Imagine sipping a cup of coffee that costs more than what the average Malaysian earns in a month. That’s exactly what’s happening in Dubai, where a new cafe has made headlines for serving what’s now officially recognised as the world’s most expensive coffee, priced at nearly USD1,000 (around RM4,100) per cup.
Yes, you read that right. One cup of coffee could cost you a month’s rent, groceries, and your Netflix subscription combined.
Born on a Volcano, Sold in the Desert
The secret behind this luxurious brew lies in its beans, the Nido 7 Geisha, grown on the fertile slopes of Panama’s Barú volcano. These beans are famous for their delicate, floral profile and are considered among the rarest and most prized in the world.
To get them, Dubai’s Julith Café went all in. The café outbid hundreds of competitors in a global auction, ultimately paying a jaw-dropping 2.2 million dirhams (around RM2.5 million) for just 20 kilograms of beans.
That’s the highest price ever paid for coffee beans in history. It’s the kind of number that makes you pause before taking a sip. And it’s what earned Julith the title of serving the world’s most expensive coffee.
What Does the RM4,100 World’s Most Expensive Coffee Even Taste Like?
So, what exactly does a RM4,100 cup taste like? According to Julith’s co-founder Serkan Sagsoz, it’s nothing like your usual espresso or cappuccino.
“It’s like honey, delicate and smooth,” he said.
“There are white floral notes like jasmine, citrus flavours like orange and bergamot and a hint of apricot and peach,”
It’s not meant to wake you up, it’s meant to make you pause, savour, and appreciate the artistry behind every bean.
Only 400 cups of this rare brew will ever be served. Once it’s gone, that’s it.
Dubai, Where Luxury Meets Everyday Life
From indoor ski resorts to man-made islands, Dubai thrives on one-upping itself. So, it’s no surprise that Julith Café, located in what was once an industrial zone, is now at the centre of the city’s newest obsession.
After all, if any city could pull off a RM4,100 coffee, it’s Dubai.
“We felt Dubai was the perfect place for our investment,” Sagsoz explained.
The café’s minimalist setting contrasts beautifully with the extravagance of its menu, embodying Dubai’s signature mix of subtle elegance and over-the-top ambition.
Reserved for Royalty
Since its debut, Julith has attracted attention from Asian buyers, Emirati collectors, and coffee enthusiasts worldwide.
But the café has turned down all requests to buy the beans.
Why? Because a small, exclusive portion is reserved for Dubai’s ruling family.
The rest? Brewed only for those bold enough (and wealthy enough) to experience the world’s most expensive coffee.
The cup also breaks a recent record, dethroning another Dubai café, Roasters, which previously sold its own luxury coffee for RM2,842.
Would You Pay a Month’s Salary for a Cup of Coffee?
The median monthly wage in Malaysia was RM2,864 as of June 2025. That means a single cup of this coffee literally costs more than what half of Malaysians earn in an entire month.
Let’s be honest, most of us hesitate before spending RM15 on a latte. But for the ultra-wealthy, this isn’t just coffee. It’s an experience, a story to tell, and maybe even a reflection of how far passion can go when money is no object.
Would you spend your month’s salary just to taste it though?
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