The World's Most Expensive Coffees, Ranked

July 2024 · 6 minute read

Highlights

Wake up and smell the coffee – it's time to spill the beans on the priciest coffees in town. If you believe your morning cuppa is draining your savings, brace yourselves, because these brews will make your wallet feel as light as a feather.

So, what makes these coffees so darn expensive? Well, it all comes down to rarity, flavor, and sometimes even a touch of controversy.

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These beans are sourced from exquisite places, using precise techniques that add an extra touch of sophistication to each sip. Now let's dive into our list of the top ten most expensive coffees, ranked by their price per pound.

10 Hawaiian Kona: $35 A Pound

At number ten we have a bean known Hawaiian Kona. Cultivated in Hawaii's Kona districts, this smooth operator captivates with hints of nuttiness and fruitiness.

Only about 2,500 acres are dedicated to producing this gem, making it quite rare and highly sought after among coffee connoisseurs. Look out for packages labeled "100 percent Kona Coffee" to ensure you're sipping on the real deal.

9 Los Planes: $40 A Pound

Coming in at number nine is El Salvador's Los Planes, which puts itself on the map as on of the top contenders in our list. Grown at an altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level, this family-owned plantation produces award-winning coffees boasting flavors like tangerine, caramel, and brown sugar.

With each sip, it’s like taking a trip to South America – without ever leaving your kitchen.

8 Fazenda Santa Ines: $50 A Pound

Welcome aboard, folks! Our next stop is Brazil, a vibrant land where Fazenda Santa Ines has been perfecting their coffee craft for over a century.

Get ready to embark on an adventure that will tantalize your taste buds and transport you straight into the heart of an exotic rainforest. Hand-picked with love and dried naturally under the sun's warm embrace—these time-honored methods are what give this Brazilian beauty its unparalleled flavor experience (and rather high price tag).

7 Jamaican Blue Mountain: $50 A Pound

Now we find ourselves exploring Jamaica, where Jamaican Blue Mountain grows at elevations over 2,000 meters above sea level. Lauded as one of the world’s most desirable coffees, this mild-bodied wonder boasts nutty undertones, a touch of dark chocolate, and a hint of spice.

Being carefully regulated by the Coffee Industry Board of Jamaica, you can be sure that only the crème de la crème ends up in your cup. This is one brew fit for royalty!

6 Saint Helena: $79 A Pound

Ready for voyage? Get ready to sail away to Saint Helena, a remote island in the South Atlantic Ocean where Napoleon Bonaparte himself introduced this exquisite coffee during his exile.

Getting these precious coffee beans from Saint Helena is no easy task, either; it's like trying to catch a sunbeam with your hands (except more expensive). But when those beans finally arrive, oh boy, prepare for a flavor explosion unlike anything you've ever experienced – it's like taking a sip straight out of the history books!

5 Esmeralda Geisha: $350 A Pound

At number five is Esmeralda Geisha, which hails all the way from Panama and is nothing like any coffee you have ever experienced before. This rare find tastes good enough. to almost forget the astronomical cost per pound.

Just one sip of Esmeralda Geisha will transport you to a place far away where time stays still, and worries, concerns, and anxieties dissolve. Heaven itself presents a chance to dance with you taste buds, so don't miss out on an opportunity to sample Esmeralda Geisha's expensive, pure joy.

4 Black Ivory: $500 A Pound

Next on the list is the famed Black Ivory - a unique brew from Thailand notable for its unusual relationship with elephants. These Arabica beans take quite the journey through an elephant's digestive system before they end up in your coffee grinder.

If you can get past their origins, prepare to have your taste buds blown away once these special beans are washed, roasted, and ground. You'll be left with a smooth and mellow blend that's as satisfying as taking a stroll on velvet clouds – a rare experience that does not come cheap.

3 Kopi Luwak: $600 A Pound

Similar and pricey bean Kopi Luwak (also known as civet coffee) is straight out of Indonesia, and it utilizes a rather peculiar method (involving civet cat dung) for production. Hold onto your hats as we briefly dive into the controversial world of captive furry feline friends.

Ethical concerns around these creatures being kept just for this purpose are ever present, making coffee lovers question if Kopi Luwak is even worth splurging on. If you can push those worries aside, get ready for a wild ride with this rich and earthy coffee that will change your entire concept of good coffee.

All the flavor notes of Kopi Luwak are influenced by a few factors – such as specific beans that are excreted, their source, the processing methods, roasting, aging, and the brewing process. Your experience with this coffee may vary due to these reasons – so if you thought this coffee was not worth the high cost, check out the next coffee on our list for something less divisive.

2 Finca El Injerto: $600 A Pound

Coming in at number two is Finca El Injerto from Guatemala. It is grown at an astonishing altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level, and this floral and sugary delight is made from Pacamara beans that have a unique size and shape.

This drink is very sweet and smooth, and it smells like jasmine (a flower that has a sweet taste). Fans also described strong flavor notes of orange peel and a little bit of peach – delicate flavors perfect for the beginning of the day.

1 Yemen Mocha: $1,000 A Pound

So, what is the most expensive coffee in the world? At the number one spot, we have Yemen Mocha. It is a standout in the world of coffee, with a rich history that stretches all the way back to Yemen in the 15th century.

This bean made its initial daring escape from the Arabian Peninsula, crossing borders and setting off on an incredible journey. It faced more than its fair share of obstacles – war, drought, disease, and even smugglers trying to snatch it up – but these challenges only made it rarer and costlier.

While the world's most expensive coffees each have their own unique backstories and flavor profiles, it's worth noting that a good cup of coffee doesn't have to cost as much as your car payment. Whether you treat yourself to Yemeni Mocha and that smooth Hawaiian Kona (or simply to Starbucks), the world of luxe coffee has options for every palate and every price point.

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