Specialty Coffee Beans
Latest articles, industry insights and brewing guides
What Makes Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee So Special?
Learn why Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is rare, expensive, and uniquely balanced—with just 2,500 tons produced yearly from a protected high-elevation region.
Arabica vs Robusta: The Two Main Coffee Bean Types
Coffee comes from just two main species: Arabica and Robusta. Learn how each is processed and what flavors they bring to your cup.
What Are the Real Health Benefits of Drinking Coffee?
Coffee contains antioxidants and caffeine that may help delay aging, boost energy, and reduce risks of diabetes and gallstones.
How Much Coffee Should You Drink for Health?
Health experts recommend 2–3 cups of coffee daily for most adults. Pregnant women should limit intake to under 200mg caffeine, and avoid coffee while on medication.
Why Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Is So Rare and Expensive
Learn why Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is among the rarest and most sought-after beans, from steep mountain harvesting to strict export controls.
What Is Kopi Luwak? The Truth About Civet Coffee
Kopi Luwak, or civet coffee, is made from beans eaten and excreted by wild palm civets. Here’s how it’s made, why it’s expensive, and what it really tastes like.
What Is Kopi Luwak? Indonesia’s Iconic Civet Coffee
Kopi Luwak, or civet coffee, is Indonesia’s rare fermented coffee made via wild civet digestion. Only ~1,000 lbs are produced yearly.
How a Pu'er Coffee Farmer Became a 'Hua Millionaire' in 15 Years
A Pu'er farmer turned his 30-acre coffee plot into a thriving business, lifting his village’s income and becoming known as 'Hua Millionaire.' Here’s how.
Nestlé Agronomist Finds Coffee 'New Frontier' in Yunnan
How a Belgian agronomist and his team helped turn Yunnan into a global specialty coffee hub over 25 years — with 98% of suppliers still smallholders.
Why Vietnamese Coffee Is Famous Around the World
Vietnamese coffee is globally renowned for its strong filtered brews and unique sweetened style using sweetened condensed milk.
Why African Coffee Is Struggling in China
African coffee makes up 13% of global output but barely penetrates China. Cultural habits, weak branding, and policy hurdles slow its progress.
What Is Yunnan Coffee Farming Really Like?
A firsthand look at Yunnan’s coffee fields reveals hard labor, global demand, and a struggle for local identity in the birthplace of China’s coffee industry.
Yunnan Coffee Farmers Endure Low Prices in Pu'er
Despite falling global coffee prices, Yunnan farmers like Wang Zhongxue hold on, drawing lessons from past crises and support from industry programs.
How Kopi Luwak Coffee Gets Its Legendary Smoothness
Civet cats instinctively select ripe coffee cherries, and their digestion reduces bitterness—here’s how rare Luwak coffee achieves its famed smooth finish.
Why Mandheling Coffee Tastes Bitter Yet Smooth
Discover why Mandheling coffee is famously bitter yet richly textured, with a smooth finish that surprises many coffee drinkers.
What Makes a Great Cup of Yunnan Coffee? One Roaster’s Journey
A former journalist turned coffee entrepreneur shares his 15-year mission to share the true taste of Yunnan coffee through handcrafted drip bags.
What Makes Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee Authentic?
Learn what qualifies as true Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, from altitude rules to official certification and limited annual production.
Sumatra Lake Tawar Emerald Mandheling Coffee Beans
Explore the high-scoring, fruity and sweet Emerald Mandheling from Lake Tawar, part of the Hands of Hope project in Aceh, Sumatra.
How to Make Honey-Egg Coffee with Mandheling Brazilian Blend
Learn how to prepare traditional honey-egg coffee using a 7/10 full cup of Mandheling Brazilian blend, egg yolk, rum, and cream in 6 easy steps.
What Is Blue Mountain Coffee and Why Is It Special?
Blue Mountain Coffee comes from Jamaica’s Blue Mountains. It’s rare, low in caffeine, and prized for its balanced flavor and smooth body.