Where to Drink Saint Helena and Kopi Luwak Coffee

If you’ve ever wondered where you can actually buy legendary Saint Helena or Kopi Luwak coffee—two of the rarest and most talked-about brews in specialty coffee—you’re not alone. These coffees rarely hit the market, and when they do, they sell out fast. Here’s where you can still find them, how much they cost, and what makes them so sought after.

The short answer? In Taiwan, Saint Helena coffee arrived in June 2024 from the February harvest, and most stock was gone within a month. Kopi Luwak—both wild and farmed versions—are also available, though supplies are limited. You’ll need to reserve Saint Helena in advance, and act quickly for Kopi Luwak.

What Is Saint Helena Coffee?

Saint Helena coffee comes from the remote island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. It’s famously associated with Napoleon Bonaparte, who was exiled there and reportedly drank it. The coffee has built up a near-mythical reputation over the years due to its limited production and historical ties.

This year’s crop was harvested in February, shipped to Taiwan in June, and sold out within weeks. The current green bean price is around 30% higher than it was before the 2009 shortage. That makes it not just rare, but expensive too.

Where to Buy Saint Helena Coffee in Taiwan

In Taipei, Aurora Coffee 100% sells half a pound (227g) of roasted Saint Helena for NT$3,000, and a single 12ml siphon brew (12g dose) for NT$580. But owner Hao Ming-liang keeps it mostly for personal enjoyment and asks customers to preorder. He roasts it 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.

Other cafes with limited stock include Tree With Wind Coffee in Tainan, Fish & Sheep Fresh Bean Coffee in Tainan, Wei Lun Coffee in Nantou, and Iris Coffee in Hsinchu. Always call ahead, as quantities are small and sell fast.

What About Kopi Luwak Coffee?

Kopi Luwak, or civet coffee, is another legendary brew made from beans eaten and excreted by the Asian palm civet. A recent wild variety tasted balanced with no sourness or bitterness, and a distinctive, hard-to-describe aromatic quality, ending with a sweet sugarcane-like note.

Martiniz Café in Taipei, which stopped selling coffee in 2004, reintroduced a farmed Kopi Luwak in early June 2024. Owner Chen Wei-feng says the farmed version is slightly less complex than the wild type, so it’s also cheaper. Roasted dark, half a pound costs NT$6,000, and a siphon brew (25g dose, two pours) is NT$600. Other cafes like Taipei Martin Coffee and Bili Coffee also stock it.

How Much Does It Cost?

• Saint Helena (Aurora Coffee 100%):
  • Half pound (227g) roasted: NT$3,000
  • Single siphon brew (12g): NT$580
• Kopi Luwak (Martiniz Café):
  • Half pound dark roast (farmed): NT$6,000
  • Single siphon brew (25g, two pours): NT$600

Frequently Asked Questions

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

As of June 2024, Saint Helena coffee is available at Aurora Coffee 100% in Taipei (preorder only), and a few other cafes including Tree With Wind Coffee and Fish & Sheep Fresh Bean Coffee in Tainan, and Iris Coffee in Hsinchu—but supplies are extremely limited and often sell out within weeks.

How much does Saint Helena coffee cost?

A half pound (227g) of roasted Saint Helena coffee at Aurora Coffee 100% costs NT$3,000. A single 12g siphon brew is NT$580. The green bean price has risen about 30% compared to 2009 pre-shortage levels.

Is Kopi Luwak coffee still available?

Yes. Martiniz Café in Taipei has reintroduced a farmed Kopi Luwak in June 2024. A half pound dark roast costs NT$6,000, and a 25g siphon brew (two pours) is NT$600. Some other cafes like Taipei Martin Coffee and Bili Coffee also have it in stock.

What does Saint Helena coffee taste like?

According to roaster Hao Ming-liang, it has a good balance, citrus aroma, and a very long aftertaste that can last up to two hours. Others have noted a distinct sweet citrus character, though some find its profile subtle compared to other single origins.

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

Wild Kopi Luwak is said to have a more complex and aromatic profile, while farmed versions—like the one at Martiniz Café—are slightly less nuanced. The farmed type is also more affordable, with a darker roast offered at NT$6,000 per half pound.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Rare Coffee Lovers

If you’re drawn to rare and storied coffees like Saint Helena or Kopi Luwak, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for its vibrant floral and stone fruit brightness, or Panama Humbera for its complex florals and sweet citrus layers. Both offer unique single-origin profiles that echo the exclusivity and complexity of legendary beans, without the extreme rarity—or price tag. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.