Most Expensive Coffee Beans in The World That You Can Buy in 2022: Most people don’t think much about what’s going into their morning coffee: happy with a moist, energetic boost to get their busy days going. However, some people are very impatient to taste their favorite coffee with all its complexities.
We take the time to savor every detail of the experience and gradually cultivate an authentic taste to recognize various types of coffee, methods of processing, and preparations. Often coffee enthusiasts go to great lengths to find the best coffee, some are willing to spend a large sum on a life-changing cup! Let’s go take a deep dive into the world’s most expensive coffees.
Top 11 Most Expensive Coffee Beans in the World
1. Finca El Injerto – $500/lb
Finca El Injerto, grown on a family-owned farm established as early as 1874, is an organic blend cultivated in highland areas of Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Since then,n the farm has been run and passed on to the younger generation of farmers who have maintained El Injerto coffee beans’ good qualities.
The farm covers an extensive 447-hectare area. The farmland’s high production is due to the region’s rich organic non-volcanic soil which is ideal for coffee bean cultivation. The soil on the farmland is especially well-drained and periodically checked to ensure that the amount of organic matter required to encourage coffee bean cultivation is preserved. The plantation produces a variety of coffee in both Red Catuai and Bourbon Rojo Arabica.
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Finca El Injerto is one of the costliest and most sought-after coffees in the world. It has a sweet fruity, earthy taste with a hint of chocolate, a smooth but heavy body, and a pleasant aftertaste with a buttery/milky texture. This taste does however depend on the season in which the coffee is produced. This can be attributed all year round to changing climatic conditions, which have an effect on the coffee plantation soil. Often regarded as one of the few premium coffee blends with low acidity, Finca El Injerto is. The fragrance is very good, with a faint sense of bitterness that is reminiscent of brown sugar and honey-roasted peanuts.
Finca El Injerto is also highly praised for its quality across different brewing techniques, meaning that it preserves some of its key features, even though you use various preparation processes such as drip, pour-over, or espresso. However, many observers think it is too essential for such a high price and lacks depth in its flavor.
2. Kopi Luwak – $100-$500/lb
This is maybe one of the most infamous examples of the most expensive coffee in the world. Kopi Luwak’s history can be traced back to the Sumatra region, as well as to Indonesia’s Java, Bali, Sulawesi, and other areas.
In the region, a number of Westerners managed coffee plantations throughout the colonial periods. Locals who served in the farms were not permitted to taste the coffee, as the story goes. Many men, who had been working with coffee for years, had never had the opportunity to sample the drink and some of them just wanted to know what the fuss was about! Some plantation workers found that a local animal, the civet cat, was actually consuming coffee cherries, which would pass only partially digested into the horse’s intestinal tract and then expelled by the civet cats (essentially the “pits” of such cherries). Somebody needs to have tried scooping out these beans and brewing coffee from them. The word quickly spread and because of the flavor the coffee became especially sought after.
While many people often admire Kopi Luwak’s unique taste, many industry insiders consider it as a gimmick, or at best a novelty product, saying the product is more intriguing and appealing because of its storied history than because of its actual flavor. Many people might mistakenly believe that Kopi Luwak is a coffee varietal, but as previously mentioned, it is a specific type of processing. It is so costly in its most conventional form that prices frequently range from $500 to $700 per kilogram.
3. Jamaica Blue Mountain – $60-$90/lb
Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee can be traced back to 1728 when production commenced in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains area. Coffee typically thrives at moderately high altitudes, and Jamaica’s the Blue Mountains have some special conditions that make the coffee outstanding. The climate is temperate but it still has a lot of moisture. It ensures good soil and excellent drainage, avoiding the pooling of water that would kill the plants. These conditions are exactly perfect for coffee makers.
Because of its perceived lack of bitterness, and its mild, slightly fruity taste, Jamaica Blue Mountain has been highly sought after. JBM is especially prevalent in Japan-nearly 80 percent of Blue Mountain Coffee exports end up on the Japanese market. What makes JBM even more remarkable is that it is a highly regulated product with a protected certification mark, ensuring that only certified coffee from local Blue Mountain producers is able to advertise its product as authentic Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee. This product’s packaging also bears a unique label that confirms its authenticity.
4. Los Planes Coffee – $40/lb
This little bean bag sets you back $40 per pound. While that may seem a bit steep, this coffee is worth it. Los Planes Coffee goes a step further on “single-origin,” planting all the beans in a single farm in El Salvador. This is otherwise known as ‘single-state’ in the coffee industry. Due to its highly unique flavor profile, single-state coffee is increasingly sought-after by coffee connoisseurs. The way coffee tastes smell and sounds affect so many different things. Growing coffee on a single farm allows for quick identification of a specific coffee crop’s distinctive flavor and body.
For its rich butterscotch flavor and refreshing tangerine twist, the Los Planes coffee is well-loved around the world. A medium body characterizes it with acidity and obvious sweetness similar to the lemon. Yet unlike many acidic coffees, the sugar delicately matches the flavor of the Los Planes coffee. The cup also contains a touch of milk chocolate and nuttiness. The coffee finish has a shortbread cookie vibe with some spice notes to the baking. As the coffee approaches room temperature, you can taste a little mango or pineapple-the the finish and aftertaste have tropical notes. In a nutshell, the coffee is well balanced, and all the favors blend seamlessly to create a pleasant cup.
5. Black Ivory Coffee – $1100/lb
Black Ivory Coffee has something in common with Kopi Luwak- similar to how Civet cats digest Kopi Luwak, Black Ivory beans have a fascinating journey. But, if you have a weak stomach I would recommend you skip this one! All of this starts in Northern Thailand. Elephants eat and digest Arabica coffee berries. Depending on their choice,e the cherries are combined with the animal’s favorite food such as tamarind, banana, or rice. The animals’ digestion cycles, which take up to 72 hours, split the beans’ protein-giving them a unique and robust flavor profile. Such berries are then picked from and expertly roasted with elephant excrement.
Yet how exactly does an elephant that digests coffee beans boost coffee’s taste profile? According to a report by Dr. Marcone of the University of Guelph, denaturing the proteins during digestion induces a decrease in bitterness. Furthermore, fermentation in the stomach of the elephant helps to extract the fruit from the coffee bean.
6. HR-61 Hacienda El Roble – $120/lb
This mysterious and enigmatic variety of coffee might end up costing more than $100 per pound. This substantial price tag explains that the beans have a low annual supply: only 22 kilograms are harvested annually. All 22 kilograms come from a small range of plants in Colombia’s heart, on a single farm. Just like Los Planes Coffee (discussed above), this coffee is “single-state,” but the HR-61 ‘s amazing tale doesn’t just end there. In fact, the clue to its secret is in the name and it’s a fascinating story.
Oswaldo Acevedo, a coffee maker, planted a number of various plants on his estate. He quickly discovered that one of the plants was not a varietal geisha like he suspected at first. This has become unclassifiable, instead. Oswaldo came across a new coffee plant! He named the coffee HR-61, after the particular lot on which the plant was grown, and Hacienda ElRoble’s farm name.
7. Ospina Dynasty Gran Caf̩ Premier Grand Cru Р$150-$750/lb
Such coffee beans have a vivid and fascinating history. The business was founded in 1835 by the two Ospina brothers, who reportedly escaped from prison. Together, the brothers established the Ospina coffee farm and it gradually developed into the very first large-scale commercial coffee growing business.
Today the Ospina family and three former Colombian presidents are all active. Over time, this coffee brand has become one of the world’s most luxurious and searched-for coffee products. Ospina Dynasty Gran Café Premier Grand Cru coffee is the collective achievement of lush land and coffee lovers from five generations.
8. Hacienda La Esmeralda – $100/lb
Hacienda La Esmeralda’s delicious coffee beans are ‘single-state’ and cultivated in Panama’s lush Boquete region. Beneath the guava trees’ natural colors, the berries are grown on heirloom Geisha trees 1,500 m above sea level. These beans have gone through a lot of care and attention to grow!
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What makes a coffee stand out from this? The Hacienda La Esmeralda comes from the Geisha coffee varietal aside from being “single-state.” Much like apples, coffee cherries come in various sizes and shapes. The Geisha or Gesha coffee variety is among the most sought after and is known to be the most flavorful.
9. El Morito Pandora de Fatima – $44/lb
The amazing coffee is grown at altitudes between 1,400 and 2,000 m above sea level in Mataquescuintla, Guatemala. The coffee was produced by Mr. Jose Roberto Monterroso, a world-renowned manufacturer. It’s not quite as expensive as others in this list, but it still comes in at $44 per pound, which is pretty much more than the market average coffee bean!
This coffee has a variety of accolades to its name and in most countries around the world, it is actually impossible to buy. This is because buyers in Japan and Taiwan, who purchase a significant amount of the crop each season, are primarily auctioned too.
10. St. Helena Coffee – $145+/lb
A certain type of coffee plant flourishes on a small island in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean. The initial seeds came from Africa’s Yemen, brought over by an industrious person in 1733 who decided to extend the range of green-tipped Bourbon coffee plants. Today, hundreds of years later, St. Helena’s coffee is a favorite of the nation. It’s also gained a spotlight at Starbucks, one of America’s most popular coffee stores.
Why did this island grow to take over the taste buds of beer drinkers from around the globe? St. Helena coffee’s story involves prominent historical figures, a near-miss with the collapse of industry, and honors around the world. The most important details about this unique coffee, in the end, come from the people who enjoy a cup and give their glowing reviews.
11. Fazenda Santa Ines – $50/lb
That coffee’s highlight is its fruity and sweet flavor. It is grown near the base of the Brazilian Mantiquera Range, and its production dates back over a hundred years. A huge number of people around the world patronize this important coffee. They’re drawn to this mad beverage as its ingredients include different delicious fruits.
Most Expensive Coffee Beans 2022: Verdict
Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed this peek at some of the most popular and famous coffee styles in the world- yet there’s so much more to discover! Whether you’re looking for a new experience or a one-of-a-kind taste for coffee, the hunt for the perfect cup is on. Coffee is actually a thing of passion and these brands can take your passion to the next level.
