Where to Drink Saint Helena and Kopi Luwak Coffee

Ever wondered where you can actually buy those ultra-rare coffees you've only heard about—like Saint Helena or Kopi Luwak? These legendary beans rarely hit the market, and when they do, they sell out almost instantly. If you've been trying to track down a cup or a bag, you're not alone. Here's where you can find them right now.

If you're in Taiwan, Saint Helena coffee arrived in June 2024, just four months after harvest in February. Most supplies were gone within a month. Kopi Luwak, both wild and farmed varieties, is also back in stock at select cafes, including Martiniz Cafe in Taipei.

What Is Saint Helena Coffee and Why Is It So Hard to Get?

Saint Helena coffee comes from the remote island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. It gained legendary status partly because Napoleon Bonaparte reportedly drank it during his exile. The island’s isolation limits production to just a few hundred kilograms per year, making it one of the rarest and most expensive coffees in the world.

The 2024 crop, harvested in February, arrived in Taiwan in June. Despite a roughly 30% increase in green bean prices compared to 2009 (before it went out of stock for years), the limited quantity sold out within weeks. The next shipment isn’t expected until late July.

Where You Can Try Saint Helena Coffee in Taiwan

In Taipei, Aurora Coffee 100% offers Saint Helena as both whole bean and single-origin pour-over. Their half-pound (227g) bag retails for NT$3,000, and a single 12ml siphon brew (using 12g of coffee) goes for NT$580. However, owner Hao Ming-liang keeps stock minimal—mostly for personal tasting—and requires advance orders for beans. He roasts the coffee just before the start of the second crack, aiming for balance and a long-lasting citrusy finish with an unusually extended aftertaste he says lasts up to two hours.

Other cafés stocking small amounts include Tree With Wind Coffee in Tainan, Fish and Sheep Fresh Bean Coffee in Tainan, Wei Lun Coffee in Nantou, and Iris Coffee in Hsinchu. Due to limited stock, it’s best to call ahead.

Hao Ming-liang describes the coffee as having a well-balanced profile with bright citrus notes and a very long, smooth aftertaste. Though he noted that similar qualities can be found in other coffees, the experience of trying Saint Helena remains uniquely memorable—emphasising that 'having tried it is more meaningful than just hearing it’s good.'

What About Kopi Luwak—Is It Still Available?

Kopi Luwak, or civet coffee, also made a quiet return in 2024. A wild variety was recently tasted and described as having a balanced flavour with no sourness or bitterness, a smooth profile, and a mysterious, indescribable fragrance. Its sugary molasses-like finish stood out.

Martiniz Cafe in Taipei, which stopped selling coffee in 2004, reintroduced a farmed Kopi Luwak in early June 2024. Owner Chen Wei-feng noted that the cultivated version has slightly less complexity than the wild type, and thus is priced lower. The half-pound dark roast costs NT$6,000, while a single 25g siphon brew (with two pours) is NT$600.

Other Taipei cafes selling Kopi Luwak include Martin Coffee and Bili Coffee. Supplies remain limited.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy Saint Helena coffee in Taiwan?

In Taipei, Aurora Coffee 100% sells Saint Helena as whole bean and by the cup. Other cafes with limited stock include Tree With Wind Coffee (Tainan), Fish and Sheep Fresh Bean Coffee (Tainan), Wei Lun Coffee (Nantou), and Iris Coffee (Hsinchu). Call ahead, as quantities are very small and often sell out quickly.

How much does Saint Helena coffee cost?

As of 2024, a half-pound bag of Saint Helena roasted coffee in Taipei costs NT$3,000. A single 12g siphon brew is NT$580. Green bean prices have risen around 30% since 2009, contributing to the high cost.

Is Kopi Luwak coffee available again?

Yes. Martiniz Cafe in Taipei reintroduced farmed Kopi Luwak in June 2024. A half-pound dark roast costs NT$6,000, and a single 25g siphon brew (two pours) is NT$600. Some wild variety was also recently tasted, described as smoother and more fragrant than typical commercial versions.

Where can I try Kopi Luwak in Taipei?

Martiniz Cafe, Martin Coffee, and Bili Coffee currently offer Kopi Luwak. The Martiniz offering is a farmed type introduced in June 2024, with a lower price and slightly simpler profile than wild versions.

Why is Saint Helena coffee so expensive and rare?

Saint Helena coffee is rare due to extremely limited production on a remote island. Annual output is minimal, and the 2024 crop sold out in Taiwan within weeks of arrival despite a 30% price increase over 2009 levels. The scarcity and historical lore add to its high value.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Exploring Rare Flavours

For coffee lovers drawn to rare and distinctive profiles like Saint Helena, try FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Huakui (Geisha) for its jasmine and citrus brightness, or their Panama Huacai for layered tropical fruits and florals. Both showcase the kind of clarity and complexity that make rare single origins so sought after. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.