Coffee prices on the rise

Steve Matott, head coffee roaster at Cravens Coffee Co., empties a batch of Italian roast coffee beans into the cooling tray at offices in Spokane.

Spokane coffee roasters are losing sleep, and it’s not the caffeine.

Supplies of high-quality Arabica beans are tight. Prices have doubled in the last year.

Last week, Starbucks announced it would raise the price on its packaged coffees an average 12 percent, in line with increases by other major brands.

Simon Thompson, owner of Cravens Coffee Co., said he has raised prices twice in recent months, but the total seven percent boost amounts to less than $1 per pound. Bert Caldwell, SR

Will rising prices make you cut back on your coffee consumption? How much is too much for a cup of coffee?