For years, automatic drip brewing has remained the top brewing method for at-home coffee drinkers in the U.S. Simple, convenient, and easy — who wouldn’t want to stick with the tried-and-true? While there’s something to be said for a cup of regular drip coffee, this coffee brewing method tends to be used more by older generations.
Today, however, a new generation of coffee consumers has emerged who seek to prepare cafe-style espresso and espresso drinks at home. According to the 2025 NCDT Specialty Coffee Breakout report, 43% of US adults enjoyed an espresso-based beverage in the past week, with 74% of past-day specialty coffee drinkers preparing their drinks at home. But why are more people choosing to brew espresso at home?
Changing lifestyle and work habits
“Consumer habits changed quite a bit during the COVID-19 pandemic, and remote work was a key factor in driving change,” says Heather Perry, CEO of Klatch Coffee. “Although we worked hard to get our cafes back open as soon as was legally possible, consumers did indeed change their habits when they couldn’t visit cafes, with some choosing coffee at home as an alternative. DIY and learn-by-doing culture exploded during this time, driven by internet video views,” she shares. With coffee shops across the country closed, consumer interest in espresso equipment, high-quality beans, and education rose, inspiring more coffee drinkers to learn to recreate cafe-quality drinks at home.
“As the years have gone by, our sales of beans intended for espresso have continued to grow, even as foot traffic has returned to normal in our brick and mortar cafe locations. This may be attributed to a boom in sales of home espresso machines and grinders, as guests sought to recreate their cafe favorites and experiences at home. It appears that growth was indeed “sticky” and remained in place even after the pandemic was long over, spurring permanent interest in home espresso,” says Perry.
Desire for customization and personalization
As more people brew espresso at home, the demand for customization and personalization has also boomed. For many, crafting beverages at home offers greater flexibility to personalize flavors exactly to their taste preferences, a flexibility some cafés cannot match. Whether it’s adding a shot, a personal favorite syrup, or alternative non-dairy milk options, many home users find themselves wanting more control over their coffee order.
While many coffee shops like Klatch Coffee welcome opportunities to individualize orders based on guest preferences, many coffee drinkers are also experimenting at home. Viral food trends on social media, such as Aerocano and Whipped Coffee, have also contributed to increased interest in at-home brewing.
Does drip coffee still dominate?
“Make no mistake – drip coffee is still incredibly popular with massive, widespread adoption,” says Perry. “But so-called “entry-level” espresso machines have come down significantly in price over the last decade, so they’re more accessible than ever before. It’s easy to see how a user with a specific budget would stretch to buy an espresso machine.
Overall, Perry says the rising interest in home espresso brewing indicates a broader shift toward a greater understanding and appreciation of specialty coffee. “Let’s compare espresso to something like pod coffee – pod coffee is completely hands-off: you load one up and press the button with few, if any, options to control. Predictably, the results are poor because often the coffee isn’t fresh or high quality, and the brewing process isn’t customized toward bringing out the best characteristics in any specific coffee, either.”
“Espresso, in contrast, requires hands-on involvement to become its best. You’ll need to have an awareness and understanding of the settings and controls – the grind selected, dose, and output of the final shot, and the ongoing “dialing in” to keep the beans in their sweet spot. There’s a time and knowledge investment required, and as a result, only those willing to commit will achieve great results.”
