We think beans are magic

COFFEE-OBSESSED Victorians have been named the nation’s biggest latte lovers.

And caffeine addicts are giving their hip pockets a roasting, paying an average $3.75 for small cups of favourite brews.

Data from payment platform Square reveals almost half of Victorian purchases this year were for lattes.

Flat whites and cappuccinos are our next most popular fixes.

Square analysed several million transactions for takeaway and sit-in coffee this year at hundreds of outlets that use its payment technology.

Inclusive of all sizes, Victorians’ average cup spend was $4.09 for a latte; $4.04 for a cappuccino and $3.99 for a flat white.

The research found the average spend differed widely depending on where you buy.

Coffee connoisseurs in North Melbourne splurged an average $4.59 for a latte across all sizes, an area snapshot found, compared with $4 in Geelong and $3.80 in Bendigo.

“The findings vary significantly between the inner suburbs and those further out from metropolitan Melbourne,” Square’s Australian country manager Ben Pfisterer said.

“The higher cost of doing business in the inner city such as increased rent, fit-outs and operational expenses are likely contributors.”

Customers in some suburbs could also favour bigger sizes.

While the traditional latte and flat white remained top choices, tastes were evolving.

“We’ve seen a surge in popularity in new alternatives, such as lattes infused with matcha and chai.”