What Should You Think About While Drinking Coffee?

How much time—and money—should you really spend on coffee? That question crossed my mind when I read about a British woman named Polly Vernon who reportedly spent £20,000 (about 200,000 RMB) on coffee over 12 years, from 2000 to 2012. That’s not just habitual sipping; that’s a serious investment in caffeine. But more than the cost, I wondered: how much of her day went into those cups? And was it worth it?

The short answer? There’s no universal rule—but if you drank coffee daily like Polly did over those 12 years, you’re likely talking hundreds of hours just brewing, sipping, and thinking. Whether that time is ‘wasted’ or well-spent depends on your goals, mindset, and how you pair coffee with the rest of your life.

The £20,000 Coffee Question

Polly Vernon’s coffee habit became a minor headline: over a dozen years, she spent £20,000 on coffee. That works out to roughly £1,667 per year, or about £4.56 per day. Assuming a typical cup costs around £2–£3, that’s at least one coffee a day—often more. But the real question isn’t the price tag; it’s the time. How many hours were spent choosing cafés, waiting in lines, or simply sitting with a cup? For many, that time is part of a daily ritual, not a waste.

The ‘Work While You Drink’ Myth

Growing up, I often heard the saying attributed to Lu Xun: “Geniuses are just people who use the time others spend drinking coffee to work.” That mindset pushed me to skip even meals like congee in favour of study time. But reading deeper into Lu Xun’s actual life revealed a different picture. In 1930s Shanghai, he enjoyed movies, dining out with friends, laughing, and yes—drinking coffee. He lived in a villa in Hongkou District, balancing rest and work with striking precision. The famous quote may have been taken out of context.

A better interpretation might come from a clever priest who, when asked if he could smoke while praying, replied: “No, but you can pray while smoking.” By that logic, maybe Lu Xun wasn’t working while drinking coffee—he was thinking about work while enjoying his coffee.

Two Extremes: Coffee vs Career

History offers two stark examples of how people relate coffee to their life priorities. Marcel Duchamp, the French-American artist, painted Nude Descending a Staircase, No. 2 at age 25, earning fame and countless commissions. Yet he turned them down, saying, “No, thanks. I prefer coffee.” For him, the pressure of orders was too much—he chose relaxation over productivity.

Then there’s Honoré de Balzac. A powerhouse writer who produced over 90 novels and novellas in his short life, Balzac believed coffee was essential to his creative output. He famously claimed, “I will die of 30,000 cups of coffee,” and he nearly did—he passed away at 51, with chronic coffee intoxication listed as one cause of death. He used caffeine to fuel his relentless work ethic, essentially drinking coffee as he worked.

So, What’s the Right Approach?

Most of us aren’t Duchamp or Balzac. We don’t have the ability—or need—to either completely detach from work or fuse it with every cup. The tension between “coffee as leisure” and “coffee as fuel” is real, and there’s no single right answer. Whether you sip thoughtfully while pondering life’s big questions or use your coffee break to plan your next move, the key is intentionality. Your coffee time can be whatever you need it to be.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much did Polly Vernon reportedly spend on coffee over 12 years?

Polly Vernon reportedly spent £20,000 (approximately 200,000 RMB) on coffee between 2000 and 2012—that’s around £1,667 per year or roughly £4.56 per day, assuming daily consumption.

What was Lu Xun’s real relationship with coffee?

While a famous quote often attributed to Lu Xun suggests using coffee time for work, historical accounts show he enjoyed a balanced lifestyle in 1930s Shanghai that included coffee, movies, family outings, and laughter alongside his work.

Did Marcel Duchamp drink coffee while working?

Marcel Duchamp reportedly turned down lucrative commissions, stating he preferred coffee over work. He chose leisure and personal time over professional obligations, using coffee as part of his downtime.

How did Balzac use coffee in his work routine?

Honoré de Balzac consumed large amounts of strong coffee to stay awake and productive, claiming he would die from 30,000 cups. He died at 51, with chronic coffee intoxication as one contributing cause, showing his extreme reliance on coffee for work.

Is there a right way to balance coffee and work?

There’s no single correct approach. Some use coffee for focus and productivity, while others see it as a moment of leisure. The best approach depends on your personal goals and how you want to spend your time.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Relaxation & Focus

Pair your coffee moments with FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui—a bright, juicy Ethiopian single origin with notes of blueberry, bergamot, and honey, perfect for reflective sipping. For a balanced work companion, try the FrontStreet Classic Blend, offering chocolatey sweetness and mild acidity to support long study or work sessions. If you enjoy a richer profile, the FrontStreet Black Cocoa Blend brings dark chocolate and caramel tones ideal for a focused afternoon. All three are expertly roasted to highlight their unique profiles. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.