Douwe Egberts Espresso Dark beans – new from JDE Peet’s UK & Ireland – is a premium addition to the Douwe Egberts portfolio that’s designed to help operators capitalise on the rapidly growing bean-to-cup market by addressing key consumer preferences around quality perception.
Available in a 1kg bag format, the blend consists of Arabica beans with a touch of high-quality Robusta. With its long roasting time and blend composition, Espresso Dark delivers a medium-dark profile that is well balanced with subtle spiced notes and an intense, sophisticated flavour.
Designed for maximum versatility, it allows operators to deliver consistency across a range of coffees, from full-bodied espressos to velvety cappuccinos – all from a trusted brand.
The launch comes at a pivotal moment for the hot beverage sector. Industry data reveals that, by 2029, beans will be the most popular coffee format in the out-of-home market, accounting for one-third of all cups served1.
This market shift is backed up by new consumer research undertaken by JDE Peet’s UK & Ireland, which highlights the strong consumer appetite for high-quality coffee beans in out-of-home settings:
A staggering 90% 2 of those surveyed said they could distinguish between a standard or poor coffee and a good-quality coffee. Furthermore, 55% 3 say they consider a venue serving freshly ground bean coffee to have better overall quality standards. It’s a signal for operators that cutting corners on coffee quality can have far-reaching consequences
Furthermore, over two-thirds4 of consumers said they are willing to pay a premium for freshly ground bean coffee over instant coffee5. Of those willing to pay more, respondents said they would spend an average of 54p extra per cup,6 which highlights the potential for extra profit in operations with a freshly-ground bean offering.
‘…a trusted brand at point of sale is a powerful commercial lever for operators.’
Critically, the research also revealed that displaying a trusted brand at point of sale is a powerful commercial lever for operators. By showing consumers the origin and brand of the coffee beans, overall trust in the venue for increases for a substantial 65% 7 of consumers.
With more than 265 years of coffee-crafting heritage, Douwe Egberts ticks that box: it’s one of the world’s most recognised and trusted coffee brands, renowned for its commitment to quality and consistent taste.
‘Our latest research shows us that for consumers, coffee is no longer just a quick caffeine fix but a real moment of enjoyment’, Hannah Morris, Head of Out of Home at JDE Peet’s UK & Ireland, told PV. ‘Today’s consumers have highly refined palates, and they can spot a sub-standard brew from a mile away! With coffee beans set to dominate the market by 2029, Douwe Egberts Espresso Dark beans are launching at the perfect time. We want to make it as easy as possible for operators to serve a great-quality, freshly ground coffee that consumers will love, from a brand they already know and trust. Whether it’s helping workplaces upgrade their coffee stations or giving leisure venues a premium boost, this new blend is all about delivering fantastic taste and real value for money.’
*Douwe Egberts Espresso Dark beans are available to order now and are suitable for use in all commercial and domestic bean-to-cup systems, as well as espresso machines, French presses, Chemex and filter coffee makers.
Footnotes
- Euromonitor Foodservice Coffee Market Size Forecast (2023–2027)
- 96% of respondents who have had coffee in an out-of-home workplace, leisure centre or health setting in the last four weeks answered ‘Always’, ‘Often’, ‘Sometimes’ or ‘Rarely’ to the question ‘Even if you don’t actively choose the coffee bean, how often, if ever, do you think you can distinguish between a standard/poor coffee and a good quality coffee?’
- 55% of respondents who have had coffee in an out-of-home workplace, leisure centre or health setting in the last four weeks answered ‘Better overall quality standards’ to the question ‘Which, if any, of the following do you associate with a venue that invests in freshly ground bean coffee?’
- 68% of respondents who have had coffee in an out-of-home workplace, leisure centre or health setting in the last four weeks answered ‘Yes’ to the question ‘Would you be willing to pay any additional premium in a venue to get freshly ground bean coffee over instant coffee?’
- 75% of respondents who have had coffee in an out-of-home workplace, leisure centre or health setting in the last four weeks stated they would be willing to pay a premium for the quality of the coffee. 75% of respondents stated they would be willing to pay a premium for the taste of the coffee.
- On average, respondents who have had coffee in an out-of-home workplace, leisure centre or health setting in the last four weeks said they would pay 54.3p in answer to the question ‘What additional premium would you be willing to pay for freshly ground bean coffee versus an instant coffee? (average in pennies excluding Not sure)’
- 65% of respondents who have had coffee in an out-of-home workplace, leisure centre or health setting in the last four weeks answered ‘Always’, ‘Often’, ‘Sometimes’ or ‘Rarely’ to the question ‘How much, if at all, does/would knowing the source or brand of the coffee bean increase or decrease your trust in the out-of-home vendor’s overall quality?’
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