10 Of The World's Most Expensive Coffees

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world and is produced in various different counties. But as the climate has started to change so has the prices of coffee. If you’ve found yourself thinking that your favorite brand of coffee is expensive then think again as there are some really expensive and exclusive coffee out there. We take a look at some of these unique (and expensive) coffees.

1. Starbucks' Blue Bourbon Coffee (Rwanda) - $24 per pound Having a history of internal conflicts Rwanda has recently seen a surge in its coffee production. Working in conjunction with Starbucks the coffee variety was introduced to the country and has become one of its main exports. It might not be as expensive as some of the other coffees on this list but it still costs more than your average store-bought coffee. The coffee boasts a slightly acidic tone with hints of butter, spiced nuts and fruits.

2. Kona Coffee (Hawaii) - $34 per pound

Grown on small family-run farms in the Kona district of Hawaii, Kona Coffee has a very unique taste thanks in part to the regions consistent rainfall and warmer climate. Only coffee that comes from these districts can be referred to as Kona coffee, similar to how champagne may only be produced in a specific region for it to be referred to as champagne. The product is also made from a very rare variety of beans which makes this coffee very rare and not readily available. Of course, this short supply means that there are quite a few blends of Kona coffee out there that use a combination of Kona and cheaper beans. If you want to have the genuine Kona coffee experience be sure to try a 100% pure blend.

3. Los Planes (El Salvador) - $40 per pound

Cultivated on a farm in El Salvador by the family of Sergio Ticas Yeyes, Los Planes coffee has a refreshing and unique taste reminiscent of flavors such as caramel and tangerine. The coffee has received various awards over the years such as a sixth and second place at the 2006 and 2011 Cup of Excellence awards.

4. Blue Mountain Coffee (Jamaica) - $50 per pound

Grown at a height of about 5000 feet in the volcanic soil of the Jamaican Blue Mountains, which has heavy rainfall and high humidity, this coffee has a very mild taste and most importantly lacks bitterness. The coffee has flavors of chocolate, walnut and banana with a deep aroma. Over the years the coffee’s unique taste has made it a very popular, albeit, expensive coffee that mostly gets exported to Japan.

5. Fazenda Santa Ines Coffee (Brazil) - $50 per pound

Another Coffee is grown in a mountains region, this time at the base of the Mantiquera mountains in Brazil. Coffee production in this district dates back to almost a century with the coffee still being grown in the traditional manner using no automation. The final product is known for its fruity flavor which has garnered a following all over the world. The coffee received the highest rating in Brazil’s 2006 Cup of Excellence Awards.

6. St Helena Coffee (St Helena) – $80 dollars per pound

The island where Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to, St Helena is probably the last place where you would expect to find some truly great coffee being grown. But thanks to its rich volcanic soils this little island is the perfect place to cultivate high-quality Arabica beans. The coffee is known for its fruity-floral flavour with a hint of citrus and caramel. One of the largest contributors to the high prices of this specific coffee is the transport as the remote island is situated in the Atlantic Ocean off the West Coast of Africa.

7. Kopi Luwak Coffee (Indonesia) - $160 per pound

Known as one of the most expensive coffees in the world, Kopi Luwak coffee Is not only renowned for its delicious taste but also the strange way in which the coffee is harvested. Kopi Luwak coffee is basically cat poop coffee. Jip, you’ve read correctly, what makes this coffee so special (and expensive) is that the coffee beans are harvested after the cherries have been eaten and digested by the Palm Civet. The beans are removed from the animal's feces, cleaned and then roasted resulting in a sweet-tasting coffee. The production of the coffee is restricted to islands like Bali, Java, and Sulawesi in Indonesia.

8. Hacienda La Esmeralda (Panama) - $350 per pound

What makes this coffee so special is that it is grown in the shades of guava trees on Mount Baru in Panama. As with most of the other expensive coffees, the cherries are handpicked by experienced pickers making sure that they are picked at the perfect time. The coffee has won various awards over the years thanks to it’s rich, fruity and floral taste. It’s considered a rare delicacy and has garnered a large following of coffee lovers and connoisseurs across the globe.

9. Finca El Injerto Coffee (Guatemala) - $400 per pound

Cultivated in the highest coffee producing region in Latin America, Finca El Injerto coffee is made up of small, rare and rich beans and are grown by a father-son duo who are committed to upholding good environmental practices. Due to the great care and attention taken in growing and harvesting this coffee, it is quite scarce, which of course has helps drive up the price. Many coffee consort have commented that this is a coffee everyone should at least try once in their lives.

10. Black Ivory Coffee (Thailand) - $500 per pound

While on the subject of animal feces, there is yet another expensive coffee in the world that stems from the digestive system of an animal. Thailand’s Black Ivory Coffee, as you can probably guess from the name, is harvested from the feces of Asian Elephants who eat the Thai Arabica coffee cherries. The cherries are sun-dried after been cleaned and then roasted. The fact that the coffee is exclusively produced in batches of 150 – 200kg per year by one company in Thailand. This exclusivity naturally also helps push up the prices for this product. Part of the proceeds from the sales of the coffee is used by the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation to take care of the elephants in their care.

Who knew that coffee could be so expensive? Luckily Diesel Coffee beans won’t cost you an arm or a leg and still gives you a great quality coffee experience. #likedieselcoffee