SEATTLE - Starting next Tuesday, caffeine addicts will pay an average 9 cents more for a cup of coffee at Starbucks, partly because of the rising price of the milk and whipped cream.

The increase was unexpected, given how infrequently the Seattle chain has raised prices. The last increase, which averaged a nickel, came less than 10 months ago. Before that, Starbucks hadn’t raised prices since an 11-cent increase in 2004.

The company cited rising prices "inside the supply chain," including higher dairy, fuel and energy expenses.

The price increases will vary by region and drink. They apply only to brewed coffee and other beverages that baristas make behind the counter, not to drinks sold in bottles.

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