When I think of tasting boards or flights, the first ones that come to mind are wine or beer flights. There’s something fun about experiencing and comparing small tastes of different flavors — which is what attracts people to wine tastings throughout the world. The concept of a tasting is so simple and easy to create, which makes me wonder why coffee flights aren’t more popular. Not only do flights give you the chance to try a little bit of everything, but they also offer a means of connection with others through conversation.
As a coffee lover, I’ve noticed a major lack of “flights” in the world of coffee. At the surface level, coffee flights seem like an attractive concept and a fun way for coffee shops to showcase different coffee roasts and origins. When visiting new coffee shops, I always look for this option, but rarely find it on menus. Here’s why I believe every coffee shop should offer coffee flights — and why I hope this trend takes off.
Why coffee flights can attract coffee drinkers
Visiting specialty coffee shops is one of my favorite hobbies — especially when visiting a new city or location. Some coffee shops, such as Bacha Coffee, offer over 200 different varities of coffee sourced from around the world — making it tough to decide what to order when visiting. Even when visiting coffee shops that specialize in specialty espresso beverages, like seasonal lattes or macchiatos, choosing just one coffee order can be challenging. Coffee shops like these are missing a prime opportunity to offer flights to customers who don’t want to just order one coffee. Coffee lovers thrive on variety and customization — and coffee flights are the perfect way to indulge in both.
With the popularity of wine tastings, cheese tastings, and beer tastings, it almost seems obvious that this should translate to the world of coffee. Not only do coffee flights deliver a selection and variety, but they invite guests to sit and stay awhile. Coffee flights can bring people together, offer something to do, and foster a sense of connection as guests compare notes and flavor preferences. As coffee shops lean into the “slow coffee” trend, it feels as if coffee flights would integrate perfectly into this movement.
The future of coffee flights
As a coffee lover, I hope that more local coffee shops will soon adopt festive coffee tastings and flight concepts in 2026. There’s something to be said for experimentation — and I believe coffee flights are a great way to showcase new roasts, espresso creations, and seasonal flavors. For coffee shops, the ability to highlight three or four small portions provides coffee shops with a chance to set themselves apart from competitors. For coffee drinkers, coffee flights deliver an “experience” and an opportunity to customize coffees based on taste preferences.
Marwyn Garcia, Owner of Headcount Coffee, believes more cafes will start offering coffee flights sooner rather than later to draw in more customers. “It’s a rare thing to come by, and demand for it hasn’t taken off yet. Especially coffee shops and roasters are more likely to offer this. You will probably see more of them offering once-a-month type of tastings before it becomes part of anyone’s normally offered menu,” he shares.
