15 per cent price hike for Australia's favourite brew

Today is International Coffee Day and Australian remains devoted to our favourite brew, which is still a flat white or cappuccino for most.

It has been a challenging year for Aussie coffee lovers, thanks to a global coffee shortage and subsequent price hikes, which have impacted cafes, coffee pods, coffee beans and even instant coffee.

The average cost of takeaway coffee is now $5.53, according to Compare the Market, up from $4.78 in 2023, an increase of 15.69 per cent! And that's just for a small, flat white.

Some coffee lovers reported paying $7 or more for their takeaway coffee of choice.

This is despite data showing Australians pay less for coffee when compared to prices around the world.

But don't ask us to give it up, because that's something Aussies are not willing to do.

What Aussies are spending on takeaway coffee each year

On average, Australians are spending $860 a year on takeaway coffee, based on paying $5.53 three times a week, or if you are getting one five days a week that's $1437.80, which is more than enough for a trip to Bali.

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Not that anyone is suggesting you give up or even cut down on your daily dose. Far from it.

Sarah Orr from Compare the Market says it's all about being aware of how much you are spending.

"As a self-confessed coffee addict, I'm not about to tell you to give up your caffeine fix just yet – it might be just what you need to get through the day," she said in a statement upon release of this latest data.

She added that coffee plays an "important part in our economy with the café industry supporting thousands of Aussie jobs".

Instead, she says to cut back elsewhere by taking a look at household utility bills.

"Sometimes there can be hundreds of dollars in savings when your switch to cheaper offers – that's more money to splash on your flat white habit," she added.

What we are ordering

Victorians are the most coffee-addicted state or territory, according to Toby's Estate's first Toby's Café Report, with 59 per cent of respondents drinking "two cups or more daily".

This is above the national average and more than those in New South Wales drink.

And New South Wales is leading the Matcha Movement, with 34 per cent of residents now choosing it over their favourite coffee.

Cappuccinos are the most popular takeaway coffee order, at 31.4 per cent, followed by flat white at 23.4 per cent, then lattes at 19.5 per cent and long blacks at 7.5 per cent.

How to save on takeaway coffee

There are also plenty of ways to reign your takeaway coffee habit in, according to Orr.

Join coffee loyalty programs

"Many major chains and local cafes offer loyalty programs or coffee cards, providing a free or discounted drink after a certain number of visits," Orr said.

"The trick is to remember to scan or show your card at each visit to ensure your loyalty pays off."

This is true of my local. Every 10th coffee is free! But I do sometimes forget to get a stamp.

Sniff out discounts in other ways

"You may be entitled to coffee discounts through your insurance provider, energy retailer or other utility companies. These little perks and incentives often go unnoticed but it's worth taking a look," she explained.

This isn't something I have looked into and I can't imagine how you would redeem it, but when you are making all those calls to reduce your utility bills, you can always ask.

Make your own

"Making your own coffee is an easy way to cut costs. A 200g jar of instant coffee can cost as little as $5.50, according to Compare the Market analysis," she explained.

"It can make between 50 and 100 cups of coffee, depending on how strong you like your brew. Coffee pods are slightly more expensive, but still work out cheaper than a takeaway coffee."

I do keep a jar of Moccona Indulgence on my desk at work, for weeks when I am being more fiscally responsible. There is also a pretty fancy coffee machine in my office, but it doesn't offer me a skim milk option, so I don't use it.

Coffee pods, well, that's a story for another time. Let's just say for now that I have noticed they too have skyrocketed in price, and I am not sure they are worth the cost.

Show your age

"Some cafes offer senior discounts or discounts for students if you can prove your age," she added.

"It doesn't hurt to ask what savings are available the next time you venture out for a coffee."

My mum has become very good at this. She tries not to pay full price for anything.

Mum became a professional haggler after she embarked on some overseas travel a few years back.

Thankfully in Australia, she just has to flash her senior's card. But I think she'd prefer to haggle.

Don't ask us to give up our daily brew

According to new data from global nutrition and food tracking app, MyFitnessPal, Australia's love affair with coffee shows no signs of slowing down.

A recent survey by MyFitnessPal resulted in 40 per cent of people pledging to never give it up "regardless of any potential health impact".

Chocolate came in at a close second, with 39 per cent. And don't coffee and chocolate go together so well.

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Nutritionist and MyFitnessPal ambassador, Michaela Sparrow, simply tells us to watch what goes into our favourite takeaway coffee.

A skim flat white with no sugar is probably one of the better choices. But I can't go past a skim cap with one.

She also suggests not drinking coffee on an empty stomach which "supports better digestion, helps maintain energy levels and can reduce the likelihood of jitters or crashes later on".

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