Circle K, Ireland’s leading forecourt and convenience retailer, has today revealed the findings of new research which suggests that tea’s long-standing reign as the nation’s favourite hot drink has ground to a halt.
According to the Circle K study, 63 percent prefer coffee over tea, just weeks after Dublin was voted as the second most ‘coffee obsessed’ city in the world.
The study of more than 1,000 Irish adults was carried out to celebrate the new look for Circle K’s in-store coffee range. Circle K Coffee is now available in all stores nationwide, excluding Circle K Express. Specially developed to cater for the increasingly discerning Irish coffee drinker, Circle K Coffee is a delicious tasting coffee blend, completed with sweet and smooth undertones, created by the retailer’s team of award-winning experts. Alongside the new look and feel , Circle K Coffee machines have been updated to give a barista-style pour, giving an extra richness to the same great tasting products that the public know and love.
Cappuccino Cravings
The research revealed that coffee preferences have changed for 65 percent in the last five years, with the somewhat continental cappuccino now topping our favourites list at 26 percent first preference and replacing the humble instant coffee (23 percent ) which was historically the cuppa of choice. The americano ranks next at 21%, followed by the latte at 20%.
I’ll get that to-go!
Perhaps it’s unsurprising that preferences have changed for many, considering that 55 percent now buying between 1-5 takeaway coffees per week and almost a quarter (23 percent ) buying more takeaway/forecourt coffee over a home brew since Covid-19. Almost half (45 percent ) buy a takeaway coffee as a treat, and considering 55 percent purchase between 1-5 coffees weekly, it appears many people like to treat themselves very regularly!
Takeaway/forecourt coffee is so popular in Ireland these days, that at breakfast, the nation’s favourite time for a coffee, 24 percent said they have prioritised grabbing their morning brew over making it to work, school or college on time!
While on the road, 40 percent are most likely to stop and purchase a takeaway/forecourt coffee during a long journey, with 23 percent stopping on the way to work at the office. From a classic Americano, a frothy Latte to a textured Flat White, Circle K Coffee ensures people seeking a caffeine fix on the road are spoilt for choice.
When it comes to the important decision of where to purchase coffee on the road, for 49 percent, it’s all about taste, with quality rated as important too (32 percent ). With a focus on taste, Circle K Coffee is developed by Circle K experts using special recipes with the perfect blend of a dark roast espresso with a full body and intense notes of cocoa, fruit, and candied nuts.
Provincial Preferences
Munster residents like their coffee strongest in Ireland, with 84% preferring their coffee on the stronger side. Up north however, the population in Ulster like their coffee weakest (28 percent ). Connacht folk have the sweetest tooth, and as for 61%, no cup is complete without at least a spoonful of sugar.
While recent reports suggest that plant-based milk is growing in popularity amongst all age groups4, dairy milk is still king for all regions of Ireland, particularly for Munster respondents (65 percent ). For those that have switched to non-dairy alternatives, a trend that is more popular amongst 18–24 year olds (54 percent ), oat (10 percent ) narrowly beats almond (nine percent ) as the alternative milk of choice.
For more information on Circle K Coffee, visit circlek.ie
