5 Most Expensive Coffee Types Found Around the World

Coffee drinkers love their brew, but some cups come with jaw-dropping price tags. So what makes the most expensive coffee in the world so special? From animal-assisted processing to exotic growing regions, the most expensive coffees are prized for their rarity, flavor and the unusual ways they're made.

1. Kopi Luwak (aka Civet Coffee)

Kopi luwak, also known as civet coffee, comes from Southeast Asia and is made using coffee cherries that have been eaten and partially digested by the Asian palm civet.

The beans pass through the animal's digestive process, where enzymes alter the coffee flavor, reducing bitterness and enhancing smooth, earthy notes.

After being excreted, the beans are harvested, cleaned and roasted. A proper diet for the civets is essential for producing superior quality kopi luwak. However, ethical concerns have been raised about the treatment of palm civets, particularly in farmed conditions.

2. Black Ivory Coffee

This coffee comes from Thailand and is processed through elephants. Like kopi luwak, the beans are partially digested, this time by elephants whose gastric juices break down proteins in the coffee beans that contribute to bitterness. The result is a smooth, chocolatey cup with hints of nuttiness and berries.

Only a small amount of black ivory coffee is produced each year, contributing to its high price per pound. The beans are collected from the elephants’ waste, cleaned and prepared through a detailed roasting process.

3. St. Helena Coffee

Grown on a remote island in the South Atlantic, St. Helena coffee is known for its unique flavor and rarity. The island’s volcanic soil and pristine environment provide the perfect conditions, yielding coffee beans with a unique combination of fruity and floral notes, a subtle hint of citrus, and a mild acidity.

Limited quantities and the difficulty of shipping from such a remote location make this coffee expensive and sought-after.

4. Hacienda La Esmeralda

Produced in small batches from coffee plants grown in the shade of guava trees in Panama, this variety is famous for its floral and jasmine-like aroma. It’s one of the most expensive coffees at auction and loved by connoisseurs worldwide.

5. Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee

Grown in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica, this coffee is known for its mild flavor, low bitterness and smooth finish. The beans are carefully hand-picked and wet-processed, producing a clean, rich brew that’s in high demand. Its price reflects both its quality and limited availability.

Why These Coffees Are So Expensive

Several factors contribute to their cost, including:

Labor-intensive harvesting and processing
Rare growing regions with unique soil and climate
Animal-assisted fermentation in some cases
Limited production yields

In some cases, the animals used to produce kopi luwak and black ivory coffee eat only the ripest berries, which improves the coffee’s taste and aroma. Ethical sourcing and animal welfare are ongoing concerns for coffee drinkers who want the taste without harming wildlife.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.