Top Coffee Trends For 2026 - Can Your Business Keep Up?
For many people, coffee is much more than just a morning ritual to kickstart the workday. It’s a moment of mindful indulgence, a social connector, and a representation of personal values.
The old instant coffee machine in the back of your office kitchen simply won’t do anymore. So, what’s next? Let’s explore the key coffee trends we expect in 2026, and most importantly, how your business can stay on top of your employees’ needs.
Unique Tastes and Viral Coffee Drinks
Brits reportedly spend an average of £530/year on takeaway coffee. With the sheer amount of options available, this comes as no surprise - just one cup of flavoured coffee can provide a sense of novelty, a feeling of escape without any big commitment. Coffee is becoming an opportunity for personal expression and an affordable, daily luxury.
The desire for Novelty is pushing the boundaries of what coffee can taste like, leading to a rise in highly experimental drinks. We are seeing unconventional flavors like:
Ube (purple yam) lattes
Pistachio matchas (like this US-based coffee shop’s Dubai Chocolate Latte)
Miso caramel
It’s clear that people want more than a beverage - they want stories, they want new experiences (and, why not, a social media-worthy photo of their drink!)
Want to diversify the coffee selection in your workplace?
Our bean-to-cup tabletop coffee machines come with a large variety of options fit for every single taste. Try the exquisite quality of our machines for yourself with a free trial today!
The Magic Of Flavoured Syrups
With this push for novelty, flavoured syrups are becoming more and more popular. Standard flavours like Caramel, Vanilla, and Hazelnut remain staples in every setting, allowing for easy customisation and transforming a basic coffee into a personalised treat.
We’re also seeing an increase in seasonal and limited-edition syrups. Think of pumpkin spice in autumn or gingerbread in winter - and now, it’s easier than ever to bring this trend right into your workplace!
At Exquisite Refreshments, we offer a dedicated range of delicious flavoured syrups that bring your cup from delicious to absolutely exquisite. You can explore our available consumables here.
The Sustainability and Ethical Push
Sustainability has shifted from a niche concern to a standard expectation, especially in the workplace. Employees are increasingly conscious about the environmental impact of their choices and prefer employers whose practices align with their core values.
Turn Coffee Into An Eco-Friendly Practice
One of the easiest ways to shift towards greener business practices is by choosing ethical coffee. This means knowing exactly where your coffee beans come from, as well as investing in locally sourced products.
Another major aspect is focusing on eco-friendly practices throughout the supply chain. Getting your business coffee needs met with Exquisite Refreshments includes:
Ethically sourced, fresh beans
Sustainable packaging
Low-carbon product delivery
Compostable cups, lids, stirrers, and other consumables
The Plant-Based Revolution
The growing popularity of plant-based milks and alternatives is another huge topic in the coffee sustainability conversation. Oat, almond, and soy milks are now staples in cafes and offices, driven by both consumer health consciousness and a desire to reduce dairy consumption.
Providing a wide variety of plant-based milk options is simply an expected part of any modern coffee service - not just for environmental reasons, but also for dietary reasons.
All About Convenience
Technology plays a huge role in enhancing the coffee experience - it is all about making high-quality brewing as effortless and consistent as possible.
Modern automated coffee machine systems, like our very own Vitro S1 MIA, can now deliver barista-quality, customisable drinks at the touch of a button. This means employees can get the best brew each time, consistently and without any room for error.
The Return to Authenticity
As much as people love convenience, there is an increasing nostalgic appreciation for the authentic taste of freshly ground coffee. Consumers value the process and the deep flavour that comes from using high-quality beans. This movement blends a desire for the traditional, hands-on experience with modern indulgence.
It’s the perfect time to invest in bean-to-cup commercial machines that preserve the purity of the coffee-making process. Expanding your flavour variety beyond standard espresso drinks will help you meet the sophisticated palate of your employees, boosting overall satisfaction, productivity, and long-term retention.
Keep Up With 2026 Coffee Trends With Exquisite Refreshments Bean-to-Cup Machines
At Exquisite Refreshments, our bean-to-cup machines are designed to be the perfect solution for businesses that want to keep up with what's new in the coffee world.
These machines meet the demand for convenience and customisation by providing a wide range of café-quality drinks with minimal effort from your staff or employees. Furthermore, our commitment to using fresh, ethically sourced beans and reducing the waste associated with single-use pods directly addresses the growing demand for sustainability features.
Positioning your coffee offering as a premium, on-trend coffee experience is a powerful way to show your employees or customers that you value quality and modern standards.
Ready to stay ahead of the curve in 2026? Get in touch with us today to purchase, rent, or set up a free trial for our exquisite range of commercial coffee machines.