An espresso stands with a saucer on a wooden table. (Photo by Silas Stein/picture alliance via Getty Images) Thursday, Sept.
29 is National Coffee Day with freebies and deals brewing at chains across the country. Coffee consumption has soared in America, reaching a two-decade high this year as many take on post-COVID routines, according to polling this year by the National Coffee Association (NCA).The group found that 66% of Americans drink coffee each day, more than any other beverage — including tap water.
That figure was also up nearly 14% since January 2021, the NCA said.Meanwhile, consumption of espresso-based beverages — typically prepared away from home — has increased by 30% since the start of the pandemic, according to the polling.
And despite rising inflation this year, coffee giants like Starbucks have continued to see record demand. Starbucks interim CEO Howard Schultz said earlier this month during an investor day that the company so far has been "immune … from any recognition whatsoever that there is a downturn in customer traffic, a downturn in terms of average ticket."Schultz noted that Starbucks has seen a dramatic shift in its business with drive-thru now accounting for 50% of U.S.