DUBLIN – Ireland’s image as a country of tea lovers is no more, according to a new Spar and Eurospar poll that found coffee to be the preferred beverage for consumers on the go.

The Irish Mirror writes that the two Irish convenience stores, owned by BWG Foods, sold more than 14 million hot drinks in 2013, of which more than three quarters were coffee. Milk based coffee sales, such as cappuccinos and lattes, made up half of hot beverage sales, followed by Americanos (26%), tea (15%) and hot chocolate (9%). In total, the convenience stores sold around 10.5 million cups of coffee.

SPAR Ireland group is now predicting sales will grow from €19 million this year to €23 million over the next 12 months.

Willie O’Byrne, managing director at BWG Foods, told the news source that “Irish people have clearly made the switch from tea to coffee, and despite the economy they are not prepared to give up their daily cappuccino any time soon.

“The growth figures for SPAR Ireland prove that what people consider to be small luxury goods, such as premium coffee, not only survive but actually thrive in times of recession.”

In early December, SPAR and Eurospar signed new deals with coffee companies Insomnia and Tim Hortons, which will boost in-store coffee offerings to 30 more stores in 2014. Insomnia coffee is already available in 141 outlets and Canadian brand Tim Hortons is available in 184.