The most expensive coffee in the world, on sale in Dubai. The beans were bought for hundreds of thousands of dollars at an auction in Panama
Illustrative image, source: Yap Kee Chan | Dreamstime.com
A cafe in Dubai sells the most expensive coffee in the world, made from Panamanian beans sold at a premium price, according to AFP.
The wealthy emirate is known for its extravagant projects, including a mall with an indoor ski area, the world's tallest building and an artificial island dotted with five-star hotels.
“We felt that Dubai was the perfect place for our investment,” said Serkan Sagsoz, co-founder of Julith Cafe, which sells the coffee for nearly $1,000 a cup.
Located in an industrial district that has become a hotspot for coffee lovers, Julith plans to serve “around 400 cups” starting Saturday, Sagsoz told AFP.
Priced at 3,600 dirhams (about $980), the coffee offers an experience with floral and fruity flavors reminiscent of tea.
“There are white floral notes like jasmine, citrus flavors like orange and bergamot, and a touch of apricot and peach,” said Sagsoz, who previously ran a cafe in his native Turkey.
“It's like honey, delicate and sweet,” he added.
“It's very shocking, but at the same time it's Dubai”
Dubai had set a Guinness World Record for the world's most expensive cup of coffee last month when Roasters sold one for 2,500 dirhams.
The new record surprised some people, although locals also said it was normal for the city with a luxurious lifestyle.
“It's very shocking, but at the same time it's Dubai,” said Ines, who did not give her last name.
“For wealthy people, it's just another experience to brag about,” added another resident, Maeva.
600,000 dollars for 20 kilograms of coffee beans
Cafe Julith bought its beans at an auction in Panama that lasted many hours and attracted hundreds of bids.
Twenty kilograms of beans were awarded for about 2.2 million dirhams, or $600,000, Julith said in a press release.
Asian buyers, Emirati coffee enthusiasts and coffee bean collectors have since contacted the cafe in hopes of obtaining some of the 'Nido 7 Geisha' beans, which are grown on a plantation near Panama's Baru volcano.
However, the cafe said it has no plans to share the beans, beyond a small amount reserved for Dubai's ruling family.
Photo Source: Yap Kee Chan | Dreamstime.com
