Java-loving New York confronts soaring coffee costsbr br In New York, coffee lovers are seeing prices rise as the cost of beans soars on the world market. In cafes, such as Birch Coffee, managers are struggling to absorb price increases from Brazil and Vietnam. 'We won't be able to buy Brazilian coffee next time,' laments Jeremy Lyman, co-founder of the chain, while some customers now say they reserve their 'ten-dollar lattes' for 'special occasions.