By Joseph Staples // SWNS
NEWS COPY w/ VIDEO + INFOGRAPHIC
Your coffee preferences reveal more about your personality than you think. New research shows that people who favor iced coffee are more likely to jam out to Megan Thee Stallion, be introverted and travel more than people who prefer hot coffee.
A study of 2,000 coffee-drinking Americans compared the lifestyles of hot coffee drinkers and cold coffee drinkers. Results found that on average, those who prefer cold brew and iced coffee are more likely to prefer sunny weather (40%), binge-watch science-fiction shows like Unsolved Mysteries (37%), and are more likely to be part of the Gen-Z crowd (40%).
Meanwhile, hot coffee drinkers are more likely to be extroverts (40%), prefer overcast weather (36%), enjoy comedy shows like Schitt’s Creek (33%), blast Taylor Swift (24%) and be a Boomer — with 94% of people over the age of 56 wanting a hot mug of joe.
Even your zodiac can reveal your coffee preferences. If you are a fire or earth sign, you’re likely to lean more towards hot coffee than cold (49% over 44%). Meanwhile, water and air signs are more iced coffee prone (57% over 51%).
Commissioned by Califia Farms and conducted by One Poll, results found that despite hot and iced coffee personality differences, coffee drinkers universally agree it’s near impossible to go without it in the mornings. Coffee drinkers would rather give up social media (22%), TV (18%), alcohol (16%) and video games (4%) than coffee.
There is a line many refuse to cross, however. Whether it’s oat milk, almond milk, soy milk, hemp milk or dairy, one in four coffee drinkers would rather go without their cup of joe altogether if their preferred milk isn’t available.
Plant-based milks are a must-have for nearly 40 percent (38%) of iced coffee drinkers, while 37% of hot coffee drinkers prefer old-school heavy cream. Top among these plant-based milks are almond milk (39%) and oat milk (34%).
When asked why they prefer plant-based milks, respondents said they enjoy the flavor (32%), functional ingredients (21%) and low sugar content (15%).
“We’ve seen an interesting shift in coffee consumption in recent months, with 42% of consumers experimenting at home and trying to re-create their favorite hot and iced coffee beverages,” said Suzanne Ginestro, chief marketing officer at Califia Farms. “We’ve found that just as many people are interested in adding plant-based milks to their coffee due to the appealing flavors, functional ingredients, and a generally lower sugar profile. With their exceptional steaming and foaming capabilities, our Barista Blends are a great way to elevate the at-home coffee experience.”
Overall, a majority of respondents (59%) reported that their coffee habits were heavily disrupted by the pandemic in a way they didn’t expect.
Yet this change hasn’t been all bad for their coffee habits. Nearly half (46%) of American coffee-drinkers have tried different types of coffee at home since they haven’t been able to visit their favorite coffee shops.
Forty-two percent have even tried to recreate their go-to coffee orders at home, with one in three coffee drinkers trying their hand at latte art and one in four hopping onto the Dalgona coffee trend during their time in lockdown.
While the pandemic is keeping most people at home, cold coffee drinkers may be more likely to experience cabin fever than their hot coffee counterparts. Pre-pandemic, cold coffee drinkers said they would travel three times per year, versus two times a year by their hot java peers.
Cold coffee drinkers are more inclined to spend their time browsing Instagram (27%), while hot coffee drinkers are more active on Facebook (35%).
The study also found having a preferred temperature of coffee can even affect one’s taste buds: eight in 10 cold coffee drinkers prefer sweeter, fancier drinks featuring flavored syrups, while two-thirds (67%) of hot coffee drinkers would rather have a simple cup with cream, sugar, or both.
When asked about their go-to coffee orders, respondents waxed poetic about their favorite lattes, black Americanos, and new twists on old classics, like adding sea salt to a cappuccino for a savory, blooming flavor with less bitterness.
WHAT DO COFFEE LOVERS BINGE WATCH?
COLD COFFEE
- Unsolved Mysteries (sci-fi) 37%
- Friends (sitcom) 34%
- Schitt’s Creek (comedy) 32%
- The Queen’s Gambit (drama) 31%
- Planet Earth (documentary) 20%
HOT COFFEE
- Schitt’s Creek (comedy) 33%
- Friends (sitcom) 32%
- Unsolved Mysteries (sci-fi) 31%
- The Queen’s Gambit (drama) 27%
- Planet Earth (documentary) 22%
WHAT DO COFFEE LOVERS LISTEN TO?
COLD COFFEE
- Megan Thee Stallion (rap) 22%
- Kane Brown (country) 20%
- Taylor Swift (pop) 19%
- Tame Impala (alternative) 18%
- Led Zeppelin (rock) 9%
HOT COFFEE
- Taylor Swift (pop) 24%
- Kane Brown (country) 21%
- Megan Thee Stallion (rap) 17%
- Tame Impala (alternative) 14%
- Led Zeppelin (rock) 12%
