Nader Mustafa, AST and founder of Nader’s Coffee Hub, believes that the global coffee scene continues to evolve rapidly and infused coffee has emerged as a trend, dividing professional enthusiasts worldwide.
What is infused coffee?
Infused coffee remains real coffee, yet flavor is intentionally introduced during processing stages to create unconventional sensory profiles. Specifically, flavors are added during fermentation, processing or occasionally after roasting, differentiating infused coffee from traditional flavored coffee methods. Consequently, the final cup may taste fruity, chocolate forward, spiced or floral, while still originating from genuine coffee beans.
How infused coffee is made
Most commonly, producers use co-fermentation, allowing green coffee beans to ferment alongside fruits, herbs or spices naturally. For example, ingredients such as berries, citrus, vanilla, cinnamon or botanicals are introduced to influence aroma and flavor development. Alternatively, some producers apply natural oils or essences after roasting to enhance targeted sensory characteristics carefully. As a result, infused coffees often taste distinctly “uncoffeelike,” presenting pronounced fruit, floral or even wine-like fermentation notes. For some drinkers, this complexity feels innovative and exciting, while for others it challenges long-held expectations of coffee.
Why the trend is growing
Notably, the rise of infused coffee reflects shifting consumer preferences toward experimentation, storytelling and multi-sensory beverage experiences. Increasingly, younger specialty coffee audiences seek novelty, openness to bold flavors and drinks that spark curiosity conversations. Therefore, cafes and roasters use infused coffee to differentiate offerings and stand out within increasingly competitive specialty markets. However, infused coffee remains controversial, as purists argue it masks terroir and must be clearly and transparently disclosed. Ultimately, transparency ensures consumers understand what they drink, aligning expectations, while preserving trust within specialty coffee culture.
Looking ahead, infused coffee will likely remain polarizing yet influential, shaping discussions around flavor, innovation and authenticity globally.
