Cheers to drinking on a budget this summer
To boost festive season spending this year, shoppers could benefit from choosing beverages that provide value for money vs those that eat into one’s pocket.
SOUTH AFRICAN consumers’ pockets have been hit hard this year following increases in excise duties on vehicles, fuel levies and VAT, which saw food and beverage prices going through the roof.
Cutting back on luxury food items has become the norm for South Africans, but with the silly season around the corner and increased pressure to spend on gifts and parties, many are likely to face the season with some trepidation.
A bottle of wine already costs about 30c more per 1 litre, while a 750ml bottle of spirits will set one back an extra R14.89 compared to the same time last year. Beer and ciders (340ml) have also gone up by 14c.
To boost festive season spending this year, shoppers could benefit from choosing beverages that provide value for money vs those that eat into one’s pocket.
Surprisingly, teas – even the flavoured and fruit-infused varieties – have come out tops!
According to Joe Swart, spokesperson for the SA Rooibos Council, tea is the second most highly consumed beverage in the world, after tap water, and is also one of the most affordable beverages on the market.
“Hot drinks, which includes tea, coffee and other speciality drinks, only saw an inflationary increase of 4.8 per cent in comparison to cold drinks that rose by 7 per cent. Tea generally weathers the storm well in tough economic times and due to its low-calorie content also hasn’t been affected by the new Health Promotion Levy or ‘sugar tax’ that has been imposed on cool drinks,” he said.
According to Swart, Rooibos tea, in particular, offers great value for money, given its abundance of antioxidants and other health promoting compounds, which protect against chronic illnesses, such as heart disease and diabetes. Rooibos is naturally sweet and flavourful because it’s low in tannins, which are responsible for the bitter taste in other teas. Even when comparing flavoured Rooibos tea for kids to other kids’ juices, there’s a price saving of as much as R9.30 per serving.
“Rooibos’ flavour-enhancing properties also gives consumers plenty of options in terms of culinary use. Think salad dressings, sauces, braai marinades and desserts or use it to make a refreshing iced tea, party cocktail or evening tipple,” he added.
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