In 2024, Espresso Overview blind-tasted over 3,000 espresso samples from lots of of main roasting firms and occasional producers all over the world. Over the course of the yr, we revealed greater than 600 opinions on CoffeeReview.com. The Prime 30 Coffees of 2024 record is our editors’ rating of the 30 most enjoyable of those coffees, representing roughly 1 p.c of the samples we cupped and 5 p.c of the coffees we reviewed.
That is the 12th yr now we have compiled our Prime 30 record. This annual occasion helps our mission to assist shoppers discover and luxuriate in superior-quality coffees, whereas additionally serving to acknowledge and reward the farmers and roasters who produce these coffees. The Prime 30 celebrates and promotes espresso roasters, farmers, mill operators, importers and different coffee-industry professionals who make an additional effort to provide coffees which can be each very good in high quality and distinctive in character.
If one had been to take a cursory take a look at the Espresso Overview web site, one may assume that just about all coffees earn a rating of 90 factors or larger. Nonetheless, the truth is that readers are solely seeing the tip of the iceberg when it comes to high quality. Be mindful, Espresso Overview usually publishes opinions solely of higher-scoring coffees (often 90 factors or larger) which can be prone to be of curiosity to our readers and to shoppers.
Little Waves Espresso in Durham, North Carolina earned the #17 spot on Espresso Overview’s 2024 Prime 30 record.
The truth is, in 2024, fewer than one out of 4 of the greater than 3,000 coffees we examined scored 90 factors or larger. Roughly 275 coffees, or round 8 p.c of the overall cupped, earned a rating of 94 factors or larger. These coffees that did obtain these very excessive scores replicate the ever-intensifying innovation and dedication of the world’s main espresso producers and roasters.
Nonetheless, whereas scores matter, we all the time provide the caveat that scores alone have limitations. Espresso lovers might properly take extra pleasure in a lower-rated espresso that matches their style preferences than a higher-scoring espresso that isn’t their model. We do our greatest to characterize a espresso’s character within the “Blind Evaluation” paragraph of our opinions, and much more succinctly within the “Backside Line” that concludes every assessment. We encourage readers to look past our general scores and rankings to determine the coffees that they discover probably the most thrilling, pleasing, and in step with their espresso budgets.
For these interested by how we conduct our testing and score processes at Espresso Overview, see How Espresso Overview Works. For what scores imply with respect to the big selection of espresso kinds and qualities, see Decoding Evaluations.
Tough Decisions
As we consider extra and higher coffees yearly, it turns into more and more troublesome to pick simply 30 coffees for our annual Prime 30 record. All the coffees that rated 94 factors or larger in 2024 are worthy of celebrating, as are most of the distinctive and thrilling coffees that didn’t rating fairly as excessive. Clearly, not the entire coffees incomes 94 factors or extra can seem within the Prime 30. The truth is, in 2024, dozens of coffees that earned 95 and even 96 factors didn’t finally make our Prime 30 record.
Michael Johnson, co-owner of JBC Espresso Roasters, on the cupping desk. JBC has two coffees within the Prime 30 this yr, at #3 and #8.
As in previous years, we chosen and ranked our Prime 30 coffees primarily based on high quality and distinctiveness (represented primarily by general score), worth (mirrored by most reasonably priced worth per pound and worth relative to comparable coffees), and consideration of different extrinsic components that embody uniqueness of origin, processing technique, tree selection, certifications resembling Truthful Commerce and natural, and normal singularity.
In every of the 12 years that now we have revealed our Prime 30 record, together with 2024, our high choose has been a single-origin espresso — that means a espresso from a single nation and area (and often from a single farm or cooperative).
#1 Espresso of 2024
This yr, our #1 espresso is the 98-point Kahiko Orange Kona Typica, produced by Karen and Lee Patterson and their workforce at Hula Daddy Kona Espresso in Holualoa, Hawaii.
Karen Paterson, co-founder of Hula Daddy Kona Espresso. Hula Daddy produced and roasted the Kahiko Orange, Espresso Overview’s #1 espresso of 2024.
“Orange” refers to a processing variation through which the espresso fruit is co-fermented with Kona oranges additionally grown on the Hula Daddy farm. Co-fermenting freshly picked espresso with different pure fruits is the newest pattern in specialty espresso, however a controversial one. See our transient overview of the controversy right here. Curiously, we didn’t cite “orange” once we blind-tasted this espresso. Within the assessment from November, we describe it as: “Elegant, immersive, distinctive. Butterscotch, honeysuckle, cocoa nib, coconut, muscat grape, bergamot in aroma and cup. Layered, intense, glowing acidity; very easy, syrupy mouthfeel. Lengthy, incense-like end with notes of honeysuckle and bergamot and undertones of muscat and cocoa nib.” Maybe muscat grape and bergamot add as much as a fancy variation on orange, however, in any occasion, the impression of the fruit is absolutely contexted within the sensory matrix of the espresso. We all know we’re ingesting espresso (a really positive one), not some half-fruit, half-coffee concoction.
That is the second time Hula Daddy Kona Espresso has earned the #1 spot on our record. The primary was in 2018 for its 96-point Kona Mocca®. And it’s the first time that any farmer or roaster (Hula Daddy is each) has earned the #1 spot greater than as soon as.
In different years, coffees from Panama have earned the highest spot 5 instances, in 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020 and 2021. In 2017 and 2022, the highest espresso was from Yemen. Coffees from Colombia (2023), Kenya (2016) and Ethiopia (2013) even have been celebrated as Espresso Overview’s #1 espresso of the yr.
Prime 30 Statistics
Rankings and Worth
The typical general score for coffees on our Prime 30 record for 2024 is 95.5 out of a attainable 100, in step with averages for our Prime 30 coffees in previous years.
In 2024, the common worth of the coffees on our Prime 30 record was $97.08, a considerable drop from $124.56 per pound in 2023. (Coffees offered in non-U.S. currencies had been transformed to U.S. {dollars} for averaging functions.)
Taipei-based Euphora Espresso, whose Panama Elida Property Geisha Pure ASD T3D Public sale Lot EG6 earned the #11 spot on this yr’s Prime 30 record, brewing espresso for Taiwan Worldwide Espresso Present guests.
Nonetheless, the common worth will be deceptive, as it’s typically skewed upward by a number of very costly coffees. For instance, this yr, two coffees supplied by Taiwan roasters had been priced at $320 and $850 per pound. Should you take away these two coffees from the calculation, the common worth drops to $62.21 per pound.
As in previous years, higher-scoring coffees in our 2024 Prime 30 tended to price greater than lower-scoring coffees:
- 97- and 98-point coffees (5) –$309.50/pound
- 96-point coffees (12) – $67.85/pound
- 95-point coffees (7) – $54.47/pound
- 94-point coffees (3) – $33.22/pound
- 93-point coffees (3) –$23.30/pound
Worth
One of many choice standards for the Prime 30 is worth, measured by worth per pound relative to coffees of comparable high quality and elegance. Most of the coffees on our record are priced in step with comparable, although often much less distinguished, specialty coffees within the market.
Six coffees had been priced at lower than $30 per pound, or the equal of $22 per 12-ounce bag:
- #7 Utopian Espresso, Ethiopia Ayla Bombe, 96 factors – $20.00/12 oz.
- #13 Speedwell Espresso, Colombia El Vergel #1, 95 factors – $15.00/12 oz.
- #14 Coffea Guatemala, Chich’upao Guatemala, 93 factors – $12.00/17.64 oz.
- #22 Facet By Every Brewing, Burundi Kayanza Cima, 93 factors – $19.00/16 oz.
- #24 Durango Espresso, Costa Rica Las Lajas Perla Negra, 95 factors – $18.95/12 oz.
- #27 Outdated Soul Co, El Salvador Finca Loma La Gloria, 94 factors, $20.00/12 oz.
If you’re taken with looking for Prime 30 coffees which can be nonetheless obtainable on the market, go to our Store for the Prime 30 web page, which gives hyperlinks to the roasters’ web sites the place the coffees could also be obtainable. On the time this text was revealed, 9 of the Prime 30 coffees had been nonetheless obtainable for buy, together with the 4 worth coffees highlighted above with hyperlinks.
One of many obtainable coffees is the #1 Hula Daddy Orange Kahiko. As is the case with most uncommon and distinctive coffees, the Orange Kahiko is sort of costly at $99.95/8 ounces. Nonetheless, it’s a fraction of the price of many different high-scoring nano-lot and public sale coffees. And, as a result of it was reviewed late within the yr (November), near the time of this report, the espresso is nonetheless obtainable on Hula Daddy’s web site.
Origin
With six appearances, Colombia is probably the most continuously cited origin in our 2024 Prime 30. The possible cause is the surge in progressive processing strategies amongst some Colombian espresso producers, notably these within the southwestern departments of Cauca and Huila.
Lorie Obra, Ralph Gaston and Joan Obra of Rusty’s Hawaiian taking a break from choosing espresso cherries at their Ka’u espresso farm. Rusty’s Orange Bourbon Pure was Espresso Overview’s #12 espresso this yr.
Hawaii is second in variety of placements this yr with 4 coffees. Ethiopia has three, whereas Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Kenya and Panama every seem twice. Filling out the record are seven origins represented by one espresso every. Three of the 30 samples are meant for brewing as espresso. Just one mix seems on the record, combining two Colombia coffees.
Tree Selection
When describing final yr’s Prime 30 record, we wrote: “There are stars and superstars among the many lots of of types of Arabica grown on this planet immediately, and coffees from these distinguished varieties proceed to dominate the very highest rankings at Espresso Review.” Nonetheless true, though this yr, the lineup of these varieties has modified, primarily increasing, as espresso growers experiment with a wider vary of tree varieties than ever earlier than, searching for the unique and distinctive.
Twenty-seven of the coffees on the record had been recognized by selection. Six had been produced from timber of the celebrated Geisha (additionally spelled Gesha) selection, the Ethiopia-derived selection that burst onto the world espresso stage throughout a inexperienced espresso competitors in Panama in 2004, breaking all score and worth information, and which since has been planted everywhere in the world. One other 5 of the Prime 30 got here from timber of the outdated and conventional Purple Bourbon or Yellow Bourbon varieties, each lengthy admired for his or her refined distinctiveness. However among the many remaining coffees, a variety of types vie for elite standing, together with Sudan Rume (a lately popularized selection from Ethiopia); the giant-beaned Maragogipe; the tiny-beaned Mocca; and Java, a spread historically grown in Indonesia that has been traced again to Ethiopia.
Derek Speedwell of Speedwell Espresso, primarily based in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Speedwell’s Colombia El Vergel #1 took the #13 spot this yr.
However maybe the largest shock on the tree-variety entrance is the looks within the Prime 30 of a handful of coffees from mainstream tree varieties, varieties hardly identified for his or her distinctive cup. The sensory success of the acquainted Typica selection making up the #1 Hula Daddy Orange Kahiko will be partly defined by the impression of its unorthodox however meticulous co-ferment processing, however we additionally see coffees from extraordinary tree varieties processed by the basic washed technique rise into the Prime 30, together with the #13 Speedwell Colombia (from the mainstream Caturra selection) and the #19 El Gran Café espresso (from Villa Sarchi, an exotic-sounding selection however, like Caturra, mainstream). Do these exceptions presage a response again towards the pure and basic? Apparently, not but, given how they’re presently outnumbered by anaerobic processed coffees and Geishas.
Processing Technique
In 2024, as in 2023, the processing technique was disclosed for each espresso on the record, maybe indicative of the growing consciousness within the espresso world of the significance of processing technique in figuring out cup character.
Ten of the 30 had been processed by the pure or dry technique, that means the beans had been dried in the entire fruit, a observe that usually encourages sweetness and fruit character.
Magnolia Espresso’s proprietor Jay Gestwicki with producers Francisca and Oscar Chacon at Finca Las Lajas in Costa Rica. Their Las Lajas Black Diamond Bourbon is #20 on the Prime 30 record.
9 of this yr’s Prime 30 coffees — a rise from simply two in 2022 — had been processed utilizing variations of the anaerobic technique, through which a fermentation step takes place in sealed, reduced-oxygen containers. This demanding process, achieved proper, usually encourages a lactic sweet-sour construction and infrequently stunning and unique aroma and taste notes.
Seven are conventional washed coffees, that means fruit pores and skin and flesh had been eliminated earlier than the espresso was dried, often selling a clear, sweet-tart cup with a usually acquainted “espresso” character.
Lastly, one, the Bonlife Lulo Wonka Wonka & Sebastian Gomez, is a mix of two Colombia coffees, every processed by a unique technique.
Roasters within the Prime 30
This yr, 4 roasting firms positioned two coffees every on the Prime-30 record:
- Hula Daddy Kona Espresso (Holualoa, Hawaii) – #1 and #10
- JBC Espresso Roasters (Madison, Wisconsin) – #3 and #8
- Kakalove Café (Chia-Yi, Taiwan) – #2 and #21
- Utopian Espresso (Fort Wayne, Indiana) – #7 and #16
This focus of coffees from sure roasters is certainly not intentional. The truth is, we make a deliberate effort to attenuate repetition and maximize selection amongst roasters that seem within the Prime 30.
Kakalove proprietor, Caesar Tu (high left) and his workforce on the Taiwan Worldwide Espresso Present. Kakalove earned two spots within the 2024 Espresso Overview Prime 30, #2 and #21.
To that finish, this yr, as within the current previous, we consciously restricted appearances within the Prime 30 to a most of two coffees per roaster, no matter what number of extremely rated coffees that roaster produced. Whereas which will appear to be an arbitrary restrict — and it’s — it’s necessary to keep in mind that our record represents our rendering of probably the most “thrilling” coffees of the yr, not essentially the highest-rated. We felt that it wouldn’t be very thrilling (to us or others) if the Prime 30 record was dominated by a handful of roasting firms that produced a very giant variety of extremely rated coffees over the course of the yr. As an alternative, we felt readers can be extra excited to examine superb coffees from a broader number of roasters.
That stated, Espresso Overview has been, from its inception, dedicated to beginning with what we truly expertise within the cup, not with product classes, advertising issues, or vogue. It’s true that we take into consideration extrinsic components like worth, rarity and sustainable intentions once we slim the variety of candidates from lots of to only 30. However finally, sensory high quality and distinction within the cup, as decided by blind-tasting and mirrored in score, are the entry factors for consideration and among the many main components that affect the place coffees land on the record.
Roasting Firm Location
Of the 30 coffees on the record, 22 had been roasted by firms in america. Six had been roasted in Taiwan, the identical quantity as in 2023 however a rise from 4 in 2022, confirming the top quality of roasting and sourcing within the vigorous, inventive espresso area of Taiwan. Two of this yr’s Prime 30 coffees had been roasted in Guatemala, a primary not just for Guatemala however for any coffee-producing origin exterior Hawaii, which this yr each produced and roasted 4 coffees on the record.
Please get pleasure from our record of the Prime 30 Coffees of 2024.
Greatest needs from Espresso Overview for an awesome new yr, filled with each the surprises of espresso innovation and the comforts of the basic.
