The World's Most Expensive Coffees and Stories
💎 1. Kopi Luwak (Indonesia) - "Golden Coffee"
Price: $100-600 per kilo ($35-100 per cup)
Story: During the Dutch colonial era in the 18th century, local farmers were prohibited from selling coffee beans. But they discovered seeds they had collected from the feces of an animal called luwak (palm civet).
Production Process: Luwaks choose only the most mature and quality coffee fruits. The digestive system changes the protein structure of the seeds with acids and creates a soft, little bitter taste profile.
Taste Profile: Caramel, chocolate and light earth notes
Annual Production: Only around 500 kg
Caution: 80% of the products on the market are counterfeit or industrially produced!
🐘 2. Black Ivory Coffee (Thailand) - "Elephant Coffee"
Price: $1,500-2,000 per kilo ($50-80 per cup)
Story: Canadian entrepreneur Blake Dinkin partnered with the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation in Thailand in 2012.
Production Process: Thai Arabica beans are mixed with banana and sugar cane, the elephants' natural food. The 15-30 hour digestion process takes away the bitterness of the beans with stomach acids and enzymes.
Ethical Dimension: 8% of sales donated to elephant conservation foundation
Production Difficulty: only 1 kg of Black Ivory is obtained from 33 kg of coffee fruit
Taste: Very soft, chocolate and caramel notes, no bitterness
🌋 3. Hawaiian Kona Coffee - "Volcanic Flavor"
Price: $50-150 per kilo ($8-15 per cup)
Geography: Hawaii's Big Island only
Price: $100-600 per kilo ($35-100 per cup)
Story: During the Dutch colonial era in the 18th century, local farmers were prohibited from selling coffee beans. But they discovered seeds they had collected from the feces of an animal called luwak (palm civet).
Production Process: Luwaks choose only the most mature and quality coffee fruits. The digestive system changes the protein structure of the seeds with acids and creates a soft, little bitter taste profile.
Taste Profile: Caramel, chocolate and light earth notes
Annual Production: Only around 500 kg
Caution: 80% of the products on the market are counterfeit or industrially produced!
🐘 2. Black Ivory Coffee (Thailand) - "Elephant Coffee"
Price: $1,500-2,000 per kilo ($50-80 per cup)
Story: Canadian entrepreneur Blake Dinkin partnered with the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation in Thailand in 2012.
Production Process: Thai Arabica beans are mixed with banana and sugar cane, the elephants' natural food. The 15-30 hour digestion process takes away the bitterness of the beans with stomach acids and enzymes.
Ethical Dimension: 8% of sales donated to elephant conservation foundation
Production Difficulty: only 1 kg of Black Ivory is obtained from 33 kg of coffee fruit
Taste: Very soft, chocolate and caramel notes, no bitterness
🌋 3. Hawaiian Kona Coffee - "Volcanic Flavor"
Price: $50-150 per kilo ($8-15 per cup)
Geography: Hawaii's Big Island only