From Sana’a to Seoul: The Global Coffee Trends Taking Over U.S. Coffee Shops

Tahini, bananas, clouds, and whipped cream crowns are driving some serious FOMO—and coffee sales

Coffee has always been a global product, but today its cultural influences are more visible—and more embraced—than ever. From the Middle East to the Far East, international traditions and flavor profiles are shaping what’s served in both independent cafés and national chains. These aren’t fleeting novelties; they’re actively redefining the modern coffee experience.

What’s emerging is a dynamic blend of tradition, innovation, and cross-cultural exchange. Coffee is no longer bound by familiar formats or flavor expectations. Instead, it’s being reimagined through new textures, ingredients, and rituals rooted in global influence. These shifts reflect a growing consumer appetite for discovery—and a willingness among coffee professionals to rethink what a coffee drink can be.

Yemeni Coffee

A selection of drinks from Haraz Coffee House including: Iced Pistachio Latte, Pink Coconut with strawberry and coconut milk, Iced Hibiscus, Pistachio Frappe, and a Pistachio Latte with the Bee Bites cream-cheese stuffed honeycomb bread.

In November 2024 when we released our 2025 Hospitality Trends Report, we cited Yemeni Coffee as our top coffee trend, highlighting its distinct flavors and traditions, and predicting its continued ascendance in popularity across the country. Since then the rise of Yemeni coffeehouses has been widely chronicled.

In March 2025 bon appétit declared, “The Yemeni Coffee Boom Is Only Just Beginning,” spotlighting the 30 Yemeni‑owned coffeehouse brands operating in states like Michigan, New York, California, and Texas. In June The New York Times asked, “Why Do Yemeni Coffeehouses Seem to Be Everywhere Lately?,” and The Pourover discussed how warm hospitality and community spaces with late-night hours are positioning Yemeni coffee houses for further growth (movements we discussed in our report).

According to Qahwa World, there are currently around 30 different Yemeni coffee brands operating in the U.S., including Qahwah House with 26 locations, and plans to reach 100 by 2027; and Haraz Coffee House, with 27 locations and 167 additional stores in development.

Sweet & Savory Coffee

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Sweet and savory coffee drinks was another trend from our 2025 Hospitality Trends Report, where we talked about umami driven beverages like a Miso Latte or Caramel Gochujang Latte. These drinks balance sweet ingredients with savory notes, providing an alternative to the predominately cloying drinks that endure in popularity.

While not necessarily umami-driven, we are seeing a parallel rise in sweet and savory coffee drinks that feature tahini, like the Date Tahini Latte at Jerusalem Coffee House (Oakland, CA), the Tahini Latte made with tahini and almond milk at Royal Ground Coffee (4 locations in San Francisco, CA) or a Tahini Cold Brew Slushie at Edith’s Sandwich Counter (Brooklyn, NY).

Good Housekeeping even ran a recipe for Tahini Cloud Coffee, proving the tahini latte has taken hold.