Back in 1775, while the rest of the country was bemoaning high tariffs on tea, Benjamin Frankin was singing the virtues of coffee.

"Among the numerous luxuries of the table … coffee may be considered as one of the most valuable. It excites cheerfulness without intoxication; and the pleasing flow of spirits which it occasions … is never followed by sadness, languor or debility," Franklin wrote.Today is National Coffee Day, so drink up.According to a survey released on coffee drinking trends by the National Coffee Association, coffee continutes to widen its lead over soft drinks, as consumers also prefer more gourmet options over the standard cup o' joe.Daily consumption of gourmet coffee beverages is up to 34 percent of American adults compared with 31 percent last year, while daily non-gourmet coffee consumption is down to 35 percent from 39 percent.The survey also revealed that espresso-based drinks account for this increase.Daily consumption of espresso-based beverages was up to 18 percent from 13 percent. Gourmet coffee consumption alone remained at 19 percent.Americans are also drinking more coffee than soft drinks. Sixty-one percent of American adults drink coffee every day, compared to 41 percent who have soft drinks.Young adults, ages 25-39 are the most likely to plunk down their hard-earned cash at Starbucks or other gourmet specialty shops.About a third of those polled, ages 18-24 and 40-59 consume gourmet coffee, with just one-quarter of those 60-and-up enjoying an upside-down caramel macchiato, extra hot.How do you brew?The survey also shows that there is a change in the way Americans are brewing their coffee.In 2013, 20 percent of coffee drinkers were using a single-cup brewing system; that number climbed to 29 percent, while the number of those who use a drip coffee maker dropped from 58 percent to 53 percent. In 2012, only 10 percent of Americans surveyed had a single-cup brewer.That number rose to 12 percent in 2013 and to 15 percent in 2013, and that number is expected to climb, as 25 percent of those surved who didn't have one, said they were likely to purchase one within the next six months.