Tag: Rare Coffee

The Secret Behind the Smooth Taste of Rare Black Ivory Coffee

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Dubai – Qahwa World

The rare Black Ivory coffee, produced with the help of Asian elephants, owes its exceptionally smooth and balanced flavor to the unique gut microbiome of the animals, according to a Japanese study published in a scientific journal.

This coffee is produced in a single reserve in Thailand, where elephants are carefully fed Arabica coffee cherries. The cherries pass through the elephants’ digestive system before the beans are collected, cleaned, and sun-dried. This process is entirely non-invasive and ethical, unlike some other exotic coffees, ensuring the welfare of the animals while contributing to conservation awareness.

Researchers found that the elephants’ diet—composed of coffee cherries, rice bran, and bananas—creates a gut environment rich in Acinetobacter bacteria and other microbes capable of breaking down pectin, a compound naturally present in coffee beans. Normally, pectin partially breaks down during roasting, producing bitter compounds. In Black Ivory coffee, part of the pectin is broken down in the elephant’s gut, resulting in a beverage with markedly less bitterness and a smoother taste.

Beyond its digestive processing, Black Ivory is extremely rare, with annual production typically under 250 kilograms, making it far more limited than Kopi Luwak. Each kilogram requires hundreds of cherries, and the careful manual collection and roasting process adds to its exclusivity.

The coffee is celebrated for its velvety texture and chocolate-forward flavor, often accompanied by subtle notes of caramel, malt, and spices. Its naturally low acidity and bitterness make it ideal for both espresso and filter brewing, even without added sugar or milk.

Due to its scarcity and labor-intensive production, Black Ivory is one of the most expensive coffees in the world, with prices often reaching $500–$1,000 per kilogram. A single cup in specialty cafes can cost $50–$100, making it a true luxury experience for coffee enthusiasts.

With its combination of scientifically unique processing, exceptional flavor, and ethical production, Black Ivory coffee offers a rare glimpse into the innovative and sustainable possibilities of specialty coffee.

What’s New in the Dubai Coffee Auction 2026

Posted on by Qahwa World

Dubai – Qahwa World

The Dubai Coffee Auction returns this year as part of World of Coffee Dubai 2026, promising a bigger and more exciting experience than ever. The three-day event, taking place from 18 to 20 January 2026, offers roasters, café owners, and coffee enthusiasts the opportunity to explore and purchase some of the world’s finest coffees and innovative equipment.

Auction Event Schedule:

18 January – Coffee Equipment Showcase: Exhibitors will present a curated auction of specialized, high-end, and custom coffee equipment, providing attendees with an exclusive chance to explore the tools shaping modern coffee craftsmanship.

19 January – Premium Coffee Auction: Participants can bid on rare and specialty coffee lots, both in person and online through cupping bidding sessions, offering a more interactive experience for buyers worldwide.

20 January – Green Coffee Auction: A curated selection of pre-screened, top-tier green coffees will be showcased to buyers through in-person cupping sessions, emphasizing quality and exclusivity.

Organisers confirmed that this year’s auction introduces new experiences designed to connect buyers with rare microlots, specialty coffee, and advanced equipment, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global hub for coffee lovers and the coffee industry.

The auction first launched last year during World of Coffee Dubai 2025, marking the region’s first-ever rare coffee auction, featuring around 20 collections of specialty and rare coffee beans.

The auction is the result of a strategic partnership between World of Coffee and the Coffee Centre of DMCC, aiming to strengthen Dubai’s role as a global coffee hub. Attendees can participate in person, while remote participants can join through a sophisticated digital platform.

In its inaugural edition, the Dubai Coffee Auction achieved record prices, with 16 collections of some of the rarest and finest beans offered by 11 producers from nine countries, including 11 collections of Geisha coffee, covering six different varieties, making the auction a global showcase of the world’s top coffee producers.

The highest-priced coffee in the auction was natural Geisha from the “Finca Sofia” farm in Panama, sold at $10,020 per kilogram, while another variety from the same farm reached $8,614 per kilogram, and a selection from “Finca La Mula” sold for $2,620 per kilogram. Meanwhile, Oma Natural coffee from Ethiopia reached $1,100 per kilogram, setting a new record for Ethiopian coffee.

The “Kona SL 34” variety from Hawaii also achieved a new U.S. coffee record at $950 per kilogram, an eightfold increase over the previous highest price paid for Kona coffee.

Geisha coffee is considered one of the rarest and most expensive coffees globally, known for its unique floral and citrus notes such as jasmine, and a smooth texture. Its origins trace back to Ethiopia, specifically the village of Geisha, and it was transplanted to Panama in the 1960s, where it thrives in high-altitude farms.

Additionally, “La Yama” from producer “Los Rodriguez” became the most expensive Bolivian coffee ever sold, fetching $350 per kilogram.

Specialty coffee, in general, is classified as coffee scoring 80 points or higher on a 100-point scale used in the Specialty Coffee Association’s cupping form. All lots presented in the auction scored 92 points or higher, reflecting their high quality.

Auction prices are driven by three main factors: superior quality, which typically scores above 90 points in cupping tests; rarity, as limited production increases demand; and the producer’s reputation and story, which add value and attract buyers seeking consistency and excellence.

Grounds for Health Auction Returns with Rare Coffees to Support Women’s Health

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Dubai, September 1, 2025 (Qahwa World) – The annual Grounds for Health Auction will return on Thursday, September 18, offering roasters around the world the chance to acquire rare, high-quality green coffees and specialty equipment while directly supporting lifesaving women’s health programs in coffee-growing communities.

This year’s auction features contributions from some of the most renowned farms in the coffee industry. Among the highlights are a washed Geisha “Guabo” lot from Hacienda La Esmeralda in Panama, exceptional coffees from Finca El Injerto in Guatemala, and Hacienda La Minita in Costa Rica. The catalog also includes premium offerings from major traders such as Walker Coffee Trading, Keffa Coffee, and San Cristobal Coffee Importers, in addition to professional coffee equipment.

All proceeds from the auction go directly to Grounds for Health, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and detecting cervical cancer in coffee-producing regions. The group currently operates programs in Ethiopia and Kenya, where cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of death among women, despite being entirely preventable with early screening.

“When we invest in women’s health, we invest in the future of coffee itself. Healthy women farmers mean thriving families, sustainable farms, and the exceptional coffee quality our industry depends on,” said Justin Mool, Auction Manager at Grounds for Health.

Since its launch in 2009, the auction has raised more than $1 million to fund its health initiatives. Past editions have featured notable contributions from farms such as Hacienda El Roble in Colombia and Daterra Coffee in Brazil, along with strong support from traders including Walker Coffee Trading. In the 2024 auction, nearly thirty lots of specialty coffee were offered, underlining the ongoing commitment of the global coffee community to this cause.

Roasters and industry participants can register through the official auction website to bid on coffee or equipment, or to make direct donations. Shipping costs are not included in the winning bids and must be arranged separately.