5 Most Exclusive Coffees to Relish
By Sharifa Shamsi Oishee
September 20, 2023
Update on : September 20, 2023
There is no doubt that coffee is one of the most cherished beverages. However, did you know that this unique smelling crop was first discovered by a herd of goats?
As ridiculous as it sounds, according to myth, coffee was first discovered by shepherd Kaldi and his herd of goats in Ethiopia. The herder took it to the monks after he saw a boost in energy among his animals after they consumed coffee beans.
However, the monks threw it into the fire, thinking that “it was a work of the devil,” but the aroma that rose from the roasted beans enchanted all, compelling the monks to brew and drink it for decades as it helped them stay awake for longer periods.
Soon afterwards, coffee became the drink of the world as it became common on the menu during social, religious, and political events in the 15th century. The aroma then made its way to Europe on the ships of explorers and businessmen in the following century and soon became a drink for everyone as cafes crowded the major streets on the continent during the 17th century.
With time, coffee has seen a number of upgrades, starting with the invention of expresso machines and grinding tools and finally coming to an ‘instant’ form in the 20th century.
With its diverse flavors, coffee has become a global asset. With time, connoisseurs have become drawn to certain coffees that stand out exceptionally well. In this article, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of five premium coffees and see why they are so popular among coffee aficionados.
Hacienda La Esmeralda – a rich taste from Panama
Produced in Panama’s Boquete region, Hacienda La Esmeralda coffee is renowned for its exquisite taste and high standard of quality.
This coffee is grown and prepared with great care in volcanic soil at high altitudes. The Geisha variety (the most prized coffee plant) is responsible for its distinctive and refreshing flavor, which combines floral, citrusy, and tea-like overtones.
To ensure exceptional flavor, only the finest beans make it to market. Thus, the beans are harvested and sorted by hand.
Hacienda La Esmeralda’s limited yield, exclusivity, and unrivaled flavor have propelled it to the pinnacle of the coffee industry and driven up its price.
Kopi Luwak – the Civet coffee
Kopi Luwak, sometimes referred to as civet coffee, is one of the most expensive coffee varieties in the world. This unique coffee comes from the islands of Java, Bali, and Sumatra in Indonesia and is brewed from beans that have been digested and then discarded by the Asian palm civet.
The unique flavor and complex aroma of civet coffee are the results of the fermentation of the coffee cherries by the civet’s digestive enzymes. After re-extraction, the beans undergo extensive processing before being finely roasted.
This coffee’s sky-high price tag stems from the rarity of the bean and the complexity of the production method.
Black Ivory Coffee – a flavor from elephants
Thailand-born Black Ivory coffee raises the bar for exclusivity. The Arabica cherries used to make this coffee are consumed by elephants and recovered from their dung. The digestive system of elephants contains enzymes that cause coffee beans to undergo an exceptional transformation.
To ensure that there are no remnants, the harvested beans go through a cleaning procedure. The end product has a rich, chocolatey essence without a hint of bitterness.
Black ivory coffee commands a high price in the market because of its thorough production method, constrained availability, and association with elephants.
St Helena Coffee – a treasure from remote world
It is one of the rarest and most coveted coffees in the world and comes from the small and comparatively unknown island of St Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean.
St Helena coffee benefits from the island’s special microclimate as it grows on the island’s mineral-rich volcanic soil. Here, the Green-tipped Bourbon Arabica is harvested by hand, dried naturally in the sun, and then expertly roasted to bring out the exclusive quality that is glorified by coffee aficionados.
Its flavor is subtle yet nuanced, with traces of fruitiness and a unique brightness. Due to the island’s remote location and the difficulty of growing the beans, this particular coffee is extremely rare and expensive.
El Injerto – A Delight from Guatemala
El Injerto, from the Huehuetenango region of Guatemala, is known to be highly regarded for its quality. The ideal combination of high-altitude land, mineral rich non-volcanic soil, and climate conditions is responsible for its distinctive and rich flavor.
The unique process of washing using a single channel and breaking down the grains twice improves the quality of the grains.
El Injerto coffee is cultivated on a family farm that has been certified as carbon neutral. The farm has been passed down through generations and is renowned for its environmentally friendly and sustainable farming methods.
Traditional methods of harvesting and processing the coffee beans guarantee that the best-grade beans are used. The natural picking, separating, and drying process, the complex aroma, and the alluring flavor of creamy body with clean sweetness and fruity notes make this coffee stand out in the “Cup of Excellence” competition.
The appeal of the world’s most expensive coffees goes much beyond their high price tags, reflecting the dedication, skill, and natural beauty associated with their manufacturing process.
Their high costs make them beyond reach for most people, but the fascinating histories and unique adventures associated with them have ensured that they captivate coffee enthusiasts across the world and secured their status as the highest level of sophistication in the coffee industry.
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