Some superior importation coffees

As the expression says, « It takes all kinds… ». And, as for wine, some prefer theirs strong, mild, fruity, etc. Same thing for coffee. So there’s no right and wrong here. In this post, I’ll try to introduce you to some superior importation coffees and get you to know them better. Two of them are available here at Northern-Coffee.ca –> Try them!

Kopi Luwak

Origin: Indonesia

Price: Close to $445 per lb

« Kopi » is the Indonesian word for coffee. « Luwak », the word for the Asian Palm Civet which looks more like a weasel than a cat. It is because of that animal that we now can taste one of the most expensive coffees in the world.

This little animal eats ripe coffee cherries and, since it cannot digest the coffee beans inside, it eliminates them intact. But due to a chemical reaction inside the civet’s digestive tract, Kopi Luwak coffee gets its distinctive taste of caramel and chocolate.

Producing this coffee requires a lot of work. The civet’s droppings are carefully harvested, washed and dried in the sun before they are lightly roasted. This makes it the most expensive coffee in the world. So, because of this high price, its scarcity and low demand for it, we cannot keep any in stock.

Bourbon Pointu

Origin: Reunion Island

Price: About $80 a lb

This coffee was discovered in 1771 at Reunion Island, previously known as Bourbon Island. It was greatly appreciated in Louis XV’s court and is considered one of the very best coffees in the world. It was grown in the best soils of the « Piton des neiges » volcano before it almost disappeared completely in 1880. It’s production in fact ceased in 1942 when the last 200 kg shipment was unloaded in France. After that, Bourbon Pointu disappeared from official records.

A revival project was instigated by Japanese coffee enthusiasts that visited the Island in 1999 and production resumed in August 2002. That is why it is still widely unknown. But those lucky enough to have had a chance to taste this coffee say it has a fruity orange-like aroma like mandarins and lychee.

Its steep price is due to its scarcity caused by a small production volume and young growing industry. It is also harvested by hand at optimal maturity and only the very best beans are shipped.

Unfortunately, as for Kopi Luwak, it is hardly possible for us to keep any in stock.

Blue Mountain

Origin: Jamaïca

Price: About $50 a lb

Blue Mountain coffee gets its name from the place it is grown: a blueish reflection off the Blue Mountains when seen from a distance. These mountains take up about a third of Jamaica’s territory.

Blue Mountain is grown at an altitude between 600 and 1500 meters above sea level in the cold fog of the Blue Mountains which gives it a taste that is as unique as it is exquisite. Some detect a nutty aroma while others taste some chocolate.

But even with its mild, delicate and unique taste devoid of any bitterness, it is not in my humble opinion, THE best coffee. It’s price is due to a small production and a great demand for it, especially from Japan.

You can order Blue Mountain from us in small quantities here.

Hawaiian Kona

Origin: Hawaii

Price : About $30 a lb

To me, THIS is the best coffee!

It is only grown on the slopes of the Mauna Loa and Hualalai volcanos on the island of Hawaii. The famous Kona coffee is recognizable by its delicate flavour. Some taste hints of cinnamon and nuts while others like me taste red berries and cocoa. In addition to having no bitterness, its rich and voluptuous flavour will seduce you.

Kona is harvested by hand which gives growers the ability to examine each coffee cherry carefully. These growers produce around 16 000 to 24 000 bags a year which makes it difficult to get your hands on it.

For me, it still remains the best value in superior importation coffees.

You can order small quantities of Kona coffee from us here.

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To conclude,whichever superior importation coffee you choose to treat yourself with, be wary of imitations like “Blends” when buying superior importation coffees. It is easy to spot them by price alone. These “Blends” usually contain only 10% of the true superior importation coffee which is mixed with cheap Robusta beans which is higher in caffeine and less tasty than arabica beans.