What is the rarest coffee in the world?

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I've already told you a great deal about specialty coffee and what makes it so special, and in some cases even rare. But as you know, there's always more, more exclusive, and more special, no matter what niche you're looking at. This also applies to niche specialty coffee.

In my search for the rarest coffee in the world, I came across something I'd never heard of before: Black Ivory Coffee .

Apparently, this coffee, originating from Thailand, is the rarest and most exclusive coffee in the world, which you can only drink in luxury hotels and 5-star restaurants.

I thought I knew everything about coffee beans, but I'd never encountered this one before. But I dove in. It's going to be crazy, very crazy, believe me.

It has something to do with elephants, I think that's where the Ivory part comes from, fermentation and coffee of course.

Join me on my quest for this rarest of coffees.

The history of Black Ivory Coffee

Black Ivory Coffee , the company started about ten years ago by Canadian entrepreneur Blake Dinkin, does not yet have as rich a history as the history of coffee beans .

Blake came up with the inventive idea of ​​letting elephants eat Arabica coffee beans and then fishing them out of their droppings. It's a bit like Kopi Luwak , but an upgraded version, so to speak.

Dinkin wanted to create a Boone coffee where you don't taste the roast, but the actual coffee. Black Ivory coffee therefore has floral notes combined with chocolate, without any bitterness.

From the start, Blake believed in his success; otherwise, he says, he would never have invested ten years of his time and all his savings in it.

The aim was to save elephants from exploitation for tourist purposes and to establish a sanctuary for these elephants.

So the diet of these rescued animals consists mainly of 100% Arabica coffee beans that are eaten, fermented in the elephant's stomach, and then pooped out by the elephants.

That's weird 🤔

Read on below to find out how the rarest coffee is harvested.

How is the world's rarest coffee harvested?

The entire harvesting process, like other coffee bean varieties, begins with selecting and picking only the ripest coffee beans. These beans grow at an altitude of approximately 1,500 meters.

These ripe coffee beans are transported to the town of Surin, where the elephants are housed in a sanctuary. Here, the coffee beans are mixed with the elephants' favorite foods, such as rice, bananas, and other tropical fruits.

Once eaten by the elephant, the fermentation process begins, which can take about 12 to 72 hours depending on what else the elephant has eaten [ 1 ].

Once pooped out by the elephant, the pickers then go to work.

These coffee beans, which are fished out from the elephant droppings, are then placed on drying beds and dried in the sun.

This is in fact the Natural process which is further explained in the blog coffee processing methods .

When the coffee beans are sufficiently dried and contain the correct moisture content, they are sorted by hand for defects and size.

According to the Black Ivory Coffee website, it takes approximately 33 kilograms of coffee beans to make 1 kilogram of Black Ivory Coffee.

Is the world's rarest coffee worth the money?

Black Ivory Coffee:Source Black Ivory Coffee

To be honest, I haven't tried it yet, and frankly, I always find these kinds of coffees a bit questionable.

Often you pay for the story and the quality is good but not exceptional.

At a meager €2000 per kilogram, you would think you were holding gold.

Let's start with the flavor profile. It's complex, with floral and chocolate notes. This isn't unique, if I'm honest.

A good Ethiopian specialty coffee can also possess these flavor characteristics. And for around €40-50 per kilo, you'll have a real gem in your hands.

Furthermore, the coffee isn't bitter. That's a good thing, because I don't like bitterness myself. This makes Black Ivory Coffee very mild and gives you a tea-like experience.

The coffee is also sweet, and as I mentioned, chocolate dominates. So, if you enjoy your coffee, but don't want too much sugar in it, you're not necessarily going to want that with the rarest coffee in the world.

In summary, a complex flavor with little bitterness and very sweet notes of chocolate. Based on my first impression, I don't think it's worth €2000 per kilo.

It will undoubtedly taste a lot better than standard supermarket coffee, but good specialty coffee can be really, really good.

Also read: Specialty coffee vs. supermarket coffee.

Let’s go a little deeper…

What makes the world's rarest coffee so expensive

Of course, it's an unorthodox way to produce coffee, let's face it.

For this coffee, only the ripest Arabica beans are picked and fed to the elephants. Because these beans grow at an altitude of 1,500 meters, the picking process is quite complex.

Also, the area where these high-quality coffee beans grow is limited and therefore the supply is also limited [ 2 ].

Once the coffee has been sieved and sorted, only the good-looking coffee beans of similar size are used for the final product.

Because the elephant chews its food, many of the coffee beans do not survive the process and these chewed coffee beans are unusable for the final product.

All droppings must be carefully checked for usable coffee beans, which is also a labor-intensive job that requires many hands.

All these factors make it a costly process and make it a scarce product, which somewhat determines the price.

Ultimately, in my opinion, it is the exceptional story and the exclusivity with which it is marketed that justify this high price.

But then again, I've never had this coffee.

Black Ivory coffee vs Kopi Luwak

Kopi Luwak, of course, has a similar story to Black Ivory Coffee. In both varieties, the coffee beans are eaten by an animal.

The enzymes in the animals' stomachs trigger a fermentation process that apparently gives the coffee beans a very unique and complex flavor profile.

But still, both types of coffee are not exactly the same.

Blake likes to talk about why his Black Ivory Coffee is better and tastier than Kopi Luwak [ 3 ]. The first difference is that elephants, unlike Civet cats, are herbivores.

Herbivores eat a lot of grass and other vegetables. A herbivore uses fermentation to process and digest all these vegetables.

Fermentation is great for coffee, for example, because it brings out the sugars in the beans. It also helps the fruity flavors of the cherry infuse into the bean.

According to Blake, this fermentation process helps reduce the bitterness that makes the coffee so unique.

In terms of taste, both coffees are described as complex, smooth and without bitterness.

The price of Kopi Luwak is slightly lower than that of the rarest coffee in the world, Black Ivory Coffee, but still falls into the very exclusive price category.

You can buy a kilo of Kopi Luwak starting at around €700 . But it's not affordable, at least not for me as a daily cup of coffee.

The Ethical Considerations of Black Ivory Coffee

Besides the unique production method and the exclusive character of Black Ivory Coffee, there are also important ethical considerations to discuss.

Consider the involvement of elephants in the production process – this certainly raises questions about animal welfare and sustainability!

But rest assured, according to founder Blake Dinkin, the elephants suffer absolutely no harm during the production process.

In fact, part of the proceeds from this coffee goes towards supporting elephants and improving their habitat.

This means medical care, food and shelters for the elephants that participate.

And let's not forget that the coffee beans come from sustainable farms that don't use harmful pesticides or chemicals.

This not only protects biodiversity in the region, but also ensures that the elephants don't ingest harmful substances. How wonderful is that?

In addition, Black Ivory Coffee works closely with local communities to create employment and stimulate the local economy.

This includes jobs in coffee production, processing, and distribution, which positively impacts the lives of many people in the region. Fantastic, right?

While these initiatives certainly deserve praise, it remains important for consumers to be critical and research the ethical practices of companies.

By consciously choosing products that are not only high quality but also ethically responsible, we can collectively have a positive impact on both animal welfare and the community.

So, what do you think? Ready to make the world a little better with your cup of coffee?

How can you enjoy Black Ivory Coffee yourself?

Now that you know more about the background and production process of Black Ivory Coffee, you might be wondering how you can enjoy this exclusive coffee yourself.

Here are some tips to get the most out of your Black Ivory Coffee experience.

Buy from trusted sources : Due to the exclusivity and high price of Black Ivory Coffee, it's important to ensure you buy from a reputable seller. Several websites and high-end coffee shops offer this coffee, but pay attention to certifications and reviews to ensure you're getting the real deal.

Prepare it right : Black Ivory Coffee deserves careful preparation to fully develop its unique flavor notes. Use fresh, filtered water, just off the boil, and a good coffee grinder to grind the beans just before brewing. A French press or pour-over method is often recommended to enhance the coffee's subtle flavors.

Savor it : Take your time savoring your cup of Black Ivory Coffee. Take small sips and try to identify the different flavor notes. Note the sweetness, the floral and chocolate notes, and the lack of bitterness. This can deepen your appreciation for the complexity and craftsmanship of this coffee.

Share the experience : Black Ivory Coffee is a luxury you won't drink every day. Consider sharing it with friends or family for a special occasion. The story behind the coffee and its unique flavor make it a great conversation starter and a special treat.

Experiment with recipes : While Black Ivory Coffee is a delicacy in its own right, you can also experiment with adding it to different recipes. For example, try it in a dessert like tiramisu or in a luxurious coffee cocktail. The rich flavors of the coffee can add an interesting twist to classic recipes.

By following these tips, you can get the most out of your Black Ivory Coffee experience and truly enjoy one of the rarest coffees in the world.

Conclusion

The rarest coffee in the world is Black Ivory Coffee from Thailand. In my opinion, it certainly has the most remarkable story.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to taste the coffee myself yet, but maybe I'll be able to do that someday.

In terms of process, it is quite similar to that otherwise rare coffee variety, Kopi Luwak, but the effect is slightly different.

Personally, with these kinds of coffees, I always feel like you're paying for the hype and the unique story behind it.

But whether the quality is the rarest you've ever tasted, I doubt it. What's your experience with Black Ivory Coffee?

Have you been lucky enough to taste this rare coffee? I'm curious about the tasting notes and whether the unique production method really makes a difference in the quality of the coffee.

Let me know what you think about this exclusive coffee experience!