A fourth-generation coffee producer in Brazil is pushing the boundaries of the luxury market, aiming to sell a single bag of rare Eugenioides coffee for nearly $20,000. This ancient species, often called the “mother” of modern Arabica, is making a high-stakes comeback on the global stage.
The Resurrection of a Lost Species:
- Genetic Ancestry: Coffea eugenioides is one of the two natural parents of the common Arabica bean. While it was long sidelined by its more productive descendants, it is now being cultivated for its unique, tea-like flavor profile and naturally low caffeine content.
- Experimental Farming: The farmer, based in the traditional coffee heartlands of Brazil, has dedicated a portion of his estate to this finicky and low-yielding species, using advanced harvesting and drying techniques to maximize its quality.
- The Price Tag: Aiming for roughly $18,000 to $20,000 per 60kg bag, the crop is being positioned for elite specialty roasters and high-end international competitions, where its rarity and distinct taste—often described as having notes of toasted marshmallow and lemon drops—command a massive premium.
Why It Matters: The move comes at a time when the coffee industry is grappling with climate change. As traditional Arabica plants struggle with rising temperatures, farmers and researchers are looking back at ancestral species like Eugenioides to find genetic traits that might offer better resilience or entirely new sensory experiences for the “super-specialty” market.
If successful, this sale would set a new benchmark for Brazilian coffee, shifting the narrative from the world’s largest volume producer to a hub for some of the planet’s most expensive and scientifically significant beans.