Coffee is the second most popular beverage around the world, and at this time of year many of us enjoy it iced. However, some people have noticed they are being charged extra
There is nothing like a good cup of coffee whether you need a boost of energy, are catching up with friends, or enjoy a cup for comfort. After water, it’s the second most consumed drink in the world, and according to some scientific studies, moderate consumption could have beneficial effects on our health. And now, especially in summer, many people like to have theirs iced.
Iced coffee is one of the favourite drinks of millions of Spaniards in summer. In recent months, however, there’s been some controversy as some places appear to have started charging extra for ice. Iced coffees do sometimes come at a different cost to traditional coffee, but one man wasn’t pleased about being charged extra for ice.
The Threads user @juan_sjs indignantly posted a photo of a coffee shop (Cafe Mepiachi) receipt in Gijon, Asturias, And after seeing it, he was gobsmacked at realising there was a supplement of 80 cents for ice.
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The annoyed customer said: “Can someone explain to me if I need to get used to paying for ice separately from the coffee? The nearly 8 euros for 3 coffees is beside the point.”
On the bill, he was charged €5.30 for two Cafe con Leche, €2.45 for one normal coffee, and €0.80 for ice supplement.
“Why should they give you the ice for free?” asked one user. Many have since defended the coffee shop, while just as many have sided with the customer.
One other wrote: “You can say what you like, but I don’t see anything wrong with it; coffee and ice are two different items, the owner of the establishment has to buy both, so both are charged for.
“It’s another matter if they give you ice as a courtesy when you order a soft drink that’s usually served cold, for example, but if you’re specifically asking for ice with a hot product then I understand them charging for it.”
Another said: “They should just put on the menu: iced coffee costs this much and that would end the dilemma.”
According to the menu on the website, there is a 25 cent supplement for ice, and a 20 cent supplement for milk.
One other shared their fury and added: “I think it’s outrageous to charge 40 cents for ice. Madness. I wouldn’t go back. The other day, my mother was charged an extra 50 cents for asking for a bit of hot water to dilute her coffee because it was too strong. I was gobsmacked.”
Another critic said: “20 cents per glass with ice, which can be 1, 2, 3 or whatever the client asks for. If it has melted and the client wants more, you don’t charge him.
“You pay 20 euros for a hamburger, 12 euros for a drink, but you don’t want to pay 20 cents for a service that I’m giving you extra?”.
Is it legal for bars to charge you for ice, water or cutlery?
The Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) clarified whether it was legal for bars and cafés to charge extra for things like ice, water or cutlery in Spain. The organisation has posted an article explaining some of the most common practices that are not allowed.
One practice that is illegal is not having a physical menu or visible price list. But what about things like ice or milk for your coffee? In all these cases, it is illegal as long as it does not appear explicitly on the price list. For example, the menu should indicate the cost of a drink with or without ice if they intend to charge extra for it. In this case, Cafe Mepiachi explicitly says on its website and menu that it charges extra for ice.
Cafe Mepiachi has been approached for comment.
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