Table of contents
Nepal
$ 1.07 - $1.46 per ounce
| Varieties | Arabica, Robusta, Caturra, Bourbon, Typica |
| How to Serve | Served as a small Espresso cup |
| Flavor | Mild acidity with bold flavors and very pleasant bitterness |
| Recommended Machine | Espresso Machine, Percolator, Stovetop |
| Good As | Espresso, Lungo, Americano, Cappuccino |
| Price Range | $1.07 – $1.46 per ounce |
| Caffeine Level | 0.7% on average |
Coffee cultivation is mostly associated with a southern climate. But there is an interesting exception. The northernmost coffee is grown on the rooftop of the world: on the Himalayan peaks. Believe it or not, there are coffee plantations not far from the snow-capped mountain peaks. These unique conditions make the taste of coffee from Nepal one and only for the majority of coffee lovers.
Nepal is a newcomer to the world coffee market. This country has recently declared itself as a successful manufacturer. The product is quite rare but has already confidently won the premium. Although it is important to note that the high price is influenced not only by quality but also by significantly high transportation costs.
There is some confusion in terms of species variety. The fact is that local Arabica differs not so much in taste as in cultivation in different provinces. Then it is bought by companies from different countries and can produce the same variety under different names. The first plantation appeared here in 1994, so the industry is only starting to thrive at the moment.
Besides Arabica, you will also be able to discover these popular coffee varieties in Nepal:
| Robusta | Caturra | Bourbon | Typica |
The volume of coffee production in this country ten years ago was so small that it did not even meet the needs of the domestic market. After ten years of hard work, local producers managed to reach a harvest of 500 tons, most of which were exported. There are several major producers in the country, three of which provide more than 80% of the Nepalese coffee beans.
The largest company is Everest Coffee Mill. It grows the unique and perhaps the most famous coffee in the world, the Nepalese Arabica variety – Nepal Everest. Its crops represent more than 40% of all Nepalese coffee harvest in a year and more than half of export supplies.
In order to more successfully promote the brand of Nepalese coffee in the world, the owners of the largest plantations have united in the Association of Coffee Producers, which brought the national brand to the world market – coffee from Nepal. It should be noted that the commercial success of this path has been proven by many other producing countries that supply relatively small volumes of good coffee for export. One such example is Cuba.
Coffee from Nepal is defined not by the name of the variety, but by the provinces of cultivation. For example, you might frequently come across the name – “coffee in Nepal from the province of Parbat”. Places in Nepal such as Tanahu, Palpa, Kaski, Gorkha, Gulmi, and many others are now successfully producing some of the country’s finest coffee beans.
While Nepalese coffee beans are certainly worth your attention there are some great alternatives to them. For example, Ethiopian coffee beans will serve as a perfect alternative for Nepalese coffee. Colombian coffee beans are also great and they are close in terms of price and taste. Yemen coffee is less popular but if you are looking for extravagant taste and something original they will also be helpful. Finally, Salvadoran coffee is a choice that you must pay attention to as well.
| Ethiopian Coffee | Colombian Coffee | Yemen Coffee | Salvadoran Coffee |
Sure, some might think that it is more convenient to purchase the coffee brands directly in Nepal, however, it is related to a lot of headaches such as logistics, payment, etc. That’s why buying your beans on Amazon is also a pretty decent idea. We have chosen the top 3 Nepal coffee brands that have some of the best quality.
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.
You can always find reviews and testimonials from other users on the internet on various forums and platforms but as we have purchased the products ourselves, we can provide a comprehensive description of each of these products. That way, you will be able to make a choice that suits your preferences the best.
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Price: $$12.44 (subject to change) |
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Size: 7 ounces |
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Type: Arabica |
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Roast: Medium |
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Producer: QT Shopping |
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Beans: Whole |
The first on our list is Himalayan Arabica which is a pretty unique product. The main reason behind this fact is that it grows at very high altitudes which helps to produce a unique quality not similar to anything you have had before. Before we talk more about the taste itself, it is important to note that the brand behind this product is pretty successful and therefore, trustworthy. To put it in a few words, Himalayan Arabica is the first Nepalese company that was able to thrive in the specialty market. It has won several international awards and is on the path to becoming more well-known around the world.
From what I have tasted, I can say that the first cup of this coffee was truly amazing. Not only it was strong and aromatic but it also came with mildness and a clean taste. I would suggest brewing it with French Press as this technique brings out the best quality. However, that does not mean that you can not try other brewing methods as well.
A 7-ounce of Himalayan Arabica costs $12.44, which is a pretty good price for the quality you get. Considering the fact that this product is produced in a pretty unique and exotic environment, it is definitely worth trying out.
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Price: $$33.95 (subject to change) |
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Size: 32 ounces |
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Type: Arabica |
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Roast: Medium |
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Producer: Smokin Beans |
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Beans: Whole |
When I first decided to purchase the above-mentioned product I was very suspicious whether it would live up to my expectations but from the moment I made a cup of coffee, I was left surprisingly astonished. I would say that this coffee contains some of the best incredible features that are hard to find in other coffee brands. It is not surprising considering the price, however, let’s discuss this coffee in more detail.
So, this one might be a perfect choice for individuals that want to enrich their coffee drinking experience. The cup stays complex, balanced, and sweet, no matter which brewing method you decide to use. The aroma is very pleasant, resulting in a wonderful cup with a great, strong finish. I would also recommend adding milk or other sweeteners that you might like with your coffee.
A 32-ounce package will cost you $33.95, which might sound a little pricey for some, however, if you want to taste the authentic features of Nepalese coffee beans, then this one is definitely worth investing in.
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Price: $$21.99 (subject to change) |
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Size: 16 oz |
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Type: Arabica |
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Roast: Medium |
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Producer: Volcanica |
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Beans: Whole |
The first thing you will notice with Komodo Dragon coffee is the packaging which makes a good impression with its interesting design. Not only it is good looking but it also has the ability to keep your beans fresh for a long period of time. Once you open your bag, you can immediately feel the strong taste and aroma of the Nepalese beans. Judging by the fact that the grains are not uniform in size and color, a mixture of different varieties or degrees of roasting is possible.
I made my coffee according to the instructions on the package. The result was pleasing, the coffee actually has a slight spicy-sweetish aftertaste, but I was not able to determine the shades of cocoa and ginger as these characteristics were mentioned in the product description. All in all, the drink turns out to be aromatic, rich, very tasty, and invigorating. This is a type of coffee that will make you energized for the whole day and actually is worth trying.
As we have already mentioned multiple times in this article, due to the unique environment of the county, its beans are different from the others. However, this is not the only reason for Himalayan coffee being different. There are some important things in the production process that actually make a difference. You can check them out below. :
Despite the fact that snow constantly lies on the Himalayan peaks, there are areas on the slopes where there is never frost at all. The thin air of the area, a lot of sunny days, the diffused shade created by companion trees, and the unique composition of the soil – these are some of the most important factors that provide coffee from Nepal with a recognizable bouquet of taste.
It comes as no surprise that you will need coffee machines to brew Nepal coffee, and considering that it is very unique, not every machine will be effective for making the final product. Below we have prepared the 2 most popular methods that will give the best taste and make you experience aromatic tastes. Let’s take a closer look at each of them.
Cold-brew is one of the most popular coffee brewing methods nowadays. The peculiarity of the method is that coffee is brewed in cold water, and therefore it takes from eight to 24 hours to brew. Coffee prepared with this technique has a bright taste, high density, and high caffeine content. Another impressive thing about cold brew is its long shelf life. It can be stored in a fridge for up to 2 weeks, making it possible for you to enjoy your coffee for a long period of time.
So, why might it be a good idea to use Nepalese coffee beans for cold-brew? The main reason is that with this technique, you are able to bring out the strong taste of your coffee that also is high in caffeine. Due to the fact that coffee from this country is loved by people who enjoy strong coffee, this is one of the best ways for preparing your drink.
Another machine we would like to suggest for your Nepalese beans is an Espresso maker. So, the best option for you might be a semi-automatic espresso machine which gives you the possibility to adjust the dosage of coffee – That way, you can influence the taste and aroma characteristics of the drink. Automatic espresso machines are not widely used in coffee shops, restaurants, and bars, however, it is pretty comfortable at home.
Due to the complexity of Nepal coffee, this machine gives you the ability to experiment with tastes and discover the features that you might enjoy a lot.
Check out our Espresso reviews
