Let’s visit some exotic coffees around the world, and pick some new beans to surprise your palate and your coffee maker.
Your taste buds could use some change.
By Jozo Salmanić – Croatian barista with 15 years of experience.
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Let’s Meet Some Unusual And Exotic Coffees Around The World
Unfortunately, Antarctica is still not suitable for growing coffee.
All the other continents are home to exquisite and exotic coffee beans. Some more (Africa, Asia, South America), some less (Australia, Europe, North America).
I won’t rate these beans by quality or taste, as every coffee experience is subjective.
I just wanted to offer you another perspective on the world of coffee.
What Is Exotic Coffee? The Meaning Of The Term Is Surprising… And Subjective
First thing first – let’s explain what exotic coffee is.
That doesn’t mean any coffee that grows in a different or secluded location.
Exotic coffee is rare, exceptional, and (should be) very high quality.
The tasting notes have to be different and offer something new.
Sometimes it’s a different combination of flavors and undertones, more or less acidity or unique texture.
With that in mind, don’t start spending yet!
Being exotic doesn’t mean you will automatically love the coffee.
4 Coffee Gear & Coffee Recommendations
- Breville Barista Pro – An excellent manual espresso machine for home use
- Philips 3200 Series Espresso Machine – Easy-to-use fully automatic coffee machine for small office or home use
- Rancilio Egro ONE Touch – High capacity fully automatic commercial coffee machine for professional use
- Koa Coffee – Premium hand-picked Hawaiian coffee. Have you tried American coffee yet?
Most Exotic And Most Expensive Coffee From South America
When I mention South American coffee, people usually picture Brazilian and Colombian beans.
These two countries make up 45.8 % of the coffee market, according to Anshool Deshmukh.
However, not all beans are created equal.
Meet Ospina Dynasty Gran Café Premier Grand Cru, a luxury and exotic coffee from Colombia.
Pride and joy of the Ospina coffee farm.
This coffee is made from Colombian Arabica Typica, a rare coffee type.
It grows in volcanic mountains of Antioquia province, at 7,700 – 7,900 feet altitude.
If you are lucky to taste it, you will feel the aroma of peach, orange, jasmine, and Azahar.
As for the flavor, the palette includes chocolate, coconut, berry, and macadamia notes, with a crisp and refreshing aftertaste.
These lovely beans currently have a price tag of $790 per 8.8 oz and are sometimes considered the most expensive coffee beans in the world.
However, other beans claimed that title, and you can read more about it further in the article.
The Exotic Coffee Flavors Of European Isles
I bet you didn’t know that coffee can grow in Europe.
And I don’t mean miniature test farms like the Morettino coffee farm in Sicily, Italy.
You can grow coffee outside of the coffee belt, too. It just needs a lot of sunny days, high temperatures, and rich soil.
Meet the Azores, nine volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic ocean.
This Portuguese territory is home to the northernmost coffee plantation in the world.
There are no historical records of how coffee came to the Azores.
Most likely, it was at the start of the 19th century, when some workers came back from Brazilian coffee farms, carrying precious beans.
The coffee from the Azores grows on rich volcanic soil, far from industrial pollution and far from any use of pesticides.
And the fun part – it costs around $26 per pound.
I told you good coffee doesn’t have to be expensive.
However, these farmers don’t export coffee.
Do you want to taste these beans?
Come to the sunny Azores, and I guarantee you won’t regret it.
You will be welcomed with a tasty, full-bodied cup of unique European coffee.
African Kenya AA Is One Of The Best Exotic Coffees In The World
Kenya AA is a superstar in the world of coffee.
It grows on East African volcanic soil, on plateaus up to 6500 feet above the sea.
It’s one of the world’s top-rated and most wanted exotic coffee beans.
If you want to fully enjoy it, medium roast is your best choice.
The AA part means the best and highest-rated beans. Eight different bean grades exist in Kenya: E, PB, AA, AB, C, TT, T, and MH/ML.
AA beans have the highest quality and a screen size of 17-18.
Most Kenya AA coffee undergoes wet processing, which gives it that well-known clean taste, with less body.
These coffee beans are also known for their sky-high acidity and subtle berry undertones.
You can compare this coffee with fine wine.
Asian Kopi Luwak – All About The Famous Cat Poop Coffee
Let’s travel to southeast Asia, and observe one unusual cat.
First, it’s not a cat per se, but a palm civet.
This unlucky animal eats only the best and ripest coffee cherries.
After eating the cherries, the digestive enzymes break down the proteins responsible for coffee bitterness. After that, the palm civet poops out pricey beans.
But why is it unlucky? Two words – human greed.
The natural process of getting Kopi Luwak is slow.
So, illegal palm civet farms emerged, where people force-feed poor animals with low or medium-quality beans and try to sell those beans as original Kopi Luwak.
Remember, if you buy Kopi Luwak coffee, make sure it’s from a reputable seller and 100% made from wild civets. Anything else is unacceptable.
Taste: As Kopi Luwak is not a coffee, but a method, the taste of the coffee will depend on:
- Bean origin
- Roasting process
- The health state of the animal
Most people describe the taste as nutty, with hints of caramel or chocolate.
Earthy and bit musty are also terms used to describe this coffee. You can also find terms like “jungle” or “exotic”, whatever that means.
However, don’t get your hopes high.
You are paying for the story and exclusivity, not the taste itself. You may discover some mid-range beans to have a better taste.
Where Does The Most Expensive Coffee In The World Come From?
Let’s go to the north of Thailand to visit The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation.
This is a foundation that helps elephants but also produces the most expensive coffee in the world.
Yes, Black Ivory costs $1200 per pound.
The refuge mixes ripe Thai Arabica coffee cherries into the usual elephant food mix, ensuring a balanced diet – no force-feeding.
Much like Kopi Luwak coffee, elephants digest the cherries in a process that takes a couple of days.
After the gentle giant poops, the workers pick up undigested beans, and the coffee goes through the usual processing.
It takes around 36 pounds of raw coffee cherries to produce one pound of this coffee.
This is the world’s rarest coffee.
In 2022, around 474 pounds of Black Ivory coffee were produced.
Due to its rarity and price, it’s usually sold directly to 5-star hotels and Michelin-star restaurants.
Black Ivory coffee is well known due to its smooth profile. If you are lucky to try it, you will sense its smooth taste, followed by a velvety aftertaste.
Hot coffee tastes like fruits and fresh grass.
As it gets colder, your tastebuds will discover chocolate notes.
Exotic coffees Around The World: Final thoughts
This was just a tiny window into the world of exotic coffee beans.
Be brave and explore different tastes.
Ask your favorite roaster or barista for something special, and you won’t be disappointed.
Photos by Anastasia Zhenina and Tookapic
