What is the most expensive coffee in the world?
Being the second most consumed drink in the world, after tea, wherever we go, coffee will always be available on the menus of all bars, restaurants and cafes. In the presentation that we like the most, but for tastes, colors, we will always come across the most ostentatious options. Well yes, we are referring to those grains that, due to their origin and preparation, receive the title of more expensive coffee of the world. Label that specialists may consider somewhat exaggerated.
However, the team of experts Incapto Coffee, highlights that the price does not define the quality of the product. We could say that this would be part of a marketing strategy, because they have always sold us the idea that the more expensive it is, the more it means an excellent purchase. Something that almost never works, and is very common in the coffee industry.
An interesting fact is that most of the most expensive beans are of the Arabica variety. This list usually varies annually or as new crops appear on the market. While other crops are left out of this count, for various reasons.
Where do they come from?
When we refer to more expensive coffee in the world, we are not just talking about one in particular, since there are several who receive this title. In fact, we can find them in Asian and Central American countries, places where it could be said that the most selective crops are located.
That said, we want to share a list of the most exclusive grains and their production process.
- Kopi Luwak
We begin our ranking with one of the most controversial and expensive coffees in the world. Why do we say that? It turns out that drinking a cup of Kopi Luwak can cost about 75 euros ($80) in the US market. As if that were not enough, another of the things that makes it popular is its strange and unappetizing production process, after coming from civet poop.
It is an animal with a long tail similar to that of a monkey, markings on its face like those of a raccoon, and some stripes or spots on its body. We can find it in Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. But the civet diet is not only based on consuming coffee berries. Their food chain also includes insects and small reptiles, as well as fruits such as mango.
Origin
We know that you have that mystery of knowing who the pioneers were. But according to the history we know, it all started a few centuries ago, specifically when Indonesia was a Dutch colony. The new inhabitants suggested the coffee plantation. However, this would not be a benefit for everyone, since indigenous farmers were prohibited from collecting the fruits for their consumption or personal use.
That's when, they decide to pick them straight from the ground. Where the civet used to deposit them practically intact after digesting them.
The evolution of Kopi Luwak Within the industry, it motivated locals to protect the little animal because of its miraculous excrement. This is because the civet's digestive enzymes change the protein structure of the coffee. Something that eliminates the acidity and results in a much smoother drink.
Environmentalists concerned about civets
As we have highlighted, this coffee has managed to position itself, but unfortunately, civets are paying the consequences and in the worst way. It turns out that they are no longer freely within their habitat, as they are now locked in tiny cages and forced to consume coffee berries for an entire month, most of which are defective. This sudden change in their diet has caused nutritional deficiencies and the loss of their fur.
A situation that has set off the alarms of several environmentalists, after considering it as a product based on animal abuse. In fact, the deputy regional director of the NGO Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network (Traffic) to Southeast Asia, Chris Sheperd, commented in an interview for the BBC about his concern about the production of Kopi Luwak and the high mortality rate about this species.
On the other hand, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has gone to several civet farms in the Philippines and Indonesia, where they were able to verify that many of them are in captivity and sick, as well as with signs of infections and stereotypies, after noticing that the animals frequently moved their heads and turned in their small cages.
As a coffee company and faithful promoters of caring for the planet, we reject the industrialization of those products that involve animal abuse. Let's be responsible consumers. You can opt for those that are free of contaminants, natural and without affecting fauna.
A group of scientists from the research unit of the Oxford University, analyzed the living conditions of 50 wild civets. They are kept in cages in 16 crop fields in Bali. The results were really worrying..
For civets, being under these conditions is a real torture for this species. Another discovery focuses on the wire floor, where most of these animals have to live. Standing on this type of metallic materials can cause ulcers and abrasions, making it a constant pain that is difficult to bear.
-Black Ivory Coffee
Apparently animals are a widely used channel when producing coffee. This time it's the elephant's turn, whose diet includes coffee berries. A very popular practice in Thailand, which consists of the animal, after consuming the coffee berries, usually expels them almost completely through the feces. As you will see a process almost similar to that of Kopi Luwak.
Where do they usually sell them? According to what is detailed on its official website, this strange coffee can be found in exclusive five-star hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants around the world, while a small portion is offered on said portal.
1 kg of Black Ivory Coffee It's at 2 thousand dollars. As if that were not enough, they also offer capsules whose prices are between $42 and $240, which undoubtedly makes it the most expensive coffee.
- The Hacienda “La Esmeralda”
The coffees that come from this famous hacienda, located in Panama, are considered one of the most expensive. To give you an idea, the kg would be approximately 200 dollars. What a figure! His Geisha coffee in 2010 was sold at auction 460 grams for the sum of $172.02.
The production process goes as follows: once it is collected, it is weighed and inspected, with this we could rule out possible defective grains. Subsequently, they are subjected to a drying process, which seeks to eliminate the moisture found on the outside, until finally finding the perfect point. Finally, they remove the layer that covers the grain and then it is vacuum packed.
Specialists assure that this is a special way of treating the product. Because, in this way, it would be taken care of and made more delicate, with the aim of making it the most expensive coffee in the world.
- Helena Coffee Company
It comes from the smallest island in Africa, called Saint Helena. The Helena Coffee farmers, being very far away and shipping costs used to be through the roof, decided to paralyze production for a while, until finally in 2011 they managed to reactivate themselves.
But what is a cup of Helena Coffee like? We would be looking at a fine, green coffee, whose aroma is floral, citrus and fruity. But before reaching our palate, it goes through strict quality control. The processing process they use is wet.
What makes it one of the most expensive is due to its production. This represents a challenge for coffee growers, since the island is not big enough. While labor is scarce. That is why its cost is around $79 per kilo.
- The Graft
This is another of the most expensive coffees and comes from Guatemala. It should be noted that the majority of the inhabitants of this beautiful country are dedicated exclusively to the coffee industry. From these fields comes the Injerto, famous for its aroma, perfect roasting and extracted from the best sites to conquer the most demanding palates.
As if that were not enough, these beans provide a wide variety of flavors and nuances, qualities that make a cup of coffee much more vibrant and exquisite. In relation to its price per kg is around 50 dollars.
- Fazenda Santa Inés
As you know, Brazil is one of the largest coffee producers. And it was to be expected that it would market one of the most expensive, which is Fazenda Santa Inés, an unmatched product that is characterized by providing endless benefits, without leaving out its incredible flavor.
Regarding its value, the kg costs about 50 dollars, a price that makes it the most expensive coffee. The majority of Brazilians are dedicated to this trade and are proud to produce one of the most exclusive coffees in the world.
Source
The 5 most expensive coffees in the world
The peculiar origin of the most expensive coffee in the world
