We usually don't think about this as we drink our coffee, or sip or latte, but what is the real cost of that drink? Yes, you just paid between $2.00-$5.00 for your beverage, but you know that is not the true price of the drink. After reading a few articles and surveys on this, here are some costs, based on the averages of what I found:
Drink What You Pay What it Cost Profit
Latte $3.35 $0.77 $2.58
Drip Coffee $1.90 $0.56 $1.34
Vanilla Latte $3.75 $1.02 $2.73
If you buy a bag of whole bean coffee(or ground, but I would rather you grind your own), you generally pay between $10-$18 a bag(note that is not per pound - not all companies sell coffee by the pound). The coffee roaster/company buys their coffee at wholesale, so they may pay between $7.50-$10 per pound(average).
For the record, I tend to drink more coffee that I purchase and brew at home, than going to a coffee house. The reason being it will be far cheaper for me to make my own coffee than to go to a local Starbucks. Depending on the coffee I buy, my cost per cup is in the $0.30. That's a great savings over going to the local coffee house a few times a day. Attention K-Cup lovers - your cup of coffee costs about $0.60-$0.70 per cup(not saving much there). If you drink a traditional grocery store canned coffee, your costs are even lower.
Now, let me be clear, I am NOT saying we all need to brew coffee at home and stay away from the coffee house. No no no..... I bring this up, because I think it helps coffee lovers understand what they are paying for.
Coffee companies have a lot of overhead. Rent, payroll, marketing, utilities, all the things that go into a business all cost money. My suggestion is if you are trying to save money, brewing at home is a good option. Otherwise, do what some people I know do, create a coffee budget and stick to it.
I've had friends tell me they think I spend a lot on good coffee, but in reality, that money is a savings over what I would spend if I went out every day.
Something to think about.
Charlie
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