☕ Will Coffee Ever Become Too Expensive to Enjoy?(And Has That Ever Happened to Anything We Love?)
Let’s be real, every time I see the price of a new bag of beans creeping up again, a tiny voice in my head whispers:
“What if coffee becomes a luxury I can’t afford someday?”
If you’ve had that same thought while reluctantly swiping your card for a $7 latte, you’re not alone.
So… let’s talk about it. Could that actually happen? Has it happened to other everyday things we once took for granted?
And more importantly, what can we do about it?
🌍 First, Let’s Zoom Out: Has This Happened Before?
Absolutely. We’ve seen it with other commodities:
Avocados used to be a casual brunch item. Now some places charge extra for a spread so thin you can still see the toast underneath.
Chocolate is becoming more expensive as cacao farms face climate change and ethical labor concerns.
And remember when gas was under $2 a gallon? Yeah, me neither. 😅
These shifts didn’t happen overnight. They were slow burns, affected by climate, demand, supply chains, labor, and consumer behavior. And honestly, coffee is following a similar path.
☕ Why Coffee Prices Are Rising
As someone who works with coffee daily, from sourcing beans to talking with roasters, I see the ripple effects up close. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Climate change is making it harder to grow high-quality coffee. Regions like Ethiopia, Brazil, and Colombia are seeing lower yields.
Fewer farmers are staying in coffee. It’s a labor of love—but not always a sustainable one financially.
Shipping and labor costs are still high post-pandemic.
And global demand keeps rising. Coffee is no longer just a Western staple—it’s global.
So yes, coffee is becoming more expensive. But will it ever be unaffordable?
💡 Maybe Not "Unaffordable" But Definitely "More Intentional"
Here’s the thing: I don’t think we’re heading toward a coffee apocalypse where only billionaires can afford a cappuccino.
But I do think we’re entering an era where coffee is shifting from an automatic daily grab… to something more like a ritual.
Think:
✨ Brewing a single origin pour-over at home instead of grabbing a random drive-thru cup.
✨ Choosing quality over quantity.
✨ Exploring blends that feel special without breaking your budget.
One of our customers, Alex, told me he used to drink three cups a day from the shop near his office. Now, he brews at home in the mornings using our medium roast and only treats himself to café drinks on Fridays.
“It feels more intentional now,” he said.
“It’s like I reclaimed the ritual.”
🛠️ How to Keep Coffee Joyful Without Burning Your Wallet
If you're feeling the pinch but still want to savor your daily brew, here are some tips I swear by (and hear from our amazing community all the time):
Buy beans in bulk during sales – Freeze extra bags to preserve freshness.
Invest in a good grinder – Fresh ground beans = better taste without buying the most expensive coffee.
Try blends with robusta – These are often more affordable, higher in caffeine, and surprisingly smooth.
Skip the single-use pods – A simple pour-over setup or French press gives you better taste and value.
Brew with friends – Host a Sunday coffee hangout. Less expensive than going out, and way more fun.
🌱 Will Coffee Ever Be a Luxury? Or Will It Evolve?
Coffee has always adapted to the times. It’s survived wars, depressions, global shipping crises—you name it.
But what does change is how we experience it.
Maybe we won’t always be able to afford three café trips a day. But maybe that’s okay.
Maybe it brings us back to something more meaningful: the ritual, the aroma, the quiet moment before the chaos.
Coffee might get more expensive. But our relationship with it? That’s something we get to shape.
☕ What Do You Think?
I’d love to know how you’re adjusting your coffee rituals lately. Are you brewing more at home? Exploring new beans? Trying out flavor combos?
While we don’t have a comment section here, you can always connect with us on Instagram.
Because no matter where coffee prices go, one thing’s for sure:
This community? It's strong.
Stronger than caffeine, even. 😉
Keep sipping with intention,
