Guatemala's Pantaleon-Mocca: World's Most Expensive Coffee Bean

In 2012, coffee professionals witnessed a record-breaking auction result: a tiny lot of Mocca beans from Guatemala fetched an astonishing $1,103.40 per kilogram. That’s not a typo. The question isn’t why anyone would pay that much — it’s how a single coffee variety, grown in a remote region, could achieve such a lofty valuation. This is the story behind the Pantaleon-Mocca, and why it remains one of the most remarkable coffees ever sold at auction.

The answer is simple but extraordinary: El Injerto Farm’s Pantaleon-Mocca batch EI01, just 3.63 kg in total, sold for $1,103.40 per kilogram in 2012 — the highest price ever recorded for a green coffee auction lot at that time. That equates to over $4,000 USD for the entire small box. Let’s break down how that happened.

What Is Pantaleon-Mocca?

Pantaleon-Mocca is not a marketing term — it’s a rare coffee variety. Specifically, it’s the Mocca (often spelled Mocha or Mokka) cultivar, a little-known, small-beaned Typica-related variety with distinctive cup characteristics. This particular lot came from El Injerto Farm in Guatemala’s Huehuetenango region, one of Central America’s most renowned coffee-growing areas. The farm is known for meticulous processing and producing some of the country’s most awarded coffees.

Growing Conditions and Processing

The beans were grown at 4,920 feet (1,500 meters) above sea level, in a region with an average annual temperature of 22°C and rainfall of around 1,700 mm. These conditions are ideal for slow cherry maturation and complex sugar development. The coffee was hand-picked, depulped, washed, and then sun-dried — all standard for high-end lots, but the variety and attention to detail elevated it further. The batch was processed as a “special treatment” lot, likely involving additional selection or fermentation refinement beyond standard washed processing.

Cup Profile and Auction Results

Cuppers at the auction described the Pantaleon-Mocca as “the smallest coffee bean in the world with a huge profile!” It presented bright tartaric acidity, red fruit notes, hints of honey, and a well-structured body. Such a small bean size usually indicates lower yield, but in this case, it correlated with intense cup complexity. The lot weighed just 3.63 kg (8 lbs) total, with only one box (batch #EI01), making it an ultra-rare micro-lot. The exceptional cup quality and minuscule quantity led to its record auction price.

Mocca vs Other Coffee Varieties

To understand why Mocca commands attention, compare it to more common varieties: Maragogype (a giant-beaned Typica mutant), Caturra (a dwarf Bourbon mutation), Bourbon (a classic high-quality cultivar), and Mocca. Mocca beans are notably smaller, often denser, and less productive. Their unique flavor profile and scarcity make them a target for specialty roasters and collectors. Unlike larger beans that may favour volume, Mocca favours intensity — a trade-off that paid off spectacularly in this auction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Pantaleon-Mocca coffee bean?

Pantaleon-Mocca is a rare Mocca variety coffee lot grown at El Injerto Farm in Guatemala’s Huehuetenango region. It’s known for its tiny bean size, bright acidity, red fruit notes, and honey-like sweetness. A 3.63 kg batch sold for $1,103.40 per kg in 2012, making it the most expensive green coffee auction lot at that time.

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). It’s renowned for producing award-winning specialty coffees with meticulous processing methods.

Why was the Pantaleon-Mocca so expensive?

The Pantaleon-Mocca fetched $1,103.40 per kg due to its exceptional cup quality, rarity, and small production batch. With only 3.63 kg available and a unique flavour profile including bright acidity and honey notes, it became the most expensive green coffee at auction in 2012.

What does Mocca coffee taste like?

Mocca coffee, as exemplified by the Pantaleon-Mocca lot, typically features bright tartaric acidity, red fruit flavours, honey-like sweetness, and a well-structured body. The beans are small and dense, contributing to a concentrated cup profile.

How does Mocca compare to other coffee varieties?

Compared to varieties like Maragogype, Caturra, and Bourbon, Mocca beans are smaller, often less productive, and more difficult to grow. They tend to produce a denser bean with a more intense and unique flavour profile, but in lower yields.

What altitude was the Pantaleon-Mocca grown at?

The Pantaleon-Mocca coffee was cultivated at 4,920 feet (1,500 meters) above sea level in Guatemala’s Huehuetenango region, an area known for ideal coffee-growing conditions and complex cup profiles.

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