Notes of jasmine and citrus, with a touch of peach and apricot. The “Nido 7 Geisha” is not just any aroma, but the most refined among the thousands of coffee variations in the world. And it couldn’t be otherwise given that it is probably also the most expensive: 3,600 dirhams, more or less 850 euros, the cup. Not exactly a drink for everyone and after all it is served in an exclusive venue in glitzy Dubai, the Julith.
The beans come from the Hacienda La Esmeralda plantations which is located near the Barù volcano, the highest point in Panama. To win 20 kilos, the owners of Julith put over half a million euros on the table in an auction that lasted 13 hours with 549 bids.
The delicacy will be on the menu at Julith from tomorrow. Located in an industrial district that has become a mecca for coffee lovers, the place plans to serve “around 400 cups” of the precious nectar a day, explained one of the founders, Serkan Sagsoz, who after running a café in Turkey for 7 years decided to try a new adventure in the United Arab Emirates.
Those who order the Nido 7 Geisha will witness all the stages from filtration – done according to a method that guarantees optimal extraction of flavors – to tasting, with detailed descriptions of the processes. And you can choose whether to sit at the table in the dining room with others or in a private room to taste every sip for around 100 euros.
According to Sagsoz, the drink has floral and fruity notes reminiscent of tea: white flowers like jasmine, citrus flavors like orange and bergamot, and a hint of apricot and peach. “It’s like honey, delicate and sweet,” he explained. “We felt Dubai was the ideal location for this investment,” he stressed. Not wrongly. In September the emirate had already entered the Guinness Book of Records for the most expensive cup of coffee in the world, served at Roasters for 2,500 dirhams, approximately 550 euros.
The Julith has received many inquiries from Asian buyers and Emirati coffee lovers, including bean collectors. But he will not share the treasure. Apart from reserving a small share for the ruling family of Dubai, who just couldn’t say no.