The most expensive coffees in the world

1. Black Ivory – Exclusive Elephant Coffee

Price per kilo: approx. €2,800

Origin: Anantara Resorts in the Maldives && Thailand

Black Ivory is arguably the most exclusive coffee in the world. To produce just one kilogram, elephants must consume approximately 35 kg of coffee cherries. During their digestion, enzymes break down the proteins in the beans, giving the coffee a delicate, slightly bitter note. The beans are hand-picked from the elephants' dung, sun-dried, and roasted. The aroma is mild, chocolatey, with nutty notes and a hint of red berries. Only about 225 kg are produced annually. Approximately eight percent of the proceeds go to the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp, which provides veterinary care and nutrition for the elephants – a coffee for connoisseurs who appreciate exclusivity and sustainability.

2. Misha Coffee – Coffee made from coati processing

Price per kilo: up to €1,400

Origin: Peru

The coffee cherries are eaten by coatis (Mishashos) and excreted only partially digested. In their stomachs, the beans encounter fruits like pineapple or papaya, whose aromas are subtly reflected in the coffee. After harvesting, the beans are roasted at approximately 220°C to eliminate any residue and bacteria before packaging. Misha coffee is characterized by light fruity notes and mild acidity.

The finished beans are predominantly shipped to the USA, Europe and the United Arab Emirates, making the coffee a rare and exclusive treat.

3. Kopi Luwak – The famous cat coffee

Price per kilo: €800–1,200 (roasted from approx. €230)

Origin: Indonesia

Kopi Luwak, also known as "cat coffee," is among the most famous and expensive coffees in the world. Its name derives from the nocturnal civets, also called civets. Luwaks, which eat the ripe coffee cherries and excrete the beans after digestion.

During the digestive process in the intestines, the beans are exposed to enzymes that alter their chemical structure. This causes the coffee to lose some of its bitterness, but acquires a particularly mild, syrupy, rich, and slightly earthy flavor with notes of chocolate. Furthermore, Kopi Luwak has a lower acidity than conventionally processed coffees.

The high price is due to the elaborate production process and limited availability, but the high demand also has a downside: Many locals have begun capturing wild civets and keeping them in cramped cages to increase production. According to animal welfare organizations, tens of thousands of animals are kept in poor conditions and force-fed. Anyone wanting to try this coffee should therefore make sure to look for certified wild harvesting to avoid animal suffering.

4. Excelsa Coffee – The rare African bean

Price per kilo: approx. €200

Origin: Chad, Central Africa

The Excelsa bean is a true rarity among coffees. It was discovered in 1904 at Lake Chad in Central Africa and is now almost extinct – it accounts for less than 1% of global coffee production.

These robust plants, which can grow up to 20 meters tall, are extremely resilient and thrive even in arid regions. The coffee cherries take an exceptional 12-14 months to ripen, which contributes to their intense flavor.

Excelsa coffee is known for its strong, earthy and slightly bitter character, often with a heavy, smoky note.Because the flavor is quite strong, Excelsa is often mixed with other beans to create more balanced blends – a worthwhile discovery for coffee lovers seeking something extraordinary.

5. Jamaica Blue Mountain – Gentle elegance from the Caribbean

Price per kilo: up to €150

Origin: Blue Mountains, Jamaica

Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee is among the finest Arabica varieties in the world. It grows exclusively in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica, at altitudes between 550 and 1,700 meters.

The region's unique microclimate – High humidity, rising sea breezes, and dense mountain fog mean that very little sunlight reaches the coffee plants. As a result, the coffee cherries ripen significantly more slowly, giving them their uniquely mild, balanced aroma with subtle nuances of sweetness, floral notes, and delicate fruitiness.

Due to the difficult growing conditions and limited cultivation area, Jamaica Blue Mountain is considered a true rarity. Only a small quantity may be exported each year – certified in traditional wooden barrels.

Discover our Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffees.

6. St. Helena Coffee – The historic island coffee

Price per kilo: €150–200

Origin: Island of St. Helena, South Atlantic

The story of this coffee begins in 1733, when the British East India Company brought coffee seeds from the Yemeni port of Mocha to the remote island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic. The volcanic climate and fertile soils proved ideal for cultivation.

St. Helena is best known as the place of exile for Napoleon, who supposedly greatly appreciated the local coffee. Due to the tiny growing area – the island is only 15 km long and 11 km wide – production remains limited to this day.

The coffee is harvested exclusively by hand and processed organically. As early as 1839, it was considered "the best coffee in the world" in London. After a long hiatus, cultivation was resumed in 1994.

In terms of taste, St. Helena coffee impresses with fine hazelnut, chocolate and almond notes and subtle acidity – a mild but complex pleasure.

7. Hawaii Kona – Volcanic Luxury

Price per kilo: approx. €100

Origin: Big Island, Hawaii, USA

Hawaii Kona Coffee grows on the fertile volcanic slopes of the Big Island. The growing region, known as the Kona Coffee Belt, is approximately 30 km long and 3 km wide, and lies between 250 and 850 meters above sea level.

The volcanic soil, combined with a mild, humid climate, offers ideal conditions for the delicate Arabica plants. Harvesting is done exclusively by hand – a labor-intensive process.

The yield is low: only about 3,300 tons are produced annually, compared to millions of tons from Brazil. The price of around €100 per kilogram reflects both its scarcity and the high labor costs in Hawaii.

In terms of taste, Kona coffee is full-bodied and smooth, with notes of chocolate, caramel, cinnamon and berries – a true experience for gourmets.

8. Geisha Coffee – The Queen of Arabicas

Price per kilo: approx. €80

Origin: Panama (originally Ethiopia)

Geisha coffee originally comes from Ethiopia, but was brought to Panama in the 1960s. There it was discovered that the plant develops its full aroma at altitudes above 1,600 meters.

The Geisha plant is delicate and produces fewer fruits than other Arabica varieties.Their rarity and outstanding taste make them a favorite at international auctions – in 2010 a lot of unroasted Geisha beans fetched over €380 per kilogram.

Geisha coffee has an exceptionally aromatic flavor: with notes of bergamot, jasmine, berries, citrus, and mango – almost like a fine tea. Today, it is considered one of the most elegant specialty coffees in the world.