Recently, I’ve noticed an increasing trend by cafes and restaurants to charge more for a speciality tea than a normal black tea. It mystifies me how they think this is justified and I have to wonder if anyone actually pays the premium. Often I’d like a peppermint tea or whatever, but I opt for normal black tea because I don’t like being ripped off. Do they call it speciality tea, rather than herbal tea or fruit tea to try to justify the extra price?
I’d have thought that there isn’t really a cost difference for them, so why do they feel the need to charge more? Presumably, they are just wanting to up their profits, but when it feels like a rip off, it doesn’t leave a good impression of the establishment, does it? Herbal and fruit teas might be a little more expensive to buy than normal black tea, but it’s fairly marginal I’d have thought especially if you buy in bulk. Generally, these teas are basically a tea bag and some hot water. Occasionally, you might get a slice of lemon too, but that is rare. Black tea comes with milk which is an extra cost that herbal teas don’t incur. There’s no extra work involved, in fact probably less as you don’t have to deal with the milk.
I think it’s madness and I won’t pay the premium. I challenge any cafe owner to justify price levels of up to 40p a cup higher than normal black tea.