As North Americans we LOVE our coffee. It would be fair to say that the start of my day just isn't the same without a cup of dark roast with a splash of cream and a half teaspoon of sugar.
Basically there are two types of coffee beans; Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans account for about 70% or the world's coffees, while Robusta beans are not normally sold by themselves as they are considered too bitter. They're normally used for blending with more expensive coffees.
Of course loving coffee and being able to pay for it are two different things. Personally I won't shell out more than a dollar and a half for a cup of decent java. Anything more and I just feel like I'm being ripped off! If I buy coffee beans, I usually buy decaf organic beans which run me about $16 per pound.
Jamaican Blue Mountain
Grown in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica, which are some of the highest mountains in the Caribbean, this coffee has a mild flavor but what makes it quite unique is its lack of bitterness. Light bodied with low acidity, I loved this coffee even though its mild flavor is not what I usually like in a coffee. You can expect to pay about $40 per pound though I've seen it as high as $80 per pound at specialty coffee retailers.
Hawaiian Kona
Grown only on the Kona coast of the island of Hawaii, Kona coffee has an excellent reputation as a smooth coffee; medium bodied and medium acidity. Depending on the grade and roast, expect to pay anywhere from about $30 to $60 per pound. Be aware that because of the price, Kona coffees are often blended with less expensive beans, so if you're a Kona connoisseur make sure you're getting 100% Kona coffee. I've tried this coffee and quite honestly couldn't figure out what all the fuss was about. It had a nice taste, but I found it a bit too mild and much preferred the Jamaican Blue Mountain.
Kopi Luwak
At upwards of $600 per pound, Kopi Luwak, or Civet coffee, is considered to be THE most expensive coffee in the world, although after reading why I'm not sure I will ever try it. "Kopi" is the Indonesian word for coffee, "Luwak" is the local name of the Asian Palm Civet, a cat sized animal that eats red coffee beans. Are you starting to get the picture? Yes, little Luwaks eat the raw beans and pass them undigested out the other end. Apparently this process adds a unique flavor to the finished product. I imagine it does, but I'll leave it for others to confirm! If you've tried this coffee, I'd love to hear your comments.
Keep in mind that the prices noted in this article are an average. Coffee is a commodity and as such its pricing depends on many things, not the least of which is volume. A bad harvest that is the result of unfavorable weather conditions will sharply increase the price of any coffee.
