World’s Most Expensive Coffee Bean: El Injerto’s Pantaleon-Mocca

Ever wondered what makes a single coffee bean worth over a thousand dollars per kilo? In 2012, a tiny lot of green coffee shattered records at auction—not for branding or hype, but for rarity, meticulous processing, and cup quality. This is the story of that coffee: the Pantaleon-Mocca from Guatemala’s El Injerto farm, which sold for a staggering $1,103.40 per kilogram.

The most expensive coffee bean ever sold at auction was El Injerto’s Pantaleon-Mocca, batch EI01, weighing just 3.63 kg. It fetched $1,103.40 per kilogram in 2012—a record driven by its microlot status, elite processing, and exceptional cup profile.

What Was the Pantaleon-Mocca?

The Pantaleon-Mocca was a microlot of Mocca variety coffee grown at El Injerto farm in Guatemala’s Huehuetenango region. It was harvested in March 2012, processed using fully washed methods—including hand selection, depulping, fermentation, water washing, and sun drying—and classified under special handling protocols. Only one box (3.63 kg / 8 lbs) of this particular batch, numbered EI01, was offered at auction.

Where and How It Was Grown

This coffee came from El Injerto farm, located in the Huehuetenango region of Guatemala, at an elevation of 4,920 feet (1,500 meters) above sea level. The farm enjoys a mild climate with an average annual temperature of 22°C and receives around 1,700 mm of rainfall per year. These conditions, combined with careful farming practices, support slow cherry maturation and complex flavor development. The farm is certified by the Rainforest Alliance, reflecting its commitment to sustainable agriculture.

Processing and Physical Traits

The Pantaleon-Mocca was processed using traditional and meticulous methods: hand-picked, depulped, fermented, washed with clean water, and sun-dried. It underwent special handling that likely included rigorous sorting and possibly extended fermentation or drying controls. Notably, the coffee is noted for being made up of the smallest beans in the world, a hallmark of the Mocca variety. Despite their tiny size, the beans delivered an extraordinary cup profile. Visual comparisons were made with other notable varieties such as Maragogype, Caturra, Bourbon, and Mocca, highlighting its unique characteristics.

Cuppers described it as having “the smallest coffee bean in the world with a huge profile!” highlighting bright tartaric acidity, red fruit notes, honey-like sweetness, and a well-structured body. These sensory attributes contributed significantly to its desirability and record-breaking auction price.

Why It Sold for So Much

Several factors converged to make this lot exceptionally valuable. First, it was a rare Mocca variety—historically significant but now quite uncommon. Second, it came from El Injerto, a farm with a long-standing reputation for quality and innovation in specialty coffee. Third, the meticulous processing and hand-selection ensured extremely high uniformity and quality. Fourth, the limited quantity—just one box of 3.63 kg—created scarcity. Finally, the outstanding cup profile, with vibrant acidity and complex fruit notes, appealed to elite roasters and collectors seeking unique microlots for single-origin offerings or auction prestige.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Pantaleon-Mocca coffee?

The Pantaleon-Mocca is a single-origin coffee from Guatemala’s El Injerto farm, made from the rare Mocca coffee variety. It was processed using fully washed methods and hand-selected for quality. Only one 3.63 kg box of this specific batch (EI01) was produced and sold at auction in 2012.

How much did the Pantaleon-Mocca coffee sell for?

The Pantaleon-Mocca sold for $1,103.40 per kilogram, making it the most expensive green coffee bean ever sold at auction as of 2012. The total lot weighed just 3.63 kg (8 lbs).

Where is El Injerto farm located?

El Injerto farm is located in the Huehuetenango region of Guatemala, at an altitude of 4,920 feet (1,500 meters). The farm benefits from cool temperatures around 22°C and high annual rainfall of approximately 1,700 mm.

What makes Mocca coffee beans different?

Mocca coffee beans, such as those used in the Pantaleon-Mocca, are known for being among the smallest in the world. Despite their size, they often have a complex and intense flavor profile, including bright acidity, fruity notes, and good body structure. They are also relatively rare compared to more common varieties like Bourbon or Caturra.

What processing method was used for the Pantaleon-Mocca?

The Pantaleon-Mocca was processed using a fully washed method, which includes hand-picking, depulping, fermentation, washing with water, and sun drying. It also underwent special handling, likely involving careful sorting and controlled drying, contributing to its high quality.

Why is the Pantaleon-Mocca considered so special?

The Pantaleon-Mocca is considered special due to its rare Mocca variety, elite processing, small production lot (only 3.63 kg), and outstanding cup qualities like bright tartaric acidity, red fruit flavors, and honey notes. Its limited availability and high scoring profile made it highly desirable among specialty coffee buyers.

FrontStreet Coffee Beans Similar to Mocca Profiles

For coffee lovers intrigued by the rare Mocca variety, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera—known for its wild, floral, and citrusy complexity reminiscent of heirloom varieties. Another option is Panama Humbera, a Geisha offering delicate jasmine, tropical fruit, and high-toned acidity that shares Mocca’s vibrancy. For something closer to home, FrontStreet’s Yirgacheffe delivers bright lemon, bergamot, and floral tones with a tea-like body. All three showcase the kind of intricate cup profiles associated with rare, high-grown coffees like Pantaleon-Mocca. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.