Have you ever wondered what the world’s most expensive coffee is? You’re on the right track if you think the answer is kopi luwak (cat poop coffee). That is one of the most expensive coffees in the world, but it is not the most expensive. Scroll down to find out what the world’s most expensive coffee variety is.
A Quick Note
Remember that expensive coffee isn’t always good coffee. We promise you don’t need to take out a loan to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee!
If you’re looking for something a little more affordable, check out our list of the best budget coffee brands.
Wondering How To Land A Job in a Coffee Shop? Check Out These 5 Tips!
The World’s Seven Most Expensive Coffees:
Ospina Dynasty ($1,540/pound)
Ospina is a traditional — and expensive — Colombian coffee company. Its origins can be traced back to 1835, and its founder, Don Mariano Ospina Rodriguez, is credited with turning Colombia into one of the world’s largest coffee producers.
Though cheaper varieties can be purchased for around $220 per pound, Ospina’s most expensive coffee, the Dynasty Gran Café Grand Cru Classé Premier Grand Cru (try saying that fast), costs $770 for an 8.8-ounce package. That equates to $1,540 per pound!
Black Ivory Coffee ($1,081/pound)
Elephants “naturally refine” Black Ivory’s Coffee, which is a bit of a euphemism. The elephants are fed Arabica coffee beans by the company. The beans pass through their digestive systems and emerge as elephant poop on the other side. They’re then handpicked, washed, dried, and roasted. As a result, Extremely expensive Thai coffee that is said to be delicate and distinctive.
For 3.7 ounces of elephant poop coffee, Black Ivory charges $250. That equates to $1,081 per pound!
Kopi Luwak ($400/pound)
Kopi Luwak, possibly the most famous and expensive coffee in the world, is another variety made with animals. Companies feed Arabica coffee beans to civet cats to make this expensive Indonesian coffee. According to legend, the beans, like Black Ivory Coffee, pass through the digestive systems of cats, becoming smoother and less bitter.
Because of the mistreatment of civet cats, there is a lot of controversy surrounding this coffee. They are frequently kept in small cages and are only allowed to eat coffee beans, causing nutritional and behavioural problems. We don’t recommend it, but if you must, there are a few brands that may be more ethical. Kopi Luwak from Volcanica costs $400 per pound.
Hacienda Esmeralda Geisha ($120/pound)
Hacienda Esmeralda is a Panamanian coffee estate that grows the Geisha specialty bean. The highest price ever paid for a pound of Geisha coffee beans at auction was $1,029, but that was from another Panamanian farm, Lamastus Family Estates.
Geisha coffee was discovered by accident at Hacienda Esmeralda. The family went to a market and purchased unknown seeds after hearing that they produced disease-resistant coffee plants. In a “Jack and the Beanstalk”-style twist, the Ethiopian seeds yielded an unusual, floral coffee.
Do you want to try the famous beans from Hacienda Esmeralda? A micro-lot assortment of Geisha coffee will set you back $120 per pound.
Jamaican Blue Mountain ($100/pound)
Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee beans, as the name suggests, are grown in a special mountain area on the island of Jamaica. Since the 18th century, this gourmet coffee has been famous. It is in high demand and has its own certification.
A cup of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, which costs around $100 per pound, has a smooth, slightly acidic flavor with herbal, floral, and nutty undertones.
Koa Coffee Kona ($52/pound)
Kona coffee is well-known for its complex, smooth flavor — as well as its high price. Koa Coffee’s Kona beans are grown on Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano. They’re hand-picked, unprocessed, and intensely aromatic and fruity.
What’s the cost of all that flavor? $52/pound, just edging out the previous most expensive coffee.
El Injerto Geisha ($50/pound)
If you want to try Geisha beans at a lower cost, the El Injerto coffee farm in Guatemala might be a good choice. These fruity, floral coffee beans are still among the most expensive in the world, at $50 per pound, but that’s a fraction of what Hacienda Esmeralda charges!
Conclusion
There you have it, the world’s seven most expensive coffees. We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about these unusual and expensive coffee varieties, whether you’re looking for an extra-special bean or just curious about what the other half spends. Do you want to buy the most expensive coffee in the world? Consider the Ospina Dynasty. Prefer expensive coffee that has been consumed by animals? Purchase Black Ivory from elephants or Kopi Luwak from civet cats.
Any of the coffees on this list will set you back a lot of money. While you’re at it, why not invest in a high-end espresso machine?