The long black coffee trend serves as a valuable reminder that some classics are classic for a reason. Minimalist yet bold, the long black coffee trend is gaining traction in cafés and households around the world and reflecting a broader consumer shift toward authenticity, quality and clean-label experiences in the coffee category.
What is a long black coffee?
You’re probably familiar with black coffee, but what about long black coffee? This espresso-based beverage is made by pouring freshly brewed espresso shots over steaming hot water to create a strong, smooth beverage. Long black coffee has long been popular in Australia and New Zealand, but its influence is beginning to expand around the globe as more consumers look for more elevated and convenient coffee options.
Long black coffee vs. Americano: What’s the difference?
At face value, it might sound like a long black coffee is the same thing as an Americano since both beverages are comprised of hot water and espresso. However, it’s how these drinks are made that distinguishes them from one another. While Americanos are made by pouring hot water over shots of espresso, long black coffee is made by adding the espresso shots into hot water. This results in a less diluted, smoother drink than your standard Americano, making long black coffee a fan-favorite among consumers who enjoy elevated simplicity.
What are some long black coffee trends?
The long black is evolving alongside broader coffee trends that emphasize convenience, health-consciousness and flavor. Some of the most notable long coffee trends we’ve seen so far in 2025 include:
- Single-origin Arabica beans: Single-origin arabica beans continue to reign supreme in the coffee scene due to their complex flavor profile and well-defined growing regions.
- Middle Eastern influences: Tastewise data reveals that search terms like “Asian” are appearing more frequently in coffee-related internet searches, and consumers are incorporating global flavors into their morning ritual by using spices like Hawaij and cardamom to kick their black coffee up a notch.
- Functional ingredients: Some companies are integrating adaptogens, collagen or nootropics into their coffee products to add major health benefits to even the simplest of beverages. The recent mushroom coffee trend is one great example of a functional twist on an old class.
- Cold long blacks: With iced coffee trends continuing to dominate across the industry, cold long blacks allow consumers to enjoy a refreshing drink without compromising on flavor intensity.
- The instant coffee push: Consumer intelligence data reveals a major shift towards instant coffee trends in recent years – largely thanks to 2020’s viral whipped coffee trends. Long black coffee offers consumers a slightly more elevated version of their favorite instant coffee beverages without requiring a bunch of added bells and whistles.
- Home-brewing: In the years since the pandemic, we’ve seen a major increase in consumers preparing espresso beverages at home. The simplicity of long black coffee makes it an easy beverage to replicate in a home kitchen without the need for fancy equipment or other accoutrement.
- Dairy-free options: An ever-growing number of consumers are looking to leave dairy products out of their morning ritual. Long black coffee is naturally dairy-free, but still offers a smooth and flavorful way to start your day.
All of these trends reflect ongoing changes in how, where and why people reach for certain coffee concoctions and underscore the growing need to refresh and reframe our longstanding ideas about a good old cup of Joe.
Stats and facts: What consumer intelligence data tells us
Making sound business decisions about coffee products requires more than just a vibe shift. It’s all about cold, hard data. Here’s what the numbers tell us about long black coffee trends and the global coffee market as a whole:
- According to data from Tastewise, there has been 6.72% YoY growth in social discussions about black coffee.
- 40.42% of restaurants have coffee products on the menu.
- 48% of GenZers report drinking coffee daily and most start drinking coffee around the age of 15.
- Millennial and GenZ coffee trends increasingly emphasize cold coffee beverages.
- Most long black coffee beverages are calorie-free, making them a go-to option for health-conscious consumers.
- Long black coffee consumers are particularly concerned with finding products that offer a major caffeine boost.
- The social index score of long black coffee has increased 515x according to Tastewise data.
These numbers suggest that long black coffee might be well-poised to fill some very specific gaps and appeal to key demographics in the ever-changing global coffee market.
Market challenges
Despite its popularity, the long black coffee trend faces some hurdles. First, coffee purveyors will need to invest in comprehensive consumer education to clear up confusion about the differences between long black coffee and Americanos. Additionally, the standard hot format of long black coffee might not appeal to consumers who are committed to iced coffee and iced espresso trends. While cold versions of long black beverages are possible, trying to capitalize on the appeal of cold beverages might prove challenging for those specifically trying to scale up long black consumption.
In terms of competition, long black coffee must go toe-to-toe with a bevy of other specialty coffee trends that inspire fierce loyalty in their consumers. When sweet, frothy and seasonal flavors prevail, it might be particularly challenging to get consumers to branch out into an intense and simple beverage like the long black.
Future outlook
Looking ahead, it still stands to reason that long black coffee trends will continue to make their way to the forefront of coffee culture. With consumers increasingly interested in authenticity, simplicity and accessibility, the long black is well-positioned to grow in global markets and with consumers of all ages.
In the immediate future, expect to see:
- Coffee shops scale up sustainability-focused brands storytelling
- Instant coffee trends giving way to elevated alternatives like long black coffee
- Globally-inspired flavors going more mainstream in coffee shops and in home kitchens
- More functional alternatives that can serve as the basis for healthy twists on espresso-inspired beverages
- Innovative fine dining and specialty coffee marketing that positions the long black as a premium experience rather than a simple beverage
The future coffee market is likely going to center around ease, versatility and quality, so now would be the ideal time to embrace a timeless offering like long black coffee beverages if you’re looking to stay competitive in this rapidly-shifting space.
Final thoughts
The long black coffee trend highlights how modern consumers are redefining luxury in the simplest possible terms. The long black is all about bean quality, brewing precision and authenticity, signaling an end to frilly and over-laden coffee concoctions. For brands and cafés, embracing this trend means tapping into broader coffee trends like wellness-driven formats and Gen Z’s favorite iced coffee trends to re-educate consumers while providing them with products and services that suit their unique tastes.
FAQs about long black coffee
Many consumers enjoy long black coffee because it delivers all the best things about espresso shots in a larger, smoother, easier-to-drink format.
The name “long black” really comes from the production method, which consists of adding espresso to hot water. This results in a “longer” black coffee with more volume than an espresso shot and no need for added dairy products./
Most long black coffee orders are made up of one or two espresso shots poured over 6 to 8oz of hot water, though individual drinkers can adjust these ratios according to their preferences.
Simply put, an Americano is hot water poured over espresso, while a long black coffee is espresso poured over hot water. This subtle difference results in long black coffee being less diluted and smoother to drink than your standard Americano.
