Every day, thousands of Elmhurst citizens embark on their daily unanimous quest: a trip for coffee. Whether it’s a frosty iced latte or a piping-hot Americano, stretching lines at local cafes speak for themselves. But beyond the daily caffeine fix, does a deeper pattern lie behind people’s coffee preferences?
In a survey of 420 Elmhurst residents, we set out to explore how coffee temperature preferences intersect with age and gender. The findings offer a fresh perspective on our daily brew.
The Survey
The survey itself consisted of three simple questions:
- The participants’ choice of coffee temperature (hot or cold)
- Participants’ age range
- Participants’ gender
After the data was collected, it was thoroughly analyzed for patterns. While just 9% of 18-25 year-olds prefer their coffee hot, a striking 85% of those over 45 do. In between, the 26-45 age group shows a near-even split, with 49.7% opting for cold coffee, and 50.3% preferring it hot. What’s behind these intriguing numbers?
These patterns might be a reflection of how coffee culture has evolved over generations. Elmhurst’s older residents grew up with traditional stovetop brews, which established their paradigm of coffee. To them, a steaming cup is the norm, while the notion of cold coffee simply seems wrong.
In contrast, the middle-aged crowd, whose childhood years saw the rise of cold coffee, are more open to experimentation. Starbucks made a splash with its iced coffee debut in 1986, and by the early 2010s, cold brews and flavored syrups had become commonplace. Those raised in this era were more likely to embrace the chilly beverage, as opposed to someone who grew up accustomed to hot coffee.
For the youngest generation, coffee is as much about trends as it is about taste. Social media buzzes with eye-catching cold coffee creations, and influencers like Charli D’Amelio– who had an iced coffee named in her honor through a partnership with Dunkin’– contribute to that enticement. The drive to stay on-trend means that if the most popular influencers are sipping iced drinks, so will the youth.
Patience, Patience, Patience
Hot coffee demands patience– something that the younger generation finds increasingly rare. While older folk may be more keen to sit down at a cafe and slowly sip their warming beverage, younger individuals opt for drinks that are ready to enjoy immediately. No waiting for the scalding temperature of a freshly-made coffee to drop; iced coffee is instantly refreshing. Plus, with busy school and work schedules, a cold coffee can last for hours, staying chilled and satisfying far longer than its hot counterpart, which loses its heat in minutes.
Men Like It Hot
And then there’s the gender divide. The survey revealed that men, across the board, have a pronounced preference for hot coffee. Among those aged 26-45, 66% of men opted for hot coffee, compared to only 47% of women. This preference intensified in the over-45 bracket, where just 7% of men preferred cold coffee, compared to 18% of women. Even in the youngest (18-25) demographic, 92% of women leaned towards cold coffee, while only 71% of men did the same.
Why this gender divide? It could be tied to traditional notions of masculinity, where hot coffee represents a more classic and robust choice. After all, men also have a tendency to favor stronger brews, like espresso, while women usually stick to lattes. The reasons remain speculative, but it’s still an interesting pattern.
In the end, this simple survey doesn’t just catalog coffee choices; it reveals the interconnectedness of coffee preferences, age, and gender. Whether you’re a hot coffee traditionalist or a cold brew enthusiast, the next time you sip your favorite cup, remember you’re part of a larger, ever-evolving coffee culture.
Elmhurst Daily 