My wife and I go through about 4lbs a month using mainly Chemex and Areopress. Used to get (decent) crummy coffee at Aldi and Grocery Outlet, occasionally splurging for local roasts at the coffee shops. Still, I calculate that’s about $35 or so a month on beans, Chemex filters should probably be calculated with how pricey they can be - napkin maths say $11 roughly for a months supply.

$46USD ain’t bad compared to my other vices 😪

Curious to hear if I’m around the average spender or how it tracks! Maybe you have some tips on cheap but amazing coffee? I wouldn’t know unless I asked y’all

  • @[email protected]
    18•3 months ago

    I have an espresso machine, so I just buy a bag of beans that I grind myself for about $15 Canadian. A bag lasts me at least a month, usually more. The only other expense is I do use more milk than usual since I make lattes.

    • @[email protected]OPEnglish
      4•3 months ago

      One 12oz bag? Wow, that’s efficient. Maybe that’ll help me justify forking over the initial cost for a decent espresso machine.

      • @[email protected]
        6•3 months ago

        To be fair, it’s only me drinking it and I typically make it only during work days. But yeah it’s pretty nice to have. I’ve been getting syrups to flavour the lattes which makes it even better.

        Edit: The bags I get are about 1kg which is about 32oz.

      • @Keeponstalin
        2•3 months ago

        Try out a Moka pot first if you want to save on money. The espresso is quite good for the price $5 vs $500

      • @manualoverride
        2•3 months ago

        Just had this conversation with my partner who wanted to get a Nespresso (no idea why). I also have an espresso machine and have 2 large coffees a day, a 1kg bag of beans is £10 ( $13) and lasts over a month. Espresso machine and a grinder is the most eco and pocket friendly way.

        • @[email protected]
          2•3 months ago

          Beko make a bean to cup espresso machine for about €250, it’s a tank

          Needs cleaning every month but makes amazing coffee with good beans

          • @manualoverride
            2•3 months ago

            I’m an advocate for separate grinder and espresso machines, just seems like an unnecessary complication, and the combo machines seem to take up more space than both the dedicated ones.

            If you are looking at the lower end of the market, spare parts and repairability are often nonexistent or afterthoughts at best. If combo machine breaks you now have to get another combo or buy the separates, and even the best value combo is more $ than comparable separates.

        • @[email protected]OPEnglish
          2•3 months ago

          That’s solid. I figured I’d need a new setup to make the most of it - doubt my cuisinart burr grinder would be able to pull a really mean americano let alone a late. I’ll keep that in mind for the next few huge Chemex filters I toss. Thanks!