New style of coffee maker stimulates changing habits

But the rise of the pod and a slump in workplace tea rounds are putting the brakes on the sale of traditional coffee – particularly instant coffee – at the same time, according to analysts.

Pods and capsules are the latest trend for coffee drinkers, boosted by brands such as Nespresso, whose adverts feature actor Clooney.

According to a report by market analysts Mintel, more than one in 20 homes now have some kind of espresso machine.

But with many workplaces also installing the expensive devices – they can cost up to £200 – one in ten Brits regularly has their coffee made either in a pod or capsule machine.

According to consumer watchdogs Which?, each cup costs the equivalent of 22p to make, compared with just 8p a cup using a normal filter coffee machine.

Sales of instant granules rose very slightly from £668 million in 2010 to £671m last year – although the increase was due to increasing prices. In volume terms, however, sales of instant coffee are falling.

Mintel said a number of factors were behind the rise. These included health concerns over too much caffeine, with people choosing to have one cup of strong filter coffee as a daily treat, replacing several cups of instant during the day.