We love our plain and simple tea or coffee in the morning. For some, there’s nothing better than a strong cup of coffee to bring you back to life after a long hard day at work, and for another, there’s nothing better than a cup of green tea right before bed for that perfect sleep. For many of us, it is only a particular variant of these beverages that makes our eyes twinkle. So, lo and behold! Here are some extra special variants that not only taste amazing but could probably make it to your list of ‘Teas/Coffees to try at least once in a lifetime’ (i.e. if you haven’t tried them already!)
Despite the popular notion that millennials are spending more on their morning coffee or tea than on retirement plans, enjoying a cuppa is one of those harmless joys in life that nobody wants to compromise with. This otherwise pocket-friendly activity takes a drastic turn when it comes to some of the World’s most Premium Coffee and Tea. We can rationalize this by saying that the varieties are truly exotic and their pricey nature, therefore, is justified; but we leave you to be the judge and decide for yourself if these are worth a try or not!
Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee:
This coffee is grown at a height of 5000 ft. in the Jamaican Blue mountains as the name suggests. This Caribbean produce is one of the most expensive coffees in the world due to its limited production. The coffee is characterized by mild bitterness and bold taste. One of the largest importers and lovers of this coffee is Japan. It is sold for more than $50 per pound.
Saint Helena Coffee:
This coffee was a result of the conquest by Napoleon Bonaparte of the volcanic tropical island of St. Helena in the 1800s. His high praises of coffee are what started the exportation of the coffee to other countries to make it one of the most premium coffee variants.
The reason it is so expensive is the location of the island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean which accounts for its high transportation costs. There is also limited space on the island, therefore limited produce, which makes the demand quite high. But true lovers of this coffee will shell out $80 per pound for its high-quality, fragrant caramel flavor with hints of citrus.
Hacienda La Esmeralda
Another way to drink coffee that costs a fortune is the Hacienda La Esmeralda. It originates from Ethiopia but it gained popularity and thrived when it was imported to Panama. Sourced only from heirloom coffee trees of the Geisha variety, the unique taste is due to the fact that the beans are grown at an altitude of 1500-1900 ft. above ground. It is one of the most awarded coffees and has a purebred lightness and intense flavor that has a citrus note like a lemon tea cookie. This once in a lifetime delicacy costs $500- $600 per pound.
Kopi Luwak
Here’s a coffee some might say went too far and some might say is a discovery in the world of coffee. Kopi Luwak, also known as Civet Coffee is made in Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia where the Palm Civet, a catlike mammal, consumes coffee beans, and the undigested beans exit the animal. These fermented beans from its excreta are used to make the coffee. While some might be grossed out by this fact, there is a certain science behind the process. The enzymes that are produced while digesting, aid the rich smooth taste and lack of bitterness that can’t be replicated in any other way which makes it one of the top 3 most premium coffees. This sells for $500- $600 per pound.
Black Ivory
Yet another coffee that passes through an animal’s digestive tract is the Black Ivory Coffee. Similar to the Kopi Luwak coffee, Arabica coffee is consumed by elephants in Northern Thailand. The undigested beans are extracted from the droppings and are used to make the coffee. The long digestion period helps the coffee achieve a fruity taste that is appreciated by many coffee connoisseurs.
The exorbitant price of $800-$1500 per pound is due to the difficulty of extracting beans- elephants chew them up or deposit them in hard-to retrieve places. And due to the limited amount of beans available, makes it the most expensive coffee and the World’s most premium coffee.
Da-Hong Pao Tea
This Tea beats every other beverage. Only because one kilogram of this premium tea costs $1.2 million. This tea dates back to the prestigious Ming dynasty that is culturally a very important time frame for the Chinese. This tea is only gifted to very important people and the recipe to make this tea is guarded strongly by the Chinese. The Chinese government has also declared this tea as a National Treasure due to its cultural significance. So unless you go on a Treasure Hunt, we might never get to try the most premium Tea.
Tieguanyin Tea
The most premium tea has another contender. The Tieguanyin Tin is a type of Oolong tea that is named after the Buddhist Deity, The Iron Goddess of Mercy. The flavor combination of Black and Green Tea sets it apart from the other Oolong teas.
The trees are grown on the highest mountain in Fujian Province and sell for $3000 per Kilo.
If you’re a true lover of these hot beverages, nothing should stop you from getting your hands on the World’s most Premium Coffee and Tea! Don’t forget to try something new, no matter how whacky it may sound!
