Rare & Specialty Coffee

Discover rare coffee beans selected for distinctive varietals, unusual bean development and process-led character. This 1718 Coffee collection brings together Geisha coffees from Colombia and Tanzania, Ethiopian Peaberry, Colombian Yellow Pacamara, Java varietal coffee and an experimental Colombian lot. Compare each discovery route, then choose the coffee that matches the clarity, florals, fruit, sweetness or processing style you want to explore.

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About Rare & Specialty Coffee at 1718

Rare and specialty coffee is not one flavour category. A coffee may stand out because of its varietal, the way the bean develops inside the cherry, the precision of its processing, or the traceability of a particular origin and lot. This collection groups those discovery-led coffees together without separating them from their origin stories. Colombia Geisha King Arthur, Yellow Pacamara, Java (El Eden) and Juicy Secret also appear with Colombian Coffee Beans; Peaberry Hambella connects to Ethiopian Coffee Beans; and Tanzania Ilona Geisha Washed gives the Geisha selection a second country and process to compare.
The practical purpose of this page is to help you compare six coffees that are less conventional than a broad origin selection. Two Geishas show how the same celebrated varietal changes across country and process. Peaberry Hambella introduces a naturally occurring single-bean form. Yellow Pacamara and Java (El Eden) highlight distinctive varietals, while Juicy Secret provides the experimental route within the current 1718 range.
Return to Coffee Beans for the complete roasted range, or browse Single Origin Coffee when country and regional origin are your main buying criteria.

6 Rare & Specialty Coffee Guide

Coffee Why It Belongs Here Verified Detail Cup Direction Supporting Route
Colombia Geisha King Arthur Rare Geisha varietal from a named Colombian lot. Huila, Colombia; 1,860 MASL; natural process. Jasmine and hibiscus with tropical and red fruit, ripe peach, red cherry, citrus and honey. Colombian Coffee Beans
Tanzania Ilona Geisha Washed A second Geisha expression from a different country and process. Iloma AMCOS, Southern Highlands, Tanzania; 1,800 MASL; fully washed. White florals, bergamot, jasmine tea, honey, sweet citrus and a silky tea-like body. Geisha Coffee + direct product page
Peaberry Hambella A peaberry selection created by one rounded bean developing inside the cherry. Hambela Wamena, Guji Zone, Ethiopia; 1,600-1,800 MASL; fully washed peaberry selection. Lime, soft green apple, tropical fruit, refined florals and white tea with a clean finish. Ethiopian Coffee Beans
Colombia Yellow Pacamara A distinctive Pacamara selection from Tolima. Tolima, Colombia; 1,450 MASL; natural process. Chocolate, honey, coffee blossom, dried berries, citrus and dried fruit. Pacamara Coffee + Colombian Coffee Beans
Colombia Java (El Eden) A Java varietal lot with process-led complexity. Fresno, Tolima; 1,500 MASL; honey process plus carbonic maceration after aerobic pre-fermentation. Floral, wine-like, citrus, chocolate and jasmine notes. Colombian Coffee Beans + direct product page
Colombia Juicy Secret limited-edition specialty micro-lot coffee produced using intricate co-fermentation methods, grown in premium high-altitude regions, and offered only in select seasons Huila, Tolima, and Caldas: 1550 - 1800 MASL , Co - Fermented Natural Process sweet, and bright cup profile Colombian Coffee Beans

Two Geishas, Two Expressions

Geisha is the only varietal represented by two products in this collection, making it the clearest side-by-side comparison. Colombia Geisha King Arthur comes from Huila at 1,860 metres and is naturally processed. Its published profile combines jasmine and hibiscus with tropical and red fruits, ripe peach, red cherry, citrus and honey. Tanzania Ilona Geisha Washed comes from the Iloma AMCOS cooperative in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands at 1,800 metres and uses a fully washed process. Its profile is built around white florals, bergamot, jasmine tea, honey, sweet citrus and a silky, tea-like body.
Choose King Arthur when you want the fruit expression of a natural Colombian Geisha. Choose Ilona when you want a cleaner washed structure with white-floral and tea-like character. The comparison demonstrates why a varietal name alone does not define the cup: country, site and processing remain central to the result.

Peaberry and Pacamara Are Different Discovery Routes

Peaberry describes the bean formation found in Peaberry Hambella, where one rounded seed develops inside the cherry. Pacamara is a named coffee variety represented here by Colombia Yellow Pacamara. They should not be treated as interchangeable “rare bean” labels. Hambella is a fully washed Ethiopian peaberry selected for clarity, citrus and refined florals; Yellow Pacamara is a natural Colombian coffee from Tolima with chocolate, honey, coffee blossom and dried-fruit notes.

When Process Becomes Part of the Coffee’s Identity

Processing is especially important in the Java (El Eden) and Juicy Secret routes. Java (El Eden) is a Colombian Java varietal from Fresno, Tolima. Its published method combines honey processing and carbonic maceration after a four-hour aerobic pre-fermentation, creating a profile described with floral, wine-like, citrus, chocolate and jasmine notes. Java is the coffee variety and Colombia is the origin, so the product also appears with Colombian Coffee Beans while retaining its place in this rare coffee collection.
Colombia Juicy Secret is the product in the Experimental Coffee sub-collection. Choose it when you want a process-led Colombian coffee and a more exploratory direction than a classic origin profile. Its product page presents the current lot description and available purchase options.

How to Choose Rare & Specialty Coffee Beans

Your Priority Recommended Coffee Why It Fits
Natural Geisha with floral and ripe-fruit character Colombia Geisha King Arthur A Huila natural with jasmine, hibiscus, peach, red cherry, citrus and honey.
Washed Geisha with tea-like clarity Tanzania Ilona Geisha Washed A fully washed Tanzanian Geisha with white florals, bergamot, jasmine tea and silky body.
Clean Ethiopian peaberry discovery Peaberry Hambella A washed Guji peaberry with lime, green apple, tropical fruit, white tea and concentrated sweetness.
Chocolate and honey with floral Pacamara character Colombia Yellow Pacamara A Tolima natural built around chocolate, honey, coffee blossom and dried fruit.
Process-led Java varietal complexity Colombia Java (El Eden) Honey processing and carbonic maceration support floral, wine-like, citrus, chocolate and jasmine notes.
specialty micro-lot coffee Colombia Juicy Secret Choose it when process-led discovery matters more than a conventional country or varietal comparison.

Rare Specialty Coffee for Pour-Over and Filter Brewing

Pour-over is the most direct starting point for this collection because it helps separate aroma, acidity, sweetness and finish. Tanzania Ilona Geisha Washed and Peaberry Hambella are explicitly recommended for V60 or Chemex to showcase clarity. Colombia Geisha King Arthur is also positioned for filter brewing, while Yellow Pacamara and Java (El Eden) can be approached as comparative Colombian lots. Begin with the recipe used for your regular filter coffee, then adjust grind size and water ratio to control extraction rather than changing several variables at once.

Rare Specialty Coffee for Espresso

Colombia Geisha King Arthur is specifically described as suitable for a carefully dialled espresso as well as filter brewing. Its fruit, floral and honey profile may require more precise adjustment than a conventional espresso blend. For the other coffees, check the current product recommendation before choosing espresso as the primary method. Rare coffees are often purchased to explore detail, so a shorter comparative tasting or filter brew may reveal differences more clearly before you develop an espresso recipe.

Whole Beans or Ground Coffee?

Choose whole beans when you have a suitable grinder and want the greatest control over V60, Chemex, espresso or another brewing method. Choose an available ground option when convenience is the priority and you consistently use one brewer. Most products in this collection currently show whole-bean and ground choices, but the live product page should always determine the final weight and grind options at checkout.

Keep Rare Specialty Coffee Fresh

Store the coffee away from heat, direct light, humidity and strong odours. Close the original bag securely after each use or transfer the coffee to an airtight container. Grind only the amount needed for each brew whenever possible, and select a bag size that matches your normal consumption so the coffee is not left open for an unnecessarily long period.

Keep Rare Specialty Coffee Fresh

Store the coffee away from heat, direct light, humidity and strong odours. Close the original bag securely after each use or transfer the coffee to an airtight container. Grind only the amount needed for each brew whenever possible, and select a bag size that matches your normal consumption so the coffee is not left open for an unnecessarily long period.

Frequently asked questions

What Is Specialty Coffee?

Specialty coffee refers to carefully produced, high-quality coffee with a clear origin and distinctive characteristics in the cup. Its quality depends on every stage of the journey, including cultivation, harvesting, processing, roasting and brewing.

How Do I Choose the Right Specialty Coffee Beans for My Taste?

Start with the tasting notes you enjoy, such as fruit, flowers, chocolate or nuts. Then review the roast level, processing method and recommended brewing method. These details will help you choose a coffee that suits both your preferences and brewing equipment.

Is Pacamara the same as Peaberry?

No. Pacamara is a named coffee variety, while peaberry describes the way a single rounded bean develops inside a cherry. The current Pacamara product is Colombia Yellow Pacamara; the current peaberry product is Peaberry Hambella.

Is Pacamara the same as Peaberry?

No. Pacamara is a named coffee variety, while peaberry describes the way a single rounded bean develops inside a cherry. The current Pacamara product is Colombia Yellow Pacamara; the current peaberry product is Peaberry Hambella.

Which specialty coffee is best for pour-over?

Tanzania Ilona Geisha Washed and Peaberry Hambella are explicitly recommended for V60 or Chemex, and Colombia Geisha King Arthur is also positioned for filter brewing. Choose according to whether you prefer washed clarity or natural fruit expression.

Can rare specialty coffee beans be used for espresso?

Colombia Geisha King Arthur is specifically described as suitable for a carefully dialled espresso. For other products, review the current brewing recommendation on the live product page before choosing espresso as the primary method.