Soya milk in coffee

[bobbsy]

The Horniman market thread made me think to post this.

Lactose intolerant, so need a lactose free milk when I buy a latte/flat white etc. Normally that's soya milk, but could be something else. It winds me up when coffee shops charge a lot extra for soya milk (many don't charge extra at all) on top of already inflated coffee prices. Soya milk is probably about 30-50p more expensive retail than dairy milk for a litre so perhaps a small extra charge is justified. I noticed on the weekend that the cafe in the park opposite the Horniman charge 50p for soya milk as an "extra" !

These places lose a sale to me! Anyone else get wound up by this?

[Lowlander]

I only drink black tea and coffee. Reading this makes me wonder should I get a discount?

Certainly a few years ago hardly anyone asked for soya milk, so coffee shops had to throw surplus out after a few days, hence the premium.

50p is a bit high I agree.

[Angelina]

they probably don't get bulk discounts.

I completely agree it's wrong - they should be promoting alternatives to milk for a number of reasons.

I would ask them about it directly and let them know you will forfeit them for their policy.

[dirac]

To me it doesn't make sense as the UHT soy/almond milk last forever and it's not like it's uncommon these days. Also 50p is a massive increase for a splash of milk, when the cost of 'regular' milk is factored into the original price. If they turned round and was like: "it's 50p per litre more than cow milk and there is 1/2 litre in your drink, so that's going to be an extra 25p" or something along those lines, that would be fine; but in most places it just feels like a tax for needing something different, that in this day and age is not uncommon at all.

[rendelharris]

Before soya milk was commonly available in caf?s my (very lactose intolerant) wife used to carry a small bottle (Bodyshop perfume, I think, presumably well rinsed) in her handbag with soya milk in it for use in her tea and coffee - maybe people should start doing that if they're going to be ripped off like this.

Just out of curiosity (I don't really frequent fancy coffee shops), do they charge more for coffee with cow's milk than for the same coffee without?

[bobbsy]

Well, yes. An espresso/americano (black) is cheaper than a "fancy" milk based coffee (cappucino/latte/flat white etc). An americano with milk...i don't think that's normally more expensive but I'm not sure.

[Jeremy]

dirac Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> "it's 50p per litre more than

> cow milk and there is 1/2 litre in your drink, so

> that's going to be an extra 25p"

It's probably more like 200ml in your drink, so an extra 10p. But you have to expect a mark-up on everything in cafes/bars/restaurants, so I can see how that 10p might turn into 30p or so.

[dirac]

Jeremy Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> dirac Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > "it's 50p per litre more than

> > cow milk and there is 1/2 litre in your drink,

> so

> > that's going to be an extra 25p"

>

> It's probably more like 200ml in your drink, so an

> extra 10p. But you have to expect a mark-up on

> everything in cafes/bars/restaurants, so I can see

> how that 10p might turn into 30p or so.

Ah yes, that was just an example per se. 1/2 a litre is almost a pint! So that would have to be a very large coffee haha.

[titch juicy]

Lowlander Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I only drink black tea and coffee. Reading this

> makes me wonder should I get a discount?

>

You do.

[siousxiesue]

I get really wound up being charged extra for soya, some high street chains don't charge more. I will always chose taste/quality first though to be honest.

Best soya/almond coffee is from St.David's Forest Hill

[Angelina]

the Horniman is really expensive anyway......grrrrr

[Saffron]

Yes, the caf? is not cheap, but do the caf? and market support the museum financially? I'm guessing they do, but I don't know in what respect.

The Horniman Museum is a great resource, large parts of which are free, even the Annual Pass scheme is not hugely pricey and is good value for money.

If the novelty of the market has worn off, what other markets are drawing customers locally?

For example the weekly Brockley Market has drawn off customers from the smaller monthly market in Hilly Fields, which supports the park. The Brockley Market does not support the park. I like the Brockley Market, but I buy from Hilly Fields too. I don't quibble the price because I know it supports the park, though I think it too could be better managed to bring in more business.

What to do? Not sure for either Horniman or Hilly Fields, but would not like to lose either over the price coffees or soya milk. xx