Kopi Luwak was long considered the priciest, but Geisha coffee from Panama and Black Ivory Coffee from Thailand now fetch record prices of several thousand euros per kilo at auction.

What Is the Most Expensive Coffee in the World?

Kopi Luwak was long considered the priciest, but Geisha coffee from Panama and Black Ivory Coffee from Thailand now fetch record prices of several thousand euros per kilo at auction.

Why that matters

Kopi Luwak from Indonesia became famous because the coffee beans pass through the digestive tract of the Asian palm civet. Fermentation in the animal’s stomach alters the flavour profile — less bitterness, milder body. Wild-collected Kopi Luwak costs €200–400 per kilo. The problem: most production comes from cruel caged operations where animals are fed nothing but coffee cherries. The specialty coffee community rejects Kopi Luwak for this reason.

Black Ivory Coffee from Thailand follows a similar principle, but with elephants. Production is more labour-intensive, and quantities are tiny — under 200 kg per year. The price sits at €1,000–2,000 per kilo.

The actual record prices, however, go to Geisha coffees from Panama. At the “Best of Panama” auction, lots have sold for over US $6,000 per kilo in recent years. The reason: an exceptional flavour profile (jasmine-like, bergamot-esque), extremely limited quantities, and demand from roasters worldwide eager to make a name with an auction lot.

Expensive doesn’t automatically mean better. Many so-called “most expensive coffees” are more marketing than flavour. A well-roasted Ethiopian Yirgacheffe at €30 per kilo can hold its own against a €500 Kopi Luwak in the cup — and is ethically sound.

At Green Wall Coffee

At our café on Sophienstraße 27 in Berlin-Lichtenberg, we don’t carry Kopi Luwak — for ethical reasons. Instead, we occasionally feature Geisha coffee as a special filter offering when we get hold of a small lot. The price per cup then runs €8–12, and I explain why to every guest. If you want to taste the difference between a €15 and a €45 kilo of coffee, you’re in the right place — without it costing thousands.

Related Questions

• What is Geisha coffee and why is it so expensive?
• What is Specialty Coffee?
• Why does Specialty Coffee cost more than supermarket coffee?

More depth on this topic in the article How to Make Perfect Espresso. Or stop by at Sophienstraße 27 — Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Sat 10am–5pm.