As I savor a cup of Green Mountain Dark Roast brewed in my Keurig, I reflect on the myriad ways coffee is enjoyed worldwide. Some may scoff at the convenience of a Keurig, preferring the artisanal approach of grinding fresh beans to the perfect coarseness and brewing with a French press. Yet, regardless of our methods, one billion people globally share in the ritual of coffee drinking. In the USA alone, about two-thirds of the population consumes an average of three cups daily.

Coffee in the USA

In 1980, raw coffee beans were $1.58 per pound, and a cup of brewed coffee at a local diner was 50 cents, often with free refills. Back then, you could be pretty sure you were drinking Maxwell House, Folgers, or Hills Brothers, which all tasted fairly similar. Fast forward to 2024, and we are in the age of specialty coffees, where a Starbucks seems to be on every corner. A cup of Pike Place Roast will cost you $3.75, while a Caffè Americano goes for $4.75.

Today, the average price for roasted specialty coffee in the US is about $33 per pound, with the highest prices reaching around $46 per pound. These numbers may seem outrageous until you explore the most expensive coffees in the world.

The Most Expensive Coffee in the World

Geisha Coffee Beans in Panama

Multiple countries claim to produce the most expensive coffee, but Panama holds the world record. In 2022, Lamastus Family Estates in Boquete, Panama, sold a seven-pound lot of honey-processed Geisha Aguacatillo coffee for $6,034 per pound!

Other contenders for the world’s most expensive coffee include Black Ivory from Thailand and the Maldives, Misha Coffee from the Andes Mountains, Kopi Luwak in Indonesia, Ospina Coffee in Colombia, and Saint Helena from an island in Africa.

Black Ivory, likely the second most expensive coffee globally, is produced in a unique way. Elephants are fed a mixture of high-altitude Arabica coffee cherries along with their favorite foods like rice, banana, and tamarind. One to three days later, the elephants pass the mixture in the form of dung. The dung is then cleaned and processed to produce Black Ivory coffee, which tastes like chocolate malt with a hint of cherry.

It seems to me that Panama’s Geisha coffee might be a better choice, but who am I to say?

Black Ivory Coffee

History of Geisha Coffee in Panama

In July 1953, Geisha coffee seeds were first imported to Costa Rica from Tanzania, Africa. In 1963, a Costa Rican coffee farmer named Pachi Serracin introduced Geisha coffee seeds to the Boquete region in Panama. Don Pachi’s family still owns their coffee farm in Boquete to this day.

The most sought-after Geisha coffee is grown at high elevations along the slopes of the Baru Volcano. This includes the Lamastus Family Estates, Carmen Estate, and La Hacienda Esmeralda.

In 2004, the Peterson family, owners of La Hacienda Esmeralda in Volcan, Panama, introduced high-altitude pure Geisha coffee. The coffee won first prize in The Best of Panama coffee auction, selling for a world record $21 per pound, far surpassing the previous record of $4.80 per pound. The limited supply, intensive farming process, and unique taste contribute to its high price.

In 2023, Carmen Estate Coffee in Volcán, Panama, set another world record by selling a 55-pound lot of Geisha coffee for $250,125.

Carmen Estate Coffee in Volcan Panama

Coffee Experience at Nayara Bocas Del Toro

Our guests travel the world seeking authentic experiences that capture the essence of the countries they visit. At Nayara Bocas Del Toro, we visit indigenous tribes on neighboring islands, provide Panamanian chocolate with our turn-down service, and offer our own private blend of Panamanian coffee.

In keeping with Panamanian tradition, we proudly offer our guests exceptional coffee that encapsulates the essence of the highlands of Chiriquí, Panama. Our exclusive blend combines the elegance of the Caturra with the richness of the Catuai, both meticulously selected and processed at the prestigious Santos Café Farm.

With a medium roast that enhances its aromatic profile, this coffee reveals a harmonious symphony of flavors. At the first sip, your senses will delight in subtle caramel notes, followed by the warmth of roasted nuts. A fresh and vibrant hint of yellow lemon perfectly balances the sweetness, while a touch of plum adds an enchanting depth to each cup.

Each bean of this coffee has been carefully washed to ensure maximum purity and quality, promising you a coffee experience that is both rich and refined. Enjoy a special moment in our restaurant, where every cup is a celebration of the finest flavors of Chiriquí coffee.

What’s Next on the Coffee Scene at Nayara Bocas Del Toro?

Our private blend of Caturra coffee is complimentary as part of the all-inclusive experience. However, we would love to offer our guests a chance to experience the world-famous Panamanian Geisha coffee from local farms on the slopes of the Baru Volcano. It will take further research, but we could likely offer a 6oz sample of high-altitude Geisha coffee from one of the renowned farms mentioned for $50 per 6oz cup. Alternatively, we could offer a 6oz cup of similar Geisha coffee from a less famous farm for $15 per 6oz cup.

We are interested in your feedback. Do you think our guests might be interested in sampling a cup of the world’s most expensive coffee?