingerbread syrup, steamed milk, and various types of spices like cinnamon and cloves.
3. Peppermint mocha. In recent years, it has become one of the most popular seasonal coffee drinks in the US. It combines the fresh flavor of peppermint with the sweetness of chocolate syrup and the energy boost of coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions about Seasonal Coffee Drinks

BlueCart has helped various companies in the coffee market automate tasks and streamline business processes From suppliers of wholesale coffee beans to businesses that specialize in coffee roasting and blending, we have the right coffee distribution tools to assist your business. We also help companies with useful advice and information. Below you will find the answers to commonly asked questions about seasonality in coffee.

What Is Coffee Seasonality?

Coffee seasonality is a term used by the coffee distribution industry to describe when the seeds were harvested. This differs based on the region of coffee production. Seasonality is important as it impacts the freshness and flavor of coffee. Most coffee enjoyers want their favorite beverage to be fresh so that it has its full taste potential. 

When Is Coffee In Season?

Coffee is in season if it’s roasted and sold shortly after harvest. The processes of transportation, preparation, and roasting can take a couple of months. Thus, for a coffee to be in season, it needs to be consumed 3-6 months after its harvest. 

In countries like Guatemala and Honduras coffee is harvested early in the year, around the months of February and March. This means that coffee from these areas will be in season in June or July as it needs time to be prepared, transported, and roasted. Further south, the coffee harvest starts later. For example, in Brazil, the largest producer of coffee in the world, harvest season is between the months of April and September.

How Seasons Affect Coffee?

Different seasonal coffee drinks are popular in different seasons. That’s why coffee demand changes throughout the year. It’s important to keep in mind that seasonal coffee drinks are often made with a variety of other ingredients such as plant-based milk, syrup, and spices. That means their flavor is significantly changed and it’s less important for the coffee to be in-season. Large coffee shop brands usually opt for universal and year-round coffee types. Seasons also affect the supply of coffee. Different types of coffee are in season throughout the year.