Since its introduction as a beverage, the demand for coffee has continuously increased year by year. The instant coffee market surged to over $36.3 billion in 2020 and shows no signs of slowing down.
Ranking of the Most Expensive Coffees in the World
1. Finca El Injerto Coffee ($15)
Finca El Injerto coffee is grown at an altitude of over 1600 meters above sea level in Guatemala, Central America. This coffee is exclusively supplied by a single farm, located on land that was once a sugarcane plantation. Each cup of this coffee costs $15, and small lots of this coffee are often sold at auctions.
2. Fazenda Santa Inês Coffee ($19)
Fazenda Santa Inês is produced in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, near the Mantiqueira Mountains. Priced at $19, each cup offers a sweet flavor with hints of clove and lemon. The unique terrain and the entirely manual harvesting process ensure the coffee’s quality, making Fazenda Santa Inês one of the most expensive coffees in the world.
3. Molokai Coffee ($25)
Molokai coffee is named after the small island where it was discovered, located in the Hawaiian archipelago. Although it was found in the 1800s, it wasn’t commercialized until the 1980s. This coffee is made from red catuai beans grown in volcanic soil, providing a richer flavor with a higher roast level. Consequently, a cup of Molokai coffee is priced at $25.
4. Black Ivory Coffee ($50)
This coffee, also known as elephant dung coffee, is produced in northern Thailand. About 20 elephants are used to eat and excrete the coffee beans, which are then collected. The enzymes in the elephants’ stomachs remove the proteins in the beans (which cause bitterness), resulting in a unique flavor that is not bitter like regular coffee.
The limited quantity and distinctive flavor make Black Ivory expensive, with each cup costing $50.
5. Hacienda La Esmeralda Coffee ($55)
Hacienda La Esmeralda has won numerous coffee awards over the past two decades and is regarded by coffee lovers as a unique beverage. This coffee is grown in the shade on Baru Mountain in Panama. Due to its captivating rich flavor, each cup of Hacienda La Esmeralda is priced at $65.
6. Elida Geisha 803 Coffee ($75)
Elida Geisha coffee beans carry a sweet, floral flavor. Elida Geisha 803 is an exclusive coffee offered by Klatch Coffee Roasters in California, USA, at an astonishing price of $75 for a small cup in 2019.
Previously, this coffee was introduced at an auction and set a record at $803 per pound (equivalent to 18.7 million VND for 453.5 grams).
7. Kopi Luwak Coffee ($100)
This is the famous civet coffee. The civet cat (or spotted civet) eats coffee cherries, and then their waste is collected by workers. The enzymes in the civet’s stomach alter the coffee beans, removing their natural characteristics, resulting in a more delicate and subtle flavor that is extremely appealing to drinkers. Civet coffee is always considered a luxury beverage, reserved for the wealthy, with a price of up to $100 per cup.
8. Elida Geisha Natural 1029 Coffee ($100)
In 2020, Klatch Coffee Roasters introduced another one of the most expensive coffees in the world, priced at $100 per cup, made from the pricey beans known as Elida Geisha Natural 1029.
This coffee costs $1,029 per pound (equivalent to nearly 24 million VND for 453.5 grams). It is an exclusive coffee with only 1,600 cups sold worldwide, making it one of the most expensive coffees ever produced.
In addition to those mentioned above, there are several other coffee brands known for their high prices, such as Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, Los Planes coffee, and Hawaii Kona coffee. Each cup of coffee is not just for enjoyment; it embodies the essence from various lands and processing methods. For anyone captivated by this enchanting beverage, tasting one of the coffees listed above will be an unforgettable experience.
