Tea vs. Coffee

[SamSanuk]

I’ve noticed that a cup of tea is generally 10-20 baht more than coffee in some of the places I frequent. 

 

Is it a function of more coffee drinking, hence a lower price? Cheaper for beans? 

 

One shop buys Twinnings from the store, and makes a nice profit from individual sales.

 

Just curious....

[FolkGuitar]

Here are some figures, all taken as 'average US mid-west' based on USFDA charts.

1 lb tea - $100.00  -  makes 200 cups approx.

1 lb coffee - $5.00 -  makes 48 cups approx.

[SamSanuk]

1 hour ago, FolkGuitar said:

Here are some figures, all taken as 'average US mid-west' based on USFDA charts.

1 lb tea - $100.00  -  makes 200 cups approx.

1 lb coffee - $5.00 -  makes 48 cups approx.

.50 to brew a cup of tea

vs.

.10 for a cup of coffee

 

Thanks for the info.

[OneMoreFarang]

It seems often prices for beverages are just made up according to some idea how much people would pay in that location and venue. It has little to do with the cost of the products. It's like a glass of coke for 90 or 120B or whatever.

 

[BritManToo]

5 hours ago, SamSanuk said:

Is it a function of more coffee drinking, hence a lower price? Cheaper for beans? 

Tea bags are 175bht for 100, and you can use each bag twice. 1bht/drink

3 in 1 coffee is 3bht/packet

 

So coffee should be 3x the price of tea.

 

[vinegarbase]

It's much cheaper and better if you just buy fresh quality loose leaf tea from China here. $40 lb. or so depending on the type and grade. 

[SamSanuk]

33 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Tea bags are 175bht for 100, and you can use each bag twice. 1bht/drink

3 in 1 coffee is 3bht/packet

 

So coffee should be 3x the price of tea.

 

That’s what I thought....Tea is usually cheaper than Coffee back in the States. 

 

 

[sanemax]

11 minutes ago, SamSanuk said:

That’s what I thought....Tea is usually cheaper than Coffee back in the States. 

 

 

We are talking about here in Thailand though .

[FolkGuitar]

16 hours ago, SamSanuk said:

.50 to brew a cup of tea

vs.

.10 for a cup of coffee

 

Thanks for the info.

 

But... the cost of production, per pound, is the real kicker..

Coffee averages $1.33 USD per pound to produce.

Tea averages $1.27 USD to produce.

The retail pricing on both has little to do with the cost of production.

In fact, one connoisseur paid $28,000 USD for just 20g of Da Hong Pao tea. 

Perhaps the world is still trying to recoup losses from the 'Boston Tea Party,' in which 46 tons of tea were dumped into Boston Harbor.

[cmsally]

Twinings is expensive . I seem to remember a couple of hundred baht for 25 sachets. 

The quality of tea (Indian) has dropped drastically although brand name is the same. The most palatable and best value is the Tesco brand at Lotus. About 100 baht for a pack of 50

lipton and dilmah both taste as though they have been made out of leftover tea bits swept off the floor.

 

[atyclb]

this is great tea from ceylon(sri lanka)  free shipping

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sri-Lanka-Ceylon-Steuarts-BOPF-Black-Tea-FREE-SHIPPING-/291752777772

 

can get about 51 cups with this one

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Zesta-Masala-Chai-Leaf-Tea-Ceylon-Black-Tea-100g-Free-Shipping/122865706739?hash=item1c9b5de6f3:g:-BIAAOSwyYFaNjOO:rk:5:pf:0

Edited December 10, 2018 by atyclb

[owl sees all]

9 hours ago, ChakaKhan said:

I use one tea bag and make a pot with it....as I dont drink it too strong   I never drink coffee....teatime!!!!

 

1

I think this is a throwback to England in the 1950s.

 

My grandma would keep a pot on the go all day. Every now and again putting in a spoonful of tea. At the end of the day, the tea was strong. Next morning the tea grouts would be chucked out and fresh put in.

 

Of course, tea-bags had not yet been invented then. In fact, the first time I ever came across a tea-bag was in Germany in 1975 (July) and we English thought it funny that the Germans couldn't get their heads around loose tea.

 

But returning to the quoted post: could you be more specific on "make a pot". What tea-bag do you use ChakaKhan, and how many CM3 is the pot (roughly), how long do you leave the bag in and do you use sugar (white, brown or black) or honey or even molasses. Do you even sweeten it at all? Have you ever tried putting the bag in cold water and boiling it up that way? Is the pot porcelain or metal or glass even.

 

When I left home and made my way in the world I stayed at digs up north. For brekkies they did porage,,,,, but put in salt!!! I kik you not. Absolutely horrid. Can still taste that first mouthful.

 

What about adding ginger in your tea; or ginseng? I find that a cuppa with added ginger or/and ginseng (once in the evening) works wonders in the love department.

Edited December 10, 2018 by owl sees all

[connda]

Imho, tea is one hell of a racket.  Wayyyyy overpriced.

[FolkGuitar]

1 hour ago, cmsally said:

 About 100 baht for a pack of 50

lipton and dilmah both taste as though they have been made out of leftover tea bits swept off the floor.

 

 

The tea that is used for tea bags IS at the lowest level of tea, called 'fannings.'  This is why real tea connoisseurs always request loose-leaf tea. The depth of flavor is severely lacking. If you were to buy Twinings 'English Breakfast' tea as loose-leaf, and buy it as already bagged, and tasted the two side by side, you'd never want to buy their tea bags again. This is true of 90% of the branded teas. That said, there ARE a couple of companies that do not use Fannings in their tea bags; 'Jackson of Picadilly,' 'Taylors of Harrogate,' and 'Yorkshire' being the three most well known.

For convenience sake, may people will buy loose-leaf tea, and bag their own, using packages of empty tea bags bought in Japanese and Chinese markets. Here in Chiang Mai, you can purchase empty tea bags at any of the 'Daiso' stores  (Nim City, Airport Plaza, Central Festival, etc.) While not a good as a large infuser (some say the small bags inhibit free flow of water around the leaves which is why fannings are used in commercial bagged tea,) they are certainly convenient!

 

 

1 hour ago, owl sees all said:

Of course, tea-bags had not yet been invented then. In fact, the first time I ever came across a tea-bag was in Germany in 1975 (July) and we English thought it funny that the Germans couldn't get their heads around loose tea.

 

With all due respect, tea bags first hit the scene around the turn of the 20th century. Here is more than you ever wanted to know about tea bags....

A tea importer named Thomas Sullivan created the first ones out of silk, to use as samples to give to his customers. Patents for tea bags began showing up in 1903. William Hermanson invented heat-sealed paper tea bags and sold his patent to the Salada Tea Company in 1930.

In 1944, the typical shape of the tea bag was revised from the 'sack' style of bag to the currently common rectangular style of tea bag. In 1952, Lipton Tea company patented the so-called "flo-thru" bag, which has four sides instead of two and which was intended for those who were brewing in mugs rather than small teacups.

 

One final note... For those who really appreciate fine tea, the English Breakfast tea sold a 'Viang Joom On' tea shop on Charoenrat Rd. has some of the best I've tasted. They have quite a large variety of teas, especially 'flavored teas which I don't care for, but their straight teas, although quite expensive, are worth the price!

[Nyezhov]

I bought some Pu'er in a small shop near Yaowarat road. Fabulous!

 

Did you know Zeks used to get high off tea in the Gulag?

[owl sees all]

27 minutes ago, FolkGuitar said:

With all due respect, tea bags first hit the scene around the turn of the 20th century. Here is more than you ever wanted to know about tea bags....

A tea importer named Thomas Sullivan created the first ones out of silk, to use as samples to give to his customers. Patents for tea bags began showing up in 1903. William Hermanson invented heat-sealed paper tea bags and sold his patent to the Salada Tea Company in 1930.

In 1944, the typical shape of the tea bag was revised from the 'sack' style of bag to the currently common rectangular style of tea bag. In 1952, Lipton Tea company patented the so-called "flo-thru" bag, which has four sides instead of two and which was intended for those who were brewing in mugs rather than small teacups.

Thanks for that FolkGuitar.

 

You obviously know your stuff FG. I should have not used the word 'invented'. Just shows my ignorance. But, as I said, I never saw a tea-bag until the summer of 1975 in Germany.

 

In our family, it was one for each plus one for the pot. Although grandma did it her own way.

[fak119]

21 hours ago, FolkGuitar said:

Here are some figures, all taken as 'average US mid-west' based on USFDA charts.

1 lb tea - $100.00  -  makes 200 cups approx.

1 lb coffee - $5.00 -  makes 48 cups approx.

Now post the same in Thai Baht, would make more sense

[fak119]

19 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Tea bags are 175bht for 100, and you can use each bag twice. 1bht/drink

3 in 1 coffee is 3bht/packet

 

So coffee should be 3x the price of tea.

 

Use each teabag twice? Eeeek

[BritManToo]

13 minutes ago, fak119 said:

Use each teabag twice? Eeeek

Why not?

I use the same mug and spoon, along with the same lips and teeth.

Edited December 10, 2018 by BritManToo

[CanuckThai]

On 12/9/2018 at 10:47 AM, SamSanuk said:

I’ve noticed that a cup of tea is generally 10-20 baht more than coffee in some of the places I frequent. 

 

Is it a function of more coffee drinking, hence a lower price? Cheaper for beans? 

Ladies products and service prices are frequently inflated  (eg: haircuts and clothes).   Tea is...............555

Edited December 10, 2018 by CanuckThai

[Tchooptip]

20 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Tea bags are 175bht for 100, and you can use each bag twice. 1bht/drink

3 in 1 coffee is 3bht/packet

 

So coffee should be 3x the price of tea.

 

 

Tea bags are 175bht for 100, and you can use each bag twice. 1bht/drink

No offence but You are a champion in exaggeration,  

 

 

[Retiredandhappyhere]

21 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Tea bags are 175bht for 100, and you can use each bag twice. 1bht/drink

3 in 1 coffee is 3bht/packet

 

So coffee should be 3x the price of tea.

 

But you are forgetting the cost of the milk and sugar also required for tea in order to make the comparison fair.

[BritManToo]

15 minutes ago, Retiredandhappyhere said:

But you are forgetting the cost of the milk and sugar also required for tea in order to make the comparison fair.

You put milk and sugar in your Tea?

[owl sees all]

22 minutes ago, Retiredandhappyhere said:

But you are forgetting the cost of the milk and sugar also required for tea in order to make the comparison fair.

A great point that Retiredandhappyhere. So easy to forget when doing the comparison maths.

 

There is also the cost of heating up the water. The correct temperature for making coffee is 82c (3 in 1) but the tea requires much hotter water; about 95.

 

Over the years this difference really adds up.

 

Slightly off topic; but only just. Dunking!!?? I NEVER dunk anything into coffee, but buy special biscuits in Big C just to dunk in my tea.   

[FolkGuitar]

2 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Thanks for that FolkGuitar.

 

You obviously know your stuff FG. I should have not used the word 'invented'. Just shows my ignorance. But, as I said, I never saw a tea-bag until the summer of 1975 in Germany.

 

In our family, it was one for each plus one for the pot. Although grandma did it her own way.

 

That is the 'usual' ratio for black teas, although some teas are of a different 'size,' so some care needs be taken. Some teas are sold almost as 'granules' and so need a 'scant' teaspoon of tea, while others are large withered leaves and may require a tablespoon per person... plus one for the pot!  ????

 

2 hours ago, fak119 said:

Now post the same in Thai Baht, would make more sense

Sorry, the currency makes no difference. It's the ratio that is important.

 

2 hours ago, fak119 said:

Use each teabag twice? Eeeek

With high quality teas, double use will show no difference in taste at all.

In fact, with some teas, one throws away the first infusion and only drinks the second and third. A Pu'er tea will normally get 'washed' once if not twice before drinking, and ordinary green teas made by the pot will see the pot refilled three or four times, if not more.

[FolkGuitar]

10 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

There is also the cost of heating up the water. The correct temperature for making coffee is 82c (3 in 1) but the tea requires much hotter water; about 95.

High quality Black teas should be brewed with fresh water that has just boiled, and not allowed to cool before adding to the tea. However, anything above 97° will make a good cup of tea. Generally speaking, letting the boiled water cool for a minute or two before adding will still make a great cup of tea.

 

Oolong teas a best brewed with boiled water that has cooled to between 80°-85°c

 

Green Tea gives its best flavor with boiled water that has cooled to between 75°-80°c

 

Slightly off topic; but only just. Dunking!!?? I NEVER dunk anything into coffee, but buy special biscuits in Big C just to dunk in my tea.

 

It made my eyes bleed to read this...  LOL! 

[VBF]

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Why not?

I use the same mug and spoon, along with the same lips and teeth.

And the same tongue, which, I trust, is firmly in your cheek?   

How can anyone whose name contains "Britman" re-use a tea-bag.....mumble, mumble.....????

[FolkGuitar]

1 hour ago, VBF said:

And the same tongue, which, I trust, is firmly in your cheek?   

How can anyone whose name contains "Britman" re-use a tea-bag.....mumble, mumble.....????

 

As I said before, with high quality teas, double use will show no difference in taste at all.

In fact, with some teas, one throws away the first infusion and only drinks the second and third. A Pu'er tea will normally get 'washed' once if not twice before drinking. However, with some commercially bagged tea, it should be thrown away BEFORE using... if tea is to be appreciated.

[Lokie]

On 12/9/2018 at 7:40 AM, FolkGuitar said:

Here are some figures, all taken as 'average US mid-west' based on USFDA charts.

1 lb tea - $100.00  -  makes 200 cups approx.

1 lb coffee - $5.00 -  makes 48 cups approx.

$100 for 1lb Tea? and thats american rubbish lol, Imagine what a 1lb of 'proper' Yorkshire Tea must cost then?

[FolkGuitar]

28 minutes ago, Lokie said:

$100 for 1lb Tea? and thats american rubbish lol, Imagine what a 1lb of 'proper' Yorkshire Tea must cost then?

 

No need to imagine. Amazon sells Yorkshire tea for £5.25 for 250g. Double that for a bit more than a pound of tea, and at today's currency conversion rates, it's $13.35 for a pound of Yorkshire tea.

Taylors of Harrogate introduced 'Yorkshire' tea in 1886, and it's currently the UK's second most popular tea, just behind PG Tips (which isn't bad, but I think Yorkshire tea is better!)