Sydney Lohr, Associate Editor 

I’ll be the first to admit that I am a victim of the belief that I need to spend at least $8 on an iced latte. Not because I’m incapable of making coffee myself, but somehow it just tastes better when someone else makes it. Recently, I went to a local coffee shop and bought my usual—a small iced vanilla latte with an extra shot, half sweet, and cold foam—without thinking twice about the price. I finished it in what felt like just thirty seconds, and as soon as it was gone, I had a profound moment of realization: that brief moment of satisfaction cost me eight whole dollars. For something I barely even slowed down to savor and enjoy. It made me start to question why I, like so many other people, treat coffee like a daily necessity that my existence depends on rather than what it really is: a simple drink that we have turned into something much bigger.  

One of the biggest problems with coffee culture is how expensive it has become. What used to be a cheap, everyday pick-me-up has turned into something that people regularly spend $6, $8, or even $10 on without a second thought. The cost adds up quickly, especially for college students who already have tight budgets. Buying coffee has somehow become so normalized that it doesn’t feel like a rewarding treat, but a necessity. When you actually stop and think about how much money goes toward coffee in a week or a month, it starts to feel a little ridiculous. (I got humbled very quickly when I did this…) 

Another issue is how dependent on coffee people have become just to function. It’s common to hear people say they “can’t do anything” without their morning coffee, to the point that cheesy merchandise is being made to promote this idea. At this level of dependency, coffee stops being something enjoyable and begins to feel like a requirement. Instead of coffee serving as an occasional boost of energy, it has turned into something that people rely on to feel normal, highlighting just how ingrained it has become in daily life. 

Finally, coffee has become more than just a drink—it has turned into an entire aesthetic and personality trait. People go on “coffee runs” with the intention to post pictures of their drinks, and build routines around it that feel almost performative. It’s not just about the need for caffeine anymore, but about the experience and the image that comes with it. I’m not saying that there’s anything wrong with enjoying these moments, but it shows how coffee culture has expanded far beyond its original purpose. At some point, it’s less about the coffee and more about trying to look “mysterious” in a local coffee shop. 

All this sums up a simple truth: the problem isn’t coffee on its own, but the culture around it that has gone far past its limits. Spending $8 on a drink you finish in thirty seconds, relying on caffeine just to function, and using coffee as an aesthetic are signs that what was once a simple indulgence has become something excessive. Maybe it’s fine to treat ourselves every now and then, but it’s worth asking why we feel the need to make coffee such a central part of our lives. Oftentimes, the best cup of coffee is the one you make for yourself, one that you slow down your hectic routine to enjoy. Will I stick to this? Probably not. I’ll be back at my local coffee shop tomorrow, $8 in hand, chugging that latte like it’s the most important thing I’ll drink all year. And that’s the ruthless beauty of coffee culture.  

Headline image from GizmosWorldDesigns on Etsy