Americans are drinking less coffee daily, study says

The percentage of Americans who drink a daily cup of coffee fell last year to 61% from 63% in 2012, a leading trade group said Saturday.

The National Coffee Assn. of USA, however, also reported that Americans are choosier about how they get their java fix: The study found a sharp increase in Americans drinking espresso-based drinks, such as lattes and cappuccinos. This segment rose to 18% in 2013, up from 13% the year before.

The trade group’s yearly study, conducted since 1950, showed that fewer Americans are using typical drip coffee makers. The study found that 37% of Americans drank a cup of coffee made in a drip coffee brewer in the past day. That’s down from 43% in 2012.

As the traditional drip maker sees its use waning, single-cup coffee brewers have become more popular.

The rate of Americans drinking coffee made from single-cup brewing machines jumped to 13% in 2013, up from 4% the year before, the trade group said.

Coffee drinking habits varied across age groups measured in the study.

-- Among those ages 18 to 24, overall daily coffee consumption fell to 41% last year from 50% in 2012.

-- Among those ages 25 to 39, overall daily coffee consumption fell to 59% from 63%.

-- Among older consumers, those 60 and older, overall daily coffee consumption actually grew, from 71% in 2012 to 76% in 2013.

This study has been done annually since 1950 and includes adults 18 years and older. It was conducted online from mid-January to mid-February.