Why Coffee Feels Luxurious in China Compared to the West

Ever wonder why your daily Starbucks habit feels affordable back home but like a splurge in China? While coffee is just another beverage for many around the world, in China it often comes with a side of sticker shock — and that’s not just perception. Foreigners living in China frequently notice the difference.

The short answer: in countries like the UK and Canada, people drink coffee constantly — even multiple times a day — and pay far less for it. In Canada, a $30 Starbucks would cost just CAD 5 (about ¥17), whereas in China that same cup runs ¥30, adding up to ¥900 monthly. For locals abroad, coffee is a routine necessity. In China, it remains a relative luxury.

How Often Do People Really Drink Coffee Abroad?

Take the UK, where coffee isn’t just common — it’s ubiquitous. Longtime expat Zhang Qiang, who lived in London for over a decade, explains: “Everyone drinks coffee, even kids. Some people have ten cups a day. It’s treated like water.” Most British homes have coffee machines, just as Chinese households might have a kettle and tea set. Coffee isn't a treat or an occasional drink — it's a daily staple.

Coffee shops are everywhere: malls, train stations, sidewalks, vending machines, and delivery apps. “If there’s a place that sells drinks, there’s coffee,” Zhang says. And these shops aren’t just for caffeine — they’re social hubs. Whether you’re catching up with a friend or sealing a business deal, the local café is the go-to venue.

What’s Different About Coffee Culture in Canada?

Zhao Na, who spent over ten years in Toronto, paints a similar picture. To her, coffee is as essential as brushing your teeth. “Back in Canada, I drank coffee every day without thinking,” she says. “Here in Harbin, I’ll sometimes put instant coffee in the office, or meet friends at a café — but not daily.”

In Toronto, cafés exude a rich coffee aroma the moment you walk in. That sensory immersion is rare in China, where Zhao notes many cafés still fall short in authenticity or taste. “Some cafés just don’t get it right,” she says. “The coffee doesn’t grab you before you even take a sip.”

Why Is Coffee So Expensive in China?

Price tells much of the story. A standard Starbucks costs about ¥30 in China. Do the math: 30 cups a month equals ¥900. In Canada, that same coffee costs CAD 5 (¥17–18), adding up to just CAD 150 (¥855) per month. “For them, it’s an everyday drink. For us, it’s a luxury,” Zhao says with a laugh.

Even accounting for exchange rates and purchasing power, the gap is huge. Daily coffee drinking abroad is normal because it’s affordable and deeply embedded in the culture. In China, it’s still often seen as a premium experience — a nice-to-have, not a need-to-have.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much coffee do people drink daily in the UK?

Some people in the UK drink more than ten cups of coffee per day, treating it like water. Coffee is a daily staple for most, not a luxury.

Is coffee cheaper in Canada than in China?

Yes — a Starbucks-sized coffee that costs ¥30 in China is only CAD 5 (approx. ¥17–18) in Canada, making it far more affordable to drink daily.

Why don’t Chinese people drink coffee every day like in the West?

Coffee is still relatively expensive in China, and it hasn’t yet become a daily habit for most. Cultural perceptions also treat it more as a luxury or occasional drink rather than a necessity.

Are coffee shops in China as common as in the UK or Canada?

They’re becoming more common, but historically coffee shops in China have been fewer and often seen as novelty spaces rather than daily social or functional venues.

What makes coffee taste different in foreign cafés compared to China?

Longtime residents note that cafés abroad often have a stronger coffee aroma and more authentic brewing, creating an immersive experience that many Chinese cafés still aim to match.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Daily Brewing

For those looking to bring a bit of that everyday coffee culture home, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for a bright, juicy profile with citrus and floral notes, or their Yirgacheffe for a classic light roast with berry and stone fruit brightness. Both shine in pour-over or drip and align with the daily, high-quality coffee routines common abroad. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.