General · 13 November 2025
Why coffee shops charge extra for oat milk when oat milk is cheaper
This BriefTea explainer looks at why cafés continue adding surcharges for oat milk. Barista-grade oat milk costs more wholesale and spoils faster once opened, creating higher waste and storage demands. Alternative milks also slow barista workflows, requiring separate steaming routines and extra cleaning time. Meanwhile, government subsidies keep dairy prices artificially low, making plant milks seem overpriced. Overall, the extra charge reflects operational costs rather than a simple ingredient comparison.
Reported by BriefTea Explainer · How we write briefs