Top 10 Most Expensive Coffee Brands in the World

Kopi Luwak, also known as civet coffee, is a unique coffee made from beans that have been partially digested and excreted by the Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus). The coffee cherries undergo fermentation as they pass through the civet’s digestive tract, and after being excreted, they are collected along with other waste. The Asian civet is increasingly hunted and traded for this purpose. Despite being one of the most expensive coffee brands in the world, with retail prices reaching $1,300 per kg for naturally harvested beans, Kopi Luwak is highly sought after.

Kopi Luwak is primarily produced on the Indonesian islands of Sumatra, Java, Bali, and Sulawesi, and in East Timor. It is also widely harvested in the forests or farmed on the Philippines' islands, where it is known as kape moti in the Cordillera region, kape alamid in Tagalog, kape melô or kape musang in Mindanao, and kanawa kubing in the Sulu Archipelago. The English term 'civet coffee' is a loose translation of the Vietnamese 'cà phê chồn'. Coffee producers argue that the process can enhance the flavor through two mechanisms: the civet selects only certain coffee cherries to eat, and the biological or chemical processes in the animal’s digestive tract alter the composition of the coffee beans.

Price: $160 per pound

The St. Helena Coffee is renowned among coffee connoisseurs worldwide for its exceptional quality and uniqueness. What sets this coffee apart is not just its pure Arabica origins but the rare Green Tipped Bourbon Arabica beans. These beans are delicate and refined, requiring careful attention during harvesting, wet processing, and roasting to preserve their remarkable qualities for true coffee enthusiasts to enjoy.

Currently, The St. Helena coffee is primarily produced in the historic Bamboo Hedge coffee plantation, collectively known as Sandy Bay Estates. Only organic fertilizers are used in its cultivation, ensuring a natural and pure product. Animal manure is avoided, as it may contain inorganic substances from animal feed or veterinary treatments. The coffee is wet-processed using crystal-clear spring water flowing from the island's peaks, down the Central Ridge.

Price: $79 per pound

Hawaii is one of the few U.S. states that produce coffee, making it an important economic industry, with coffee being the second-largest crop grown there. The coffee harvest for the 2019-2020 season in Hawaii was valued at $102.91 million. Molokai Coffee refers to the legally protected geographical indication of coffee grown on Molokai Island in Maui County, Hawaii, and processed according to specific standards defined by law. Like Kona coffee, Molokai coffee is a trademarked product with a specific origin and established quality.

To be legally labeled as "Molokai Coffee", it must be grown within the Molokai region and meet the minimum requirements to be classified as "Molokai Prime" green coffee. These standards not only govern its origin and quality but also its labeling design and the arrangement on the packaging. The raw coffee beans must be free from sour, fermented, moldy, medicinal, or any other undesirable odors and flavors when brewed. Molokai coffee is one of the most expensive coffee brands in the world.

Price: $51 per pound

Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee, also known as Jamaica's Blue Mountain coffee, is grown in the lush Blue Mountains of Jamaica. The coffee was introduced to Jamaica in 1728. Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is a variety of Arabica coffee that originated from southwestern Ethiopia. The best Blue Mountain coffees are known for their smooth flavor, lacking any bitterness. Over the last few decades, this coffee has gained such a reputation that it is now one of the most expensive and sought-after coffees worldwide. More than 80% of Jamaica’s Blue Mountain coffee is exported to Japan. In addition to its use in brewing coffee, the beans are also used to flavor the coffee liqueur Tia Maria.

Traditionally, only coffee grown at elevations ranging from 910 meters to 1,700 meters is classified as Jamaica Blue Mountain. Jamaica Blue Mountain is a globally protected certification, meaning that only coffee certified by the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (formerly the Jamaica Coffee Industry Board) may carry this label. It comes from a recognized growing region in Jamaica’s Blue Mountain area, and its cultivation is monitored by the Jamaica Coffee Industry Board.

Price: $50 per pound

Fazenda Santa Ines is a distinguished coffee brand known for its golden beans and all-natural processing method, where the beans are completely dried while still inside their cherry skins. This process imparts subtle fruity notes into the beans. The terrain at Fazenda Santa Ines requires that all coffee cherries be harvested by hand, with cherries collected on tarps to prevent contamination and maintain quality. This attention to detail is what makes Fazenda Santa Ines one of the most sought-after and expensive coffee brands today.

Produced on the famous Fazenda Santa Ines farm, the coffee is processed using the natural or “honey” method. This involves removing the coffee pulp immediately after harvesting, and the beans are dried with all or part of the sweet mucilage still attached. Fazenda Santa Ines coffee is known for its sweet, bright flavor with hints of citrus and cloves. It has a delicate body and a complex, layered flavor profile. With an aromatic, chocolatey taste, this coffee offers a creamy mouthfeel and a lingering, sweet finish.

Price: $50 per pound

Los Planes Coffee is grown in the highlands of Chalatenango, El Salvador. This award-winning coffee is cultivated on the private farm of Sergio Ticas. Produced from Pacamara variety trees at an altitude of around 5,300 feet by farmer Sergio Edmundo Ticas Reyes, its flavor profile is rich and often features a unique blend of fruity, chocolate, and spicy notes. Finca Los Planes placed second in the 2006 Cup of Excellence awards and continued to impress, ranking sixth in 2011.

This delicate, low-density coffee poses a significant challenge during the roasting process, as it cannot be roasted dark without compromising its quality. It requires skilled craftsmanship to get the best flavor. A pound of this family-grown coffee will set you back $40, but coffee aficionados are willing to pay for its exceptional taste. While El Salvador is known for producing high-quality Arabica Bourbon coffee, in recent years it has gained fame for growing the smaller Pacamara variety, a hybrid of the large Maragogype and the native Pacas.

Price: $40 per pound

Kona Coffee is a brand of Coffea arabica coffee grown on the slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa mountains in both North and South Kona Districts on the Big Island of Hawaii. Known as one of the most expensive coffees in the world, only coffee from the Kona District can be labeled as "Kona." The unique weather pattern, characterized by sunny mornings, cloudy afternoons, rainy evenings, mild nights, along with volcanic, mineral-rich soil, creates the perfect environment for coffee cultivation.

Kona Coffee Beans are classified by law. Type I beans consist of two beans per cherry, flat on one side and oval on the other, while Type II beans contain a single round bean per cherry, also known as peaberry. The classification of these beans further depends on factors such as size, moisture content, and purity. Due to the rarity and high cost of Kona coffee, some retailers offer "Kona Blends." These are not blends of different Kona varieties but a mix of Kona coffee with beans from Colombia, Brazil, or other foreign origins, often containing only 10% Kona and 90% cheaper imported beans.

Price: $35 per pound

Black Ivory Coffee is a premium coffee brand produced by Black Ivory Coffee Company in northern Thailand. This unique coffee is made from Arabica beans that are consumed by elephants and then collected from their waste. The flavor of Black Ivory coffee is influenced by the digestive enzymes of the elephants, which break down the proteins in the coffee. The company also claims to rescue elephants from the abuse associated with commercial tourism. Eight percent of Black Ivory Coffee's sales are donated to the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, which funds the elephants' healthcare. Black Ivory Coffee is one of the most expensive coffees in the world, priced at over $1,000 per pound.

The company sells Black Ivory coffee to luxury hotels at $50 per cup, and it is also available for purchase online. The availability of Black Ivory coffee depends on the availability of coffee cherries, the elephants' appetite, and the amount of beans damaged during the chewing process. The high price is largely due to the large quantity of raw coffee cherries needed to produce the finished product—33 kilograms of cherries are required to produce just one kilogram of finished coffee.

Price: from $1,000 per pound

Finca El Injerto is a legendary Guatemalan coffee farm that has repeatedly won the prestigious Cup of Excellence. Located in the Huehuetenango Highlands, near the famous Sierra de los Cuchumatan, the farm stretches from an altitude of 1,500 to 2,000 meters above sea level, with an average temperature ranging from 18 to 22°C. This environment provides the perfect conditions for growing the rarest and most refined coffee varieties. Although El Injerto lacks volcanic, mineral-rich soil, it still creates some of the best microclimates for producing Specialty Coffee, making it one of the world’s most expensive coffees.

Owned and operated by the Aguirre family since 1874, Finca El Injerto has built a true coffee legacy and is considered one of the best coffee brands in Guatemala, ranking among the top five coffees in the world. The farm is also one of the first Carbon Neutral certified coffee farms in Guatemala and globally. Around 90% of Finca El Injerto’s production is marketed and sold internationally, with significant demand in the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Iceland, Canada, and Taiwan.

Price: from $500 per pound

Produced by the Peterson family, third-generation coffee growers and owners of Hacienda La Esmeralda, located in the Chiriqui province of the Boquete region in Panama, this highly acclaimed Geisha Arabica coffee has earned global recognition. Hacienda La Esmeralda has been praised by numerous critics and associations, solidifying its place as the most renowned Geisha coffee in the world. It even won the prestigious Panama Cup of Excellence!

Grown at an average altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level, Hacienda La Esmeralda coffee is sourced from three distinct farms: Canas Verdes, Jaramillo, and El Velo. Each batch follows a strict process, similar to other premium coffees, ensuring the highest quality. The drying process combines traditional patio drying with electric-powered Guardiola dryers, resulting in one of the most expensive and sought-after coffees globally. Hacienda La Esmeralda is often sold for up to $350 per pound, with the price typically reflecting its premium packaging.

Price: $350 per pound