You’ve probably noticed that some bags of coffee cost more than others, even if they have the same processing method or come from the same country. Why does this happen? Let’s break down the key factors that influence the price of coffee beans.
1. Altitude and Harvesting Challenges
Coffee grown at higher altitudes (1400+ meters) is often more expensive than low-altitude coffee. Here’s why:
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At high altitudes, coffee trees grow more slowly, making the beans denser and giving them more complex flavors.
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Harvesting in mountainous regions is harder—machines can’t be used, so farmers pick cherries by hand.
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Due to weather conditions, yields are often smaller, but the quality is higher.
📌 Example: Our Colombia Huila Las Perlitas Washed (available here) is a high-altitude coffee with a balanced profile, featuring juicy acidity, notes of red berries, and a smooth caramel finish.
2. Rare Varieties and Unique Regions
Some coffee varieties are naturally rarer, making them more expensive:
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Geisha (Panama Geisha) – This variety is famous for its floral and tea-like characteristics but is difficult to grow and has low yields.
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SL28 & SL34, Sidra and Pink Bourbon – These varieties require extra care and specific growing conditions.
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Wush Wush: An exotic variety similar to Geisha, offering floral and tea-like characteristics.
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Limited production regions – Some farms or cooperatives produce only small batches of coffee, which drives up the price due to exclusivity. For example, coffee from small farms in Yemen or Hawaii is usually more expensive than mass-produced Brazilian coffee.
3. Processing Methods: Classic vs. Experimental
There are several coffee processing methods, each influencing flavor and price:
- Washed (wet process): Beans are cleaned with water, resulting in a clean, stable flavor.
- Natural (dry process): Coffee cherries are dried whole, giving the beans sweeter, fruitier notes.
- Honey process: A middle ground where some of the cherry pulp is left on the bean during drying.
- Anaerobic fermentation: This experimental method involves fermenting the coffee beans in a sealed environment, usually with no oxygen, creating unique flavors with pronounced fruity, complex, and sometimes wine-like notes.
Why does price vary?
- Washed coffee: Usually more consistent in flavor and cheaper to produce due to straightforward processing.
- Natural and honey-processed coffees: Require more time, effort, and risk (bad weather can ruin an entire lot).
- Anaerobic fermentation: Demands careful monitoring and specific conditions, leading to higher costs due to its labor-intensive and experimental nature.
📌 Example: Our Ethiopia Esayas Barso Natural Anaerobic Filter(available here) highlights fruity flavors with notes of blueberry.
4. Farm Size and Availability
The smaller the farm, the more expensive the coffee. Why?
- Small farms can’t produce large volumes, so the cost per kilogram is higher.
- Many small farms invest in sustainable and ethical production, increasing costs.
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Logistics and transportation are more expensive for rare micro-lots, which are often sold through auctions or specialized importers.
📌 Example: Our Costa Rica Tarrazu Solis & Cordero Filter (available here) comes from a family-owned farm producing small, high-quality micro-lots.
5. Seasonality and Demand
Coffee is a seasonal product. If a harvest is small due to bad weather, prices for certain varieties go up. Additionally, demand for specific regions or processing methods can drive up prices.
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If Panama Geisha wins a prestigious Cup of Excellence competition, its price skyrockets.
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Some regions, like Yemen or Hawaii, have naturally low coffee production, so their prices are always higher.
📌 Example: Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Natural – Ethiopian coffees, especially from Yirgacheffe, are highly seasonal, with unique flavors influenced by specific harvest conditions. Demand for Ethiopian naturals remains high, particularly in specialty coffee markets.
6. Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing
Many specialty coffee producers invest in environmentally friendly and ethical farming practices, which add to the cost but ensure better long-term sustainability.
- Fair wages for farmers and pickers
- Organic certifications (which require costly inspections)
- Reforestation and biodiversity efforts
- Carbon-neutral farming
📌 Example: Our Kenya Kegwa AA SL34 Washed (available here) is sourced from smallholder farmers working within a cooperative. Cooperative model helps ensure fair wages, supports local communities, and often follows sustainable agricultural practices. By choosing this coffee, you support sustainable farming practices and a cooperative dedicated to quality and community development.
7. Post-Harvest Handling and Roasting
Once the coffee leaves the farm, additional costs come into play:
- Hand-sorting – Some high-end coffees are meticulously sorted to remove defects, which takes time and labor.
- Aging and storage – Some coffees are intentionally aged for months to develop unique flavors.
- Roasting precision – Small-batch roasting costs more than mass production, but it ensures quality.
📌 Example: A microlot, like Colombia El Paraiso Lychee Honey, that has been carefully hand-sorted, vacuum-sealed for freshness, and roasted in small batches will be more expensive than a bulk-produced coffee.
Final Thoughts
Higher prices don’t always mean better coffee, but in many cases, they reflect the effort, rarity, and quality behind the beans. If you love trying unique and flavorful coffees, investing in a high-quality lot can be an unforgettable experience.
