Coffee lovers remain enamored with this innovative coffee beverage concept. Read on to find out why nitrogen-infused coffee is still getting traction after all these years.
Nitrogen-infused coffee or nitro coffee was considered a fad when it was first introduced. Ten years have passed, and yet this unique cold brew concoction remains a staple on menus of big and brick-and-mortar coffee shops.
Suffice to say that it exceeded all the expectations, but what made nitro coffee a sought-after coffee beverage among consumers? Here are the top reasons why nitrogen-infused coffee could still be the next big thing.
1. It Remains An Innovative Concept
Though time has gone by since it became available in the market, the drink is becoming a mainstream selection but has yet to reach its peak. You might consider it somewhere in between. Coffee lovers and enthusiasts adore its unique brewing process, taste, and texture, but not everyone knows about it.
Although the practice of infusing nitrogen in beer is decades old, trying it out in coffee is still relevantly new as it is unavailable in every country. The outlook on nitro coffee is so promising that even 62% of the coffee industry leaders believe it will become a coffee shop staple in the coming years, with the big corporations such as Starbucks, Tim Hortons, and Dunkin’ now offering the beverage.
2. Tastier Without The Condiment
Nitro coffee offers a rich and creamy consistency without the help of milk or creamer, as nitrogen produces gas bubbles that give nitro coffee its crema. The bubbles provide that silky and frothy feel with every drink.
Nitrogen also provides a subtle sweetness to the beverage that is complemented by the robust flavor and aroma. After all, a coffee that is ground and brewed cold has shown a level of improvement in its flavorful attributes.
3. Healthier Alternative To Your Regular Coffee
Since you won’t need milk or sugar, nitro coffee becomes a much healthier option, especially for those looking to regulate their blood sugar and acidity levels or those who are lactose-intolerant.
The nitrogen’s gas bubble crema and sweetness provide these perks without the extra calories, so this is also ideal for people looking to lose weight.
Nitro coffee also retains, if not amplifies, the health benefits of your regular cup of coffee. It also contains 30% more caffeine than regular coffee. Some scientists have argued that nitrogen gas helps your body process caffeine faster, allowing you to get that energy boost rather quickly.
4. It Is Becoming Accessible And Easy To Make At Home
Looking at the number of Starbucks outlets that added cold brew nitro taps, it is now becoming widely available. More than 1,200 Starbucks stores in 16 markets worldwide now offer nitro coffee, with 83% of those stores situated in the US.
Currently, the company aims to make this purchasable at every branch in the foreseeable future. Still, they have paved the way in making it available to other retail stores such as Walmart and Target, and it can also be bought online through e-retailers like Amazon and food delivery app services.
Making your own nitro coffee at home is feasible with the right tools! Using a whipped cream dispenser filled with water and a cold brew, you just shake it up and equip the dispenser with a nitrous oxide charge.
5. A Promising Business Opportunity
As nitro coffee becomes popular, so is the market’s demand for it. In 2018, only 29% or 2,500 of all US company-operated stores and coffee shops served nitro coffee.
Interestingly enough, though some of these stores have been affected by the pandemic, nitro-infused beverages experienced an increase in revenue in North America as it generated $10.2 million in 2020, with coffee as the dominant product type. It is expected to reach $48.50 million by 2026 with a compound annual growth rate of 21.66%.
Moreover, nitro coffee had a 904% increase in menu penetration from 2018 to 2022 alone, proving that food and coffee establishments are moving to include it on their menus.
Starting a nitro coffee business can be a challenge due to the price of the equipment and initial operating expenses. However, nitro coffee has a long shelf life and is easy to brew. So, nitro coffee is highly profitable if you have the right marketing plan, location, and target audience.
