Peaberry Coffee: Rare and Legendary

Most people don’t think about the different kinds of coffee beans when sitting at home sipping a cup of Joe. Descriptors like “peaberry coffee” or “shortberry coffee” aren’t in their vocabulary. Coffee is either ground or whole bean and that’s about it.

However, if you take some time to read about the culture of coffee, it’s fascinating to learn about what makes normal beans normal and special beans special. If you’ve never heard of peaberry coffee before today, you’re in for a real treat!

Not only does the name sound intriguing, but peaberry coffee is supposed to be a superior variety in comparison to other coffee beans. Let’s explore the wonderful world of peaberries and why they’re held in high esteem.

What Is Peaberry Coffee?

When you look inside most coffee cherries you’ll find two “seeds” or “beans,” as we like to call them. The flat parts of these twins face one another, while the rounded parts face the outside world.

Occasionally one of the two seeds doesn’t develop, so the lone seed has a natural mutation and fills the entire space. Only 5-10 percent of coffee cherries grow this way, creating a rare magic. This only child is what is used to make peaberry coffees.

Peaberry coffee beans are smaller, have a rounder shape and are downright cute. Some might say that since peaberry beans get the space all to themselves, they grow even sweeter for us. That sounds like the meanderings of an only child, for sure!

That said, there’s some truth to this tale. Since the single developing seed receives all of the nutrients of the coffee cherry, it will often taste sweeter and is known to have more caffeine as well.

Other Factors

Like with any fruit, the amount of sunshine, soil and humidity also impacts sweetness in a coffee crop. So, different varieties of peaberries and different growing regions will yield varying levels of sweetness.

What I find odd about this natural mutation is that coffee cherries with peaberry coffee beans can grow alongside coffee cherries with two seeds on a single plant. I guess all neighborhoods have families with different numbers of children. Some coffee cherries even have triplets!

Once harvested, peaberries have to be separated from other coffee beans. Sometimes this is done entirely by hand. More often than not though, a machine that separates coffee beans based on size and weight is used. Still, occasionally peaberries make their way into regular batches of coffee beans.

If you’re extra vigil when you open your next bag of coffee beans you might find an elusive peaberry coffee bean that evaded detection. 

Where Does Peaberry Coffee Grow?

Peaberry coffee beans are most famous when they come from specific regions like Tanzania, Kenya, Kona, Jamaica and Brazil. However, they can be found in any region where regular coffee beans are grown. It’s more about finding coffee cherries with singular seeds inside that have mutated into peaberry growths.

Is Peaberry Coffee Superior?

The word on the coffee streets is that peaberry coffees are superior when compared to the taste of regular coffees. Are you missing out on a special peaberry taste by not experiencing this legendary cup of coffee?

Answers to that question are mixed, so don’t be fooled by the hype! With any coffee bean, there are low quality and high quality versions available in the market. Being “peaberry” doesn’t instantly mean a coffee bean is amazing. What it does mean is that it’s more rare.

The general consensus among coffee experts is that the peaberry taste is sweeter than regular beans. It does have a reputation of being a superior coffee bean in the upper aromatic ranges, but despite the different flavor it’s also not consistently superior.

Farming methods, the terroir of the place it’s grown, weather conditions for a particular year, harvesting practices, roasting practices and brewing methods also play a part in what coffee tastes like once it reaches your cup.

Regional Flavor Profiles of Peaberry Coffee

Given your growing curiosity about peaberry coffee cherries and seeds, I’ve put together a summary of flavor profiles from various regions.

Each description covers the acidity, flavor and body you can expect from the natural mutation of a cherry within a coffee crop in each area.

Tanzania Peaberry

Tanzania is the home of Mount Kilimanjaro, a dormant volcano which is the highest peak found in Africa. You’d have to overcome 19,341 feet (5,895 meters) to reach the top.

Water runoff from Mount Kilimanjaro enriches the soil below. Found on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro, this volcanic soil is rich in minerals.

Together, the volcanic soil and African climate create an ideal ground for growing coffee cherries, some of which will develop into peaberries.

Flavor Profile:

Kona Peaberry

Rare Kona peaberry beans come from the Kona Coffee Belt on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Kona Peaberry grows at 1,500-2,000 feet (457-609 meters) in volcanic soil from the active Mauna Loa volcano and dormant Mauna Kea. The volcanos shield the coffee trees from wind and create ideal weather conditions for cultivation of coffee cherries.

Kona Peaberry Coffee is considered to be the champagne of coffees because it’s rarer than the others.

Flavor Profile: 

Ethiopia Peaberry

Ethiopian coffee is world famous. The region of Yirgacheffe is known for its peaberry coffee, but technically speaking it can grow anywhere coffee is grown in Ethiopia.

Ethiopian Peaberry Coffee tends to be medium-bodied with a low amount of acidity. Cherry, plum and chocolate flavors, along with lemon, bergamot and jasmine are characteristically true of what you’ll find in your cup.

Flavor Profile: 

Kenya Peaberry

In spite of a dark history of coffee cherry production, Kenya currently produces some of the most valued coffees in the world. Kenya Peaberry Coffee is no exception.

Geographically, Mount Kilimanjaro is just across the Kenya-Tanzania border. So, like Tanzania, Kenya benefits from the wonders of volcanic soil.

Characterized by a winey, sharply acidic feel, Kenya Peaberry has fruity, berry like notes of blackcurrant and strawberry. The citrus flavors of lemon and a hint of guava can also be detected.

Flavor Profile: 

Sumatra Peaberry

Sumatra peaberries are grown on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. Fertile volcanic soil and significant annual rainfall are part of the terroir that creates the unique flavor that finds its way into each Sumatra coffee cherry.

Sumatra Peaberry Coffee beans brew coffee that is low in acidity. The flavors are often characterized as earthy and even mushroomy. Brown spices like clove and cinnamon shine through, as do chocolate and caramelized brown sugar.

Flavor Profile:

Thai Peaberry

Thai peaberries grow at 4,900 feet (1,493 meters) above sea level. These beans tend to have cherry flavors, chocolate overtones and floral notes of honeysuckle.

Though people tend not to think of Thailand when they think of coffee, Thai Peaberry Coffee Beans enjoy a cult following of people in the know.

Flavor Profile:

Vietnamese Peaberry

Coffee cherry growth in the Central Highlands of Vietnam is rather impressive. Though not native to Vietnam, coffee has become part of mainstream Vietnamese culture.

Unlike many parts of the world where people are always on the go, the Vietnamese enjoy coffee socially and often sit in sidewalk cafes for hours.

With Vietnam Peaberry Coffee you can make a splendid brew with a lush body and dark chocolatey taste. Yum!

Each coffee seed is sun-dried inside its coffee cherry, which develops the natural sweetness of this Robusta coffee, which is known for a higher caffeine content.

Flavor Profile: 

Blue Mountain Peaberry

Jamaican Blue Mountain Peaberry Coffee is known for being flavorful and well balanced. In fact, Blue Mountain Peaberry Coffee is one of the most renowned coffees in the world. It also has an expensive price tag to match!

Dried in the sun on concrete slabs, Blue Mountain Peaberry Coffee has a low acidity that’s bright and clean. Orange peel and chocolate characterize this amazing coffee, as do floral notes and buttery cream overtones.

Flavor Profile: 

Brazil Peaberry

Brazil peaberry coffee beans provide for a rich and smooth taste with nutty overtones. Brazilian farmers in the Carmo de Minas region are harvesting this coffee that has respectable flavor and richness.

Flavor Profile: 

Costa Rica Peaberry

Costa Rica Peaberry Coffee is considered one of the world’s most prized coffees. Grown at an elevation of 5,200 feet (1,584 meters) above sea level, this fabulous coffee cherry produces a seed with flavors of honey, lemon, apricot, almond and brown sugar.

Flavor Profile: 

Columbia Peaberry

Straight from the coffee triangle of Columbia, this peaberry coffee cherry yields a bean that is balanced with a pleasant acidity. Bright florals, chocolate, cinnamon and walnut enliven your palate.

Flavor Profile: 

Guatemala Peaberry

Rich volcanic soil characterizes the Antigua region of Guatemala. Located between the Agua, Acatenango and Fuego volcanoes, mineral-rich volcanic soil provides farmers with ideal conditions for growing coffee cherries.

Guatemala Peaberry Coffee is full-bodied and has a medium level of acidity. Juicy strawberry flavors, together with subtle notes of smoke and spice give peaberry coffee from Antigua a great reputation.

Flavor Profile:

Peaberry Coffee Flavor Profile Comparison Chart

How to Buy Peaberry Coffee

Like with any coffee, you’re best to purchase your beans from a roaster with ethical sourcing practices. When you find a roaster that is paying farmers a fair price for their coffee, chances are that their business model will include a backstory about the coffee plantation, quality single origin coffee beans and brewing recommendations.

In other words, you want to know where your coffee beans are coming from so you can avoid cheating a family of farmers and obtain good quality coffee.

In addition, buy small batches of beans at a time. Coffee roasters will roast your beans right before mailing them to you. The beans themselves will only stay fresh for eight weeks or less. Best case scenario is buying more right before you run out and only buying two pounds or less per shipment. Peaberry coffee can be expensive, so you definitely don’t want it to lose flavor before you enjoy it.

Peaberry Coffee vs Regular Coffee

Biologically, there isn’t a lot of difference between peaberry coffee and regular coffee. It’s as simple as regular coffee having two seeds in the coffee cherry while peaberry is an anomaly that only has one seed.

Experts believe that the additional space that the peaberry beans have allows them to grow into a sweeter bean. Some people also say that peaberry beans present more flavor than regular coffee beans. 

One of the biggest differences between the two is that they are differently shaped beans. Peaberry beans are rounder and much smaller than regular beans. Regular coffee beans have a flat side whereas the peaberry bean does not. Peaberry beans are also more dense.

Whether you’re crazy about your regular coffee beans or want to venture out and try something new, the most important thing is that appreciating coffee in all its forms is what makes you a coffee lover. 

Stay Caffeinated and never stop experimenting with coffee!

Peaberry Coffee FAQ