For some time now, we've known and understood Dubai, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, as the city of utter opulence (and excess). It's not just hotels, restaurants, and luxury cars: in Dubai, even a cup of espresso becomes an exclusive treat, reserved for those who can (fortunately) afford it. We're talking about Nido 7 Geisha coffee, a rare variety from Panama that, in the Emirati city, is prepared with great care and accompanied by an uncompromising service. Custom-made crystal glasses, hand-extracted coffees, and exquisite dessert pairings are the order of the day. The result? A cup of coffee sells for the astronomical price of 3,600 dirhams (about 970 dollars).
Why Does It Cost So Much?
Nido 7 Geisha is served at Julith Coffee, an exclusive Dubai establishment where coffee becomes a symbol of luxury and status. Founded by Turkish entrepreneur Serkan Sagsoz, in recent interviews with the foreign press, he explained that the beans for this coffee originate from Ethiopia but are grown on the plantations of Hacienda La Esmeralda, near the Barú volcano in Panama. A drink that falls somewhere between coffee and tea and smells of jasmine, peach, citrus, and apricot.
To purchase 20 kilos of it, the owners of Julith spent over half a million dollars during an auction that lasted approximately 13 hours. More than a coffee, it's a small "vice" that only a select few can afford: we're talking about a perfect expression of the luxury of the United Arab Emirates.
Each berry of this coffee, whose yield is minimal, is handpicked and selected one by one. They are then slowly processed, sun-dried, and guarded as if they were precious gems. The journey of these beans to the Emirates is long and complex.
The tasting is designed as a theatrical experience: customers watch the preparation and are guided by experts who illustrate each aromatic note. You pay for the rarity, of course, but also for the atmosphere, the elegant service, and the impeccable ritual with which the cup is presented. Furthermore, those who prefer privacy can sit in a private room, where each sip costs up to 115 dollars, and the establishment plans to serve up to 400 cups a day.
Nido 7 Geisha Vs. Black Ivory Coffee
If the story of Nest 7 Geisha seemed a bit out of the ordinary (and indeed it is), that of Black Ivory is even more bizarre. Both types of coffee are considered among the most expensive in the world. This is produced in northern Thailand, thanks to a process involving domesticated elephants: Arabica coffee beans are fed to the pachyderms, passed through their digestive systems, collected from their feces, cleaned, dried, and roasted.
Why all this? Enzymes in elephants' stomachs alter the structure of the bean, breaking down the proteins that contribute to bitterness and imparting a smoother, sweeter flavor profile, with notes of chocolate, cocoa, tamarind, and a subtle hint of tobacco. How much does this rarity cost? Production is extremely limited: for each kilo of finished product, approximately 33 kg of coffee cherries are needed, and many beans are lost or damaged. A kilo of Black Ivory coffee can cost over $3,400, with a cup costing $96–110.
Now, we imagine you're wondering which of the two products is the more expensive. So, if we simply measure the cost of an espresso, the Dubai one clearly has a higher price. However, if we look at the "cost per kilo," the rarity of production, and the difficulty of the process, the Thai one appears to be an even more extreme elite product. In other words: in Dubai, you pay a lot for the experience; in Thailand, you pay a lot for the rarity of the process.
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