Where to Try Saint Helena and Kopi Luwak Coffee

Ever wondered where you can actually buy legendary Saint Helena coffee or try the elusive Kopi Luwak? These ultra-rare beans rarely hit the market—and when they do, they sell out fast. If you’ve been asking yourself where to find them, the answer lies in a handful of specialty cafes in Taiwan, but act quickly. Both coffees arrived in limited quantities and disappeared almost as soon as they landed.

Short answer: In June 2024, Saint Helena coffee arrived in Taiwan and was sold out within a month. The next shipment isn’t due until late July. For Kopi Luwak, both wild and farmed versions are available at select Taipei cafes including Martinique Cafe and BL Cafe, with farmed Luwak priced lower than previous years.

What Is Saint Helena Coffee—and Why Is It So Expensive?

Saint Helena coffee comes from the remote island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. Grown on the volcanic slopes of this British Overseas Territory, the coffee gained fame partly because Napoleon Bonaparte reportedly drank it during his exile. Today, it’s one of the rarest and most expensive single-origin coffees globally.

The February 2024 harvest arrived in Taiwan in June 2024. Despite a 30% increase in green bean prices compared to 2009 (before a prior supply interruption), demand remains sky-high. Local roasters and cafés bought up the entire June shipment in under a month. The next batch is not expected until the end of July.

Where You Can Buy Saint Helena Coffee in Taiwan Right Now

As of June 2024, very few retailers have Saint Helena coffee available due to the quick sellout. One such place was Aurora Coffee 100% in Taipei, offering:

• Half-pound (227g) roasted beans: NT$3,000
• Single siphon-brewed cup (12g/180ml): NT$580

Aurora’s owner, Hao Mingliang, holds back most of his small stock for personal tasting rather than retail sale—so customers need to pre-order. He roasts Saint Helena just before the start of the second crack, which he says highlights its balanced profile, citrus aroma, and long-lasting finish that lingers for up to two hours. He described it as having “a clear sweetness with great balance,” though he noted similar qualities can also be found in other high-end coffees.

Other Taiwanese Cafés Carrying Saint Helena

Limited supplies are also available (or were recently) at:

• Tree Has Wind Coffee (Tainan)
• Fish and Sheep Fresh Bean Coffee (Tainan)
• Weilun Coffee (Nantou)
• Iris Coffee (Hsinchu)

Most of these cafes have only small quantities, and availability changes rapidly. Calling ahead is strongly recommended.

What About Kopi Luwak? Wild vs. Farmed

Kopi Luwak, or civet coffee, also made a quiet return to some Taipei menus in early 2024. This coffee is famously (or infamously) processed after being eaten and excreted by the Asian palm civet. The digestive process is said to alter the beans’ structure, creating a distinctive flavor profile.

This year, a wild-type Kopi Luwak was tasted and described as having a balanced cup: not overly acidic or bitter, with a mysterious, hard-to-describe floral aroma and a sweet sugarcane-like finish. A farmed version, previously discontinued by Martinique Cafe since 2004, has been re-imported in mid-2024. Owner Chen Weifeng noted the farmed beans have slightly less complexity than the wild ones, and thus are more affordable.

Where to Try Kopi Luwak in Taipei

As of June 2024, you can find Kopi Luwak at:

• Martinique Cafe (Taipei): Sells farmed Luwak, half-pound dark roast for NT$6,000; single siphon cup (25g/2 brews) for NT$600
• BL Cafe (Taipei)
• Malibu Cafe (Taipei)

Prices reflect the rarity and processing method, with the wild variety historically commanding higher prices. The current farmed offering provides a more accessible entry point.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy Saint Helena coffee in Taiwan right now?

As of June 2024, the recent shipment sold out within a month. The only recently confirmed retailer was Aurora Coffee 100% in Taipei, but they are now sold out and take pre-orders only. The next shipment is expected in late July 2024. Other cafes like Tree Has Wind (Tainan), Fish and Sheep (Tainan), Weilun (Nantou), and Iris (Hsinchu) may still have small amounts—call ahead.

How much does Saint Helena coffee cost?

Aurora Coffee 100% in Taipei was selling half-pound roasted bags for NT$3,000 and single siphon cups (12g/180ml) for NT$580. Prices reflect the rarity and small production of the coffee.

Is Kopi Luwak coffee available again in Taiwan?

Yes. In mid-2024, Martinique Cafe in Taipei reintroduced a farmed version of Kopi Luwak, which had been discontinued since 2004. They also previously offered a wild variety. Other Taipei cafes like BL Cafe and Malibu Cafe may also carry it. Farmed Luwak is more affordable, with half-pound dark roast bags priced at NT$6,000.

What’s the difference between wild and farmed Kopi Luwak?

Wild Kopi Luwak is made from beans collected from civets in natural environments and is often described as more complex and aromatic. The farmed version, where civets are fed coffee cherries in controlled settings, is considered to have slightly less depth but is more consistent and less expensive. The farmed version now available in Taipei is priced at NT$6,000 per half-pound.

How should I brew Saint Helena or Kopi Luwak coffee?

Saint Helena is often brewed using a siphon (as at Aurora) to highlight its subtle aromatics. Kopi Luwak is commonly brewed the same way to preserve its unique mouthfeel and fragrance. Both benefit from careful brewing methods that avoid masking their delicate profiles, such as siphon, pour-over, or AeroPress with light to medium roast profiles.

Why is Saint Helena coffee so rare?

Saint Helena coffee is rare due to the island’s small-scale, labor-intensive production. The beans are grown on steep volcanic slopes with limited farming space, harvested by hand, and processed in tiny batches. Coupled with global demand and logistical challenges, supply remains extremely limited.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Rare Coffee Lovers

If you’re drawn to rare and distinctive single origins like Saint Helena or Kopi Luwak, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui (Geisha) for its jasmine tea-like brightness and complex fruit layers, best as pour-over. Their Panama Huacai offers intense stone fruit and florals, ideal for showcasing unique processing. Both highlight what makes microlot coffees so special. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.