How Specialty Coffee Took Over Britain From Afternoon Tea

Walk down any street in London today and you’ll catch the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee beans—no longer just a trace of European travel, but a daily fixture. With over 800 new coffee shops opening last year alone, Britain’s love affair with coffee has moved well beyond the teacup. But how did this shift happen, and what does it mean for the future of British social spaces?

In short: specialty coffee is now mainstream in the UK. The first ever UK Coffee Week, held from April 1 to 10, celebrated this boom with events across London, while also raising £1 million for coffee-growing communities via the Waterfall Project. That’s not just a trend—that’s a transformation.

The Rise of Specialty Coffee in the UK

Britain’s coffee evolution has happened in three distinct waves. The first, around 30–40 years ago, was dominated by low-quality filtered coffee—often dismissed as little more than "brown water." The second wave arrived with global chains like Starbucks, which improved coffee quality and established café culture across the UK. Now, we’re in the midst of the third wave, centred in East London, where independent specialty coffee shops are redefining how the British drink and think about coffee.

Afternoon Tea vs. Specialty Coffee

Despite tea’s iconic status in British culture, coffee has steadily claimed its place in the daily routine. “People are developing a real enthusiasm for specialty coffee,” says Jeffrey Young, planner of UK Coffee Week. This third wave, he explains, represents a new era where coffee is treated with the same craft and appreciation as fine wine or artisanal food—no longer just a caffeine delivery system, but an experience.

UK Coffee Week: More Than Just a Celebration

Running from April 1 to 10, UK Coffee Week wasn’t just about lattes and latte art. The festival included a coffee art exhibition, grinder demos, poetry readings, an Ethiopian coffee ceremony, and the grand finale: the London Coffee Festival over the last three days. Throughout, the focus was on education, craftsmanship, and community. One of the week’s key initiatives was the Waterfall Project, aiming to provide clean drinking water to 100,000 people in African coffee-growing regions.

“As an industry, we feel responsible to give back to the communities that grow our coffee,” Young said. Participating coffee shops encouraged customers to donate 5 pence per coffee purchased, and all proceeds from London Coffee Festival tickets went directly to the Waterfall Project. Clean water is also a symbolic nod to the fact that brewing coffee requires significant water—a fact not lost on the industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is UK Coffee Week?

UK Coffee Week is an annual event, first held in 2018, celebrating coffee culture across the UK. It includes coffee tastings, art shows, educational events, and charity initiatives. The 2018 edition ran from April 1 to 10 in London, featuring over 800 new coffee shops and raising funds for clean water projects in coffee-growing regions.

What are the three waves of coffee in the UK?

The first wave was low-quality filtered coffee, common 30–40 years ago. The second wave saw the rise of branded coffee chains like Starbucks, improving coffee standards and establishing café culture. The third wave, now underway, focuses on specialty coffee, craft brewing, and direct trade, centred in areas like East London.

How does UK Coffee Week help coffee-growing communities?

Through the Waterfall Project, UK Coffee Week aims to provide safe drinking water to 100,000 people in African coffee-producing areas. Participating cafés encourage a 5 pence donation per coffee, and all London Coffee Festival ticket sales were donated to the cause. Clean water is both a practical need and a symbolic link to coffee production.

Why is specialty coffee growing in popularity in the UK?

Specialty coffee is growing due to increased interest in origin, brewing methods, and quality. The third-wave coffee movement treats coffee as an artisanal product, leading to more independent cafés, better brewing equipment, and a culture of appreciation among consumers in the UK.

What events took place during UK Coffee Week 2018?

Events included coffee art exhibitions, grinder demonstrations, poetry and coffee pairings, an Ethiopian coffee ceremony, VIP cocktail parties, coffee tastings, and the London Coffee Festival. These events highlighted craftsmanship, education, and the social role of coffee in British life.

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