A cafe in Dubai is now serving the world’s most expensive cup of coffee, with a price tag of 3,600 dirhams (around $980) per cup. The coffee, brewed from rare Panamanian beans, is being offered at Julith, a cafe located in an industrial area of the city that has become a hotspot for coffee enthusiasts. The co-founder of Julith, Serkan Sagsoz, explained that Dubai, with its luxury market, was the ideal location for such a premium offering.
The coffee, known for its distinct floral and fruity flavours, is described as having jasmine-like floral notes, citrus hints of orange and bergamot, and a touch of apricot and peach. “It’s like honey, delicate and sweet,” Sagsoz said. This unique flavour profile sets the coffee apart from typical brews, drawing those looking for an exceptional taste experience.
Julith plans to serve around 400 cups of the Nido 7 Geisha coffee, which is grown on a plantation near Panama’s Baru volcano. The beans for this exclusive coffee were purchased at a high-stakes auction in Panama, where the cafe reportedly paid a record amount: 2.2 million dirhams (approximately $600,000) for just 20 kilograms of beans.
A Record-Breaking Brew
Julith’s offering comes just weeks after Dubai set another coffee-related record. Last month, Roasters, another Dubai-based cafe, set a Guinness World Record by selling the world’s most expensive cup of coffee at 2,500 dirhams. While many locals find the prices shocking, others see it as part of Dubai’s culture of extravagant experiences. “For wealthy people, it’s just another experience they can boast about,” said Maeva, a Dubai resident.
Despite the high cost, the Julith cafe has attracted attention from international buyers, including Emirati coffee enthusiasts and Asian collectors. However, the cafe has confirmed that it will not be selling the beans outside of its exclusive offering in Dubai, with a small amount reserved for the emirate’s ruling family.
Coffee Culture in Dubai
The allure of rare, high-priced coffee has become part of Dubai’s broader trend of offering luxurious experiences. Dubai is known for its bold ventures into high-end goods and services, and this latest addition to the city’s café scene is no exception. For those curious about other extravagant ventures in the city, one only needs to look at other records set in the city, such as the Guinness World Record for the fastest beard trim.
While the price of a single cup of coffee may seem excessive, it speaks to the growing demand for unique and rare commodities in the UAE. Whether it’s coffee or other luxury items, Dubai continues to set the standard for extraordinary consumer experiences.
