Americans Are Drinking More Coffee Than Ever

It probably seems as though everyone in your neighborhood and office building is in line for that cup of morning coffee just when you need it most. Well, it turns out that you're not imagining things. A recent survey finds that more Americans are drinking a daily cup of coffee today than they have been for the past six years.

According to Reuters, a study commissioned by the National Coffee Association surveyed 3,000 Americans about their coffee drinking habits. The survey found that 64 percent of Americans drink a cup of coffee every day, up from 62 percent in 2017, and the highest percentage since 2012.

What's more is that while it might seem like you can't walk a block without seeing another coffee shop, most people still enjoy making coffee at home despite the popularity of cafés like Starbucks; 79 percent of participants said that they had brewed a cup of coffee at home the previous day, while only 36 of people said they had bought a coffee from an outside location.

Meanwhile, artisan coffee remains popular among a younger generation: 48 percent of millennials said they had a cup of coffee the previous day that could be considered gourmet, which might account for events like the recent Roasters Village at SXSW, where companies showcased innovations in the coffee realm (including one stall outfitted with a robot barista).

Americans consume the most coffee in the world overall (although Finland consumes the most coffee per capita, or per person). Nonetheless, most of the world's coffee is harvested in the developing countries, like Guatemala and Indonesia. The majority of Americans drink coffee—around 83 percent—and it’s long been a booming industry in this country. For instance, the average American spends $1,110 on coffee annually, while coffee exporting is valued at $20 billion globally.

And all this bodes well for America, it turns out. Sure, coffee gives you that much-needed boost of energy in the morning, but some recent scientific studies have also shown that it might help you live longer, too. So drink on, America.