Why coffee prices vary so much and how to choose your perfect beans — a roaster's explanation

Oleksiy Gontar, roaster at Foundation Coffee Roasters and project manager of their specialty line High5, in an exclusive column for AIN tells what determines the price of coffee and how not to get lost in the world of tastes and types of this drink.

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Why are coffee prices so different?

At first glance, coffee is the same everywhere: the beans are roasted, packaged, and ready to brew. But the reality is different, and coffee prices can vary significantly. And there are several key factors that can influence this.
Origin and logistics
For example, coffee from Colombia or Kenya that is transported across several continents will cost more due to complex routes and customs duties. If the logistics are carried out through conflict-ridden regions (like the Red Sea), this complicates the situation even further.

The country of origin will also significantly affect the taste and, accordingly, the price. For example:

• Ethiopian coffee is distinguished by its fruity and floral notes and is considered premium;
• Brazilian coffee has chocolate-nut hues and is the lowest priced, often used in blends;
• Kenyan coffee is famous for its bright acidity and wine notes, making it popular among gourmets.

Freshness of green coffee

Some unscrupulous producers purchase large quantities of green coffee in advance at a bargain price to save money. But storing the beans for 1–2 years reduces their quality. Such beans can lose their aroma, taste and acidity. Because of this, the price of such coffee will be lower, but its taste will be much worse.

Processing and preparing coffee for roasting

Washed grains are generally more expensive due to the higher complexity of the process and water consumption.

And the price is higher when it comes to modern complex technological processes, such as thermal shock, carbonic maceration, hanni, adding yeast and fruits/berries. But natural processing is a little cheaper, but precisely because of this, there is a certain shortage of it.

The diversity and uniqueness of grains

Each local roaster has a coffee to suit every taste and budget. For example, the range can include affordable blends for everyday consumption, as well as exclusive microlots. Prices for such varieties vary depending on uniqueness and volume.

Following modern trends in the world of coffee

• When we talk about coffee trends, we usually mean not only the taste of the coffee, but also the conditions under which it was harvested and processed.
• Supporting sustainable development - purchasing coffee only from farmers who use ecological growing methods.
• Supply chain transparency — information about where the coffee comes from, who grew it, and how.
• Innovation in roasting — using roasting profiles that reveal the unique characteristics of each bean.

How to understand that coffee is of good quality?

When you walk into a supermarket, you are greeted by attractive prices for foreign brands. However, mass-market coffee has often spent months in transit and then several more on the shelves. It may be stale, artificially flavored, or made from lower-quality ingredients. Such brands can save on everything from the packaging to the beans themselves.

How to choose coffee beans

In contrast, there are local roasteries, whose coffee you can buy from their online stores or directly in coffee shops. They offer freshly roasted coffee that reveals all the flavor notes. Of course, this affects the price, but here you pay for quality, not for a brand or advertising on TV.

When reading a coffee package, pay attention to a few important points:

• The roasting date must be indicated. Not the date by which the coffee must be consumed, but the date of roasting of this particular batch. Fresh coffee best reveals its flavor in the first 3–4 weeks after roasting.
• Origin: The packaging of quality coffee always includes information about the country, region, and even the farm. For example, we indicate not only the country and region, but also the processing method, flavor profile, growing altitude, farm/farmer name, and SCA [Specialty Coffee Association — global association of coffee professionals — ed.] rating.
• Also, each package should have a check valve glued in, which will help preserve the quality taste of the coffee and the package itself from inflation and possible further damage.

Why is coffee from local roasteries more expensive?

Local roasteries often purchase coffee directly from farmers. This approach allows:

• guarantee the freshness and quality of grain;
• support farmers who care about the environment and their plantations;
• choose unique coffee varieties that cannot be found on exchanges.

In comparison, mass market brands often purchase cheap coffee from exchanges. These beans are blended from different batches to reduce the cost, which affects the taste and quality.

Buying directly from farmers has its drawbacks, such as higher prices and logistical difficulties, but the result is worth it. In every cup of coffee, you will feel the true taste of the country of origin - without impurities or compromises.

So how do you choose one thing among such a wide variety of coffees?

It's simple - buy everything. Just kidding. When reading a coffee package, it's important to pay attention to a few details: the country of origin, the processing method, and the flavor profile. I'll tell you about two lots (beans) from different farms and countries that we have - Indonesia Frinsa Manis and Kenya Nairobi.

1. Country of origin and region

Indonesia Frinsa Manis: The beans come from the West Java region, an island with unique growing conditions, and you won't often find quality coffee from this country. Indonesian coffee is known for its unique flavor and dense body.

Kenya Nairobi: Kenyan coffee is grown at an altitude of 1600–2000 m. It is the altitude that gives the beans a bright acidity and complexity of flavor.

The difference in growing regions directly affects the flavor profile. In Kenya, it has berry and fruity tones, while in Indonesia, it has a deep, chocolatey character with notes of spice.

2. Processing method

Frinsa Manis: Natural processing. The grains are dried together with the pulp, which adds sweet and winey notes. This method is more economical, but requires careful control to avoid defects.

Nairobi: Washed processing. The beans are completely cleaned of pulp before drying. This adds purity to the flavor and emphasizes acidity.

3. Flavor profile

These are the descriptors that roasters write on coffee packages.

Frinsa Manis is a sweet taste with notes of liqueur, chocolate and a slight hint of spice. This is a coffee for those who like rich and bright flavors.

Nairobi — A bright, juicy coffee with notes of blackcurrant, citrus and flowers. This coffee is suitable for true gourmets who appreciate acidity and purity of taste.

Remember, each lot has its own uniqueness, which determines its price. The choice depends on your taste preferences and desire to experiment.

Visnovok

Choosing coffee is not just about price. It's about your values, taste, and trust in the producer. Don't let cheap coffee fool you: quality always justifies its cost. By choosing coffee from Ukrainian roasters, in addition to receiving a personalized approach, you can be sure that your cup of coffee is the result of the work of masters who know their business.

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