LONDON — A substantial investment is being made for a seemingly ordinary cup of coffee, but the proprietor assures that it won’t leave patrons disappointed, especially since it includes a share in a dairy farm.

Mossgiel Organic Dairy, based in Scotland, is promoting what it claims to be the most expensive coffee in the U.K., priced at 272 British pounds (approximately $344) for a flat white. This drink comprises a double shot of espresso, topped with steamed milk and an intricate foam art design.

Purchasing this pricey cup is actually part of a broader initiative linked to a crowdfunding campaign aimed at expanding the dairy’s sustainable operations and increasing milk production. Investors who acquire 34 shares in the farm receive a certificate for a flat white, redeemable at any time starting this weekend at one of the 13 Scottish coffee shops using Mossgiel’s milk.

“It costs nearly 80 times the average flat white in the U.K., but it’s far more than just an enjoyable beverage,” remarked Bryce Cunningham, the owner. “It may sound absurd, but when examined closely, it presents an impressive offer. What value do you place on the future of farming?”

This significant price surpasses the previous record of 265 pounds set by Shot London, a café located in the upscale areas of Mayfair and Marylebone, which offered a flat white made using rare beans sourced from Okinawa, Japan.

Prior to this coffee campaign, Cunningham had already secured over a third of the 300,000 pounds he aims to collect from small investors, as he seeks a 900,000-pound loan to double his operations and extend his reach beyond Scotland, including coffee shops in London.

In addition to coffee, shareholders will receive other benefits, such as farm tours, discounted milk deliveries, and invitations to exclusive events. However, investors are cautioned that they risk losing some or all their investments, apart from the coffee itself.

The tenant farm, located in Mauchline about 25 miles south of Glasgow, has historical significance; it was once worked by the renowned 18th-century poet Robert Burns, celebrated for pieces like “Auld Lang Syne.” Burns, who is revered as Scotland’s national poet, spent two years laboring on the fields, and his image appears on every bottle of Mossgiel milk.

Cunningham took charge of the farm in 2014 following the deaths of his father and grandfather due to severe illnesses. The dairy business experienced a downturn in milk prices that same year, prompting him to sell most of the herd and pivot to organic farming. He has developed a unique method to “brew” the milk rather than pasteurize it, enhancing its creamy taste and texture without the associated health hazards of raw milk.

Todd Whiteford, co-owner of The Good Coffee Cartel in Glasgow, which serves these extravagant cups, mentioned that they have been utilizing Mossgiel’s milk for several years. Despite receiving “extravagant offers” from competitors, he asserts that no other milk producers can rival the quality and consistency that yields “rounder, smoother, and sweeter” cappuccinos, lattes, and flat whites, enhancing the coffee art as well.

“Their milk is unmatched. I’d debate anyone on that,” Whiteford stated confidently.

However, customers who invest in a Mossgiel coffee will still receive a cup identical to what other Coffee Cartel patrons enjoy for just 3.10 pounds. Nonetheless, Cunningham assures that there’s a greater purpose behind each luxurious cup.

“They will experience the satisfaction of knowing their coffee purchase contributes to a larger good,” he added.