Fariborz Rangi, general manager of Kahve on St Heliers Bay Rd, said he made about 80 cents profit on each cup of coffee, selling a large flat white for $4.50 - the joint cheapest barista-made coffee of our survey. "We've got a lot of competition in this area. We don't want to be too greedy."
Parnell cafes The Strawberry Alarmclock and Biskit also charged $4.50. Biskit owner Nick Bashoda said $4.50 was the average price of a large flat white in Parnell.
Misters on Wyndham St in the CBD was slightly more expensive at $4.90.
Owner Alex Brayne said Misters' beans were specially roasted by a small boutique roaster and the cafe used fully compostable cups and top-of-the-line Italian machine and grinders.
"We set our prices reflecting that and we think our customers are happy to pay a little extra for quality."
Overall, the cheapest coffee came from McDonald's, at $3.70, but it was from an automated machine and not barista-made.
McDonald's spokeswoman Kim Bartlett said the low price reflected the scale of the business.
" The sheer volume of supplies that we purchase means we can keep the prices down where possible."
At McDonald's McCafe, a large, double shot, barista made flat white would cost $5.40, and a standard sized (355ml) double shot flat white is $4.40.
Coffee expert Tom Handiside, a manager at Italian espresso machine manufacturer La Marzocco, said bigger was not necessarily better. A good flat white shouldn't be more than 200ml, he said.
"The best flat whites come in smaller cups and that's because the coffee and milk blends nicely in a smaller serve."
Mr Handiside said that even if four cafes were supplied with the same coffee at the same price, the cost of a flat white could vary significantly, based on a number of factors.
Extra-large flat whites wouldn't be available at all cafes, and the price of a coffee shouldn't be based on the portion size, he said.
"The price we pay for a flat white in a cafe should be reflective of the quality of the green [unroasted] coffee beans and of the skill and craftsmanship in delivering that cup to you.
"Coffee can range from a few different price points and people will vote with their feet."
Visiting Parnell, Lucy Barr said she paid between $3 and $3.50 for a flat white at home in Raglan.
Yesterday she'd paid $3.80 for a single shot, regular-sized flat white, which she thought was pretty good.
"I'd pay up to $5 for a large, but $6 is excessive."
In St Heliers, students Giverny Forbes and Alex Gardner said they wouldn't pay more than $5 for a coffee or hot chocolate.
"Anything over that is too pricey," Ms Forbes said.
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