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Natural Racemosa

Rare Green Coffee Beans - South Africa Racemosa

Regular price £61.25
As low as: £245.00
Regular price Sale price £61.25

Racemosa is one of the rarest coffees in the world, and a species that could play an important role in the future of coffee. Grown by Charles in South Africa, this year’s lot highlights the species in its purest form through a traditional natural process. Rather than experimenting with novel techniques, Charles has focused on letting Racemosa speak for itself - and as the trees mature, the flavour profile has become cleaner and more expressive.

The coffee flowered in September and was harvested through November and December, right in the middle of the rainy season. To manage the challenging conditions, Charles built drying beds that can be closed against afternoon showers. Once dried, the coffee was carefully hulled and sorted, a painstaking task given the small size of the fruit and parchment. These extra steps have produced a lot with slightly larger seeds and greater clarity in the cup.

In the cup, Racemosa remains distinctive. Expect a heavy body with layers of passion fruit, peach, and sugarcane sweetness, alongside fresh notes of basil, mint, and cedar. It is unlike Arabica or Robusta, and can divide opinion - some tasters have scored it in the mid-90s, while others struggle with its difference. As Dr Aaron Davis of Kew Gardens notes, “I’m now of the opinion that C. racemosa is amongst the finest of coffees. It can be complex, sweet, flavoursome, and oddly comforting. Racemosa needs careful consideration, rather than a rushed cupping.”

We don’t offer Racemosa to chase margins. Every bag sold helps support Charles’ pioneering work in South Africa to explore climate-resilient species that could one day secure the future of coffee.

Important note: Racemosa may not roast well in machines with perforated drums due to the small bean size. Please check your setup before ordering.

Community feedback request: If you roast this coffee, we’d love you to share your findings. Every bit of feedback goes back to the producer and helps push this unique species forward.

This is a rare find

These coffees are unusual and typically don't last long

Processing method
Natural
Main flavour notes
Passion Fruit | Peach | Sugarcane | Basil | Mint | Cedar
Varietal
Heirloom wild genetics
Harvest period
November - December '24
Altitude
120 masl
Screen
10-12
Species
Racemosa
Original packaging
Vacuum Packed
Region
Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa (Hluhluwe)
See on a map
Show More

This is a rare find

These coffees are unusual and typically don't last long

How Much Do You Need?

Free Shipping

All UK orders ship free – no matter the size.

Weight   Availability Price Per KG Total Price Price Per KG
Best Seller
0.25kg   57 left £245.00/kg £61.25
£245.00/kg
0.5kg   28 left £245.00/kg £122.50
£245.00/kg
Best Value
1kg   14 left £245.00/kg £245.00
£245.00/kg

Want to sample before you purchase?

Samples Unavailable

50g Unroasted Sample £3.95
30g Roasted Sample £5.95

Roasted samples are roasted using the most suitable representative profiles and may delay delivery.

Available Now

In warehouse and ready to go

Pay in your preferred currency

We support +30 currencies

Buy now, pay later

Relaxed payment terms to suit you

Our Guarantees

Quality Guaranteed

If quality doesn’t match the listing, we’ll refund or credit you – no fuss. Read more

Sealed Securely, Delivered Quickly

We ship quickly in secure, specially designed, sealed packaging to keep your green coffee fresh. Read more

Transparency You Can Trust

We share full harvest, origin, and quality info up front - no vague claims or guesswork.

Meet your producer

Name Shamba Nathi
Year Started 2015
Location KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa See on a map

Over the past eight years, we have sourced and germinated nearly 10,000 Racemosa seedlings, representing around 90% of all known Racemosa plants in the world. Each plant produces only about 100g of cherries—equivalent to a mere 10g of green coffee beans—making this quite possibly the world’s rarest coffee available for purchase.

Cultivating Racemosa is no small feat. Germination is exceptionally challenging, and the time to production is lengthy. Adding to the difficulty is the diminutive size of the beans—about the size of a lentil—making harvesting, processing, and roasting a delicate process. These rare beans seem to find every possible crack to fall through!

Racemosa’s harvest window is equally unique: just six weeks, compared to over six months for Arabica. However, this coincides with the wet, rainy season, presenting additional challenges for drying.Our farms are located in South Africa, within the stunning province of KwaZulu-Natal. The original plantation is nestled in Hluhluwe, on the renowned “Elephant Coast,” while our second plantation is in Ballito, along the picturesque “Dolphin Coast.”

Where Your Coffee Makes a Difference

World Coffee Research

World Coffee Research leads global efforts to secure coffee’s future - developing resilient varieties, improving quality, and strengthening farmer livelihoods. By sourcing with us, roasters actively support this vital work, helping safeguard the supply and diversity of coffee for the long term.
Read more.

1% for the Planet

Through 1% for the Planet, we commit a portion of every sale to environmental projects worldwide. For roasters, that means your green coffee purchases directly contribute to protecting ecosystems, tackling climate change, and supporting the landscapes coffee depends on.
Read more.

Meet your sourcing partner

Cultivar Racemosa

Countries of operation South Africa

Our sourcing partner for Racemosa coffee, Charles Denison of Cultivar Coffee South Africa, is a true expert in the coffee world. With a career rooted in both academic and practical experience, Charles has completed a Master’s thesis on smallholder coffee production, traded on the New York Coffee Exchange, and worked extensively with farmers to promote sustainable agricultural practices.



As South Africa’s only independent licensed Q-Grader certified by the Coffee Quality Institute, Charles has spent time in the coffee fields of eight major growing regions around the globe. His career spans every step of the coffee supply chain, from working with the world’s largest arabica suppliers to collaborating with boutique micro-roasters across Europe and America. He has also contributed to the prestigious Cup of Excellence program.



At Cultivar Coffee, Charles excels at building meaningful connections between producers and specialty markets, ensuring quality and sustainability are upheld at every stage. His depth of knowledge and dedication make him an invaluable part of bringing unique coffee like Racemosa to life.

Regular price £61.25
As low as: £245.00
Regular price Sale price £61.25
Processing method
Natural
Varietal
Heirloom wild genetics
Main flavour notes
Passion Fruit | Peach | Sugarcane | Basil | Mint | Cedar
View full details

Available Now

In warehouse and ready to go

Pay in your preferred currency

We support +30 currencies

Buy now, pay later

Relaxed payment terms to suit you

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    Emma Nash

    I highly recommend Green Coffee Collective - fabulous communication and timely shipping times and updates. Ordering is simple and transparent and the team are always on hand to answer questions or queries - definitely a 5 star business!

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    Daniel Tarling-Hunter

    Really great help in advising how to roast the beans as well as what types are best for relative newcomers. Will buy from them going forwards.

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    Dan Neale

    My absolute no1 place to get my small quantities of green coffee. Service is impeccable and the price is very very fair. For a small batch roastery this was one of our biggest point to navigate but the Green Coffee Collective made this a nothing thing for us now.

How we package
our coffees

Barrier packaging designed for specialty coffee.

We use Ecotact bags because they offer high-barrier protection against oxygen, moisture, and external contaminants. This helps preserve the quality, aroma, and flavour potential of your green coffee during transport and storage. They're trusted by top producers and importers worldwide.

Heat-Sealed for Maximum Protection

Every bag is professionally heat sealed at our warehouse to lock in freshness. This creates a secure seal that prevents exposure to air or humidity - keeping your green coffee stable, even over long periods.

Convenient Resealable Zip Closures

Once opened, each bag has a resealable zip to help you store and protect the rest of your coffee between roasts. It’s a simple way to reduce waste and maintain freshness - especially helpful for home roasters or sampling.

Portion sizes for any roaster.

Whether you're roasting at home or running a production line, we've got a size to suit. Choose from 0.5kg, 1kg, or 5kg bags - all packed with the same level of care. Smaller volumes make it easy to try new coffees without the commitment.

Responsible packaging choices.

Our bags are made from Graded 7 multi-layer recyclable plastic. While they may not go in your home recycling bin, they are accepted by specialist facilities. More importantly, they reduce waste by dramatically extending the shelf life of your green coffee.

Frequent Questions

Is your coffee unroasted?

Yes – all the coffee we sell is raw, unroasted green coffee unless clearly marked as a roasted sample. It might sound obvious, but it's one of the most common questions we get! If you're buying from us, you're getting green coffee ready for roasting.

How long does delivery take, and can I track my order?

We usually pack and dispatch orders within 1–2 working days. Once it’s on the move, you’ll get a tracking link so you can follow it all the way to your door.

For UK and EU deliveries, most orders arrive within 2–5 working days. International shipping can take a little longer depending on customs, but we’ll keep you updated every step of the way.

If you need your coffee urgently, you can select an express shipping option at checkout.

How does your quality guarantee work?

We stand by every coffee we offer — if the quality doesn’t match the listing, we’ll refund or credit you. No fuss.

We work directly with specialty producers and sourcing partners who are deeply connected to their regions. Every coffee is selected based on quality, transparency, and value — and we always share the details up front, from processing to cupping scores.

If something feels off when your coffee arrives, just get in touch. We’ll put it right, every time.

Will I need to pay customs duties or taxes?

No - if you're ordering from within the UK or EU, there are no extra customs charges or hidden fees. We warehouse UK orders in the UK and EU orders in the EU, so everything stays within the region. The price you see is the price you pay.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), plus PayPal. You can also use gift cards at checkout. If your gift card doesn’t cover the full amount, you can easily top it up with another payment method.

How does your pricing work?

We keep our pricing simple, transparent, and fair. What you see on the product page is the final price per bag - no hidden fees, no surprises at checkout.

Prices are based on the coffee's quality, variety, processing method, and how it's sourced. We offer multiple sizes (from 0.5kg to 5kg), with smaller sizes priced to include repacking and packaging costs. Shipping is free, and VAT is already included in the price you see.

Do you offer any roasting advice for green coffee?

Absolutely. We work with roasters of all levels – from complete beginners to seasoned pros – and we’re always happy to share what we know.

You’ll find starter tips and roast profiles on our blog, or you can drop us a message if you’ve got questions about a specific coffee. A medium roast is usually a great place to start - it gives you a balanced view of the coffee’s flavour, and you can adjust from there.

What is your return policy if I'm not satisfied with the coffee do you offer any guarantees?

We want you to be happy with every coffee you try. If something doesn’t feel right - whether it’s a quality issue or your order isn’t what you expected - just get in touch. We’ll always do our best to put it right, whether that means a replacement, refund, or store credit.

Is there any customer support available if I have questions after purchasing or if something goes wrong?

Definitely. We’re here to help before, during, and after your order. If you have any questions about your coffee, roasting, or if something’s gone wrong with your delivery, just reach out. We’re a small team, but we’re quick to reply and always happy to sort things out.

You can contact us by email (hello@greencoffeecollective.com) or through the form on our website whatever works best for you.

What do your flavour notes mean?

Flavour notes describe the natural characteristics found in the coffee - shaped by things like variety, processing, and how it’s cultivated.

You might notice hints of chocolate, red fruit, florals or citrus. These aren’t added flavours - they’re subtle notes that come through when a coffee is grown, processed, and roasted with care. We include detailed origin info and flavour profiles on every product page to help you choose the right coffee for your taste.

Can I sample the coffee before purchasing?

Yes - we offer samples for nearly all of our coffees. There’s a small fee to cover the cost of packaging, green coffee, and prep, but it’s a great way to try before committing to a larger order.

Samples may not be available on limited-release or rare coffees due to low stock. If you’re unsure, just get in touch - we’re happy to help you find the right fit.

Unfortunately we can't offer samples in the EU yet.

How does the Cupping Score translate into taste or quality?

The cupping score is a quality grading system used by coffee professionals. It’s based on how a coffee tastes in a controlled tasting — looking at things like sweetness, balance, acidity, and complexity.

80–84 = Clean and consistent with good flavour — great everyday coffees.

85–87 = More complexity, distinct flavours, and refined sweetness.

88+ = Exceptional – rare, expressive coffees with standout characteristics.

Scores help you understand what to expect in the cup, but taste is personal. We include flavour notes and process details on every product page to help you find what suits your style best.

What’s the best way to brew this coffee once it’s roasted?

That depends on the coffee and how you like to drink it — but most of our coffees will shine as a filter brew (like V60, Chemex, or batch brew) or as a single origin espresso.

We’ve grouped our coffees into helpful collections like Espresso, Fruity Filter, and Cold Brew to guide you toward the right fit. Once roasted, feel free to experiment - you’ll quickly discover what brings out the best in each bean.

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