Table of contents
Ghana
$ 0.04 - $0.09 per ounce
| Varieties | Robusta |
| How to Serve | Usually served as black coffee |
| Flavor | High in acidity and bitterness |
| Recommended Machine | Pourover |
| Good As | Americano, Lungo |
| Price Range | $0.04 – $0.09 per ounce |
| Caffeine Level | 0.8% on average |
Ghana is considered a country that has pretty high potential in the coffee industry, however, has pretty low production. Aside from Liberia and the Central African Republic, Ghana is the third-smallest coffee producer in sub-Saharan Africa. Coffee, like cocoa, was introduced to the nation in the 18th century. As for coffee production in Ghana, the country was a competitive producer for many years before abandoning the crop in the late 20th century, owing in part to the global drop in coffee prices.
The majority of coffee cultivated in Ghana is Robusta, which grows better at lower elevations and higher temperatures than Arabica. The highest elevations in Ghana are just around 400 meters above sea level, and the country has a warm tropical environment that is perfect for producing Robusta. Considering the fact that Robusta has far more caffeine than Arabica, Ghana coffee can be characterized as harsh or rubbery.
The good news is that Ghana’s coffee consumption is increasing. Only lately has it become possible for Ghanaians to purchase and consume coffee. It will be no surprise to say that Ghana coffee beans are not popular in the world and due to the fact that the coffee production is extremely low, finding coffee from there is not a very easy task.
As we already mentioned, in the mid-eighteenth century, early missionaries introduced coffee to Ghana. It is primarily grown by smallholders and on a few plantations dispersed across the coffee zone. The government developed 19 coffee estates in the late 20th century, which were eventually transferred to private involvement.
The best coffee in Ghana is considered Robusta. This kind of coffee seems to be growing well in Ghanda, mostly in the following regions:
Ghana’s coffee season lasts from October to September. Planting begins in May, just as the rainy season starts, and harvesting begins in September. Robusta mostly flourishes at low elevations and in a more warm climate.
Robusta is simpler and less expensive to cultivate in Ghana’s warm environment, giving the country a competitive advantage. It provides a more resilient alternative to Arabica and has the potential to play a critical role in fulfilling increased demand for high-quality coffee in a world increasingly endangered by climate change. Robusta is more pest-resistant, can endure less favorable soil and climatic conditions, and yields more. It has the potential to provide more stability to both coffee producers and consumers.
Ghana is currently trying to revive its coffee industry and the government seems to be very committed to modernizing this field. Do you have to buy coffee products in Ghana for it to be authentic? Yes, but I mostly buy my coffee from Amazon and they’re not too different from the real deal. Unfortunately, it is very hard to find Ghana coffee beans on Amazon right now, so here are some alternatives that are just as good if not better than Ghana beans. Below this list, we will also discuss several brands on Amazon that aren’t really Ghana coffee brands but are very very similar.
| Kenyan Coffee | CAR Coffee | Congo Coffee | Burundi Coffee |
We pay attention to the following:
For more detailed information on how exactly we rate the coffee products we suggest in our guides, click here.
Simply naming alternatives to top Ghana coffee will not be enough for you to guess which one is the most suitable for you. Below, we are going to do individual overviews of our top choices, stating all important features about each of them. That way, you will make sure whether a specific product is worth your time, money, and attention. So, sit back and enjoy the process of discovering your new favorite type of coffee.
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Price: $$11.99 (subject to change) |
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Size: 12 ounces |
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Type: Bourbon |
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Roast: Medium |
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Producer: Good as Gold |
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Beans: Whole |
The first on our list is Burundi Mugano Beans. So, a few interesting facts about this one: The coffee is cultivated in one of Burundi’s most remote locations. It takes longer for the coffee cherries to ripen, giving the sugars more time to grow and mature, resulting in a bright and delicious cup of coffee. Additionally, the coffee is made by a custom-built sophisticated roaster that provides coffee with a brighter taste and cleaner finish than standard roasting processes.
What about the company behind this product? Well, Good as Gold is a family business of 50 years – this alone is already enough to convince you that this is one of the best substitutes for high-quality Ghana coffee beans.
Tangerine, dried fruit, sparkling sweet acidity, and a silky body characterize the Burundi Mugano. I have to admit that this bean has exceeded my expectation – You can truly appreciate the nuances of flavor with a milder roast. For the price, these coffee beans are of excellent quality. For a 12-ounce package, you will have to pay $11.99 and for the taste you get, this is definitely worth every cent.
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Price: $$14.95 (subject to change) |
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Size: 10 ounces |
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Type: Arabica |
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Roast: Dark |
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Producer: Pure Origin |
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Beans: Ground |
Organic Congo Pure Origin is a coffee that comes with rich flavor, mild acidity, and a heavy body. In your cup of coffee, you will be able to feel some citrus notes that definitely make your drink taste something extraordinary. The good news is that this coffee can be made using any brewing method – you can either brew it with an automated coffee maker, French Press, Pour-over, etc, etc.
But the best thing about this coffee is not its taste. The product is supported by the Mighty Peace project. This is a social impact project (owned by women) that was founded to help individuals with providing clothing, education. The project generally aims to improve the living conditions of people who are in need of that. So, by purchasing this coffee, you will not only get a good-tasting cup but will also be a part of supporting economic empowerment. Sounds exciting, right?
Considering the fact that this coffee comes with 100% Arabica beans, it might not be the best replacement for the best Ghana coffee, however, the taste is still very good. A 10-ounce package will cost you $14.95 and this is not very expensive if we consider the fact that you will be supporting families in parts of the world where people live below the poverty line.
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Price: $$13.99 (subject to change) |
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Size: 8.8 ounces |
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Type: Bourbon |
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Roast: Medium |
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Producer: Gorilla’s Coffee |
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Beans: Ground |
Gorilla’s Coffee is supplied from farmer cooperatives who cultivate coffee at high altitudes on fertile volcanic soil. “Beyond Fair Trade” guarantees that farmers share in the value of the coffee you buy. “Gorilla’s Coffee” is a coffee from Rwanda, also referred to as the Land of a Thousand Hills.
This is a 100% Arabica Bourbon. The taste is actually pretty good as it tastes something like dark chocolate, along with spice and a hint of fruits. However, I need to mention the fact that I was not very impressed with the packaging. An 8.8-ounce package costs $13.99 and for that price, you will also be expecting high quality – the package feels somehow cheap and not able to keep your coffee fresh for a long period of time.
Still, this one can be a great option for people who enjoy their coffee strongly, with the taste of dark chocolate. I made this coffee with French Press and the results were quite good – it does not taste bitter, and has a smooth finish.
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Price: $$17.00 (subject to change) |
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Size: 12 ounces |
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Type: Kivu |
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Roast: Medium |
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Producer: GoCoffeeGo |
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Beans: Whole |
Unfortunately, we are not able to talk about top Ghana coffee brands due to the several reasons we already discussed, however, we can definitely review its alternatives! This coffee was created with the help of SOPACDI – founded back in 2002, this is a coffee co-op, helping these tiny firms to enter the global coffee industry. That’s exactly how GoCoffeeGo was able to create its product, produce it and then make it available to people around the world.
This one is a fresh coffee that is ready to be poured into your favorite cup. After opening the package, you can immediately feel the fresh smell of the beans. Congo Kivu Medium Roast comes with a hint of milk chocolate (is sweeter than the Gorilla coffee’s Arabica Bourbon) and has a balanced richness and lasting finish. However, I need to mention the fact that for this price, I have tasted some better coffees. If you are looking for a low-budget version that is also very good tasting, this one might not be the best option for you.
I would recommend this one to individuals that enjoy something sweeter than a regular coffee. I would advise trying this one with milk, as it produces the taste which is actually better than the original.
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Price: $$13.99 (subject to change) |
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Size: 12 ounces |
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Type: Kinyovu |
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Roast: Medium |
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Producer: Airis Store |
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Beans: Whole |
We are happy to end our list of alternatives for the best Ghana coffees in 2021 with Burundi Kinyovu Air Roasted. Before we describe what exactly this coffee tastes like, I would like to mention the fact that This Burundi coffee has been verified by the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (also known as IWCA). I was impressed to find out how much this brand does in order to help individuals improve their living conditions.
Other than the fact that the brand behind this product is reputable, experienced, and trustworthy, the coffee itself tastes magical. The berry and flowery flavors are very noticeable in the flavor and it leaves you with a syrupy mouthfeel. If you enjoy the burned roast flavor of many coffees, this may not be the coffee for you. The flavors of this coffee are not obscured by the roasting procedure. It’s a very smooth, medium-strength coffee with naturally distinct, delightful tastes that you can easily feel.
I would recommend brewing this coffee with a pour-over, as with this one, you will definitely taste tropical fruit and/or apricot notes. This one also makes a wonderful iced coffee that you can enjoy in warm weather.
I believe you are familiar with the fact that there are a lot of different methods for brewing your coffee. Some people prefer to do it by themselves, with manual brewing methods while others buy expensive (or cheap) coffee machines, simply click the start button and let the machine do the rest.
Everyone is free to have their own favorite method and brew the coffee that suits their interests the best. Considering that Ghana coffee beans are mostly robusta, you will most likely buy an instant coffee version of it, so a pour-over is more than enough. However, you can also take a look at drip which is considered the best alternative.
So, pour-over is one of the easiest ways to brew your coffee but simplicity does not mean that your coffee can’t be good tasting. This method is mostly used by small cafe shops you might often be visiting, however, it is perfectly possible to use this at your home. Here’s the list of things you are going to need before you start the brewing process:
I always recommend using a scale, so you are able to control levels of coffee and water. Once you’ve gathered all these things, follow the simple steps listed below:
Another method we are going to discuss is done with a drip coffee maker. This machine seems to be a great tool for beginners, however, everyone is free to use it. This technique is pretty simple and nothing too complicated, all you need to have is:
So, if you have all these things, it means that you are ready to start brewing your own coffee. Let’s get started!
