Is coffee expensive? The price of a cup may not be what you think
It feels like everything has gotten more expensive, and coffee prices have been no exception. The price of coffee affects how and what coffee we choose to drink. According to statistics from SCB statistics, the price has increased by 46% over the past year, significantly more than our salaries.
But how expensive is a cup of coffee really when you put it into perspective?
Why has the price increased?
Of course, several factors influence the price of coffee, not just the raw material. There have been both poor harvests and the impact of climate change, but transportation costs have also increased, affecting coffee as it is transported long distances from growers and then distributed in Sweden. Electricity prices have risen, which impacts the costs for Swedish roasteries when roasting coffee.
Comparison with other beverages
We recommend using 60 grams of coffee per 1 liter of water. If we take 500g of Svartån from Björklunds kafferosteri, which costs 148 SEK at Kaffeboxen, you can brew 8.35 liters of coffee with it. This makes the price 17.75 SEK per liter, equivalent to 3.55 SEK per cup (2dl).
A comparison with other common beverages:
| Beverage | Price / liter | Comment |
| Milk | 16.50 | Organic! |
| Coffee (Björklunds) | 17.75 | Organic! |
| Trocadero | 22.20 | Canned soda |
| Apple Juice (Bravo) | 23.50 | |
| Coffee (Delicious Days, J&N) | 31.20 | Organic! |
| Alcohol-free Beer (Mellerud) | 45.30 | Organic! |
| Red Bull | 58.00 | Energy drink with Caffeine |
| Nocco | 63.48 | Energy drink with Caffeine |
| Wine | 78.60 | Cheapest organic at Systembolaget |
So, is drinking organic and sustainably sourced specialty coffee really expensive when a cup costs less than 4 kronor? Choosing traceable and sustainable coffee that also tastes better is not only a choice for your wallet but also an investment in quality.
So next time you enjoy your cup of coffee – remember that it might not be the most expensive beverage you have in your kitchen.