The Ever-Growing Coffee Trends Shaping India's Coffee Choices
There's something magical about that first sip of coffee, it's not just caffeine, it's comfort, ritual, and lately, a canvas of creativity. For many young Indians, coffee is no longer just a wake-up call, it's a statement. And it's this emotional connection with coffee that's brewing an exciting transformation in India's coffee culture.
Across the country, Gen Z and millennials are saying goodbye to the standard cappuccino and hello to beverages that are vibrant, health-conscious, and packed with unique flavors. One of the most exciting trends fueling this shift is fruit-flavored infusions so much so that fruit-based beverages now account for 22% of all offerings in India's foodservice market, underscoring a booming demand for fresh, vibrant, and experiential drinks. Whether it's an Orange Brûlée Cappuccino or a creamy Avocado Frappe, these drinks don't just taste extraordinary, they look like art and feel like indulgence with a healthy twist.
This trend is deeply rooted in coffee's natural flavor profile, which often leans toward fruits like citrus and stone fruits, making it well-suited for fruit infusions. By enhancing these natural notes with real fruit ingredients, cafés are crafting beverages as rich in flavor as they are in story.
'The future of coffee isn't just about how it tastes, it's about how it's experienced. When we let coffee speak through its natural flavors and pair it with intention, we create something truly memorable," reflected Boram Um, 2023 World Barista Champion and Head of Coffee Innovation, Kenangan Coffee India.
It's no surprise that in markets like China and Korea, orange Americanos and fruit-based coffee syrups have already made waves and Indian cafés are catching up fast.
Equally compelling is the shift toward health-conscious alternatives. With increasing awareness of refined sugar's impact, consumers are now seeking sweetness that nourishes. As a result, the trend to reduce sugar in beverages is gaining momentum globally from Chinese tea houses using less sugar and Western cafés embracing unsweetened coffee, to India, where sales of no-sugar and low-sugar drinks doubled in 2024, now accounting for 10% of the beverage market. Reflecting this change, many cafés, like Kenangan Coffee, are now offering natural alternatives such as jaggery, stevia, honey, and Gula Aren, a traditional Indonesian palm sugar with a low glycemic index. The focus is clear: cut added sugars and let natural sweetness elevate coffee's true flavor.
But this shift isn't just about nutrition, it's also about experience. What we're witnessing is more than a passing trend, it's a movement. A movement where the modern Indian coffee drinker wants to savor something that looks beautiful, feels wholesome, and tells a story. Whether it's sipping on a vibrant fruit-infused espresso or choosing mindful ingredients, today's coffee is about connection both to the self and to the world.
First Published:
August 17, 2025, 09:37 IST
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