The True Price of Your Everyday Coffee Habit: Why Brewing Espresso at Home Makes Sense

According to the National Coffee Association, almost 195 million Americans drink coffee each week, and 86% of coffee drinkers have a cup first thing in the morning.

For many people, coffee is part of the day almost as soon as they wake up. It is enjoyable, comforting, and having it early is unlikely to interfere with sleep later.

That raises an obvious question: where do most people buy their coffee, and is there a better option?

It is estimated that 51% of people buy at least one coffee from a local coffee shop each week.

The Price of a Daily Coffee

When people discuss morning coffee, the subject of cost almost always comes up. Many will point out how inexpensive it can be to make at home, but the full picture is a little more complicated.

The price of a cup depends on where you buy it and what kind you order. A two-pump grande latte from Starbucks costs $5.51 a day. That does not sound excessive at first, but the total adds up quickly if you buy one every day of the week.

Even limiting purchases to workdays can amount to $1,432.60 a year, based on $5.51 multiplied by five days a week and 52 weeks a year.

There is also the time spent traveling to the coffee shop, waiting for the drink to be prepared, and possibly spending extra fuel to make the trip.

One alternative is to buy a manual espresso machine.

Why a Manual Espresso Machine Can Be a Smart Option

The first concern many people raise about making espresso at home is that it will not taste as good as coffee from a shop.

That can be true, but usually only when the machine is low quality. With a well-made manual espresso machine from a respected Italian brand such as De’Longhi, it is possible to make coffee that rivals what you get at a local café.

It can also be more affordable over time. For instance, the La Specialista Opera espresso machine costs just under $800. Coffee, milk, and sugar add about $1.11 per drink, or roughly $288.60 a year.

Altogether, a quality espresso machine plus the necessary ingredients comes to about $1,088.60 in the first year. That means there is already a saving in year one, and the savings become much larger in later years after the machine has been paid off.

Making coffee at home also takes far less time than driving to a café and picking up a fresh drink.

The result is good coffee for much less money. Still, it takes some practice. Small changes in the coffee used or the amount in each cup can noticeably affect the flavor.

With a bit of experience, home-brewed coffee from a manual espresso machine can become a far more appealing choice than anything bought at a coffee shop.