A Scottish dairy farm is raising eyebrows with a $344 cup of coffee, which it claims is the most expensive in the United Kingdom.
While the price tag for the flat white—a double shot of espresso topped with steamed milk—may seem exorbitant, the cost includes a share in the Mossgiel Organic Dairy, part of a crowdfunding campaign aimed at expanding the sustainable farming operation.
The promotion is part of a fundraising effort by Bryce Cunningham, owner of Mossgiel Organic Dairy in Mauchline, Scotland, to secure $376,000 from small investors.
Each participant who invests £272 ($344) for 34 shares in the farm receives a certificate redeemable for the premium coffee at one of 13 Scottish coffee shops that use Mossgiel's milk.
"This coffee costs nearly 80 times the price of an average flat white in the U.K.—but it's much more than just a lovely drink," Cunningham said.
Who Serves the UK's Most Expensive Cup of Coffee?
The hefty price tag tops a previous record set by Shot London, a Mayfair coffee shop, which sold a £265 ($331) flat white in 2023 made with rare Okinawan beans from Japan.
According to British newspaper The Telegraph, that cup was the UK's most expensive until now.
Mossgiel Organic Dairy is no stranger to reinvention. After taking over the farm in 2014 following the deaths of his father and grandfather, Cunningham converted the operation to an organic dairy.
The dairy has historical roots—its lands were once farmed by Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet, who worked the land in the late 18th century while penning iconic works like "Auld Lang Syne." Today, Burns' image graces each glass bottle of Mossgiel's milk.
The farm employs an innovative process to "brew" milk, creating a rich, creamy texture akin to raw milk.
"We know it sounds crazy, but when you break it down, it's a pretty good deal. How much is the future of farming worth?" he said.
What Do Mossgiel Investors Get as Part of the Package?
Cunningham hopes the campaign will help secure a $1.13 million loan to double the farm's output and expand by selling produce into London.
Investors also receive perks including farm tours, discounts on milk deliveries, and invitations to special events. However, as with any investment, there are risks.
Those willing to splash the cash are also given a standard warning that they could lose some or all of the money they invest—except for the coffee.
Alternatively, customers looking to simply taste the coffee without the investment package will be able to do so at the much lower price of just under $4.
Local Baristas Say 'Theirs Is the Best'
For coffee shop owners like Todd Whiteford of The Good Coffee Cartel in Glasgow, Mossgiel milk is essential to crafting the perfect cup.
"Theirs is the best. I'll argue with anyone about that," Whiteford said, noting the milk's quality adds a "rounder, smoother, and sweeter" taste to lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites.
Despite the high price, Cunningham believes the coffee offers more than just a caffeine boost.
"They'll have the self-transcendence that coffee is doing greater good than just perhaps buying it otherwise," he said.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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