In 2024, Espresso Overview blind-tasted over 3,000 espresso samples from a whole lot of main roasting corporations and occasional producers world wide.  Over the course of the yr, we printed greater than 600 evaluations on CoffeeReview.com. The High 30 Coffees of 2024 record is our editors’ rating of the 30 most fun of those coffees, representing roughly 1 % of the samples we cupped and 5 % of the coffees we reviewed.

That is the 12^th yr now we have compiled our High 30 record. This annual occasion helps our mission to assist customers discover and revel in superior-quality coffees, whereas additionally serving to acknowledge and reward the farmers and roasters who produce these coffees. The High 30 celebrates and promotes espresso roasters, farmers, mill operators, importers and different coffee-industry professionals who make an additional effort to provide coffees which are each excellent in high quality and distinctive in character.

If one have been to take a cursory have a look at the Espresso Overview web site, one may assume that just about all coffees earn a rating of 90 factors or larger.  Nevertheless, the truth is that readers are solely seeing the tip of the iceberg by way of high quality.  Consider, Espresso Overview usually publishes evaluations solely of higher-scoring coffees (normally 90 factors or larger) which are more likely to be of curiosity to our readers and to customers.

Little Waves Espresso in Durham, North Carolina earned the #17 spot on Espresso Overview’s 2024 High 30 record.

In truth, 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 % of the full 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.

Nevertheless, whereas scores matter, we at all times supply the caveat that scores alone have limitations. Espresso lovers might nicely take extra pleasure in a lower-rated espresso that matches their style preferences than a higher-scoring espresso that isn’t their type. We do our greatest to characterize a espresso’s character within the “Blind Evaluation” paragraph of our evaluations, and much more succinctly within the “Backside Line” that concludes every assessment. We encourage readers to look past our total scores and rankings to determine the coffees that they discover essentially the most thrilling, fulfilling, and in step with their espresso budgets.

For these inquisitive about 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.

Troublesome Decisions

As we consider extra and higher coffees yearly, it turns into more and more tough to pick out simply 30 coffees for our annual High 30 record.  All the coffees that rated 94 factors or larger in 2024 are worthy of celebrating, as are lots 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 High 30.  In truth, in 2024, dozens of coffees that earned 95 and even 96 factors didn’t finally make our High 30 record.

Michael Johnson, co-owner of JBC Espresso Roasters, on the cupping desk. JBC has two coffees within the High 30 this yr, at #3 and #8.

As in previous years, we chosen and ranked our High 30 coffees based mostly on high quality and distinctiveness (represented primarily by total score), worth (mirrored by most inexpensive value per pound and value relative to comparable coffees), and consideration of different extrinsic components that embrace uniqueness of origin, processing methodology, tree selection, certifications corresponding to Truthful Commerce and natural, and basic singularity.

In every of the 12 years that now we have printed our High 30 record, together with 2024, our high decide has been a single-origin espresso — which means a espresso from a single nation and area (and normally 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 group 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 wherein 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 most recent development in specialty espresso, however a controversial one. See our transient overview of the controversy right here. Apparently, we didn’t cite “orange” after 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 clean, 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 posh variation on orange, however, in any occasion, the impression of the fruit is totally contexted within the sensory matrix of the espresso. We all know we’re consuming espresso (a really advantageous 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 occasions, 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.

High 30 Statistics

Scores and Value

The common total score for coffees on our High 30 record for 2024 is 95.5 out of a attainable 100, in step with averages for our High 30 coffees in previous years.

In 2024, the common value of the coffees on our High 30 record was $97.08, a considerable drop from $124.56 per pound in 2023.  (Coffees bought in non-U.S. currencies have 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 High 30 record, brewing espresso for Taiwan Worldwide Espresso Present guests.

Nevertheless, the common value may be deceptive, as it’s typically skewed upward by just a few very costly coffees.  For instance, this yr, two coffees provided by Taiwan roasters have been priced at $320 and $850 per pound.  In the event you take away these two coffees from the calculation, the common value drops to $62.21 per pound.

As in previous years, higher-scoring coffees in our 2024 High 30 tended to value 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 High 30 is worth, measured by value per pound relative to coffees of comparable high quality and elegance. Lots of the coffees on our record are priced in step with comparable, although normally much less distinguished, specialty coffees within the market.

Six coffees have 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.

In case you are all for looking for High 30 coffees which are nonetheless accessible on the market, go to our Store for the High 30 web page, which offers hyperlinks to the roasters’ web sites the place the coffees could also be accessible. On the time this text was printed, 9 of the High 30 coffees have been nonetheless accessible for buy, together with the 4 worth coffees highlighted above with hyperlinks.

One of many accessible 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.  Nevertheless, 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 accessible on Hula Daddy’s web site.

Origin

With six appearances, Colombia is essentially the most incessantly cited origin in our 2024 High 30. The possible cause is the surge in progressive processing strategies amongst some Colombian espresso producers, significantly 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 supposed for brewing as espresso. Just one mix seems on the record, combining two Colombia coffees.

Tree Selection

When describing final yr’s High 30 record, we wrote: “There are stars and superstars among the many a whole lot of types of Arabica grown on the earth 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, looking for the unique and distinctive.

Twenty-seven of the coffees on the record have been recognized by selection.  Six have been produced from bushes 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 value information, and which since has been planted all around the world. One other 5 of the High 30 got here from bushes of the previous and conventional Crimson 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 not too long ago 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, based mostly in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Speedwell’s Colombia El Vergel #1 took the #13 spot this yr.

However maybe the most important shock on the tree-variety entrance is the looks within the High 30 of a handful of coffees from mainstream tree varieties, varieties hardly recognized for his or her distinctive cup. The sensory success of the acquainted Typica selection making up the #1 Hula Daddy Orange Kahiko may be partly defined by the impression of its unorthodox however meticulous co-ferment processing, however we additionally see coffees from bizarre tree varieties processed by the basic washed methodology rise into the High 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 Methodology

In 2024, as in 2023, the processing methodology was disclosed for each espresso on the record, maybe indicative of the rising consciousness within the espresso world of the significance of processing methodology in figuring out cup character.

Ten of the 30 have been processed by the pure or dry methodology, which means the beans have been dried in the entire fruit, a follow 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 High 30 record.

9 of this yr’s High 30 coffees — a rise from simply two in 2022 — have been processed utilizing variations of the anaerobic methodology, wherein a fermentation step takes place in sealed, reduced-oxygen containers. This demanding process, finished proper, typically encourages a lactic sweet-sour construction and infrequently shocking and unique aroma and taste notes.

Seven are conventional washed coffees, which means fruit pores and skin and flesh have been eliminated earlier than the espresso was dried, normally selling a clear, sweet-tart cup with a typically acquainted “espresso” character.

Lastly, one, the Bonlife Lulo Wonka Wonka & Sebastian Gomez, is a mix of two Colombia coffees, every processed by a unique methodology.

Roasters within the High 30

This yr, 4 roasting corporations positioned two coffees every on the High-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 unquestionably not intentional. In truth, we make a deliberate effort to attenuate repetition and maximize selection amongst roasters that seem within the High 30.

Kakalove proprietor, Caesar Tu (high left) and his group on the Taiwan Worldwide Espresso Present. Kakalove earned two spots within the 2024 Espresso Overview High 30, #2 and #21.

To that finish, this yr, as within the latest previous, we consciously restricted appearances within the High 30 to a most of two coffees per roaster, no matter what number of extremely rated coffees that roaster produced. Whereas which will seem to be an arbitrary restrict — and it’s — it’s necessary to do not forget that our record represents our rendering of essentially 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 High 30 record was dominated by a handful of roasting corporations that produced a very giant variety of extremely rated coffees over the course of the yr. As a substitute, we felt readers could be extra excited to examine superb coffees from a broader number of roasters.

That mentioned, Espresso Overview has been, from its inception, dedicated to beginning with what we truly expertise within the cup, not with product classes, advertising and marketing issues, or trend. It’s true that we bear in mind extrinsic components like worth, rarity and sustainable intentions after we slender the variety of candidates from a whole lot to simply 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 major components that affect the place coffees land on the record.

Roasting Firm Location

Of the 30 coffees on the record, 22 have been roasted by corporations in the USA. Six have 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 full of life, artistic espresso house of Taiwan.  Two of this yr’s High 30 coffees have been roasted in Guatemala, a primary not just for Guatemala however for any coffee-producing origin outdoors Hawaii, which this yr each produced and roasted 4 coffees on the record.

Please get pleasure from our record of the High 30 Coffees of 2024.

Finest needs from Espresso Overview for a terrific new yr, stuffed with each the surprises of espresso innovation and the comforts of the basic.