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AI generated image by The Korea Times
A survey has found that six out of 10 iced coffee drinkers in their 20s and 30s enjoy the beverage year-round, with iced Americanos topping the list of favorites. The findings confirm the dominance of the so-called “Eoljuk-a” — a Korean phrase meaning “I’d rather freeze to death than skip my iced Americano.”
Coffee brand Nespresso and the research arm of college lifestyle media outlet College Tomorrow 20s Lab conducted a survey of 300 men and women aged 25 to 34 who drink iced coffee at least three times a week.
According to the results, 58.7 percent said they enjoy iced coffee “regardless of the season,” showing that iced coffee has established itself as a year-round beverage among the demographic. When asked when they usually reach for iced coffee, the most common response was “in the morning to wake up” (18 percent), followed by “before starting work or study” (14.0 percent) and “when concentration is needed” (13.7 percent).
Preferences differed by age group: people in their 20s prioritized reasonable prices (70.2 percent) and dessert pairings (20.2 percent), while those in their 30s valued taste and quality (48.4 percent) and accessibility (44.6 percent).
When asked which iced coffee they enjoy most in summer, 50.3 percent chose iced Americano, far ahead of the 18.7 percent who picked sweet iced lattes. Among iced Americano fans, 74.5 percent were women aged 30 to 34.
More respondents preferred drinking iced coffee at home (52.4 percent) than outside (42.6 percent). Reasons included convenience (17.8 percent), reasonable prices (16.3 percent) and enjoying personal time (14.0 percent), indicating that home café culture has become an important part of young adults’ lifestyles, according to Nespresso.
The survey also found that decaffeinated coffee consumption is rising. One in three respondents (30.3 percent) said they drink decaf at least once a day. Popular times for drinking decaf included lunchtime (30.5 percent), evening (29.2 percent) and afternoon (27.4 percent), suggesting people choose it to avoid disturbing their sleep.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.