$344 for a flat white? Meet the UK’s most expensive cup of coffee
A Scottish dairy farmer is selling the UK’s most expensive cup of coffee.
You can buy a flat white from him for a whopping $344. That’s over 80 times the price of a regular cup of coffee in the UK, where a standard flat white typically costs around £3-4 ($4-5).
Why would anyone spend this much on their morning beverage? Well, you’re not just investing in a morning pick-me-up—you’re buying into something much bigger.
He’s selling shares in a crowdfunding Mossgiel Organic Dairy campaign to produce more milk. Owner Bruce Cunningham wants to expand his operation out of Scotland and start selling organic coffee in London. The £270 ($344) flat white comes with a stake in his organic dairy farm, which has been producing award-winning milk since 2017.
What Makes Mossgiel Milk Special?
Mossgiel Farm has a fascinating history—it was once home to Scottish poet Robert Burns in the 1780s. Today, it’s home to Ayrshire cows that are never separated from their calves, an approach that’s both ethical and produces distinctively creamy milk.
The farm delivers milk in glass bottles using electric vehicles, and their organic practices have won them a loyal following among coffee shops and restaurants looking for premium dairy. When steamed for a flat white, the high fat content creates exceptionally silky microfoam.
Perhaps a latte would have been a better choice for this marketing stunt?
It’s a larger drink with more milk. But let’s face it: us coffee snobs prefer a good flat white over a latte, even if it doesn’t last as long. The flat white’s higher coffee-to-milk ratio and velvety texture make it the purist’s choice.
Other Outrageously Expensive Coffees
Cunningham’s $344 flat white isn’t even close to the world’s most expensive coffee. That title goes to coffees like Black Ivory from Thailand, which costs around $500 per pound. These beans pass through elephants’ digestive systems, where enzymes break down proteins and create unique flavors. Kopi Luwak from Indonesia works similarly with civet cats and can cost $100-600 per pound.
Panama Geisha beans from Hacienda La Esmeralda have sold at auction for over $1,000 per pound, prized for their jasmine and bergamot notes. At specialty cafes, a single cup of Geisha can cost $50-100.
High-End Coffee Machines Worth the Investment
His marketing stunt got me thinking about the most expensive coffee machines. This Coffee machine dispenser costs a whopping $20k. Granted, it’s for commercial use, designed to handle high-volume cafes and restaurants.
This Italian machine costs a somewhat more modest $7k. No, I haven’t tried it, and I’ve no plans to review it either. The Jura S8 is also popular in small offices and high-end apartments. My last employer had a few of these. It’s a nice machine with one-touch brewing and automatic milk frothing—perfect for making flat whites at home.
Is Premium Coffee Worth It?
Whether you’re paying $344 for a flat white or $4, the question remains: what makes coffee worth the price? For most of us, it comes down to freshness, quality sourcing, and proper preparation. You don’t need to spend hundreds—a well-made cup from freshly roasted, ethically sourced beans can rival any luxury coffee.
That said, there’s something to admire about Cunningham’s approach. He’s not just selling coffee; he’s selling a story, a stake in sustainable farming, and a connection to the land. For £270, you get a flat white and a tiny piece of a farm that Robert Burns once walked.
If you want to go down the rabbit hole, we’ve also rounded up the most expensive coffee brands here.