This may be the world's most expensive cup of coffee, costing an astonishing $980 (£750). The pricy pick-me-up comes from Dubai's Julith Coffee & Roastery. The specialty coffee house made global headlines in August with its record-breaking purchase of the world's rarest beans - the Nido 7 Geisha batch. The café is now ready to serve its first cup - which will set customers back almost $1,000. Head Coffee Roaster Serkan Sagsoz says the price has not been set to take advantage of Dubai's wealthy residents. "This is not a gimmick or a marketing stunt - we're not serving it in a gold cup with extravagant extras," the Turkish Champion Barista explains. "The Nido 7 Geisha is a remarkable coffee that only a handful of people on the planet will ever taste, and now, for the first time, that's possible right here in Dubai. The reason for the extravagant price? With only 20 kilograms in existence, Nido 7 Geisha sparked an intense bidding war at the 2025 Best of Panama Auction, attracting 549 bids from the world's most respected roasters and collectors. Julith ultimately secured the lot for a record-breaking $604,080 - the highest price ever paid for auction coffee. Judged by 22 of the world's leading coffee experts, it earned 98 points at the Best of Panama competition - the most prestigious coffee auction on the planet - setting a new global benchmark for quality. Until now, no coffee had ever scored above 96.5. Most remarkably, six international judges awarded it a perfect score of 100 - an almost unheard-of achievement in the history of specialty coffee. One man who might not have to pay full price, however, is Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed. "With so little of it in existence, every cup feels like a piece of history," adds Serkan. "I would be truly honoured to one day brew a cup for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed. We've reserved a portion of the beans for the Royal Family, should they wish to visit us." Julith's Panama Geisha Experience is designed as a curated tasting for one to four guests per session, guiding coffee lovers from the remote, high-altitude slopes of Panama where it is cultivated, to the meticulous roasting and brewing techniques that unlock its rare floral aromatics, vibrant acidity, and unparalleled depth. Each session includes one carefully brewed cup of Nido 7, with the option to order additional cups individually.