World’s most expensive coffee’ at $75 (almost P4,000) a cup can be found in California

By: Associated Press - 6 years ago

SAN FRANCISCO — A California cafe is brewing up what it calls the world’s most expensive coffee at $75 (almost P4,000) a cup.

Klatch Coffee owner Bo Thiara holds a cup of Elida Natural Geisha coffee at his shop in San Francisco, Wednesday, May 15, 2019. The California cafe is brewing up what it calls the world’s most expensive coffee at $75 a cup. Klatch Coffee Roasters is serving the exclusive brew, the Elida Natural Geisha 803, at its branches in Southern California and San Francisco. Image: AP/Jeff Chiu

Klatch Coffee is serving the exclusive Elida Natural Geisha 803 at its branches in Southern California and San Francisco.

Klatch Coffee owner Bo Thiara looks at packages of coffee while being interviewed by reporters at his shop in San Francisco. Image: AP/Jeff Chiu

“The 803 in the coffee’s name refers to the record-breaking $803 (about P42,000) per pound organic beans sold for at a recent auction after winning the Best of Panama coffee competition,” said Bo Thiara, co-owner of the Klatch branch in San Francisco. He calls the annual competition the coffee world’s equivalent of the Oscars.

Packages of Elida Natural Geisha coffee. Image: AP/Jeff Chiu

Only 100 pounds (45 kilograms) of the beans were available for purchase, and most went to Japan, China and Taiwan. Klatch secured 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) and is the only chain in North America to have it.

Klatch Coffee owner Bo Thiara shows a package of Elida Natural Geisha coffee at his shop in San Francisco. Only 100 pounds (45 kilograms) of the beans were available for purchase, and most went to Japan, China and Taiwan. According to the Klatch website, the coffee shop secured 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) and is the only chain in North America to have it. Image: AP/Jeff Chiu

“The coffee’s high quality and limited supply set off a bidding war that determined its astronomical price, topping last year’s winning beans that sold for $601 (over P31,000) per pound,” Thiara shared.

Klatch Coffee owner Bo Thiara (center) talks with customer Daniel Karel after giving him a tasting of Elida Natural Geisha coffee at his shop in San Francisco. Image: AP/Jeff Chiu

Klatch describes the coffee as a rare variety of Arabica from Panama that has a floral, tea-like flavor with hints of jasmine and berries. The 10 pounds of beans will produce about 80 cups of coffee.

A few lucky coffee lovers tried free samples Wednesday, May 15, at the San Francisco branch, where promotional signs are on display advertising, “World’s Most Expensive Coffee.”

Daniel Karel tries a tasting of Elida Natural Geisha coffee at Klatch Coffee in San Francisco. Image: AP/Jeff Chiu

One of them was San Francisco resident Lauren Svensson, who said it was “very different” from any coffee she’d ever tasted.

Klatch Coffee owner Bo Thiara (left) talks with customer Daniel Karel while giving Karel a tasting of Elida Natural Geisha coffee at his shop in San Francisco. Image: AP/Jeff Chiu

“My mind was a little blown about the fact that a$75 cup of coffee even exists,” she said, “but it was shockingly good.”Her friend, Charlie Sinhaseni, also gave his free sample a positive review.

A barista prepares an order at Klatch Coffee in San Francisco. Image: AP/Jeff Chiu

“When I first looked at it, I thought it would be hyperpretentious, and I would think of all the different notes for the coffee, but I was too busy enjoying it,” he stated. HM/JB

Starbucks earned billions in free advertising–even though it wasn’t their coffee cup