But that simple comfort is now weighing heavier on the pocket, with hotels, darshinis and petty shops across the city raising tea and coffee prices by ₹3 to ₹5 after the latest milk price revision. A cup of filter coffee or chai at the neighbourhood darshini is far more than a drink for people in Karnataka. It is a morning ritual, a mid-day break or a quick pick-me-up between work and college.
In a press statement issued on October 29, the Bengaluru Hotels Association said the steep rise in milk prices would make it difficult for hotels to absorb the extra cost without revising menu prices. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bengaluru | Silver Rate in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Petrol Price in Bengaluru | Diesel Price in Bengaluru | CNG Price in Bengaluru | LPG Price in Bengaluru Stay updated with the latest Bengaluru news.
“If the increase had been limited to ₹2-3 per litre, there would have been no need to increase the prices of coffee, tea or snacks in hotels,” the association said. “The steep hike will make it necessary to increase the prices of all food and beverages made using milk,” it added. Association president PC Rao says the hike has become a burden on consumers, and hotels are being forced to pass on the additional costs. We are already witnessing irregular supplies of ghee,” he says.
“The prices of milk-based products such as ghee, butter, paneer and cheese could also increase. Download the TOI App.
With milk now costlier by ₹8 a litre and curd by ₹14, eateries are once again passing on the increased costs to customers. A cup of coffee that earlier cost ₹20 now sells for ₹25 at some outlets, making even a routine coffee break a more expensive affair. Now, with a cup costing ₹25, it is getting harder for those of us who rely on several cups a day. But paying ₹25 for a regular cup of coffee no longer seems worth it. Now, it is not just darshinis but even small petty shops that have raised the price of tea and coffee by ₹5.
Photographer and theatre artist Sharath K says the repeated price hikes are making even devoted coffee drinkers think twice about their daily cups. Even a simple coffee break has become an expense we have to think twice about,” he says. Techie Chethan KM says the latest hike could nudge consumers towards cheaper alternatives. It could also be a healthier alternative, depending on how much sugar and milk one consumes,” he says. Engineering student Pavan D says the hike is not limited to darshinis as even neighbourhood petty shops have revised their prices. It is an inconvenience,” he says.
Just a couple of months after tea and coffee prices were raised amid the LPG price hike and gas supply concerns, regular customers are once again feeling the pinch as their daily cuppa gets costlier. Milk price hike sours the cuppa For those whose work stretches beyond regular hours, coffee and tea are often indispensable. “As we work odd hours, especially around events and gigs, coffee and tea are what keep us going. Black coffee over the regular brew? For those living away from their families, darshinis and small eateries are go-to spots for everyday meals and beverages. “I usually have coffee at least twice a day. Since I live away from my family, darshinis are where I end up having most of my meals and beverages. Switching to black coffee or black tea is probably a more convenient and economical option. Exam season, empty pockets Students, who rely on endless cups of tea and coffee to get through assignments, exams and project deadlines, are feeling the pinch too. “During exams, assignments and project submissions, there are days when tea and coffee are almost all we survive on. We end up having several cups just to stay awake and get through the workload. It may seem like a small amount, but when you are a student buying multiple cups every day, it adds up. Costlier milk leaves hotels no option
After the earlier hike this year, we had already begun sharing one cup between two people.