# Experiential Java With its symbolism now preceding it, coffee becomes a canvas for viral fads. By [Rebecca Byers](https://www.trendhunter.com/becbyers), Insights Research at Trend Hunter | Published Jul 18, 2017 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/contextual-consumption ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.5/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Experiential Java trend? **Experiential Java:** Highlighting the ubiquitous nature of coffee as a symbol of social interaction and much more, the experience of coffee consumption has become a space for innovation in flavor, form, aesthetic, and beyond. This demonstrates the new context of coffee as a gourmet food experience rather than a commodity, a transition that can be observed taking place currently in other adjacent categories such as cannabis. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Feb 22 to Jul 17, 2017 - Published: Jul 18, 2017 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Tribalism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/tribalism), [Prosumerism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/prosumerism), [Many to Many](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/many-to-many) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Themes within the Experiential Java trend ### Experiential Coffee Demonstrates the new context of coffee as a gourmet food experience rather than a commodity, creating opportunities for innovative flavors, forms, and aesthetics. ### Share-Worthy Lattes Young, hyper-connected generations love unique finds in the world, inspiring creative menu items, such as avocado latte cups and healthy gothic lattes, that encourage visual appeal and Instagram-friendly aesthetics. ### Novelty Vessels for Caffeine Consumption The popularity of colorful novelty drinks, such as unicorn frappuccinos and Japan's coffee cones, creates a market for aesthetically pleasing, sippable desserts served on disposal cups. ## What the Experiential Java trend means for industry ### For Coffee Industry professionals can explore and innovate with exotic flavors, creative forms and visually pleasing aesthetics to create unique experiences that differentiate their products. ### For Food Food professionals can take cues from coffee's transition to an experiential product and prioritize creativity and aesthetics, such as texture and presentation, to create share-worthy dishes that resonate with younger, social media-savvy generations. ### For Packaging and Disposables Innovative food and beverage vessels, such as cans and coffee cones, create novelty experiences for consumers, offering opportunities for entrepreneurs to creatively enhance the packaging and disposable materials for food and drink consumption. ## Workshop question How could you potentially tap into adjacent industries or viral fads to help make your products more share-worthy? ## Trend signals for Experiential Java Trend score 4.5 out of 10, from popularity 70%, activity 58%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 70% - Activity: 58% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Experiential Java trend 6 featured examples from Feb 22 to Jul 17, 2017. - [Coffee-Filled Dessert Cones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coffee-cones): Japan's Coffee Cones are the Latest Caffeine Craze (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food and beverage industry can leverage the trend of novelty beverage vessels by offering unique, Instagrammable drinks in innovative containers. - [Blue Matcha Lattes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blue-latte): This Bright Blue Latte Will Set Your Instagram Feed Apart From the Rest (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Incorporating visually stunning and Instagram-worthy food and beverages to attract and engage customers. - [Avocado Latte Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/avolatte): Truman Cafe's 'Avolatte' is Served in a Real Avocado Half (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Innovation opportunities for coffee shops to differentiate themselves and attract new customers through unique and visually appealing beverage offerings. - [Healthy Gothic Lattes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/charcoal-latte): This Charcoal Latte From Damson & Co Has a Distinctive Black Color (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Industry that can explore the potential of activated charcoal as an ingredient and create gothic-themed products. - [Carbonated Cold Brews](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cold-brew-coffee-in-a-can): Stumptown's Cold Brew Coffee in a Can is Boasts a Sparkling Fizz (Category: Marketing) Implication: The coffee industry can capitalize on this trend by expanding their product offerings and investing in convenient packaging options for on-the-go consumers. - [Citrus-Flavored Coffee Sodas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/keepers-coffee-soda): Keepers Coffee Soda is a Sweeter Alternative to a Cold Brew (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Creating new flavors and variations of cold brew coffee to cater to diverse consumer preferences. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Multi-Benefit Protein Shakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comes-in-three-flavors) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)