4 Weird Coffee Drinks From Around The World.

Dive into the quirky and captivating world of coffee drinks from around the world, and you’ll stumble upon monkey spit coffee, somehow the least shocking of the so-called ‘excreted coffee’ varieties. But don’t worry, we’ll get to the truly wild stuff shortly…

Monkey Spit Coffee, or Monkey Parchment Coffee, is as unconventional as it sounds. The process starts when Rhesus Monkeys or Macaques chew on coffee beans, extracting their rich flavours. Unable to digest the beans, the monkeys simply spit them out, leaving the beans for collection.

Once harvested, these beans undergo washing, processing, and drying, which gives them an unusual grey hue. But here’s the fascinating part: during the chewing process, enzymes from the monkey’s saliva alter the chemical composition of the beans. This changes the flavour, resulting in beans that are significantly less bitter, with sweet notes of vanilla and citrus that linger even after processing.

If you’re someone who enjoys a milk-based coffee, this might not be for you. Monkey Spit Coffee is best enjoyed black, with no sugar or milk, allowing you to savour the deep, unique flavour profile that comes from this unconventional method.

Traveling to Taiwan or India soon? You’re in luck, as Monkey Parchment Coffee is popular in these regions. Outside of this area, it can be tough to find, but if you’re feeling adventurous, you can grab some here.

Now for a true extravagence—Black Ivory Coffee. Think of this as the successor to Kopi Luwak, but instead of civets, we have Thai elephants involved in the process.

The method is similar: elephants are fed coffee cherries mixed with various fruits. After digestion, the beans are excreted and carefully collected by workers. However, these majestic animals are much larger than civets, meaning more beans are needed to produce a single pound of coffee. For every pound of processed Black Ivory Coffee, up to 33 pounds of beans need to be ingested.

This labour-intensive process is why Black Ivory Coffee is one of the most expensive coffees on the market, with 1kg retailing for over £2,000—almost double the price of Kopi Luwak. But, don’t worry; while you’re unlikely to find this in your average coffee from around the world subscription box, you can still purchase it directly from their website if you’re ready for the indulgence.

You may not find blue-hued beans here, but Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is still a rare and sought-after variety. Grown in the lush, mountainous regions of Jamaica, this coffee is prized for its unique flavour profile.

What makes these coffee beans from around the world so special? For one, it’s grown in a specific climate that has supported coffee cultivation since the 1700s. The beans are hand-picked, as standard processing equipment can’t handle the steep, remote areas where they are cultivated. This makes the entire production process slower, more manual, and more resource-intensive than most coffees, contributing to its rarity and high price.

With only about 400 metric tons produced each year, and 80% of it already claimed by Japan and the US, just a small amount of this coffee is available globally. If you’re lucky enough to try it, expect to pay around £200 per kg. Compared to Black Ivory Coffee, this seems like a bargain! If you’re ready to experience its one-of-a-kind flavour, you can buy some here.

If you’re a coffee drinker who lives for the caffeine rush, Devil Mountain Coffee Co.’s Black Label will blow your mind. With a claimed caffeine content of 1500mg per 12oz cup, this coffee packs a punch like no other—equivalent to more than 10 cups of regular coffee in one serving.

To put this into perspective, your average cup of coffee contains about 90-120mg of caffeine. A cup of Devil Mountain’s Black Label will elevate your heart rate and might even induce headaches if you’re not used to such a caffeine overload. But if you’re a hardcore coffee fan in search of the ultimate buzz, this is your ticket to coffee heaven.

Feeling brave enough to try it? Order a bag here.

If you’ve drank Champagne or Port, or eaten Stilton cheese or Bratwurst in the past, you’ve consumed something with Protected Geographical Indication. These rules protect food and drink products with a particularly unique production process or output, and there’s one such coffee product that you may not know about – Hawaiian Kona Coffee.

For those who appreciate the finer things in life, Hawaiian Kona Coffee is a coffee from around the world gift you must try. Grown on the volcanic slopes of Hawaii, this coffee is cultivated in some of the most ideal conditions for coffee growing anywhere in the world. The warm, rich volcanic soil imparts a distinct flavour that’s unlike any other.

Kona Coffee is a rare and luxurious choice, often ranked among the top five coffee beans globally. Its sweet flavour and floral aroma make it a coffee lover’s dream. Though it’s not cheap, if you’re looking for a coffee experience that transports you to the islands, Kona is the way to go.

You can find this unique coffee from Tropic Coffee here.

If you are a true coffee connoisseur, exploring coffee drinks from around the world is an adventure that could lead you to rare and exceptional brews that stand apart from the norm. Whether you’re on a quest to find the rarest beans or searching for a coffee that packs an unimaginable punch, these extreme beans offer something for every palate.

Looking to bring a taste of the world’s finest coffees into your workplace? Get in touch with our team at 01865 528176 or send us an enquiry. With over 25 years of experience inspiring workplaces with exceptional food and drink, we’re ready to help you offer your staff a coffee experience like no other.