The Best Coffees in the World: The 10 most valuable and expensive varieties

Fellow caffeine addicts, welcome back! If your palate is also a globetrotter eager for new adventures, you have come to the right place. Today we will talk about international coffee, or rather how coffee in the world differs from ours in tastes, aromas, production processes and…cost! Each cup contains a history, a culture, a journey. Let’s discover the secrets of the best coffee in the world, strictly in random order.

1) Kopi Luwak: also called coffee of the civet

We start from the Indonesian archipelago, a land of volcanoes and tropical forests, where a small creature called the Civet lives. This mammal loves coffee beans as much as we do! But there is a fundamental detail: he only likes the outer pulp of the grain. Thus, after having “enjoyed” this delicacy, the grain passes through its digestive system, undergoes natural fermentation and is then expelled.

This process gives the bean an absolutely unique taste, with tones ranging from caramel to chocolate.

To be clear: the seeds, once expelled, are obviously cleaned, roasted and packaged. The aromatic notes also confirmed by the Italian experts who have tried it, which can now also be found here, are the delicate ones of plum and rose, with prices that can vary from €500 to €900 per kilo!

2) Andean Coffee from Colombia

Now let’s move on to the high-sea crops of Colombia, a nation that has turned coffee cultivation into an art. Imagine yourself on the slopes of the Andes, where the combination of volcanic soil and unique climate creates ideal conditions for the growth of some of the finest beans in the world.

When we talk about Caffè Andino, we are referring to a one-of-a-kind product. Its sweetness is balanced by a pleasant acidity that leaves a sensation of freshness in the mouth. The notes of fruit, hazelnut and chocolate make it a complete tasting experience. The price? At least between $30 and $40 per kilo, but every sip is worth every penny. It is an international coffee that represents the best of what Colombia has to offer.

3) Acid coffee from Ethiopia

A virtual journey takes us to enchanting Ethiopia, often considered the cradle of coffee. Here, in the heavenly altitudes of the mountains, the beans grow more slowly, absorbing all the flavors that Mother Nature has to offer. The result? One of the best coffees in the world, appreciated for its unmistakable acidulous and floral taste.

This Ethiopian coffee is real poetry in the cup, a combination of citrus notes, often bergamot or jasmine, which leaves a refreshing sensation in your mouth. And it is no coincidence that it is often used in high-quality international coffee blends. If you ever have the opportunity to taste this nectar of the gods, prepare yourself for an unforgettable experience!

4) Mocha coffee with chocolate flavor

Now, let’s fly to Yemen to discover Mocha, another coffee in the world that has made history. No, I’m not talking about the espresso and chocolate drink we know as “Mocha” in Italy. I’m talking about an olfactory experience so intense you’ll think you melted a bar of dark chocolate right in your cup.

This Yemeni coffee is like a warm hug, a comfort for the soul, with its notes of chocolate and dried fruit that make every sip a symphony of flavors. With a price that can vary, but often ranks among the delicacies, it is certainly a gastronomic adventure that all international coffee enthusiasts should try at least once in their lives.

5) Traditional Mexican coffee

If the rhythm of the mariachi and the warmth of the Mexican sun were a coffee, it would undoubtedly be the traditional Mexican coffee. This is a coffee in the world that has managed to maintain its authenticity, thanks to preparation methods that are handed down from generation to generation.

Simple but sophisticated, it offers a palette of flavors ranging from cocoa to spicy notes of cinnamon. Don’t expect a simple cup: Mexican coffee is a fiesta of aromas and sensations. As for the price, it is an international coffee that will not leave you empty-handed; definitely affordable for such high quality.

6) The Italian Espresso

If there is a type of coffee that could claim the title of “best coffee in the world” based on pedigree and cultural influence alone, it is undoubtedly the Italian Espresso. This is not just a cafe, it is a national symbol. Born in the frenetic Milan of the 1940s, Espresso represents the quintessence of the art of coffee.

Don’t think that preparing it is simple. Oh no, you need a specific coffee machine, a pressure of 9 bar and a temperature of approximately 93 degrees Celsius. And the golden cream on top? It’s like the icing on the cake, an unmistakable sign of mastery. Price? I would say accessible, considering you are tasting a cup of Italian history.

7) The Blue Mountain Coffee of Jamaica

If we talk about the best coffee in the world, we cannot omit Jamaica’s Blue Mountain Coffee. This jewel of the Caribbean grows on the slopes of the Blue Mountains, from which it takes its name, and each grain seems to capture a piece of tropical paradise.

If you’re ready to spend up to $100 a kilo, expect a cup that will make you feel like you’re on a Jamaican beach, among palm trees and crystal clear waters. The flavors? A perfect balance between sweet and sour, with floral notes that will stay in your mind for days. It’s the ultimate international coffee experience, and every sip is worth every penny.

8) The “cafezinho” of Brazil

Let’s move on to another pearl among coffees in the world: the “cafezinho” from Brazil. Imagine the rhythm of samba, the heat of carnival; now turn all this into a coffee. Small, but intense, cafezinho is like a sip of Brazilian culture.

And speaking of culture, know that cafezinho is served practically everywhere in Brazil: in homes, in businesses, even in places of worship. It’s more than just a coffee, it’s a gesture of hospitality. Brewed with sugar directly in the filter, this international coffee is sweet, yet strong and robust.

9) Black Ivory Caffè

The best coffee in the world in terms of cost, and perhaps also uniqueness: Black Ivory Caffè. It’s not enough to be passionate about coffee to enjoy it; you need to have a well-stocked wallet. Produced in rural Thailand, its preparation is decidedly, well, unusual. This international coffee passes, I kid you not, through the digestive system of elephants. Yes, you read right, exactly like the Kopi Luwak!

But why all this ceremony? Because the enzymes in the elephant’s stomach break down the proteins in the bean, which are mainly responsible for the bitterness in coffee. The result is an incredibly smooth and aromatic coffee. And the cost? Brace yourselves: it is possible to reach €1000 per kilo! An experience that goes beyond simple tasting, entering the realm of the sublime and the expensive.

10) Finca El Injerto Caffè

So, if Black Ivory is the aristocracy, Finca El Injerto is the enlightened nobility of cafés in the world. Hailing from the volcanic heights of Guatemala, this coffee is like a work of art in a cup. Grown on one of the most awarded coffee plantations in the world, each bean is hand-selected to ensure the highest quality.

The taste? It’s a symphony of fruity notes, a little caramel and a light hint of dark chocolate. It’s like every sip tells you a story, from tart to sweet to toasty. Again, be prepared to pay quite a bit. It’s certainly not cheap, but it’s a sensory journey that every international coffee enthusiast should take at least once in their life.

In this panorama of excellence, variety is the true protagonist. From Ethiopian coffee to our espresso coffee, there is a world to discover and enjoy. What will be your next stop on the world tour of the best coffee?
Are you ready to open your gustatory horizons and… your wallet?

We hope we have enticed you, see you in the next article!