The economic downturn caused many consumers to cut back across categories, but coffee consumers have found new ways to enjoy their cup of joe. Approximately 79 percent of adults in the United States drank coffee in the last two years, according to Chicago-based Mintel Group Ltd.’s October Coffee report. However, 48 percent of coffee drinkers surveyed said they are drinking more coffee at home and less away from home in 2011 than they were a year ago — a trend that Mintel predicts will continue to drive retail coffee sales through 2012.
Starbucks Corp., Seattle, announced the November launch of Starbucks Coffee K-Cup Portion Packs for the Keurig Single Cup Brewing system. The branded K-Cups will be available throughout grocery stores and specialty retailers in the United States later this year.