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Washed Racemosa

The World's Rarest Coffee

Low Caf

Rare

This is not arabica. Keep an open mind.

Coffea racemosa is one of only a handful of the 130+ known coffee species ever cultivated, and today it sits on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. Our partner has germinated nearly 10,000 racemosa seedlings over eight years - roughly 90% of all known racemosa plants on earth.

The numbers explain the rarity. Each plant yields around 100g of cherry, which is roughly 10g of green coffee. Where a hectare of arabica might give 2,000kg, racemosa currently gives under 200kg. The beans themselves are tiny (about the size of a lentil) and slip through every crack designed for arabica: harvesting, processing, and roasting all have to be re-engineered. The harvest window is just six weeks, and it falls in the wet season, making drying its own challenge.

Why washed?

This lot is traditionally washed by design. Rather than layering on fancy fermentation, the producer wanted to let the species speak for itself. Most drinkers who try it want to taste the coffee, not the process, and this is the clearest window into what racemosa actually is.

A coffee with history - and a future

The Portuguese farmed racemosa at scale in Mozambique from the late 1800s, exporting most of it back to Lisbon, where it won gold medals for taste in the early 1900s. Today it matters for different reasons: its natural heat tolerance, drought resistance, and disease resilience make it a genuine candidate for the climate-resilient coffees of the future. Brazil crossed it with arabica in the 1970s to create "Aramosa"; only now, with the climate crisis, are breeders looking seriously at its other traits.

Grown in its indigenous habitat, the plants need no chemical pesticides or herbicides, and cultivation supports jobs in rural areas with high unemployment. Buying this coffee directly supports the protection and expansion of a rare, threatened species.

The practical details

Stock to order. We hold this on request - order it and we'll courier it in, arriving with us within ~10 days. Vacuum-packed in 1kg bags, ready to roast.

Limited availability: approximately a total of 80kg of this crop exists, we've been allocated a small amount for our customers.

⚠️ Roaster note: Due to the very small bean size, racemosa may not roast well in machines with perforated drums. Please check your setup before ordering.

Help push the species forward: If you roast this coffee, we'd love to hear your findings. Every bit of feedback goes back to the producer and helps advance this unique species.

A Gentler Lift

A gentle, mindful alternative to standard caffeine levels.

An Exceptional Find

Rare, experimental lots in tiny quantities. These unique finds are never restocked.

Regular price £90
Sale price £90 Regular price
Processing Method
Washed
Main Flavour Notes
Gluhwein | Quince | Mandarin | Eucalyptus | Blackcurrant
Varietal
Heirloom wild genetics
Harvest Period
November - December 2025
Altitude
120 masl
Screen Size
10-12
Species
Racemosa
Original Packaging
Vacuum Packed
Region
Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa (Hluhluwe)
See on a map
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A Gentler Lift

A gentle, mindful alternative to standard caffeine levels.

An Exceptional Find

Rare, experimental lots in tiny quantities. These unique finds are never restocked.

How Much Do You Need?

Free Shipping

All UK orders over £30 ship free.

Weight   Availability Price per kg Total Price Price per kg
Best Seller
0.25kg   0 left £360.00/kg £90.00
£360.00/kg
0.5kg   0 left £300.00/kg £150.00
£300.00/kg
1kg   0 left £280.00/kg £280.00
£280.00/kg
Best Value
5kg   0 left £270.00/kg £1,350.00
£270.00/kg

Looking to access wholesale pricing?

Want to sample before you purchase?

Type Total Price Total Price

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

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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.

Roast Profiles

KaffeLogic

Nano 7

Sean Ellis
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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.”

Pairing Flavour with Music

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 £90
Sale price £90 Regular price
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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    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.

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    Carlos Costa

    Very nice service! Great super high quality coffee at a very fair price! Will buy again for sure!

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    Gordon D

    Highly recommend the Green Coffee Collective for all your raw green unroasted coffee beans. I’ve been buying from this company for a few months now, buying generally in 1Kg batches.The choice is amazing. I’ve had first class service, with great communication and speedy dispatch of all orders.

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 the UK or the Europe, there are no customs charges or hidden fees.

We ship UK orders from our UK warehouse and EU orders from our EU-based warehouse, so everything stays within the region.

For UK customers, the price you see on the product page is the final price.

For EU customers, VAT rates vary by country, so your final price (including the correct local VAT) is shown clearly at the final step of checkout before 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.