Napoleon’s Favorite Coffee from St. Helena Island

Most people know Napoleon for his military campaigns and complex legacy—but few realize he had a refined taste in coffee. During his exile, far from the Chambertin wine and fine brandy he once enjoyed, the fallen emperor turned to a very different comfort: coffee. And not just any coffee—coffee from a remote volcanic island in the South Atlantic, where soil and climate created something unexpectedly special.

Napoleon didn’t just tolerate St. Helena coffee—he reportedly called it “the one good thing about this island.” Though the exact quote is debated, the island’s coffee did gain elite attention back in Paris after his death, decades before its modern revival.

Who Was Napoleon’s Coffee Supplier in Exile?

After his defeat at Waterloo in 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to Saint Helena, a small, isolated British-controlled island in the South Atlantic Ocean. Cut off from the luxuries of Europe, his access to fine wines dried up—but he still had his coffee. Though historical accounts don’t specify the exact source of every cup, it is believed that the coffee he drank came from the island itself. That coffee, grown in Saint Helena’s unique volcanic soil, eventually became the very same St. Helena coffee that fascinated connoisseurs after his era.

What Makes St. Helena Coffee So Special?

St. Helena coffee isn’t famous just because of Napoleon. The island’s coffee farms sit on soils formed from ancient volcanic eruptions, enriched over time by bird droppings. Though the island sits at a relatively moderate elevation (around 500–700 meters), the combination of volcanic minerals, high organic matter, and a stable microclimate creates ideal conditions for growing specialty-grade beans.

The key variety grown there is Bourbon—specifically, a Typica-related Bourbon cultivar known for its balanced profile. Though not a rare mutation like Yellow Bourbon, the island’s version benefits enormously from terroir. The coffee is mostly processed using traditional methods suited to small-scale farming, and the output remains extremely limited.

The History and Revival of St. Helena Coffee

For over a century after Napoleon’s death in 1821, St. Helena coffee faded into obscurity. It wasn’t until the late 20th century, when entrepreneur David R. Henry took over coffee production on the island, that the beans regained international attention. Henry revitalized cultivation using traditional Bourbons and focused on quality over quantity. Today, St. Helena coffee is a rare but sought-after single origin, celebrated for its smooth body, gentle acidity, and complex nutty-chocolate notes with hints of spice.

The island’s annual production rarely exceeds a few thousand kilograms, and every bean is cultivated, harvested, and processed with meticulous care. Most of it is exported to Japan, the UK, and specialty roasters around the globe—often sold as a luxury or gift coffee due to its scarcity and historical pedigree.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Napoleon really say coffee was “the one good thing” about St. Helena?

The exact quote “Coffee is the one good thing about St. Helena” is often attributed to Napoleon, but historians have not confirmed he said it verbatim. Regardless, the sentiment reflects how highly he regarded the island’s coffee during his exile, and the phrase has lived on in coffee and history lore.

What coffee variety is grown on St. Helena?

St. Helena primarily grows Bourbon-type coffee, a classic Arabica cultivar with roots in Yemen and Ethiopia. The specific strain is closely related to Typica and has adapted well to the island’s volcanic soils and moderate altitude, producing a balanced and nuanced cup profile.

Where is St. Helena Island, anyway?

St. Helena is a remote volcanic island in the South Atlantic Ocean, over 1,200 miles from the nearest major landmass (Angola). It’s a British Overseas Territory and was famously Napoleon’s place of exile from 1815 until his death in 1821. Its isolation has helped preserve its unique agricultural heritage—including its coffee.

Why did St. Helena coffee disappear for so long?

After Napoleon’s death, St. Helena coffee faded from global markets for more than a century. Limited production, remote location, and lack of commercial infrastructure kept it out of the mainstream. It wasn’t until David R. Henry revived cultivation in the late 20th century that the coffee regained recognition for its quality.

Is St. Helena coffee still available today?

Yes, St. Helena coffee is still produced in very small quantities today. It’s considered a rare single-origin coffee, often sold to specialty markets in Japan, the UK, and select specialty roasters. Due to limited supply, it’s often sold as a luxury or collectible coffee.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans with Historic Depth

For coffee lovers drawn to the historic richness of St. Helena’s Bourbon-grown beans, try FrontStreet’s Jamaica Blue Mountain No.1—a Typica-classic with balance akin to St. Helena’s own. Its chocolate, almond, and creamy notes echo the refined profiles of volcanic-grown Arabicas. Or explore the Brazil Queen Manor Yellow Bourbon, offering sweet notes of caramel and soft citrus from high-altitude Bourbon genetics. Both beans share a lineage connected to the old world Bourbons of Napoleon’s time. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.