Cheap coffee? That was then
lifestyleThis morning, I read an article in FD by Maureen Blankestijn and Julia
Cornelissen: ‘Net
zo exclusief als champagne’: de tijd van goedkope koffie is voorbij
(Dutch for: As exclusive as champagne: the era of cheap coffee is over).
That comparison stuck with me. Coffee—so ordinary, so woven into daily
life—is now mentioned in the same breath as champagne. What’s going
on?
The gist
The authors make it clear: cheap coffee is becoming a thing of the past. The reasons are familiar but now unavoidable—failed harvests due to climate change, labour shortages, higher transport costs, and a growing demand for quality. “The era of cheap coffee is over,” they write. The price of coffee beans has doubled in a short time. We all feel it, from the supermarket shelf to the local café.
Why does this matter?
Coffee is a daily ritual for me, and I suspect for many others. It’s a moment to pause, to reset, and sometimes even an excuse to connect. But with prices rising, coffee is suddenly becoming a luxury. The FD article draws the comparison with champagne: no longer taken for granted, but something special. That makes me pause. Maybe it’s time to reevaluate our daily habits.
How does this fit broader trends?
This isn’t just about coffee. We’re seeing the real price of everyday products more clearly—clothing, meat, energy, and now coffee. Climate change and global tensions are making everything less abundant and perhaps more fairly priced. The FD calls it “the end of the era of abundance.” Maybe that’s not a disaster, but a chance to make more conscious choices.
What will I do with this?
For me, it’s an invitation to be more mindful about coffee. Not just pouring the third or fourth cup out of habit, but choosing quality and origin. Maybe less, but better. And treating the coffee moment as something special, like a good glass of wine, or yes, champagne.
Who else should care?
Pretty much anyone who drinks coffee, which is almost everyone. But especially anyone interested in sustainability, fair trade, or simply curious about how the world is changing around us.
Key takeaways:
Cheap coffee is history—the rising price forces us to rethink value, origin, and habit. Coffee may become less ordinary, but perhaps all the more meaningful for it.
Questions for the future:
When was the last time you paid attention to your cup of coffee? What if coffee does become as exclusive as champagne—will you drink it differently?
The FD article by Blankestijn and Cornelissen is well worth reading for background and numbers. Give it a look: FD – ‘Net zo exclusief als champagne’: de tijd van goedkope koffie is voorbij. It’s a good prompt to reflect on something we often take for granted.