Think $5.50 is too much for a flat white? Actually it’s too cheap, and our world-famous cafes are paying the price
Think $5.50 is too much for a flat white? Actually it’s too cheap, and our world-famous cafes are paying the price
Cafe owners have tried to keep prices low but are being squeezed out by tight margins.
What a weird article.
is it just me or is the news full of bullshit articles these days priming us for price rises in pretty much everything? sick of this shit
I'd be happy if it was due to the death of undervalued labour, but this is just straight up greed (the trend, not this article)
completely agree
Prices rise regardless of whether they're discussed or not. If it makes you feel so uncomfortable then just don't read articles that are obviously about cost-of-living like this one.
When I make coffee at home, it works out to 65 cents per cup. And I make it exactly how I like it — so it tastes better than most cafes.
I'm prepared to pay more when someone else makes it, but not ten times that price. Sorry.
Yes, I have to admit I also struggle with the idea that people buy a "barista made" coffee every day of the working week. You can make great coffee at home for way less money and you have full control over how it's made and what ingredients you use.
I still buy coffee from cafes as part of weekend social meetups, though. I like the "cafe culture" independent places generate and I'm happy to pay more to support that.
There's a homeless dude in NZ making decent coin using a thermos of boiled water and some instant coffee for like $2 a pop. It comes down to "do you want luxurious drink" or "ME NEED CAFFEINE NOW"
Just for a bit of perspective: the average monthly salary in Switzerland is around $11000 so maybe $10 for a flat white is more affordable.
If comparison against average monthly wage is your benchmark, it's still proportionately cheaper in Australia with average monthly wage being $6,201.43 (i.e., >50% of $11,000, whereas the coffee price is <50% of $10.16).
Average wages here are also higher than the majority of the countries above us on the average-coffee-price chart.
To be honest it isn't my benchmark, I was just adding that to the context in the same way I could have added any other differential circumstance: my point is that it's more complicated than what the article says.
And that it's probably less about "someone think about the baristas" and more about the benefits, but that's another story.
There is no scenario where I'm willing to spend $6-8 on a coffee. I am not alone, I expect most people would not. Market demand simply won't support that price point.
At the same time, if the market were willing to pay $10 a coffee, you better believe that cafes would gladly charge that $10.
Yes they are expensive, but they have been for years. I have made my own for 15 years or so. My old Rancillio Espresso is still going strong 15 years later.