'It's Like a Top-Shelf Whiskey': Bay Area Buzzing Over $15 Coffee

NBC Bay Area ^ | Feb 10, 2016 | Terry McSweeney

[nickcarraway]

It took eight years to produce the first crop of Finca Sophia, grown in the mountains of Panama.

A San Francisco Bay Area coffee shop is charging $15 for a cup of joe — and apparently people can't get enough of it.

The not-your-average cup is called Finca Sophia and can be found at Equator Coffee, which has locations in San Francisco and Mill Valley.

The beans are from the Gesha variety, grown way up in the mountains of Panama. It took eight years to produce the first crop, which was not much and prompted a spike in price.

Equator Coffee educator Akaash Saini said various fertilizers are used to grow the coffee beans.

"Doing different things when it comes to farming and harvesting techniques," Saini said. "Whatever we can do to get the best cup of coffee."

Saini said when it comes to Finca Sophia, you get what you pay for.

"It's almost like a top-shelf whiskey, or a $40 bottle of wine compared to an $8 bottle of wine," Saini said.

The Equator Coffee location in San Francisco's Market Street has already sold out of Finca Sophia.

"Amazing, very amazing," San Francisco-resident Myron Tate said of experiencing the premium dark brew.

Steve Jordan drove to Mill Valley from San Francisco just to get his cup of Finca Sophia.

"It's amazing, I really like it," Jordan said. "It's more like a tea mix than a true coffee."

Not everyone, however, shared their opinions.

"I don't really like it," said Mill Valley resident Heidi Connelly, adding that the coffee was bitter.

[Mr. K]

I have always thought Maxwell House French Roast to be the best coffee I ever had

Other brands French Roast are not the same