Increasingly, on the menu, we see not only the volume of the drink and the recipe, but also different types of coffee, from which it can be prepared. Baristas are advised to choose grains from Kenya or Colombia, Burundi or Ethiopia, Brazil or Rwanda. For the most sophisticated coffee lovers who have already tasted popular options, we have selected five rare coffees with an interesting history. Finding them may be difficult, but worth it.
Kona
This Hawaiian coffee is considered one of the most expensive and sophisticated in the world. The name "Kona" means "leeward side" or dry part of the island. Unusual Arabica grows in the Kona region, on the slopes of the Hualalai and Mauna Loa volcanoes. The taste and aroma of coffee is influenced by local natural conditions: mild climate without temperature changes, volcanic soil, regular alternation of sun and rain. All this is ideal for cultivating a rare variety. Farmers treat coffee berries very carefully and pick them only by hand, which also significantly affects the quality. As a result, coffee is distinguished by light acidity, soft and balanced taste, refined aroma and original notes of wine, spices and walnuts.
Jamaica Blue Mountain
It is believed that this particular variety was John Lennon's favorite. Coming to Japan, the legendary musician certainly enjoyed rare coffee: most of the real Jamaica Blue Mountain beans are supplied to the Land of the Rising Sun, so it is not so easy to find this coffee outside its borders. By the way, Briton Ian Fleming, the author of books about James Bond, was also a connoisseur of soft taste and delicate fruity aroma. It is not difficult to understand the fans of the variety: pleasant berry sourness, the perfect balance of astringency and sweetness, as well as notes of cocoa and pepper make the tasting experience unforgettable. The secret of special characteristics lies in the unique conditions of the origin of coffee: it is one of the highest growing in the world and ripens on Jamaican plantations, stretching at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level.
Galapagos coffee
The Galapagos Islands are renowned for their amazing flora and fauna. In this heavenly place, extraordinary coffee is grown, the value of which is due to several factors at once. First, the Galapagos are very respectful of the environment, including coffee trees, and they care about the environment. Secondly, the specific microclimate with cool ocean winds and volcanic soil provides excellent conditions for the development of outstanding characteristics in coffee.
“The taste and aroma of coffee is seriously influenced by the climatic and environmental conditions of the region in which it is grown, therefore, in distant countries with pristine nature, you can find amazing varieties with exceptional characteristics,” explains Nikita Kudryavtsev, coffee expert at Nespresso. ─ The Galapagos is one such place, but out of 19 islands only 2 are really suitable for successful coffee growing. The Nespresso experts selected Santa Cruz Island and found 6 of the best farms that offered the highest quality grain. As a result, we created a new blend Galapagos SantCruz and included it in the collection of the rarest varieties of Explorations. Due to its rarity and limited quantity, the coffee will be on sale for a limited period, but this will allow gourmets to get acquainted with the amazing taste and aroma of the Galapagos Islands."
Ethiopia Irgachif
Among gourmets, the Irgachif coffee from Ethiopia is considered a real coffee treasure. It is known for its versatility of taste and aroma: after each sip, different notes are revealed, from bergamot to jasmine flowers, from chocolate to berries. Complex, exquisite, citrus-floral "Ethiopia Irgachif" pleases with light sweetness, softness and long aftertaste. However, it is not easy to find truly quality coffee of this variety, as it is difficult to get and transport from Ethiopia.
Yellow bourbon
Bourbon is known as the founding father of the finest Brazilian coffees. Bourbon Yellow is considered to be of higher quality than Red due to the high sugar content in the coffee beans. The Yellow Bourbon has several distinctive features. First, the coffee beans in this variety are yellowish in color rather than the typical red. Secondly, the skin of the berries is thinner, so "Yellow Bourbon" is more exposed to sunlight. Thirdly, the unique Arabica from Brazil is distinguished by an interesting profile: light fruit and berry acidity, delicate creamy notes, rich taste and multifaceted aroma, in which you can feel the shades of nuts, chocolate, raspberries and even honey. This mild coffee has an impressive aromatic potential and pleases with its tenderness and balance of taste during tasting.
Material prepared by experts from Nespresso.
Photo: Getty Images
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