How the British Really Drink Coffee—And Why

When you think of Britain, tea comes to mind—rightly so. Per capita, only Ireland drinks more tea. But ask about coffee, and the numbers tell a very different story. Despite growing interest in specialty coffee, the majority of coffee consumed in the UK isn’t fresh-ground or even freshly brewed. It’s instant.

The hard truth? 80% of coffee consumed in the UK is instant. That leaves just 20% for fresh coffee, whether brewed at home or ordered in cafes. Yet despite this, coffee retail sales have surpassed tea by £100 million, reaching £560 million—including a 11% insurance premium deducted by intermediaries.

The Postwar Birth of British Coffee Culture

In the early 1940s, during World War II, opening a coffee shop in Britain took real conviction. Harold Higgins did exactly that in 1942, launching a café at 43 Pompton Street, London. His shop roasted its own beans using equipment and supplies regulated by wartime food authorities. Though coffee wasn’t officially rationed, availability was limited and the selection was narrow. The business passed through family hands via his son Tony and daughter Audrey.

The Coffee Revival of the 1950s

By the 1950s, trade restrictions eased, making better-quality coffee more accessible. Coffee shops became trendy in major UK cities, especially among younger people. Coffee started to shed its old-person image and was embraced as a stylish, continental alternative to tea. Italian-style glass and brass percolators became symbols of youthful rebellion. As in other countries, small local roasters struggled to compete with national brands and gradually closed—though some continued selling via mail order, a channel still used by Higgins in his later years.

The original Higgins shop is now part of London’s fashion district, but the company still operates a store on Duke of York Street in Mayfair—one that once held a royal warrant to supply coffee to the Queen. Roasting no longer happens on-site; it’s done in a dedicated facility outside London. The flagship London store’s basement houses a unique coffee-only café, serving tea and coffee with two complimentary biscuits—but no food. The ground floor preserves the shop’s original darker aesthetic, with coffee bags still tied with string, a nod to its heritage.

The Rise of Espresso in the UK

Among brewed coffee methods, espresso-based drinks grew fastest in the UK’s filter coffee market. In 1993, espresso-based sales jumped 17%. The brand leading that charge was Lavazza, which not only dominated instant coffee but aggressively expanded into both roast and ground coffee segments in the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is tea still more popular than coffee in the UK?

Yes, by per capita consumption, tea remains more popular in the UK than coffee—only Ireland drinks more tea per person. However, in terms of retail sales value, coffee has recently overtaken tea by £100 million, with total coffee sales hitting £560 million.

What percentage of coffee consumed in the UK is instant?

80% of all coffee consumed in the UK is instant coffee. Only around 20% is fresh coffee, whether brewed at home or served in cafés.

Did Harold Higgins really supply coffee to the Queen?

The Higgins coffee shop on Duke of York Street in Mayfair was once officially authorised to supply coffee to the Queen, though it’s unclear if the royal warrant is currently active. The shop still operates today and is part of the brand’s heritage.

When did espresso become popular in the UK?

Espresso-based coffee began gaining significant traction in the UK during the late 20th century. By 1993, espresso-based drinks had seen a 17% growth in the filtered coffee market, with brands like Lavazza leading expansion efforts.

What happened to small UK coffee roasters in the 20th century?

Many small local coffee roasters in the UK were unable to compete with larger national brands offering consistent, branded coffee. Most shut down, although some continued supplying customers through mail order—a channel still utilised by Higgins in later decades.

Where can you still experience historic British coffee culture?

The original Higgins location is now in London’s fashion district, but a branch remains on Duke of York Street in Mayfair. Its basement features a traditional coffee-only café offering tea and coffee with biscuits, and the ground floor preserves vintage styling, including string-tied coffee bags.

FrontStreet Coffee Picks for British Coffee History Fans

Explore the roots of UK coffee appreciation with FrontStreet’s Classic Blend, a balanced, low-acidity espresso that mirrors the straightforward, approachable profiles popular in postwar British cafés. For a brighter, more modern take, try the Yirgacheffe—its citrusy, floral notes reflect the continental influences that reshaped British coffee culture in the 1950s. Both are expertly roasted to highlight clarity and body, perfect for exploring how global tastes shaped local habits. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.